Tour Operators
Transat Confetti Winners
Transat’s Confetti program rewarded the winners of its fifth sales challenge, which took place in March and highlighted the performance of the top three Europe product sellers in Canada. The prepaid gas card prizes valued at $1,800 were divided by region. That’s how Kelly Bergquist of Terra Travel 2007 Inc. won the Western Canada prize, Melissa Marquis Silva (pictured) of Marlin Travel in Bradford won the Ontario/Atlantic Canada prize, and Gaby Giasson of Intervoyage in Rimouski won the Quebec prize. Ambassadors of their industry and travel enthusiasts, all three winners were...
Exotik Adds Malta to Long Stay Program
Exotik Tours is expanding its winter long stay program with the addition of Malta with scheduled departures from Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver starting at end of October. A 22-day/21-night long-stay package features prices starting from $1,549 plus tax out of Montreal ($1,624 plus tax out of Toronto, and $1,650 plus tax out of Vancouver and $1,890 out of Calgary) and includes all flights, return transfers, accommodation at the newly renovated and re-opened Seashells Resort at Suncrest and daily breakfast. From $499 per person, dinners and unlimited beverages during meals...
RIU Expands Canadian Team
And then there were three. RIU Hotels & Resorts has added a third business development manager for Canada to help with the burgeoning market for the brand. Christie King has joined the RIU team in Vancouver to service Western Canada, along with Valerie Ward in Ontario and Sandra Mallette in Quebec and the east. “[Now] we're well represented all over Canada. We were before, but it's a big country,” jokes Oliver Kluth, RIU's VP of sales and business development. RIU also depends on Canadian partners Sunwing and Signature Vacations to spread the word, a relationship for...
Sunquest, Holiday House Launch Sandals Spring Special
Sunquest has launched a special spring campaign with Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Resorts that rewards customers with up to $1,700 in bonus inclusions, including air credits and a $100/couple future travel voucher. Called the “Perfect Fit” event, the offer is valid on all new Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple bookings made between April 16 and May 20 for travel any time, out of any gateway, to any resort. The vouchers are redeemable on any future Sandals, Beaches or Grand Pineapple bookings made through Sunquest, and are applicable on all future travel dates for up to...
CanJet Clarifies Its Situation
CanJet Airlines, which is reportedly laying off 47 pilots and 68 flight attendants, has released a statement regarding staff reductions saying it will be allocating aircraft to be positioned in the European market for the coming summer season. The reallocation of the summer aircraft will see CanJet Vacations looking to partner with other airlines for the summer program. “We are currently exploring options with other carriers,” said Chris Kelly, VP of business planning. “We are hopeful we will be able to offer a summer program as planned.” “The support from our...
Contiki In Tune With Change
It's a click and chat digital world for many, meaning that some traditional channels of communication are losing steam. As sellers of vacations to youth travellers, Contiki Holidays is attuned to these changes, and has maximized its digital reach to its young clients, reports western editor, Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. But more traditional connections in smaller centres across the country are also getting a boost, through another demographic trend. The parental – and grandparental -- 'gifters' are a big part of the funding picture for current college...
Sunquest Unveils New Groups Guide
Sunquest’s new Groups Guide – which will arrive at agencies in the next couple of weeks – is part of a wider groups campaign that the brand is rolling out designed to educate customers about how they can travel for free. “The aim of this new campaign, and the focus of this new guide, is to raise awareness among agents and their clients about how easy it is to travel for free with Sunquest,” said Nino Montagnese, VP of Sunquest. “Just by taking on the role of group leader, and working with their agent in co-ordinating the travel plans of their group of eight or more friends...
Anderson To Host Canada Mega Fam
Anderson Vacations has announced plans to host a Canada Mega Fam for agents and tour operators. In partnership with strategic destination partners across the country, up to 30 top travel agent or tour operator partners will have the opportunity to travel to one of several unique Canadian destinations, including British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario or Quebec. The grand finale of the Mega Fam culminates with all of the regional sub groups of agents converging on Banff/Lake Louise to share their experiences and meet the rest of the Anderson team. For every...