Tour Operators
Heffron Retiring From Transat
After 25 years, Denise Heffron is retiring. She'll leave her post as Transat's vice-president, national sales and commercial on March 2 of this year and without a doubt, Heffron will be missed, not just by her company, but by the hundreds of friends that she has made in this industry over the years. Joseph Adamo, chief distribution officer, Transat, commented: “On behalf of the entire Transat organization, I extend to Denise our heartfelt gratitude and admiration for her significant contributions in establishing the company on a national level.” Adamo continued: “Her...
Softvoyage, Competition Bureau Reach Agreement
The Competition Bureau said that it has reached an agreement with Softvoyage Inc., a Canadian developer of travel-related software, to address concerns of abuse of dominance. The Bureau's investigation focused on markets related to the supply of essential software for managing and distributing all-inclusive travel packages in Canada. It also investigated allegations that restrictive terms in Softvoyage's contracts with tour operators and travel agencies harmed competition and innovation by excluding rivals. The Bureau's findings were informed by interviews and documents provided...
Intrepid Helping Canadians Achieve Their Travel Resolutions
Intrepid Travel is challenging shoppers to spend their money on “experiences, not things” after the responsible travel company unveiled its Vacation Vending Machine in Toronto’s busiest shopping mall Tuesday. The Intrepid Travel Vacation Vending Machine appears in the Cadillac Fairview Eaton Centre through Jan. 19 as part of a nation-wide campaign designed to help Canadians to achieve their 2018 travel resolutions. Torontonians will not only be able to lock in their 2018 travel plans for just $1, they’ll also have the chance to win one of 12 Intrepid Travel trips, 60 Urban...
The Travel Corporation Introduces Online Agent Portal
The Travel Corporation (TTC) has re-affirmed its commitment to travel agent partners with the creation of a new online initiative – My Travel Portal (MTP). An industry first in guided holidays and river cruising, MTP is designed to provide agents with a simplified solution for delivering nothing but the best service for clients. From providing the highest duty of care to being able to effortlessly personalize client trips, everything is taken care of within the online portal. According to officials, MTP affords agents extra hours in their lives, knowing there’s a simple go-to...
Agents’ Choice 2018 – It’s Time To Vote
Agents' Choice 2018 is back and it's better than ever. This year, Canada's favourite travel agency poll has expanded a number of categories. For example, agents will now be able to vote for their favourite destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, Asia, Canada, the USA and more. Canadian retailers will also be able to pick their favourite tour operator offering programs to each of these regions as well. Agents' Choice 2018 has also added new categories that allow agents to vote for their favourite travel agent education program and their favourite travel agent loyalty and...
CIE Tours Partners With Air Canada
Ireland and Britain’s largest tour operator – CIE Tours International – has introduced air-inclusive guided vacations for Canadian travellers, thanks to a new partnership with Air Canada. The agreement enables CIE Tours to package competitively priced flights within its tour price for travel originating at any airport serviced by Air Canada with direct flights to Shannon or Dublin. In addition, those who book select guided vacations by Jan. 31 can take advantage of CIE Tours’ “2 for 1 Companion Flies Free” promotion (use promotion code TWOFORONE18C). The free non-stop...
AGENTS’ CHOICE IS BACK!
The theme at Baxter Media these days is all about “making it new,” so it should surprise no one that that's exactly what we're going to do with Agents' Choice in 2018. Actually, we already started making those changes with the Canadian travel industry's favourite and most influential poll of travel agents in 2017 with a brand new design that showcases the results in a way that makes for easy reading. And we're happy to report that last year, 5,770 Canadian travel agents voted for their favourites in 30 different categories, making it the second highest response rate in the history...
Contiki Enhances ContikiU eLearning Program
A new school year is in session. Contiki has introduced updates to its ContikiU eLearning program for travel agents. Providing agents with insight into the brand’s 18-35 demographic, as well as offering in-depth training on Contiki’s worldwide trips, destinations, Contiki “know-how” and its “No Regrets” experience, the updated program now offers users a more simplified way to reap “Contiki Rewards” – the incentive program offering agents of all ages access to exclusive Contiki “rewards” based on the number of bookings they make. The program now features two...