Tour Operators
Transat Expanding To 40 Destinations For Winter Season
Transat A.T. Inc. unveiled details of the destinations it will be offering travellers as of Nov. 1, 2020, strengthening its overall program since gradually resuming its operations on July 23. At the height of the season, Air Transat plans to operate flights to more than 40 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, the United States, Europe and Canada. A selection of South and Europe packages featuring more than 320 dream hotels will also be offered. And to help travellers plan their getaways with peace of mind, Transat is presenting even more...
Getaway With ACV And Destination Greater Victoria
Destination Greater Victoria and Air Canada Vacations are promoting Victoria as a great place for those who want to enjoy some urban life during their vacation and also as a suitable retreat for those eager to experience Mother Nature at the same time. A Thursday webinar saw Nicole Yamamoto of Destination Greater Victoria praise her destination as "one of the most beautiful, historic and iconic cities" in the country, citing the likes of its many boutique shops in the downtown area; the Royal B.C. Museum, which among other things has exhibits telling of the region's Indigenous people;...
Upfront Commissions From Intrepid
Intrepid Travel is launching a Commission Fast-Track offer for the month of August, which will provide $200 CAD/USD in upfront commissions to agents making a booking between Aug. 1 to Aug. 31, 2020 for trips departing between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2022. The offer is valid on Intrepid trips, as well tours through its sister company Peregrine Adventures, that have a minimum booking value of $2,000 CAD/USD, excluding Tailor-Made trips, Australia trips and 18-29s trips. Megan Bailey, sales director in North America for Intrepid Travel, said: “We know this is a challenging...
Welcome Back
The Caribbean-fronting Mexican state of Quintana Roo says it's committed to welcoming tourists back to the hugely popular jurisdiction in a safe manner and then seeing them return home equally healthy. The Quintana Roo Tourism Board -- which represents the likes of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya -- said during a Tuesday webinar that it cohosted with Air Canada Vacations that it began reopening to tourists in early June, and coinciding with welcoming visitors back was the implementation of the Mexican Caribbean Clean & Safe Check Certification, certification designed...
UNWTO Counts The Cost Of Travel Standstill
In newly released data, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reveals that up to May of this year, the cost of COVID-19 on international tourism was already three times that of the 2009 Global Economic Crisis. As the situation continues to evolve, the United Nations specialized agency has provided the first comprehensive insight into the impact of the pandemic, both in tourist numbers and lost revenues, ahead of the upcoming release of up-to-date information on travel restrictions worldwide. In the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, data shows that the...
Thinking Outside The Box
In order to survive over the past few months, travel companies have adapted, made core business adjustments and found creative ways to move forward and drive future business in a responsible manner. This week, Travel Courier chats with Intrepid Travel, Air Canada and Globus family of brands about some of the innovative ways they’re staying top of mind with travellers and agents alike. A new strategy With COVID-19 impacting not only the entire travel industry but the world at large, Intrepid Travel made the decision to change its marketing strategy. “This is not business as...
LePage Stepping Down As CATO’s Executive Director
After 15 years, Pierre LePage will be stepping down as the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Tour Operators at the end of August. Brett Walker, general manager Canada, Collette, and Chair of CATO, praised LePage, commenting: “We are extremely grateful to Pierre for his leadership over the years. His knowledge and experience in the industry has been invaluable to the organization and the various executive teams, stewarding CATO through good times and bad.” Over the years, LePage has helped guide CATO through regulatory and legislative issues, hurricanes, SARS,...
Ireland Welcomes Canadian Trade To Virtual Fairs
Tourism Ireland, along with its sister agencies on the island of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, is welcoming Canadian tour operators to its first ever virtual travel trade fair that is now underway. Meitheal and Meet the Buyer are annual events which provide a platform for tourism providers from right around the island of Ireland to meet new contacts and to do business with buyers from around the world, including Canada. The virtual workshops began July 21 and continue until July 31 – with pre-arranged, scheduled appointments between the tourism companies...