Tour Operators
Travel Advisors Are All-Stars
In the Agents’ Choice 2020 Readership Survey, the value of using a travel agent is showcased in the issue’s feature story. In the wake of travel bans, restrictions, cancellations and last-minute re-booking needs brought on by the pandemic, it became apparent that those who used travel advisors were better off than those who decided to go it alone. “I have never been told so many times how absolutely lost they would have been without a travel agent to find alternate flights home, cancel their trips for refunds or credits and take care of everything. I was able to assist all my...
Big Savings From Sunwing & RIU
With its flights set to restart on Nov. 6, Sunwing is offering savings on its getaway to RIU Hotels & Resorts with the See You At RIU Sale. From now until Oct. 14, 2020, travellers can save up to 50% off their getaway to RIU Hotels & Resorts for departures throughout the fall and winter. Plus, each time an agent makes a booking at RIU Hotels & Resorts for departures between Nov. 6, 2020, and April 30, 2021, they’ll receive 5X the STAR Agent Reward Points that convert to cash and 5X the RIU Partner Club points. Deana Murphy, VP Retail Sales for Sunwing, said: “In...
New Offer From Transat
In order to continue offering its customers maximum flexibility, Transat has announced that travellers who book packages in October will get free COVID-19 medical insurance and Option Flex Standard’s extra flexibility to change or cancel a trip as part of its Book Packages With Confidence offer. Travellers who book a package to the South or Europe by Oct. 31, 2020, for a departure by April 30, 2021, will get, at no extra cost: Option Flex Standard, which allows them to: Cancel their trip up to 72 hours before departure from Canada and get a travel credit Change their...
ACTA Gears Up For 2020 Summit
ACTA has opened registration for its two-day, Virtual Travel Industry Summit. Industry members are invited to join ACTA on November 12 & 13, 2020 at the virtual summit that will connect the industry and explore the transformation of travel in a time of major disruption. Travel Agents, managers, senior leaders, consortia and host agency teams are invited to attend. The two-day summit will include keynote speakers, critical updates from government and industry leaders including opportunities to connect with peers. There will also be a virtual trade show with prizes. ...
A Call For Change
In an open letter to travel suppliers, the ACTA COVID-19 Travel Agency Leaders Advisory Committee calls for “a holistic review of the systemic practices and policies that are currently in place between travel agencies and travel suppliers.” The travel industry is going through an unprecedented crisis due to the global pandemic and it will be affected adversely for much longer than other industries. Tour operators, cruise lines, airlines, hoteliers, car rental companies and travel agencies have seen their business more or less come to a halt, the letter states. It...
Sunwing Resumes Flights On Nov. 6
Sunwing will be resuming flight service on Nov. 6, 2020. It will be offering guaranteed flights as of that date, with departures from Toronto to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic on Fridays and Sundays; from Toronto to Cancun in Mexico on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 7; from Toronto to Montego Bay in Jamaica on Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 6; and from Toronto to Liberia in Costa Rica on Mondays from Nov. 30. Andrew Dawson, president of Tour Operations for Sunwing, said: “We are thrilled to be resuming our flights on November 6. Bringing dream vacations to life for...
TravelBrands Picks A Winner
TravelBrands has announced the first prize winner in the Loyalty Rewards points giveaway for Canadian travel agents. Diane Letourneau from Club Voyages Mille et Une Nuits has been officially selected as the first prize winner. The prize consists of 100,000 Loyalty Rewards points. Nathalie Tanious, COO, TravelBrands, said: “This year especially, it was very important for us to show that now more than ever, TravelBrands loves agents.” Tanious continued: “Congratulations to Diane on being our first winner. We hope you enjoy these points as much as we love gifting...
Service, Fare Option Enhancements From Transat
Transat is launched its revamped Option Flex service and fare options yesterday (Oct. 1, 2020), offering travellers maximum latitude and flexibility for their trips to the South, the United States, Europe and within Canada. Annick Guérard, chief operating officer of Transat, explained: “We put in place a series of relaxed measures, for both flights and packages, to allow all types of travellers to find the flexibility they need, notably by changing their travel dates or destination, or even cancelling their booking.” Transat is also extending its Book With Peace of Mind offer...