Tour Operators
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...
Smyth Joins Goway
Goway has named Ian Smyth as Account Manager in Canada. Smyth has over 20 years experience working in the travel industry, with organizations such as Fun Sun Vacations, WestJet, and WestJet Vacations. He has spent the most recent five years working for Norwegian Cruise Lines as their Business Development Director. His experience in corporate sales, strategic accounts, and business development will be invaluable in his new role with Goway. Renee Stanton-Defaria, General Manager of Sales at Goway, said: “As Goway continues to grow our external sales, I’m thrilled to welcome...
Australia, New Zealand On Costsaver’s 2022 Itinerary
Costsaver is expanding to two additional destinations with brand new itineraries in Australia and New Zealand for 2022. As international borders begin to reopen, these new itineraries offer the expertise of a guided experience with all the essentials and opportunities for clients to tailor the trip to create their perfect bucket list adventure. The new itineraries are available for booking now for travel in 2022 and 2023. Wolf Paunic, President of Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations and Costsaver Canada, explained: “We saw amazing growth before the pandemic and with high demand for...
Changing The Face Of Youth Travel
Hostelworld and G Adventures are joining forces to bring a new style of travel to 18 to 35-year-olds - Roamies. This new collaboration launches with a collection of 38 tours in 15 countries staying across more than 50 hostels, and sees travellers exploring iconic destinations with the world’s hottest hostels as their home-base - to both hang out and kick-start adventures. Tours start to depart on May 8, 2022 and have been available to book from Dec. 8, 2021, with between 16 and 24 travellers sharing experiences on each departure. The Roamies collection is the start of a...
Cuba: Sunny, Safe And Ready For Travellers
Cuban prime minister Manuel Marrero Cruz says his country is both a sunny and safe destination for coronavirus-wary travellers who continue to hear media reports of countries struggling with the pandemic, reports Press Today's Ian Stalker who's in Cuba attending the event. Marrero Cruz said during a Wednesday presentation at a tourism fair held by Cuban tourism company Gaviota that his country of over 11 million people saw only 77 reported coronavirus cases on Dec. 8, while its capital of Havana -- home to over 3 million people -- saw a scant 14 cases. Cuban cases peaked at 9,907 on...