Tour Operators
Transat Offers Update On Changes, Cancellations
In a message to travel advisors, Transat says that “unfortunately travel demand has slowed since the recent government advisory to Canadians to avoid non-essential international travel.” And it continues that: “Since then, we have offered those booked to travel Dec. 16, 2021 to Jan. 12, 2022, the opportunity to change their travel dates or to cancel and receive a travel credit. To make changes, agents must call our Contact Centre, there will be no change fee, but any fare difference will apply. Requests for cancellation must be submitted using our online cancellation...
Forecast 2022
2021 had all the hallmarks of becoming a successful year, but unfortunately for a number of reasons, it didn’t quite achieve its potential, writes Eric Barber, vice president, national sales, Realstar Hospitality, in the latest issue of Canadian Travel Press. At one point, Barber observes: “A week ago, I would have painted a very optimistic picture of 2022 for our industry. A week is a long time in the travel business these days, and unfortunately any optimism I had is now gone.” Barber joins Collette’s Brett Walker; Flight Centre Travel Group’s Chris Lynes;...
G Adventures Sets Out On The Trans Bhutan Trail
After two years of extensive restoration, the Kingdom of Bhutan will reopen the historic and sacred Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years in March 2022. The trail will be officially inaugurated by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, whose vision it was to restore the ancient route for tourism, adventure and connection. From April 2022, international tourists will be able to walk the trail for the first time, simultaneously providing much-needed economic benefits to rural communities along the way. G Adventures, has been selected by the Bhutan Canada Foundation, the...
Tauck Marks Strong 2021 Restart With 850th Departure
Guests traveling on Tauck’s “Antarctica” cruise recently were treated to a surprise champagne toast in celebration of an important milestone: their group represents Tauck’s 850th trip since resuming operations last January. The toast took place at Tauck’s featured pre-cruise hotel in Buenos Aires, and the 13-day journey concludes next week in Ushuaia, Argentina. Tauck CEO Dan Mahar said: “We’re celebrating not only our 850th departure, but also the fact that we’ve successfully operated 96 different journeys in 36 countries on five continents around the...
Hola Sun Marks 30th Anniversary
Feel free to wish Hola Sun a belated Happy Birthday... The Cuba specialist -- known as Caribe Sol in Quebec -- marked its 30th year on Dec. 5, with the milestone coinciding with an Hola Sun fam trip to Cuba's Jardines del Rey, the archipelago found off Cuba's north coast that is seeing ongoing tourism infrastructure development, thanks to its sun-soaked beaches. The Hola Sun anniversary didn't go unnoticed in Jardines del Rey, with several hotels the fam visited producing birthday cakes when Hola Sun staff and travel agents visited. The staffers were also treated to a rousing...
Show Us The Science
The WestJet Group has expressed its strong opposition to the travel advisory issued by the federal government yesterday (Dec. 15), arguing that the targeted advice outlined was not based on science and data and significantly undermines aviation's proven safety record in response to COVID-19. And it made it abundantly clear that the new measures “are a setback in Canada's progress and its successful transition from relying on blanket advisories and policies.” G Adventures’ managing director for Canada, David Green said that: “While all caution must be taken in the interests...
We’ve Been Here Before
It appears that the federal government will reinstate the non-essential travel advisory – which was only recently lifted in October of this year -- as well as new and stricter testing measures. The moves – reported by multiple media sources – come following a meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the first ministers of the provinces and territories. During that meeting, a range of options for travel restrictions were discussed, including everything from banning non-essential foreign travellers, ramped up testing and more as the federal, provincial and territorial...
Canada Prepares For The Comeback
The tourism big picture for Destination Canada still has many dark clouds, but work by the organization is starting to render a brighter outlook for the coming years, reports Press Today’s Ted Davis. With the many challenges of the past 21 months comes the opportunity to rebuild the Canadian tourism industry with new marketing concepts and directions, said Marsha Walden, president and CEO of Destination Canada. Strategies at Destination Canada have been shaped by the need to help generate this tourism renaissance, she said during the DMO’s annual public meeting. But before...