Tour Operators
Sunwing Gets Flexible on Booking Changes
Sunwing is introducing a more flexible approach for changes to new bookings made in the next two weeks in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. The tour operator stressed that the health, safety and well-being of its customers and employees is of paramount importance and they continue to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak closely. The company also noted that operations across their destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and the US have currently not been impacted by the virus and are continuing as normal. Sunwing acknowledged that customers may be reluctant to finalize plans...
ACV Offers Free CareFlex Travel Protection
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) is offering its CareFlex travel protection free of charge for the month of March, giving agents' clients more freedom to travel. According to ACV officials, travellers can book with confidence knowing that its comprehensive travel protection plan allows them to change their booking, transfer their package, and cancel with an in-house travel credit and/or a partial refund up to three days before departure. Free CareFlex travel protection is available for select destinations and resorts in Las Vegas, Mexico and the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Europe between...
Yucatan Ready To Celebrate
The state of Yucatan is ready to welcome the world as it hosts the 45th annual Tianguis Turistico in Merida, Mexico from March 22 to March 25. That was the recent message from Mexico's tourism secretary, Miguel Torruco Marques, the governor of the state of Yucatán, Mauricio Vila Dosal and the state's secretary of tourism development, Michelle Fridman Hirsch. Secretary Torruco Marques confirmed the city’s Yucatán Century XXI Convention Center is ready to receive the thousands of participants who will attend the 45th edition of this key annual travel event. To date, 1,020...
Transat: Book With Peace of Mind
In order to offer travellers more flexibility and allow them to book their next trip with peace of mind, Transat is offering the travellers the possibility of changing their travel dates, destination or hotel at no charge. This policy applies to new bookings for flights on all routes offered by Air Transat and for South packages made between March 4-31 for travel between now and Oct. 31. As a result, it will be possible for travellers to change their booking up to 24 hours before departure. Note that travel must be completed within 12 months of the original travel date and that if...
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...