Tour Operators
ACTA Thanks Suppliers
ACTA is applauding the flexibility of suppliers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Wendy Paradis, president of ACTA, points out that many travel suppliers -- including airlines, tour operators, cruise lines and others – have been adjusting their cancellation policies and terms and conditions to accommodate a nervous public and assist front line agents with finding options for their clients. Said Paradis, “Some clients are anxious about upcoming trips and want to know their options, or they are looking to change destinations or postpone travel. Travel agents have told ACTA they really...
Goway Makes Terms And Conditions Changes
Goway is changing its terms and conditions in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China, South Korea, Northern Italy, and other parts of the world. The changes are as follows: Effective immediately for all new bookings, all travel deposits made to Goway from March 3 to March 31, 2020 will be transferrable to another Goway destination or travel date. This means that travellers can deposit now on their vacation and have the peace of mind of knowing that if they choose not to travel there (or if world events conspire against their plans), they’ll have the freedom to...
TravelBrands Cancels 2020 Agent Appreciation Events
TravelBrands is cancelling its annual agent appreciation events for 2020. Frank Demarinis, president and CEO of TravelBrands explained the decision in a statement to the industry. Demarinis writes: “Over the past few weeks, we at TravelBrands have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation and ultimately made the difficult decision to cancel our Annual Agent Appreciation Events for 2020. Our primary goal is always to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our partners, travel agents, employees and clients.” “The travel industry is greatly affected by this...
Blazing The Trail
With its own staff profile made up 71% of females, The Travel Corporation’s Marie Anne MacRae, Global VP, Strategic Partnerships, and Sheralyn Berry, President of Contiki Canada gathered in Toronto to introduce a panel of five travel industry trailblazers in celebration of the upcoming International Women’s Day. Coinciding with World Wildlife Day, yesterday, March 3, the events consisted of a #TTCIWD luncheon and an evening panel session, which were six months in the making to coordinate busy travel schedules and the international line up of speakers. Honourary Contiki ambassador...
CLIA Updates COVID-19 Statement
CLIA has announced the adoption of additional enhanced screening measures in response to COVID-19. As a result of these changes, which are effective immediately, CLIA members are to: Deny boarding to all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in South Korea, Iran, China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and any municipality in Italy subject to lockdown (quarantine) measures by the Italian Government, as designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within 14 days prior to embarkation. Conduct illness screening for all persons who have travelled from,...
Reassurance And Unity
G Adventures founder, Bruce Poon Tip has issued a message of reassurance and unity to its travellers and to the industry. Poon Tip writes: “In light of the recent Coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) I wanted to reassure our travellers that G Adventures has their health and well-being at the heart of all we do. We are constantly monitoring the situation on the ground from our 28 offices around the world, and it’s our job to ensure our travellers have the most up-to-date information to stay safe. If any of our travellers have any questions about their upcoming travel arrangements, we...
Globus Updates Travel Policy
Recognizing the uncertainty that travellers are feeling over the effects of the spread of Coronavirus, the Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways) is responding with a policy that enables travellers and their travel advisors to adjust travel plans to help alleviate their immediate concerns, related to upcoming or future trips. At this time, all of the Globus family’s tours, cruises and independent vacation packages are operating as scheduled, with the exception of mainland China. For all other destinations, Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon...
Trafalgar Proud To Stand With Travel Agents
The man who oversees Trafalgar's Canadian office is proud that there's an unshakeable bond between his tour operator and the travel agency community, reports Ian Stalker in this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press. Wolf Paunic says Trafalgar is committed to delivering “top-notch support” to agents, which helps explain Trafalgar's remarkable success in Agents' Choice Awards, winning the Motorcoach tour operator category year-in and year-out. “Agents' Choice Awards are in a way the Canadian travel industry's 'Oscars' and we do not take our historical success lightly,” Paunic...