Tour Operators
TICO To Consult On Funding Framework, Fee Model
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is planning on consulting with registrants and stakeholders on a range of issues and challenges relating to the current funding framework and fee model. Consultations are set to begin in September, with TICO noting in its announcement of the sessions that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated Ontario’s’ travel marketplace and TICO’s consumer protection role during this period has also been challenged. It notes that following a series of communications and regulatory amendments which came into effect March 30, 2020, registrants have...
Intrepid Makes It Simple
Intrepid Travel will be phasing out Peregrine Adventures from January 2022 as it focuses on extending its higher-end travel options under the Intrepid Premium and Comfort ranges. The brand simplification supports Intrepid’s growth strategy as the business aims to become the first purpose-led $1 billion adventure travel company. It also provides customers with the widest range of sustainable experience-rich travel. In a similar move, Intrepid successfully phased out the Geckos Adventures ‘youth’ brand in 2018 to transition to its popular 18 to...
Vaccinated Tours, Travel-Ready Programs From G Adventures
G Adventures is introducing its new Vaccinated Tours program, with each trip having a fully vaccinated chief experience officer (CEO or tour guide) confirmed to lead the tour, on which all travellers must also be fully vaccinated. When surveyed, 56% of travellers globally expressed that having a vaccinated CEO was actually more important to them than their fellow travellers being fully vaccinated, which 45% of travellers indicated they would prefer when travelling on a small group tour. Due to the vast number of tours and destinations G Adventures is currently operating in, and the...
Sunwing Ups Sun Lift Out Of Toronto, Montreal
Sunwing is adding a number of new routes from Toronto and Montreal with direct flights to St. Maarten, Aruba and Los Cabos. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations at Sunwing, said that: “Following positive customer demand for our initial destinations of Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay, and based on increasing demand to travel in the early fall, we decided to expand our flight service and destination offerings ahead of schedule.” Dawson continued: “Our customers are looking for even more choice and flexibility. We’re excited to help them plan their dream getaway with...
Industry Gathers For The ‘Social Event Of The Summer’
TravelOnly members are clearly willing to travel. TravelOnly agents Pat Probert and Mary de Almeida organized an Aug. 19 travel industry Toronto gathering that Probert notes drew TravelOnly members from far and wide. "Agents travelled from Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, Windsor, London, St Catharines, Keswick and many other places … It was just amazing that they come from all over the province to be here," Probert reports. Indeed, a particularly prominent TravelOnly figure was on hand for the event and happy to make an appearance. "What a great time for so many in the travel...
Exodus RCGS Quests Offer New Adventures
Exodus Travels has unveiled a new lineup of itineraries in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) -- Exodus RCGS Quests. The new series of journeys will provide travellers with what Exodus describes as “life-changing opportunities to return to travel with exhilaration and excitement, guaranteeing the adventures of a lifetime - after what felt like a lifetime without adventure.” The limited-edition of 2022 small group trips are certain to answer the call of adventurous spirits, looking for opportunities to challenge themselves and expand their...
Globus Requiring Customers To Be Fully Vaccinated
The Globus family of brands – which includes Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways and Monograms – has extended its pre-trip Health & Safety Protocols and now requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for travellers joining to any vacation in its portfolio for travel through March 2022. Stéphanie Bishop, managing director for the Globus family of brands, said that: “The health and safety of our travellers is our top priority. And we are committed to providing our guests with sustainable, responsible travel across the globe. Given this, we have extended our requirement for...
Hyatt Goes Big With Apple Leisure Group Acquisition
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Apple Leisure Group (ALG) from affiliates of each of KKR and KSL Capital Partners, LLC for $2.7 billion in cash. The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. ALG’s resort brand management platform AMResorts provides management services to the largest portfolio of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Americas under the AMR Collection brand portfolio, including well-known brands Secrets Resorts & Spa, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Breathless...