Tour Operators
Chaos, Confusion, Condemnation
Donald Trump's Jan. 27 executive order banning entry to the US to those travelling on passports from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen for the next 90 days, has created chaos, confusion and condemnation in both the US and around the world. Courts in four US states – Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington and New York – have already issued orders which prevent authorities from either detaining or deporting travellers from the seven named countries who have US visas, green cards or are refugees. There have been angry demonstrations at major US airports in New York,...
Discovering the Wonders of Israel
The wonders of Israel are now available from Transat, which has unveiled its newly launched program of guided tours and packages designed to allow travellers to discover Tel Aviv many other touristic attractions in and around the Middle East country. Transat packages will be available as of mid-June. Three guided tours will allow travellers to holiday worry-free and to fully explore Israel thanks to the expertise of professional guides. According to officials, “with proven itineraries, strategically located three- or four-star hotels, experienced guides, air-conditioned coaches...
Insight Extends ‘Best Offer of the Year’
Insight Vacations is extending its best offer of the year in which Canadians can save $400 per couple off air-inclusive journeys to Europe, combinable with the 7.5% Early Payment Discount on bookings by Feb. 28. To learn more about this limited-time offer, visit http://bit.ly/IVDeltaairdeal. “We are delighted to be able to extend our best offer of the year for air combinable with land to your clients travelling to Europe this year,” said Cris David, president, Insight Vacations Canada. “We are seeing a resurgence in interest from Canadians wanting to travel to the continent...
Grow With US
TRAVELSAVERS welcomed about 50 of its top suppliers to an intimate event in Toronto last night (Jan. 23) to say "thanks" and give them an idea of what the travel agency group has planned for 2017. In her welcoming remarks at the Grow with Us-themed evening , Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer (CMO) for TRAVELSAVERS, said that the group had a record year of new agencies joining its ranks, adding more than 20 agencies since June of 2016. Mazza noted TRAVELSAVERS is entering its 17th year of operation in Canada and she made it clear that its success has, in a large part, been due to...
Globus Says Thanks
Globus family of brands hosted its annual partner appreciation luncheon Friday with the heartfelt message: “We couldn't do it without you!” Travel agents, tourist boards, media and business partners were all on hand for the low-key, but congenial affair at Sassafraz in Toronto. Representing Globus at the event were (l-r) company execs Kim Clarke, Stephanie Bishop and Patrice...
Sunwing Expands Cuba Portfolio
Sunwing has expanded its vacation options in Cuba as the exclusive provider of packages to both Grand Memories Santa Maria, and the adults-only Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria. Both resorts, which welcomed their first guests last week, are the latest in the Memories Resorts & Spa hotel chain to earn the classification of “Grand” to indicate superior facilities and amenities. The opening of these properties comes after the success of the first Grand Memories Varadero and adults-only Sanctuary Grand Memories Varadero, opened in 2015. Both properties enjoy exchange...
New Name, Same Company
Effective Jan. 27, Jade will be officially re-branding its air consolidator division. The new name for that division will be the Air Booking Center. Jade Tours remains the same and this division will continue to offer tour products from the offices in Toronto and Vancouver. To celebrate this change, Air Booking Center will be offering a $20 per passenger gift card when the reservation is booked and ticketed through the online booking engine on any airline through to March 31. Air Booking Center’s B2B site can be found at http://www.airbookingcenter.ca and the same username...
Intrepid Helping Keep Africa’s Lions Free and Alive
The Intrepid Travel Group says Africa's lions should be both born free and live free. Intrepid's Canadian office held a Wednesday Toronto showing of the movie Blood Lions, which looks at the practice of canned lion hunts in South Africa. Canned hunting has captive animals being shot in enclosed areas by trophy hunters and has come under attack because of the inability of prey to escape. “The film you're about to watch explores the extremely sad and concerning world of lion hunting tourism within Africa. It is an industry that we have never supported and for most of our staff and...