Tour Operators
TICO Reinstating Fees In 2023
These are busy times for the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO). Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, TICO has worked diligently to support Ontario’s travel agencies and tour operators, while ensuring consumers continued to engage in a safe and fair travel marketplace. Between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023, all TICO annual registration renewal fees and Compensation Fund assessments owing during this period were waived. This was possible due to temporary funding from the Ontario government. This allowed registrants to focus on their priority business needs...
A New Perspective
H.I.S.-Red Label Vacations Inc. (RLV) has signed a sales partnership with Space Perspective that will see it become an authorized agency to sell their products. The partnership aims to develop a new market and open the world to Canadian travellers. RLV is the first Canadian tour operator to offer space products. Space Perspective is the world’s first luxury spaceflight company, inviting explorers to experience a new perspective that only space can provide. Escorted to the edge of space inside Spaceship Neptune’s pressurized capsule propelled by a high-performance SpaceBalloon,...
Reps4Rent Is Ready To Serve
Spotting a void in the Canadian travel business, well-known industry veteran Dianne Jackson has launched Reps4Rent – a company that will provide short-term or project-based representation, consultation and other services geared to the needs of tour operators, tourist boards, hoteliers, cruise lines, airlines and retail travel agencies. Jackson, who has over 35 years in senior management roles in the Canadian travel industry, observed: “As we come out of the pandemic, it has become so clear that our industry can no longer sustain the larger sales teams of yesterday.” And she...
Sunwing Introduces Worry Free Plus Option
Sunwing is updating its Worry Free insurance offerings effective Sept. 19 and is introducing Worry Free Plus, a new coverage option to further meet the travel needs of customers and ensure they can vacation in paradise with confidence. In making the announcement, Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing, said that: “Demand for winter and holiday travel is at its peak and, as Canadians gear up for their upcoming getaways, we want to meet customers where they are and provide them with more travel coverage options to suit their specific needs.” Dawson continued:...
Goway Picks A Winner In Elephant Naming Contest
Goway, in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Services, has announced the name of its sponsored Kenyan elephant -- Tumaini, which means in Swahili. For the past two months, Goway has been sponsoring a contest to get travel agents to suggest names for the elephant. Every travel professional who made a booking to Africa with Goway over that time was invited to help name the sponsored elephant. All the suggestions were collected and voted on by a select panel of individuals, which included Bruce Hodge, Founder and President of Goway and Betty Ichan, Acting Director Marketing Support...
Sunwing Goes Galactic, Adds Melbourne, Florida
Sunwing has added Melbourne, Florida – a new destination for the operator on the Sunshine State’s Space Coast. The tour operator will also be returning to two beloved destinations in the United States this winter with multiple direct flights from Toronto and Montréal, including Orlando and Miami. Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing, said that: “This winter, we’re thrilled to be returning to Florida with Melbourne as our newest destination offering for Sunwing customers.” Dawson continued: “In addition to the desirable destinations of...
Intrepid Acquires JOOB
Intrepid Travel has acquired a majority shareholding in Australian adventure tourism business and destination management company (DMC) JOOB (Jump Out Of Bed). This is the latest in a series of recent acquisitions, aimed at fuelling growth and further strengthening Intrepid’s global operational capability and DMC network. Perth-based JOOB runs trips in every Australian state and territory (except Australian Capital Territory) with depots in locations such as Perth, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Hobart and Melbourne, among others. It also operates seasonally out of Darwin and...
Evan Evans Unveils Fully Electric Zero Emission Coach
Evan Evans Tours has announced its first fully electric zero-emission motor coach on select itineraries, an industry first by a major sightseeing tour operator in London on fully guided day tours. Guests can travel in comfort with the coach’s enhanced features include complimentary WI-FI, USB charging onboard and fully air- conditioned, all the while producing zero-emissions from transportation. Also, the vehicle is PSVAR compliant (The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations) which enables guests who are fully confined to a wheelchair, can travel onboard, as it is fitted...