Tour Operators
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...
Peace Of Mind Is TTC’s Top Priority
The Travel Corporation (TTC) released details of its newly enhanced COVID-19 protocols and hygiene standards for all of its guided vacations once domestic and international travel resumes. TTC’s executive and operations team members have spearheaded a complete review of the sanitation and hygiene measures around guests’ experiences and interactions while on their guided holidays, from the moment they meet their Travel Directors and Trip Managers, to travelling on state-of-the-art coaches, the hotels they will stay in and the immersive excursions they will experience on each...
A Fundamental Need To Connect
Alison Hickey, president of Kensington Tours, said health and safety will obviously be the biggest factor for people travelling post COVID-19. “If consumers are constantly worried about things like distancing and touch when they travel, it will be impossible for them to get any enjoyment or value out of the experience,” she told Travel Courier. “We as an industry need to work together to give people a sense of real confidence about every touchpoint along the journey – getting through the airport, on the plane, at your hotel, seeing and moving around your destination. And...
G Adventures Extends Suspension To July 31
G Adventures is extending the suspension of all of its tours departing up to and including July 31, 2020; and it is also suspending all G Expedition departures up to and including Aug. 31, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In making the announcement, the company said that health and safety of its travellers and staff is its main priority and the further suspension of departures is an essential measure to protect its travellers and its people at this time. All travellers booked and fully paid on a tour departing up to July 31, 2020 will receive a 110% travel credit on all...
Too Early For Predictions
Due to COVID-19, the Canadian government closed the Canadian Arctic to cruise travel entirely for 2020, and Adventure Canada was forced to cancel its entire season. “While we were disappointed, we wholeheartedly supported these measures – we visit many small, and due to their remoteness, vulnerable communities, and the health and safety of the places we have the privilege of visiting is our top priority,” Cedar Swan, the CEO of Adventure Canada told Travel Courier. “What we’ve seen in response is that the enthusiasm for polar travel is there. 48% of our Arctic clients have...
Social Media Connects Tourism, Travellers
While many companies in the global tourism industry are focusing all of their financial resources on battling the threats they face from COVID-19, GlobalData says that they still need to stay relevant and social media is a relatively cheap way to promote. The data and analytics company points out, in its “Impact of COVID-19 on the global cruise industry,” that 70% of Brazilians are now spending more time browsing social media when compared to pre-COVID-19 outbreak figures, with an enormous 34% saying they spend all day using social media. Meanwhile, a considerable number of US...
Forward To The Future
After holding virtual meetings with its top accounts and travel advisors, Michelle Palma, Vice President, Field Sales – North America, Uniworld, said they’ve gleaned incredible insights into the current market conditions. “First and foremost is that consumers still want to travel. Many clients that have travel plans for late summer and fall 2020 are optimistic and are waiting to see what happens in the coming weeks as parts of Canada and the world start to open back up,” she told Travel Courier. “That being said, there are also consumers who have written off their...