Tour Operators
Tracking Travellers’ Perception Of Safety
MMGY Global has launched its new Travel Safety Barometer -- a sentiment tracking tool created for the travel and tourism industry -- to monitor American travellers’ perceptions of how safe it is to engage in specific travel behaviours as the country embarks on its reopening and recovery efforts. Designed by MMGY’s Travel Intelligence research and insights division, the Barometer is an informational resource for both business and leisure travellers and the industry as the coronavirus continues to fundamentally change all aspects of our society, including when, where and how we feel...
Hong Kong Update – Last Chance to Register
Baxter Media is sending out a last call for agents to sign up for a webinar happening tomorrow (May 29) at 2 p.m. (EST). There will be five prize giveaways of $200 e-gift cards available to agents who attend the full duration of the webinar. In this webinar, you will hear how Hong Kong has handled COVID-19, and for those who are new to the destination or need a refresher, they will be providing basic destination information, updating you on the newest developments, as well as providing a glimpse of what you or your clients can experience in Hong Kong. The webinar will be presented...
ACV Introducing New Health and Safety Standards
Air Canada Vacations has launched new health and safety standards to provide customers with greater peace of mind through the various stages of travel. As an extension of Air Canada CleanCare+, the new health and safety standards include the enhanced grooming of vacation transfer vehicles and safety protocols throughout the travel journey for vacation packages to Sun destinations. As well, ACV will continue to work with its trusted hotel partners to support the implementation of the highest standards of safety and cleanliness to give customers added assurance when booking their next...
Some Final Thoughts
In the final part of a three part series, tripcentral.ca’s Richard Vanderlubbe writes about agents and the need to pay them properly for the services they provide to both their customers and their suppliers. Vanderlubbe is nothing if not practical and one of the points that he makes this week is that agents not only need to be paid properly for the services they render to their clients and to their suppliers, they also need to have the right tools to be able to render those services effectively and efficiently. As an example, he points out the limited ability agents have to modify...
TravelBrands Makes It Simple
While planning and booking group travel can be considered difficult, a new process from TravelBrands is making it a lot easier. As of now, agents can block air seats through TravelBrands’ Access platform as opposed to via email and phone. Frank DeMarinis, president & CEO, TravelBrands, explained that: “This year, we are looking at all the ways we can simplify processes and allow agents to work more efficiently. This means agents will no longer need to email the names and payment details back and forth or over the phone.” DeMarinis continued: “Whether clients are...
TICO Extends Fee Deferral
As the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 crisis continues to place severe financial strain on all registrants, TICO has extended its original 90-day fee deferral on all fees effective immediately. (See Chart) In a bulletin to all registrants, TICO also reminds that Renewal applications and Compensation Fund assessments (Form 1) must continue to be submitted to TICO on-time, consistent with required reporting timelines to support continued registration under the Travel Industry Act, 2002. As for the deferral, TICO advises that there is no action required by registrants to...
Conference Board Looks At Summer Travel Intentions
In its Travel Outlook for the summer of 2020, the Conference Board of Canada reports that summer travel intentions have fallen to the lowest level ever amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic The Conference Board notes that as expected, the proportion of surveyed Canadians planning to take a leisure trip this summer has plummeted to its lowest level ever recorded -- a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated physical distancing requirements and travel restrictions currently in place. Overall, just 45% of Canadians are planning to take a leisure trip in the coming...
Thinking About The Next Adventure
While the pandemic has been devastating in so many ways, Leigh Barnes, Chief Customer Officer at Intrepid Travel said it has also provided the tourism industry with the opportunity to reflect on things that could be done better – for travellers, suppliers, local communities, and the planet. “Travellers will also be reflecting on how they live and travel post COVID-19. We fundamentally believe that travel can only rebound stronger if it rebuilds more responsibly. Tour operators, together with local governments and destination management offices, need to work together. Now is the...