Tour Operators
WestJet winners
WestJet has announced the six grand prize winning agents in its “Sell Your Way Away” contest. The contest was designed as a way to thank travel agents for all of their support and hard work through the years, and a means to recognize that they have been and continue to be integral part of WestJet’s success. The contest was a great success, as more than 2,500 agents submitted more than 36,000 bookings over the contest period. The winning agents are: Robert Long of Rose Travel in Rosetown, Sask. who won round-trip airfare for two to Las Vegas with four night’s accommodation at...
Transat gets exemption from take-over bid requirements
Transat A.T. Inc. reports that pursuant to an application it filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers, as principal regulator, the Ontario Securities Commission and the securities regulatory authorities in the other provinces of Canada, the company received, on Dec. 18 a conditional exemption from applicable take-over bid and related early warning reporting requirements. This decision effectively treats Transat’s Class A variable voting and Class B voting shares as a single class for the purposes of applicable take-over bid requirements and early warning reporting...
WestJet Vacations says no to currency surcharge
Despite the fact that most major tour operators have announced currency surcharges to combat the falling Canadian dollar, WestJet Vacations says it has no intention of imposing a currency surcharge on its vacation package bookings. Tim Croyle, vice-president and general manager of WestJet Vacations, said, “We are committed to the transparency of our advertised prices. We believe the base price should reflect the true price of the package, and that the only taxes and fees charged should be those that are passed on to government and regulatory bodies, not used to offset cost...
Insight introduces ‘Exotics Collection’
Insight Vacations has launched its 2014 Exotics Collection, taking clients to India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and beyond. The Exotics offering is expanded to include the Eastern Mediterranean regions of Greece, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco in North Africa. The new brochure showcases 25 diverse itineraries, seven extension trips and two stopovers designed to appeal to travellers “yearning to explore these unforgettable destinations with Insight’s Signature Experiences including premium hotels, exclusive dining highlights and special sightseeing excursions.” An...
McKenna to lead Brewster team
Brewster Travel Canada has announced that David McKenna, vice-president of hotels and attractions, will assume the position of interim president. Michael Hannan, former president of Brewster and the Viad Travel & Recreation Group, has resigned for personal reasons and is leaving the company. He will be available on a consulting basis to ensure a smooth leadership transition. McKenna will report to Paul Dykstra, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Viad. Cynthia Ognjanov will continue to serve as the president of the Glacier Park, Inc. business unit (Glacier Park),...
Sunwing introduces currency surcharge
Beginning Jan. 30, Sunwing will introduce a currency surcharge of $35 per passenger on all new vacation bookings as a result of deflation of the Canadian dollar. Sunwing passengers who booked their travel prior to the introduction of the surcharge will not be affected by the increase as Sunwing is absorbing the additional costs. Customers interested in booking their next vacation can avoid the surcharge by booking their travel by Jan. 29. The currency surcharge is non-commissionable, applies to all Sunwing vacation packages and air-only travel with the exception of its summer...
Collette to host Family Travel webinar
Collette is hosting a webinar for agents to learn how their family travellers can travel smarter on Jan. 24 at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. “This webinar is a great opportunity for agents to hear tactics on how to present this new and exciting side of family travel to their clients,” said Dan Sullivan Jr., president & CEO of Collette. “We have experienced significant growth in our family product line. To complement such growth and enhance this product line, we have added two new tours for 2014, Ireland Family Discovery and Alaskan Family Adventure while also revamping an existing tour...
ACV adding currency surcharge starting Jan. 27
Given recent negative fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar versus a range of other currencies, Air Canada Vacations (ACV) is advising agents that effective Jan. 27, it will apply a currency surcharge of $35 p.p. on all new vacation bookings. This surcharge will be applicable to all vacation packages sold by Air Canada Vacations to all destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and the US for all new bookings for departures starting Jan. 27 ACV’s prospective customers can book before Jan. 27 to avoid the $35 currency surcharge application. This new surcharge will remain in...