Tour Operators
Goway Confident That Egypt is Safe
Goway is urging people to consider vacationing in Egypt, with Moira Smith – who oversees the tour operator's Africa program – telling a Toronto audience yesterday (March 15) that she visited the country in June and “I think it's getting a bad rap.” Egyptian tourism has struggled in recent years because of security concerns, but Smith told the gathering that the only thing they need fear in Cairo “is the traffic.” Smith praised the “so historic” Egyptian capital and noted that the Grand Egyptian Museum is slated to open near the Pyramids next year and its displays...
Celebrations @ TravelBrands
TravelBrands is inviting agents to take part in one of its upcoming Travel Agent Appreciation events across Canada. Five events are being held and will include a trade show, presentation and cocktails, as well as prize giveaways. The schedule is as follows: Calgary, April 6, Calgary Convention Centre; Vancouver, April 7, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre; Toronto, April 12, The Toronto Congress Centre; Montreal, April 13, Hôtel Bonaventure; Halifax, April 14, Cunard Center. Registration is from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., tradeshow from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., presentation from 6:30 p.m....
Sunwing Has New YVR Service to St. Maarten
For the very first time, starting this summer, Sunwing Vacations will offer vacation packages to St. Maarten from Vancouver. Packages are available weekly from May 18 to Aug. 24, via Toronto. One available resort is the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino set on a lush beachfront and offering endless fun and entertainment for families and couples alike, including on-site snorkel lessons, evening entertainment and a spa. For families, there are facilities specially designed for younger guests including a complimentary kids club and dedicated children’s pool. Along with exploring...
Making History
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) have unveiled details of a historic joint initiative that will see the two organizations promoting multi-destination travel in Asia to North American travellers, reports executive editor, Bob Mowat in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. The deal is a first for Hong Kong and Taiwan and it is one that takes advantage of an opportunity to generate additional business for both destinations while providing Canadian and American leisure travellers with some attractive new travel options. HKTB executive...
Book Globus for Chance to Win WestJet Tickets
The Globus family of brands has launched an agent incentive in partnership with WestJet – for each air-inclusive Globus, Cosmos or Monograms booking featuring flights on WestJet to Europe or within North America, agents will be entered to win a pair of roundtrip WestJet tickets to London. In order to be eligible, Globus must book the clients’ air. The promotion, in effect for bookings made and deposited between March 14 and April 30 for departures this year, applies to Globus, Cosmos and Monograms bookings. And, agents who have completed their MBA (Monograms Booking Agent) or...
Irish Cheer
It may have been a week before St. Patrick's Day, but Trafalgar, Tourism Ireland and Aer Lingus teamed up to get the celebrations going early last night (March 10) at a special industry event at P.J. O'Brien Irish Pub in Toronto. Guests were treated to a professional folklore storyteller and live Irish music. Ireland is Trafalgar's second most travelled to country (next to Italy) and the Canadian operator has 14 itineraries focusing on the Emerald Isle. “Trafalgar loves Ireland. Canadians love Ireland,” said Anita Emilio, VP sales, Trafalgar Canada. “It's beautiful and...
Globus Has Europe Savings
The Globus family of brands is offering a savings of $150 on fares to Europe when agents book air-inclusive vacations on Air France, Alitalia, Delta or KLM to a host of European cities. The sale, available through April 16 for departures this year, applies to Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways. Applicable destinations are Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Budapest, Madrid, Paris, Prague and Rome. The offer is combinable with past Globus family clients (Journeys Club) 5% discount, current Monograms Wanderlist discounts and Globus 5% off when booked by April 26 sale. “As...
Gilfillan Joins ACV Team
Julie Gilfillan has joined the Air Canada Vacations team as area sales manager for British Columbia. Gilfillan has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry. She started her career as a sales manager at Travel Cuts and later moved on to manager of Groups and Corporate. Her most recent positions were sales manager at Sears Travel and business development manager at TravelBrands. Gilfillan is based in Vancouver and can be reached at...