Tour Operators
Contiki coaches reducing emissions in Europe
Contiki has announced that its new coaches in Europe will now run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) instead of diesel, wherever possible. This shift will bring about a reduction in carbon emissions by up to 30% to 40% on Contiki trips operating in Europe (on Contiki-owned coaches). Young travellers have identified environmentally conscious travel as a priority when choosing a travel provider. In order to prioritize HVO fuel wherever possible, Contiki have set up an HVO tank in their coach yard in Stellendam, Netherlands. HVO is a fuel that is produced without fossil...
Travel advisors getting ‘Connected to Success’ with TravelBrands
TravelBrands is on a mission these days and it’s all about providing travel advisors with technology that will connect them to success. “It’s all about technology,” TravelBrands’ president and CEO, Nathalie Tanious observed when asked about the company’s ‘Connected to Success’ theme. “Technology is a huge focus for us as an organization. We spent the last two years working on two major platforms – one is the GG Platform for the air consolidation and that sits on our Access Plus Platform and that platform is the hub for everything TravelBrands,” Tanious...
Embrace the shorter booking window, TTC Tour Brands says
TTC Tour Brands is offering travel advisors tips to succeed in the ever-evolving travel industry. Offering advice ahead of the busiest travel window, TTC Tour Brands – with brands that include Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold -- is reaffirming its commitment to travel advisors through a series of strategies that can still be implemented to impact the season. Guy Young, Chief Engagement Officer, TTC Tour Brands, explained: “The market has changed since the industry’s heroic recovery following the pandemic, and advisors...
New York City is on a mission in Canada
New York City Tourism + Conventions and its partners were in Canada this week, making stops in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City for meetings with travel trade types in each city. In Toronto, the 2024 Canadian sales mission welcomed close to 30 buyers who had the opportunity for one-on-one table top meetings with about 20 New York City sellers, representing New York City Tourism + Conventions, hoteliers, attractions, sightseeing pass sellers and companies, museums, theatres, theatre ticket sellers and even the New York Yankees. Travel Press Today had a chance to sit down for a chat...
Canadian agents blaze trails on Brand USA MegaFam
Canadian travel advisors on a Brand USA MegaFam trip through the states of Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky have been getting their tourism kicks on Route 66 this week, reports Travel Press Today’s western editor, Ted Davis, who joined the group on the trip. In some cases, they have been doing so from an elevated perspective. Chicago IL is one of the best places on earth to gain a lot of architectural altitude, and it is also Mile 0 for Route 66 -- the so-called Mother Road. That was also the starting point for the Brand USA MegaFam dubbed "Route 66 Landmarks and Bourbon." It is...
CATO releases its second tour operator economic impact report
The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has released its second study of the economic impact of Canadian tour operators for 2023. CATO commissioned consulting firm BDO to carry out a second study of the economic impact of Canadian tour operators for 2023. The association had completed a first analysis was completed in 2021, which assessed the situation following the disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As opposed to 2021 which included members from ATOQ-Association des tours opérateurs du Québec, the 2023 report, only contains results from CATO members as the...
Collette’s new National Parks brochure now available
Travellers and advisors can now order a copy of Collette’s new National Parks brochure. The booklet highlights experiences where travellers dive into the history, culture, and natural beauty of America’s backyard while on tour. Yellowstone National Park is featured on several Collette tours, including “America’s Cowboy Country,” “America’s National Parks & Denver,” “Montana: Big Sky Country,” and National Parks of America.” Free copies of the brochure are available for order on Collette’s website. Travellers can choose to view a free digital copy...
ACV unveils expanded Europe offerings for 2024
Air Canada Vacations has expanded its Europe product offering with the introduction of 30 new tour packages featuring popular destinations across the continent. This latest enhancement provides Canadians with an even wider array of options to explore and experience the cultural richness, history and diversity of Europe. With the introduction of these new packages, Air Canada Vacations now offers over 180 diverse European tour package options to choose from, complemented by numerous cruise itineraries and flight and hotel packages, providing travellers with even more vacation choices...