Tour Operators
ACV Back In Cancun
On June 12, 2020, vacationers departed from Toronto Pearson International Airport and made their way to sunny Cancun for their first trip with Air Canada Vacations since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Passengers were greeted warmly as they arrived for their transfer to either the Catalonia Playa Maroma or Barcelo Maya Palace. Nino Montagnese, managing director at Air Canada Vacations, observed: “We’ve all been eagerly awaiting the moment when we could resume our operations and make dreams travel once again. We’re pleased to have been able to welcome our first customers back...
Virtual Reality: Key Part Of Booking Process
According to GlobalData, virtual reality may become a key component in the booking process going forward. In its latest consumer survey, the data and analytics company reports that a total 45% of global travellers remain extremely concerned about the outbreak of COVID-19, making it clear that consumer uncertainty remains one of the greatest barriers facing operators. Making virtual reality (VR) a key component in the booking process may act as an additional tool to ease consumer uncertainty, creating an advantage for travel companies that incorporate it. Johanna Bonhill-Smith,...
TIABC, Key Partners Pen Letter To Government
In a letter to B.C. Premier John Horgan, TIABC and a number of its local and national partners stressed the importance of a cooperative approach between the federal and provincial governments to take immediate steps to coordinate and facilitate the restart of Canada's tourism and travel sector. The letter was signed by TIABC, Canadian Gaming Association, BC Chamber of Commerce, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, International Air Transport Association, InnVest Hotels, Marriott Hotels of Canada/Marriott International, Tourism Toronto, Toronto Board of Trade,...
Join The Movement With #timetotravel
The Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable has sent an open letter -- signed by 130 senior travel and tourism executives -- to Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and the provincial Premiers urging them to reopen this country’s travel and tourism industry as soon as possible. The letter begins by telling the country’s leaders: “As a society, we have faced a threat like no other, COVID-19. And we are still dealing with it. Under the leadership of our governments, we agreed to implement tough decisions to protect our health and safety. We shut down our schools, our businesses, and...
Reflecting On What Really Matters
Although there is no date yet for when Canadian travellers can visit Austria again, the destination is currently experiencing the re-start of travel and tourism as its borders with neighbouring countries are re-opening across hotels, restaurants and attractions. “Our social, civic, as well as cultural life is returning fully,” Michael Gigl, Director for the Austrian Tourist Office in North America tells Travel Courier. “Travel truly has the power to build bridges between people, between cultures. We have suddenly, and painfully, learned that the opportunity to travel, especially...
TravelBrands Expands Uplift Partnership
TravelBrands has expanded its partnership with Uplift, allowing travel agents and their clients to use Uplift to pay over time for cruise vacations, vacation packages, Exotik Journeys product, Sunquest packages and more. Frank DeMarinis, CEO, TravelBrands, explained: “We partnered with Uplift to help our agents give their clients the vacation of their dreams. Now, travellers can book future travel of almost any kind through TravelBrands without worrying about paying for it all at once. This innovative technology truly makes travel accessible to everyone and helps connect people to...
Transat Resuming Operations July 23
Transat A.T. Inc. will be resuming its flights and tour operator activities as of July 23, 2020. The company says that it will offer a new flight schedule to 22 destinations in Europe, the South, the United States and Canada until the end of the summer season on Oct. 31, 2020. It also indicated that it will offer South and Europe packages during this period and will gradually reopen travel agencies in its network starting June 15, 2020. As well, Transat has unveiled its Traveller Care program, rolling out new health measures to ensure the safety of its customers and...
Far From Ordinary, Close To Home
Globus and Cosmos are unveiling a new series of nine “Undiscovered North America” tours, ranging from 8 to 14 days in 2021. Stéphanie Bishop, managing director for the Globus family of brands, observes of the new initiative that: “These unique and unparalleled itineraries help travellers discover North America’s tucked-away towns, secluded seafronts and lesser-known nooks for an unforgettable vacation.” And Bishop adds: “With our series of ‘Undiscovered’ tours, we are invested in taking travellers to the places and parks other tour operators do not visit.” New...