Tour Operators
Always Put Your Best Foot Forward
Running a travel-centric sales office in the middle of a global pandemic is not an easy feat. Over the past year and counting, Maureen Barnes-Smith says Unique Vacations Inc. shifted strategies to keep Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts at the forefront. “For us it was just a matter of pivoting to where our customers were — they were at home — so we were meeting them at their home. We were doing events that captured them where they were,” says Barnes-Smith, who earned a promotion to Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Canada for Unique Vacations Inc., during this time....
ACV Adds Silversea To Its Cruise Portfolio
Air Canada Vacations has added Silversea Cruises to its portfolio of cruises. Nino Montagnese, Vice President at Air Canada Vacations, said that: “Our partnership with Silversea Cruises is yet another important step in broadening our selection of offerings for Canadians looking to set sail. It gives travellers access to a luxury cruise line, as they benefit from the trust and convenience of flights aboard Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.” Montagnese continued: “We’re looking forward to continuing to help them create their perfect vacation at sea by providing them with more...
Claims Approved By TICO Board
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario’s (TICO) Board of Directors approved 31 claims against Albarkah Travel and Tours Inc. to assist 94 consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid. Approved on June 29, 2021, the claims totalled $124,700.64. One claim was denied as it was not based on a payment for travel services. In addition, three claims against Tucan Travel Inc. were approved assisting four consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid. Claims totalled $9,248. Seven claims were denied as the consumer purchased...
Are We Ready For Takeoff?
In its newly released “Recovery Insights: Ready For Takeoff?, Mastercard takes a look at some of the key trends in air and ground travel around the world. Developed by the Mastercard Economics Institute, the report draws on aggregated and anonymized sales activity across the global Mastercard network to better understand the next phase for travel, its drivers and challenges. This includes the balance between leisure and business, local and long distance, and saving and spending; and it also looks at the spending categories seeing an uptick and what they signal for travel...
Tauck Set To Resume Global Operations
Tauck is planning to resume full operations of all remaining 2021 itineraries during August and September. That plan includes the return of Tauck’s Danube and Rhine river cruises, its land tours in Italy and elsewhere across Europe, and its explorations of far-flung destinations ranging from Morocco to Machu Picchu. In all, the company said that it expects to operate more than 80% of its pre-pandemic portfolio of tours and cruises this year, with a full return of all itineraries slated for 2022. Dan Mahar, CEO of Tauck, said that: “If a destination is welcoming American...
Definite Departures: Insight Celebrates Return To Travel
Insight Vacations is celebrating the return to travel with the launch of over 145+ Definite Departures beginning this July and August 2021; and featuring its popular itineraries in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt. These departures reflect destinations which are now welcoming Canadians including Italy, France and Iceland. Guests will enjoy stylish hand-picked hotels, authentic dining and unique Insight Experiences. They will have the assistance of a knowledgeable Travel Director who is committed to their well-being. Additionally, Insight’s tours now include a dedicated...
Celebrate The Comeback With Savings From Contiki
Reporting that it has seen its booking grow by 62% in the last month, Contiki is taking the opportunity to celebrate with savings of up to 20% on its trips. And for Gen Z and millennial Canadian travellers, they can secure a spot on the trip they’ve been looking forward to with a $99 no-risk deposit, flexible booking policy and savings for 2021, 2022 or 2023. Sheralyn Berry, president of Contiki Canada, said that: “Following the announcement of hotel quarantine restrictions easing in the coming weeks for fully vaccinated travellers, we’re already seeing a booming travel comeback...
G Adventures Introduces More Flexible Rebooking Policy
G Adventures has introduced more flexible booking conditions for travellers, with rebooking of itineraries now possible up to 14 days before a tour’s departure date. The new Book with Confidence policy will include Inca Trail bookings made from July 1, 2021, for when trips resume on the trail from Aug. 7, 2021. The small group adventure operator is encouraging travellers to book their bucket list trip along Peru’s most iconic trekking route as soon as possible, as the trail will be running at 50% capacity, meaning groups will have no more than eight travellers on each departure....