Tour Operators
Trafalgar Unveils CostSaver Program
Travellers on a budget are being invited to savour Europe with Trafalgar's new CostSaver program. And, clients who book a CostSaver European tour can save even more with Trafalgar chipping in $300 towards airfare through May 9. According to officials, CostSaver is the perfect way to discover a destination for the first time and clients are guaranteed “the best travel directors in the industry, airport tranfers, handpicked three- and four-star hotels and authentic local meals, including all breakfasts and up to half three-course dinners.” “From $114 per day, clients can...
Time Running Out To Win ‘Emerald Adventure’
Agents just have until the end of the month for a chance to win an eight-day "Emerald Adventure" with Royal Irish Tours. Agents booking one of the company's trips during April with have a chance to win a trip for two to Ireland, including round-trip air from Toronto. The winner will take part in Royal Irish's eight-day “Emerald Adventure” that includes a stay at the five-star Ashford...
Tucan Travel Sets Up Shop in Canada
Tucan Travel has set up shop in Toronto, with the soft adventure travel company convinced its first permanent physical presence Canada can enable it to make inroads in what it says is a growing interest among Canadians in non-mainstream vacations. The company, which began by sending clients to South America some 30 years ago, leading to the Spanish spelling of toucan that it adopted for its name, already has offices in Britain, Sydney and Cuzco, Peru, as well as an operations team in Bangkok. Sam Dance, Tucan's sales manager, says Tucan already has a “strong loyal client base in...
Transat Says ‘Bravo’
Transat Distribution Canada management recently hosted a delegation of 41 TDC Bravo Club Excellence members and their guests aboard AmaWaterways' Amaprima vessel during a cruise throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. TDC Bravo Club Excellence winners achieved this recognition for their outstanding sales performances. This year’s trip was departed from Amsterdam, allowing the group to experience the best of Holland and Belgium at the peak of tulip season. The TDC guests were hosted by Kristin Karst, EVP and co-owner of AmaWaterways, and Sandra Gardener, national accounts manager,...
Sunwing Celebrates, Thanks Agents
On the second of a 20-city cross country road show, Sunwing Vacations/Signature Vacations hosted an estimated 600 agents and suppliers at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto last night, unveiling Winter 2016/17 programs highlighted by new destinations – Saint Lucia and the Dominican resort town of Juan Dolio – and routes. Speaking with PressToday, Deana Murphy, vice-president, retail sales, for Sunwing, said the evening's festivities, which included a trade show, presentation, dinner and prizes, were all about thanking agent partners for their support. “We wanted to see and thank...
Car Rental Pricing at Par
TravelBrands is offering up to 35% savings on all car rentals (Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar) booked for US and Canada rentals through May 17. “Our goal is to give our travel agent partners the tools necessary to close that sale. With the dollar being what it is, the 35% reduction is better than an at par promotion. We want make that dollar stretch and this offer maximizes the opportunities to make a reservation,” said Nino Montagnese, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “We recognize the need for added-value and optimal pricing. Our car rental partners are key and they are...
Simply Amazing
The manager Canada for Tourism Ireland is praising enhanced air service between this country and Ireland, with that service able to carry people to a country that among other things is building strong ties with the entertainment industry. Dana Welch told a Wednesday Toronto showing of the movie Sing Street – set in Dublin – that Irish settings have appeared in the latest Star Wars movie and Game of Thrones also is filmed on the island. Welch said those visiting Ireland will find festivals and celebrations “365 days a year,” and added that “there's a bit of a food...
Just Like The Old Days
“It's like the old days,” marvelled one guest at TravelBrands' Toronto appreciation event April 12, reports Michael Baginski in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Big place (the Congress Centre), big crowd (over 700 agents), 70 suppliers (for a trade show), food (but, alas, no Jamaica patties) and wine (of course)... Even TravelBrands called it “epic.” And this after similar (though slightly smaller) events in Vancouver and Calgary, and ones that at press time were yet to come in Montreal in Halifax – a cross-country total of close to 2,000 agents in...