Tour Operators
RIT Vacations goes further afield in the UK
Strong post-COVID consumer demand for holiday travel to the United Kingdom is driving new tour program developments and staff additions at Royal Irish Tours in Toronto. Meanwhile, a more regular use of the name RIT Vacations or just RIT – for instance in the brochure copy – confirms an expansion in the content and number of programs being offered, reports Travel Courier’s Ted Davis. Specifically, there is a shift away from a focus on “Irish” in the name, as the company’s destination menu broadens across the UK to include more England, Wales and Scotland. For example, the...
Lindblad & National Geographic expand partnership
Lindblad Expeditions announced the long-term extension and expansion of the Lindblad Expeditions brand's strategic relationship with National Geographic. Under the new agreement, the two companies have extended their industry-defining 20-year relationship for 17 additional years, with a commitment through 2040 that will allow the brand to reach new worldwide audiences through three compelling new market opportunities including: Global rights to the National Geographic brand for expedition cruises, which will enable Lindblad Expeditions to increase its fleet capacity of 17...
Butterfield & Robinson launches three new scheduled Africa group trips
Butterfield & Robinson is expanding its portfolio in Africa with three new scheduled group trips in 2024: Rwanda Walking, Zimbabwe Conservation Safari and South Africa Multi-Active. Complimented by unparalleled partnerships and sustainable accommodations, the new trips offer an exclusive perspective into each country. Through a fusion of active travel and immersive luxury experiences, the trips are designed to reimagine travellers’ love of travel by deepening their connections to the area. Mike Scarola, CEO, Butterfield & Robinson, said: “The launch of Butterfield...
RIU, Sunwing host agency partners for some festive cheer, look ahead to 2024
Good friends. Good food. Good news. It was all on the menu this week as Sunwing and RIU Hotels & Resorts teamed up for their annual Festive Luncheon for their travel advisor partners. Hosted at the Arlington Estate in Vaughan, Ontario, the Nov. 29 event has been held for more than a decade as a way that Sunwing and RIU can recognize their VIP agency partners and the support they’ve given the two companies over the past year, along with providing an opportunity for both firms to update advisors on new developments. For RIU Hotels & Resorts, 2023 has been a...
Intrepid Travel, WTTC team up on initiative
Intrepid Travel has joined forces with the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics Program, to become the first global travel company to extend the internationally recognized sustainability verification program to its suppliers. The Hotel Sustainability Basics Program was developed through WTTC and is overseen by the Sustainability Hospitality Alliance. The program is designed to serve as the first step for hotels beginning their journey toward more sustainable operations, regardless of their size or resource. Under the program, hotels undergo a...
Transat unveils Morocco packages, tours, excursions
Transat has launched packages, tours and excursions in Morocco. The operator’s program highlights Morocco's must-sees, offering a unique immersion in the country's cultural and historical richness. As a reminder, Air Transat's new exclusive non-stop flights to Marrakesh, available as of June 12, will be available year-round from Montreal. Joseph Adamo, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Transat, said that: “Travelling is much more than a simple trip, it is an adventure that broadens our horizons.” Adamo continued: “With our new product offering in Morocco, we are paving...
New boat provisioning service delivers fresh groceries at sea
Dream Yacht Worldwide, a sea-based vacation and global yacht charter company, is partnering with Paradise Foods, a new boat provisioning service operating on multiple islands in the Caribbean. Offering a seamless experience to sailors and crews through an innovative and user-friendly app, users can choose from a large collection of carefully curated produce, including many local products, with efficient same-day delivery directly to their boat. This collaboration aims to enhance the guest experience and offerings available to Dream Yacht Worldwide's travellers, while offering...
ETC, CATO want Canadians to see Europe differently
The European Travel Commission Canada (ETC) and the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) teamed up for a unique event at The Symes in Toronto’s Junction this week, and hopefully, it’s an event that will become an annual affair. And it was definitely unique considering that you don’t usually see a group promoting destinations team up with an association that is all about industry advocacy, but the ETC and CATO found common ground, using the evening to explore the theme of Plan Different. Travel Different. Be Different. – when selling Europe to Canadians. Sandra...