Tour Operators
EPS Giving Partners New Insights
Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS) is it giving Expedia partners access to tens of millions of traveller reviews and ratings to boost consumer confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time, EPS partners, including online travel agents, business travel and retail brands can access over 75 million traveller ratings and 58 million textual reviews from across Expedia Group and share them with travelers. Ian Knox, vice president of product and marketing, EPS, said that: “User-generated content is hugely influential in booking decisions, especially at this time. A full 70%...
Venture West This Winter
Venture West This Winter. That’s the message from the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) and Tourism Vancouver Island (TVI) who have partnered to assist Canadian “snowbirds” – residents who travel to warmer destinations during colder months – who are choosing to come to Vancouver Island this fall/winter due to COVID-19 restrictions precluding travel to the United States. The partnership has created a dedicated resource for long-stay visitors who plan to “Venture West This Winter” at www.VancouverIsland.Travel/Snowbirds to promote dispersion of business across...
Take To The Road With CanaDream RV
With winter on its way, and CanaDream RV has some special offers for Canadians looking for a unique way to pursue winter activities. Klaus Gretzmacher, vice president tourism for CanaDream, observed that: “Waking up in your luxury winter chalet on wheels in a winter wonderland of fresh snow while cozy and warm in your heated RV under a fleece duvet is amazing. Enjoy your first coffee of the day and get your winter gear on in the comfort of your RV and be on your favourite ski hill or cross-country trail in a matter of minutes.” CanaDream’s specialized winter RVs have plenty of...
Canadians Escape To The Rockies With Globus
Stéphanie Bishop now knows what it’s like to travel during a pandemic. The Globus family of brands’ managing director joined the company’s 5-day Canadian Rockies Escape last week -- the first, official tour for the Globus family of brands since the pandemic began. Operating from Calgary to Calgary, the tour welcomed 19 guests who escaped to the pristine wilds of Banff National Park and the ethereal glacier-fed lakes (the “Water of the Spirits”) nearby. Bishop observed of the experience: “After months of hitting the pause button, it’s thrilling to push ‘play’...
ACV Brings Vacations Back To The West
Air Canada Vacations is bringing vacations back to Western Canada with additional destinations in Mexico available to book with travel beginning in November 2020. Nino Montagnese, managing director at Air Canada Vacations, said: “At Air Canada Vacations, our goal is to continue to offer our customers more flexibility and more options when they are looking to book their next sunny getaway.” Montagnese continued: “With Air Canada CleanCare+ and Air Canada Vacations’ health and safety standards, travellers can book with the peace of mind they need to enjoy their well-deserved...
Saint Lucia Says Welcome Back To Canadians
Saint Lucia is welcoming Canadian visitors back this fall with Air Canada Vacations starting on Nov. 7, 2020. The first flight back to Saint Lucia will depart from Toronto after nearly eight months of no air service as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Air Canada will resume its direct nonstop service from Toronto (YYZ) to Saint Lucia (UVF) operating on a once a week frequency every Saturday, then increasing to (3) weekly flights starting in December 2020. Saint Lucia officially opened its borders to international travellers on June 4, 2020 as part of Phase One of the...
Discover Canada With TravelBrands
With more Canadians opting to travel within Canada this year and early next year, TravelBrands has created six new brochures showcasing travel across the country. From winter holidays to self-driving tours, the newly released brochures are designed to both inspire travellers and to assist them in planning a great Canadian getaway. The operator’s new brochures include: Canada Winter Holidays Canada Rail & Cruise Canada City Packages Canada Escorted Tours Canada Self-Drive Canada Excursions Nathalie Tanious, COO, TravelBrands, observed: “We know that...
Intrepid Names New N.A. Managing Director
Intrepid has named Matt Berna as Managing Director of North America to oversee the tour operator’s Toronto headquarters and employees based throughout Canada and the U.S. The company notes that with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting international travel, it plans to expand the North American team’s remit beyond sales and marketing, focusing on increasing its operational capabilities to build more product in-house for its customers throughout the continent. Berna began his career in travel as a tour leader over 25 years ago, fully appreciating what it takes to deliver an...