Tour Operators
Sandals Rallies Behind Agents
Sandals has rallied behind travel agents since 1981. Today is no different. In a newly released video, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International, shares a message about how travel agents have always been the backbone of not only the company, but the...
COVID-19 Update: Globus, ACV and More
Globus Suspends Operations Through June 30 Globus has voluntarily suspended operations through June 30. “As we contact all affected travellers, we are unveiling an enhanced Peace of Mind travel plan, giving them the right options and adequate time to reset travel plans and rebook vacations.” Through the Peace of Mind plan, Globus is allowing all currently booked travellers between March 14 and June 30 to move travel dates easily and without incurring cancellation fees, land or airline penalties. “You are free to move your booking to any Globus family of brands (Globus,...
Easing The Burden
Ontario’s travel registrar is advising that on March 30, 2020 the Ontario government announced that the Regulation under the Travel Industry Act, 2002, were amended to reduce the burden on Ontario’s registered travel agencies and tour operators and to enhance consumer protection for certain travellers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The changes announced by the Ontario government include: Eliminating review engagement reports for small registrants with annual sales less than $2 million and requiring a verification statement instead. Eliminating audit reports for large...
ACTA Applauds Ontario Act Amendments
ACTA is applauding the Ontario government’s move to bring in “much needed” amendments to the Travel Industry Act, heeding “the years of lobbying and recommendations of ACTA and the industry by reducing the burden on registrants.” ACTA president, Wendy Paradis commented: “ACTA has long awaited proposed amendments to the Ontario Travel Industry Act and we are very pleased to see many of the recommendations we advocated for.” Paradis continued: “These changes will bring much needed relief to our travel agency members, including the removal of Audited Financial...
A Devastating Decision
Red Label Vacations Inc., the parent company of TravelBrands, redtag.ca, itravel200 and The Travel Experts, has announced that it is temporarily laying off multiple employees. The limited time layoff is to take place effective immediately. Frank Demarinis, CEO of RLV, said: “COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact globally and especially on the travel industry. Though we know that we will come out of this pandemic stronger and more resilient, the current market conditions, unfortunately, forced us to make this devastating decision.” Demarinis continued: “I am hopeful that these...
Calling All Agents! Vote in Agents’ Choice
With just a few days left, now is the time to vote in Agents' Choice. From airline to tour operator to cruise line to car rental company, and everything in between, vote for all your 2020 favourites in 40+ categories before it’s too late. Proudly sponsored by Collette, Manulife, Trafalgar, Uniworld, and WestJet, agents who vote will be entered in a draw to win one of five fantastic prizes. Results will be announced in the special Agents’ Choice double-issue of Canadian Travel Press / Travel Courier. Baxter Media's annual Agents' Choice Readership Survey is Canada's original,...
G Adventures Announces Further Tour Suspensions
Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, G Adventures is further suspend all tours departing up to and including May 31, with the exception of the May 29 ‘Norwegian Arctic Encompassed’ trip. The tour operator noted the health and safety of travellers and staff remain the top priority and the decision is a necessary measure to protect travellers and staff at this time. G Adventures had previously suspended all tours until April 30. Any traveller booked and fully paid on a tour departing between March 16 and May 31 will receive a 110% travel credit on all booked tour services,...
A Staggering Number
It is a staggering number. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) says that 1 million jobs are being lost every day in the travel and tourism sector due to the sweeping effect of the coronavirus pandemic. The growing job losses, the WTTC reports, are affecting every level of the industry and are gathering pace, as countries go into lockdown to tackle the virus. The industry association points to the widespread closure of hotels, suspension of the majority of international and domestic airline flights, cessation of cruise lines operations and growing global travel bans are...