Tour Operators
Intrepid appoints Celine Hurelle to lead global hotel expansion
Intrepid Travel has appointed French hotel veteran Celine Hurelle to lead its expansion into hotels and accommodation. This appointment is aimed at accelerating Intrepid’s strategic expansion plans into new verticals, which includes accommodation. Hurelle will report to CEO James Thornton and will work on Intrepid’s current accommodation initiatives. She will also work closely with Intrepid’s executive leadership across the world to identify new opportunities to acquire accommodation that supports the company’s responsible and local travel ethos. About...
Tauck launching “Smaller Group” tours in 2025
With Tauck’s Small Group tours now accounting for more than half of its non-cruise business each year, the company is leaning into its “small groups” success with the introduction of its new “Smaller Group” tours and departures. Where Tauck’s Small Group trips will continue to average 24 guests per departure, the new Smaller Group journeys will average just 15 guests. Tauck’s classic land journeys, by comparison, host an average of 35 to 44 guests. Tauck is piloting the new program in 2024, with the first Smaller Group departures of three tours (“America’s...
Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters: Bruce Poon Tip’s Eureka Moment
When you ask Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, how he came up with the idea for G Adventures, he’ll tell you: “I guess like every good entrepreneur, I had my eureka moment.” Poon Tip continued: “I actually travelled to Asia that year and really refined the ideas of what I wanted to do because travel was very different in 1989, as you can imagine, and I came back and I quit my job and researched my first itineraries and I went out pounding the pavement for people to book on my first trips – all here in Toronto.” The rest, as the saying goes is history, and in this...
HAGGiS Adventures offering savings on select 2024/2025 trips
HAGGiS Adventures recently announced a range of incredible deals and discounts for single and multi-day tours departing in 2024 and 2025. “At HAGGiS Adventures, we are passionate about offering clients unforgettable Scottish experiences with our renowned Highland hospitality," said Graeme Ward, managing director of HAGGiS Adventures and Radical Travel Group. "We are thrilled to offer amazing deals on more than 20 incredible journeys across Scotland with our passion for creating lasting memories for all who have the spirit of adventure and show our guests the authentic charm of our...
ACTA hosting information session on selling travel health insurance
In April, ACTA announced professional development sessions focusing on different segments within the travel and tourism industry to be held quarterly this year. The new initiative is intended to provide an insightful platform for learning and discussion of industry trends, enhancing industry knowledge and fostering dialogue. The second session takes place on June 14 at 1 p.m. and will focus on the importance of selling travel health insurance. The leadership panel features the following experts: Manulife - Jennifer Waver, AVP Head of travel distribution Allianz – Cheri...
Contiki’s latest trip shows off authentic New Zealand
Contiki has launched another trip to its homeland, New Zealand. The 15-day trip is called ‘Real New Zealand’ in accordance with the unique experiences that show travellers the raw and authentic aspects of the country. Travellers will have their spot guaranteed at an exclusive lakeside Marae Special Stay. They’ll learn about Māori spirituality, traditional healing practices, customs and protocols, music and have the chance to experience an awe-inspiring haka - exclusively composed for Contiki travellers. Additionally, the trip includes special stays at Blue Duck Station, a...
Collette debuts new African safari brochure
Following a tremendous uptick in sales growth from advisor partners in the area, Collette debuts its 2024-2025 African safari brochure. “We have seen some incredible growth from our advisor partners for our tours to Southern and Eastern Africa,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, chief executive officer at Collette. “We not only want to support this growth, we want to launch it to a new level. We’ve been designing inclusive safari tours for three decades, allowing travellers to get closer to the wildlife, to nature, to culture, and to picturesque landscapes that they’ve only dreamed about...
Jordan welcomes nearly 300 travel pros for TTAND’s conference
Jordan welcomed 257 Canadian travel experts today for the 10th annual Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) conference, aimed at bolstering tourism and economic stability this June. "We are honoured to host TTAND in Jordan. We are excited to show all the TTAND attendees what Jordan has to offer their clients, and introduce them to exceptional Bedouin hospitality," said Malia Asfour, managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America (JTBNA). "The Canadian market has been a consistent and resilient revenue-generating market for Jordan, and we look forward to welcoming more Canadians...