Tour Operators
No Reservations About New RIU Policy
RIU Hotels & Resorts has eliminated the need for guests to make reservations at its a la carte restaurants at properties in the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, a policy the company dubs, “No Reservations, No Limitations!” The news was revealed “in Canada first” at the chain's annual Sunwing Group co-sponsored Christmas luncheon for top producers in Toronto yesterday. “This is such a great market for us,” said RIU director of business development & partner marketing Hugo Aguilera of the choice to make the announcement here. Aguilera, and colleague Sergi...
Always A Surprise
A Trafalgar travel director says he and his colleagues are committed to ensuring that those who go on Trafalgar itineraries won't simply be seeing more of the same. “[As] travel directors [we're] always trying to give you something unique,” Dave Neil told a Nov. 29 Toronto audience. Neil, who spends much of his time guiding in Britain, said that part of the world provides surprises, with Trafalgar clients able to visit a vineyard in Wales, a part of the world few people associate with wine. Clients can meet the family running the vineyard and participate in a wine-tasting...
And Now A Word From TICO
A bit of a follow up and clarification from an item in yesterday's Press Today on changes to the Ontario Travel Industry. (Click here to see that story) TICO president & CEO, Richard Smart told PT that the Dec. 3, 2016 deadline referred to in the story applies to the survey recently released by the Ontario government. ( To go to the survey, click here ) This survey targets both consumers and registrants and seeks input related to the comprehensive review underway. And all of the results will be compiled by the government and shared with the public early in the New...
Sunwing Adds Winnipeg-Nassau Lift
Sunwing is introducing direct flights from Winnipeg to Nassua, The Bahamas this winter. The new, weekly service begins on Dec. 17, 2016 and continues until April 1, 2017 To coincide with the new route, Sunwing has also introduced new all inclusive packages at several of the island’s top-rated resorts. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations, commented: “We are pleased to be adding this brand new service from Winnipeg this winter. Nassau is a varied destination with something to offer travellers all of ages, so the addition of more all inclusive packages to discover this...
Intrepid Gives Back With New Campaign
Intrepid Travel launches its groundbreaking Travel for Good campaign today, furthering the positive impact its adventure tours have on travellers and the world. Starting today, Intrepid will donate 10% of all tour bookings to help four community projects around the world. The campaign runs through Dec. 20, applying to bookings on over 1,000 of Intrepid Travel’s small-group tours. This is the first time Intrepid has taken this type of philanthropic approach to discounting, something they feel travellers and the travel agent community will embrace. The concept of booking a trip to...
In The Spotlight
Air Canada Vacations is showcasing its Spotlight Collection in Western Canada. The tour company's Spotlight Collection features over 50 properties in Mexico and the Caribbean which are deemed to be ACV’s most popular. Each resort in the collection offers a variety of exclusive perks such as extra à la carte dining, superior in-room amenities, bonus Aeroplan Miles and other VIP services. And over 30 of the resorts in the collection can be directly accessed from gateways out of Western Canada. In Montego Bay, Jamaica, properties include Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica; Hilton...
Time To Change Ontario Travel Act
A Toronto-based travel retailer is urging travel agents across the province to get involved in the updating of Ontario's travel industry act that has been proposed by the provincial government. But time is short as the deadline to complete the Travel Industry Act Review Survey is Dec. 3, 2016. For a good number of years, Darren Swidler of TruExperiences Tours Inc. has been calling on both TICO and the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to update the Travel Industry Act in order to protect consumers at less cost to registrants. Swidler has also been an outspoken advocate...
Travel Corporation Appointments
The Travel Corporation (TTC), parent company of Lion World Travel and 29 other brands, has announced several senior promotions in its adventure division. Lucille Sive has been promoted to The Travel Corporation Africa Division CEO, and former Contiki president Brad Ford to president of Lion World Travel. Sive, affectionately known in the travel industry as “The African Queen,” has been at the helm of Lion World Travel for more than 30 years. In her newly created role, she will be responsible for the continued growth and development of the Lion World Travel and African Travel...