Tour Operators
Brave New World
COVID-19 dealt the travel industry a blow with unimaginable consequences. Although the ripple effect was felt worldwide, as recovery gets underway, Travel Courier talks to a panel of industry leaders to find out what changes can be implemented now to ensure tourism can be a force for good across travellers, wildlife, the environment and local communities. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the travel industry, which is collectively responsible for 10% of the world’s jobs and contributes trillions to global GDP, came to a grinding halt resulting in unprecedented challenges and...
Agents Choice Is Back … For A Limited Time
Just in case you missed it, Baxter Media is re-opening the 21st edition of the Agents' Choice Readership Survey, Canada's original and most authoritative travel industry survey. If you didn’t get a chance to vote in the Spring, we’re giving agents an extra two weeks to complete the survey. Vote for your favourite destinations, suppliers, brands and services in 40+ categories. We are still offering voters the chance to win one of five fantastic prizes: A delightful discovery through the sights, sounds, and tastes of ‘the big easy’ on Collette’s six-day Spotlight to New...
Grupo Aeromexico Files For US Chapter 11
Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V has announced that it, and certain of its affiliates have filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions in the United States to implement a financial restructuring while continuing to serve customers. The company indicated that it intends to use the Chapter 11 process to strengthen its financial position and implement necessary operational changes to address the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and create a sustainable platform for the future. Andrés Conesa, chief executive officer of Aeromexico, said: “Our industry faces unprecedented challenges...
Sunquest Launches SPFPlus Program
Sunquest, a division of TravelBrands, has unveiled its new Sunquest Protection Factor (SPFPlus) program that is an add-on feature designed to help travel agents’ clients protect their vacation plans. To start, the introductory price of the program will be $19.99 per passenger. TravelBrands will donate $10 from every purchase to Food Banks Canada. Frank DeMarinis, CEO, TravelBrands, explained: “We have been trying to find ways to protect our customers while also giving back to our communities across Canada. Our SPFPlus initiative was the perfect solution for both.” DeMarinis...
A Magic Mix
From bringing the first group of travellers to HMS Erebus — a shipwreck discovered west of O'Reilly Island in Nunavut from the Franklin Expedition of 1845, which remained clouted in mystery for 170 years — to working alongside the likes of Robert Bateman, Doris McCarthy and Margaret Atwood, Cedar Swan has many stories to tell from memorable Arctic expeditions. “Our visit to the Erebus last summer was absolutely phenomenal. We worked with Parks Canada to facilitate the first visit by civilians. It was such an honour and incredible experience,” the CEO of Adventure Canada tells...
Ontario Registrar Extends TICO Fee Deferral
With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 crisis continuing to place severe financial strain on all registrants, TICO is extending its original 90-day fee deferral on all fees for an additional month. The extension is effective immediately. TICO also reminds registrants that Renewal applications and Compensation Fund assessments (Form 1) must continue to be submitted to TICO on-time, consistent with required reporting timelines to support continued registration under the Travel Industry Act, 2002. There is no action required by registrants to qualify for the above deferral. If you...
Canada Makes EU Safe List
While the Canadian travel industry was initially cheered by the news that the European Council had agreed to start lifting travel restrictions for residents of 15 countries – including Canada – it only lasted for a short time. The news from the EC was overshadowed by word that Canada has extended its ban on all foreign travellers who aren’t Canadian citizens or permanent residents or Americans travelling for essential reasons for another month at least. That measure was originally put in place in mid-March and was due to expire. Reports also indicate that Ottawa is expected...
Where Can Travel Take You
MMGY has brought together Expedia Group Media Solutions, Sojern and ADARA to create a unifying campaign that maintains a consumer presence for the travel industry, shares a message of positivity and reminds American travellers of the real power of travel. The digital campaign, entitled Where Can Travel Take You, will run in June and July this summer and is meant to inspire people to travel again. The latest findings from the Travel Intentions Pulse Survey, conducted by MMGY Travel Intelligence, reveal that just 39% of U.S. travellers intend to take a domestic leisure trip in the...