Tour Operators
Making It Jamaica Again
Jamaica's tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett is on a mission to bring more Canadians to the Caribbean island in the next five years and he has a clearly defined plan that makes him confident that he can deliver positive results, reports Bob Mowat in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. “The purpose of this mission,” Bartlett said during a recent visit to Canadian Travel Press' office in Toronto, “is to discuss with our partners a strategic alliance for growth. This alliance will focus on a two- to three-year strategic growth program with an objective of lifting...
Sunwing Celebrates National Teddy Bear Day
Launched in recognition of National Teddy Bear Day Day (Sept. 9), Sunwing Vacations is offering up to 50% off a selection of its top-rated family resorts for bookings made by Sept. 12. Included are Sunwing's SplashWorld Resorts, that include complimentary access to an on-site or nearby waterpark, and SMILE Resorts. This handpicked selection of resorts include complimentary daily kids clubs, as well as a host of other exclusive perks to make the family vacation budget go a little further such as Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free...
All For A Good Cause
TravelBrands hosted its 3rd Annual Charity Golf Classic yesterday in Toronto, raising more than $182,000 for The Hospital for Sick Children. As a former patient, TravelBrands' co-owner Joe DeMarinis said it was a facility “close to our hearts.” The event attracted well over 100 travel industry and corporate partners for golf and many more for dinner at Eagles Nest north of the city. It was the third year in a row for the gala event and featured speakers from hospital, including a special address from a young patient. Shown here presenting a cheque to Sick Kids are...
Spotlight on Indochina
Bangkok-based tour operator Smiling Albino is inviting tourists to make tracks in places tourists normally don't trod. Company managing director Daniel Fraser told a Toronto gathering yesterday (Sept. 8) that there's a perception among many travellers that much of Thailand is “over-touristed,” when in fact 90% of northern Thailand hasn't been explored by foreigners. Ex-Calgarian Fraser said his company can enable visitors to “get outside the Chiang Mais and Chiang Rais,” exploring little-seen regions in a luxurious manner. Fraser, who's lived in Bangkok for 16 years and...
Transat’s Sun Training Academy Rolls into Toronto
The Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre was bustling last night (Sept. 6) as more than 300 travel agents took part in Transat’s Sun Training Academy. Featuring 50 hotel, cruise line and destination suppliers, the evening kicked off with a trade show, followed by a dinner and presentations. “We started off in Quebec last week and the feedback has been wonderful. Attendance has been fabulous and it’s been a really positive vibe,” says Nicole Bursey, Transat’s commercial director. “Agents I think are ready to learn what’s new with Transat and to get...
Transat Has A New Groups Guide For Agents
With more than 25 years’ experience in organizing group travel, Transat has introduced its 2017-18 Groups guide for travel agents, designed to help agents increase their sales of group vacations to the more than 60 destinations in Europe and the South. This one-stop guide created especially for travel agents offers tips and expertise to help increase bookings for all types of group travel, including destination weddings, family vacations, meetings and incentives, guided tours and cruise packages. Transat has assembled its latest offers, tools and promotions under its “Group...
Insight Offers Exclusive Oktoberfest Experience
Insight Vacations will welcome guests to the Wies’n with its exclusive Luxury Gold journey through Vienna, Salzburg and Munich on Oktoberfest in Bavaria. The nine-day Special Interest tour departs on Sept. 21 and will be limited to just 40 guests. Clients are encouraged to book now as this definite departure is only weeks away. “We are pleased to offer this unique and exclusive journey through the romantic heart of Bavaria and Austria to Canadian travellers seeking a cultural and culinary experience to remember,” said Cris David, president, Insight Vacations Canada. “During...
Hooked On Hanoi
There are cities that are living museums and cities that are too busy living to be a museum. Hanoi is surely one of the latter. That's not to say there aren't museums and cultural sites a-plenty in Vietnam's northern capital and second largest city, but it's the army of scooters, the cacophony of bleeting horns, sidewalks that double as “knee high” restaurants and coffee shops, and general seething of humanity that assaults the senses, reports Michael Baginski in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. “It really is a bit much, especially the first day [in Vietnam],”...