Tour Operators
YTP, Contiki Network With Humber Students
Students from Humber College gathered in downtown Toronto yesterday (Nov. 5) for the inaugural edition of the Young Travel Professional’s “Speed Networking” event, co-sponsored by Contiki Holidays. Energy in the room was high as attendees rotated from table to table in four-minute intervals, connecting with YTP and Contiki members seated at each station. The innovative approach allowed each student the opportunity to connect with established members of the Toronto travel industry, an important move in an evening with an emphasis on mentorship. As Brad Ford, Contiki president,...
Changing The Rules
Ontario travel registrar, Richard Smart is advising members of the Ontario travel industry that the province's Ministry of Government and Consumer Services is consulting on proposals to amend Ontario Regulation 26/05 made under the Travel Industry Act (TIA) to reduce regulatory burden and harmonize pricing provisions for all types of travel services. If approved and implemented, the proposed regulatory amendments would: Exempt businesses that offer one day tours from the requirements under TIA. Modify specific registration and operating requirements to allow for flexibility for...
Cuba Cruise Partners with Transat
Transat has introduced new all-inclusive seven-night cruise packages sailing from Havana, Cuba aboard Celestyal Crystal. In partnership with Cuba Cruise by Celestyal Cruises, the packages include five immersive shore excursions, on-board meals, unlimited bar and beverage package, gratuities, transfers and round-trip flights with Air Transat departing from major Canadian gateways. Transat is also adding additional non-stop flights on Mondays from Toronto and Montreal to Havana to support Cuba Cruise’s 2015-2016 sailing schedule. Pre- and post-stays are available from Transat and...
Agents Offered 2x STAR Points
Travel agents can now earn double the STAR points, which convert to cash, when booking their clients at some of Sunwing’s most popular resorts. The limited time promotion applies to departures from Dec. 17 to June 30, 2016 for reservations made by Jan. 31, 2016. The recently introduced “Sunwing Selection” collection identifies properties offered exclusively by the tour operator which consistently score highly on customer satisfaction questionnaires. Handpicked by Sunwing experts, these leading resorts also offer customers additional perks and value. A full list of Sunwing...
Insight Commemorates Centenary of Major Battles
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of some World War One’s bloodiest battles, including the battles of the Somme and Verdun, and Insight Vacations has a one-time departure that mirrors its Canadian Battlefields of Europe itinerary, with a special focus on the 100th anniversary. Military historian Dr. Jody Perrun, guest lecturer at the University of Winnipeg and Royal Military College, will lead Insight's Canadian Battlefields of Europe: A Journey of Remembrance itinerary. “We are thrilled to offer this special one-time departure that will commemorate the 100th anniversary of...
TravelBrands Creditors Approve Plan
As reported in a Press Today Breaking News bulletin on Oct. 30, 2015, TravelBrands Inc.'s Affected Creditors have voted overwhelmingly in support of a Plan of Compromise or Arrangement during a Meeting of Affected Creditors that was held at the end of last week. The vote accounted for 99.85% of the value of the claims and 99.87% of the Affected Creditors voted in support of the Plan that would see all Affected Creditors paid in full. The company previously disclosed, on Sept. 28, 2015, that it had received a Meeting Order and a Claims Procedure Order from the Ontario Superior Court of...
Agents Shine For SOS Children’s Villages
Kudos to all the agents and other travel trade types who helped Transat raise over $8,500 for SOS Children's Villages during its recent Sun Academies. SOS Children's Villages is the world's largest charity dedicated to the welfare of orphaned and abandoned children. In exchange for a donation, one person per region in Quebec, Ontario/Atlantic Canada and Western Canada was eligible to win an all-inclusive holiday package. The winner in Quebec was Kathleen Dufresne of Voyages Arc-en-ciel, who won a 7-night, all-inclusive package to a Palace Resort in Cancun or Jamaica. In...
Trafalgar Is Already In The Christmas Spirit
Alright, stay calm, but the countdown is on … there's only 57 days … that's 8 weekends … to get your holiday season shopping done. Well, to ease some of the stress that always arrives with the holiday season, Trafalgar has launched a Holiday Gift Card Incentive for agents. There are four earning tiers that give agents a chance to earn gift cards for every passenger they book on a Trafalgar guided vacation – and with each tier, agents earn more. The offer applies to booking made between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30, 2015 and is valid for all bookings departing from Jan. 1, 2016 to...