Tour Operators
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...
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...