Tour Operators
CATO Makes It Clear What Tour Operators Need
In a meeting of its members late last week, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) made it clear that the need for clear and concise criteria and an extension of the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) were critical to the industry's restart and recovery. In a statement, CATO indicated that the #1 Need for clear and concise criteria government must make known any criteria for easing of travel restrictions and reopening of borders. The criteria, while serving public health, would immensely help industry to forecast and plan for recovery. As for the extension of the...
Closer To Home
August 6 was a monumental day for Intrepid Travel. For the first time since COVID-19 brought travel to a global halt in March, the small group adventure travel company officially departed on a tour with six travellers in Greece, writes managing editor, Ann Ruppenstein in this week’s issue of Canadian Travel Press. “While this is by no means a return to normal, we do hope these trips will serve as a source of hope and inspiration for the industry after several months without travel,” James Thornton, the CEO of Intrepid Travel, tells Canadian Travel Press. In direct response to...
ACV Has Something Special For Agents In Cuba
Air Canada Vacations is offering travel agents independent FAM rates to select properties in Cayo Coco starting at $599 per person from Toronto or $549 per person from Montreal. As for agents’ customers, ACV has non-stop flights from Montreal to Cayo Coco operating on Fridays starting Sept. 4, 2020, and from Toronto to Cayo Coco on Saturdays starting Sept. 26, 2020. Beginning in October, departures from Toronto to Cayo Coco will operate twice per week on Saturdays and Sundays. Also, beginning in October, agents’ client can visit Varadero with non-stop flights from Montreal...
Transat Takes Off South For 2020-2021
With its ‘Here Comes the Sun’ promotion underway, Transat has launched its 2020-2021South brochure. The new brochure features a total of 320 properties grouped under its four collections --Luxury, Distinction, Family and Solo -- in over 30 destinations in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, St. Maarten/St. Martin and El Salvador. The electronic version of the brochure is now available on Transat Agent Direct. Exclusively designed to support travel agents in their sales, the print...
UPDATED: UK Adds 8, Canada-US Extend Border Closure
UPDATED: While news that the UK had added 8 destinations to its quarantine list was rattling the British and European travel trade, in Canada, the mid-morning announcement by Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair that the Canada-US border will remain closed for another 30 days did nothing to raise the industry's spirits here. The extension takes the Canada-US border closure to Sept. 21, with the minister indicating that the government will “continue to do what’s necessary to keep our communities safe.” The Canada-US border has been closed...
The ‘Ultimate’ Office Upgrade From Sunwing
There’s no doubt that after five months, the thrill of working from home is fading fast for many Canadians and Sunwing has the perfect solution for Canadians to changes things up at the office. The operator's new 'Upgrade Your Office' program offers working Canucks the chance to wake up every morning to the sounds of the ocean and palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze – instead of your alarm – all meals and drinks are taken care of, sparkling blue swimming pools are just steps away and -- right, you're going to working aren't you -- all the facilities the traveller needs to...
Discover Your Faith In 2021
For those looking for a deeper, more meaningful travel experience, Globus and Cosmos offer an enlightening collection of faith-based vacations around the world that represent inspiring places to bow heads and lift hearts. In 2021, the Globus family of brands’ has unveiled a robust portfolio of 15, faith-based Small-Group Discovery tours throughout Europe, Israel and Jordan. Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways are also offering travellers 13 itineraries to witness the Passion Play in Oberammergau, with reserved seating and premier accommodations, in...
Responsible Travel Redefined
The cofounder of Arctic exploration specialist Adventure Canada says he personally wouldn't welcome the "return to normal" many people have been dreaming of during the coronavirus pandemic. Bill Swan said during a Wednesday Baxter Media webcast on responsible travel that the term suggests to him a return to often environmentally damaging practices he hopes to see the end of. "I don't want to return to normal...We were digesting the planet," said Swan, who helped create a company that prides itself on showcasing landscapes and peoples found in generally remote locales. Indeed,...