Tour Operators
Vantage Joins TravelBrands Cruise Portfolio
TravelBrands reports that Vantage is the newest addition to its river cruising partners. With added bonuses that are unique only to Encore Cruises, Vantage offers travellers a complete selection of sailings. “We are thrilled to announce the addition of Vantage, a deluxe river cruise line that offers great value for our clients. Run by the top cruise and tour directors, your clients can choose from four state of the art luxury ships to cruise off into their dream vacation,” commented Nathalie Tanious, vice-president of Cruises. “We wanted to provide a deluxe line that gives our...
Globus Like Groups
The Globus family of brands has special offers for groups for this year and next. Those who book a group of nine on any 2016 Avalon Waterways European cruise by June 28 will have a 10th person sail free. For 2017, groups who have booked and deposited by Aug. 8 of this year are offered 15% discounts on select European cruises, as well as prepaid gratuities plus a one-passenger-free-in-eight off select European itineraries and one free in 10 on all Europe and Southeast Asia sailings. And, as a thank you, Avalon will pay agents a bonus of $250 on new 2017 groups of eight to 12 ($500 on...
Montagnese Joins ACV, Platanitis Named VP Sales
Air Canada Vacations has appointed Nino Montagnese to the new role of managing director, Sun Markets, effective June 2, and George Platanitis to the new role of vice-president, Sales and Partnerships. “I’m very pleased to welcome Nino back to the Air Canada Vacations family. Nino is a respected leader in the Canadian travel industry and brings with him an extensive background in marketing and sales management,” said Craig Landry, president, Air Canada Leisure Group. In his new role, Montagnese will have executive responsibility for the design and delivery of the integrated...
A Decade Of Memories
Sunshine and sand are dominant elements in the product profile of WestJet Vacations, and the holiday company can credit the attractions of the beach for much of its success. But to consign WestJet Vacations to solely a “fly and flop” provider is to ignore many destination holidays that have been created and marketed over the last decade by the company, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. As WestJet Holidays marks its official 10-year birthday on June 1, it does so with a roster 64 destinations in 20 countries, including accommodations...
WestJet Unveils Largest-Ever Print Brochure
WestJet Vacations has released its new, updated and largest-ever print brochure. Featuring over 320 pages, the 2016-2017 brochure includes more than 450 hotel descriptions, destination overviews, destination maps featuring hotel locations and more. “WestJet strives to be easy to do business with and thanks to the valuable feedback from our travel agent partners, we have created a selling tool that does just that,” said Jane Clementino, WestJet director of agency sales. “WestJet Vacations print brochure better serves travel agents and their clients by effectively showcasing the...
Signature Doubles Early Booking Incentive
Signature Vacations is offering travellers the chance to reserve their next beach getaway in advance with zero deposit, as well as take advantage of a “Price Drop Guarantee” allowing them to benefit from extra early bird pricing on all-inclusive packages departing between Dec. 21 and Oct. 31, 2017. Travellers can therefore get one of the best deals all season and rest assured that they’ll be protected should the price of their vacation drop. The zero deposit, extra early bird pricing and Price Drop Guarantee are available across all of Signature Vacations’ exclusive...
Spotlight on Switzerland
The Swiss city of Basel has plenty of experience in the art of showcasing art. Doris Schuermann, sales manager for Basel's tourism board, told a Friday Toronto gathering that her city has more than 40 museums, with its fine arts museum housing the oldest public art collection in the world. “World-class” museums are only one side to Basel, with Schuermann adding her city sees numerous festivals, among them celebrations of music. Basel is also home too the “oldest and largest Christmas market in Switzerland,” she continued. Basel is only 10 minutes from both the French...
One Brand To Rule Them All
Transat is making it simple for agents and their clients, announcing that as of June 1, 2016, it will be dropping the TMR Holidays and Nolitours brands and going to market as Transat. It's a move that Denise Heffron, vice-president national sales & commercial for Transat, said is one that has been the subject of a lot of discussion within the company, but it's one that makes her “really happy.” Heffron revealed the details of the changes during a VIP reception in Toronto that unveiled Transat's 2016-2017 Sun & Fun Collection; it's revamped Cruise program; and its Winter...