Tour Operators
TICO Releases Funding Framework Proposals
Well they’re here ... after conducting a comprehensive funding framework review -- including the Compensation Fund -- the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has released its proposal for a future funding model and launched a consultation period. TICO CEO Richard Smart observed that: “Throughout the past year, we researched other comparable regulators and listened to insights from consumers, industry and stakeholders, and have developed a proposal that reflects what we heard. Our approach carefully balances the needs of consumers and of industry, while also being...
Air Canada Vacations Wraps Up 2023 Product Launches
Air Canada Vacations’ annual #ACVDreamMakers cross-country product launch series concluded last week with a total guest attendance of more than 2,500 travel agents, including tourism board representatives, hotelier and cruise lines partners such as Title Sponsors Sandals & Beaches and Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts, Interactive Sponsor Inclusive Collection, Part of World of Hyatt, and Entertainment Sponsor Norwegian Cruise Line. The 2023-24 road shows took place in Halifax, Vancouver, Edmonton for the first time, Montreal, and Toronto along with a series of regional training...
TICO To Re-launch Industry Director Voting Process
During TICO’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sept. 26, 2023, a technical error with the technology platform resulted in some users experiencing a timeout during the Industry Director vote, limiting their ability to vote for two Directors. In order to maintain the integrity of the vote, TICO did not proceed with industry director voting results at the AGM. TICO will now begin the process to re-launch the vote using a two-step process: Register for the voting platform between Wed., Oct. 4, 2023 at 10 am and Fri., Oct. 6, 2023 at 10 am. Submit your online vote on the voting...
TourRadar Expands Reach With Adventure Booking API
TourRadar has released details of its strategic collaboration with two prominent partners, Local Adventures and TRAVLR, marking an expansion of its Adventure Booking API network. This news comes on the heels of TourRadar’s earlier announcement of its partnership with Flight Centre Travel Group whose collaboration is part of a broader effort to enhance efficiencies for their travel agents. By tapping into TourRadar's API capabilities, these partners are now able to offer their customers a comprehensive selection of 50,000 curated multi-day organized adventures. The newly formed...
ACV Launches New Way to Earn Extra Aeroplan Points
Air Canada Vacations has announced that along with accumulating points on the flight portion of their package, Aeroplan Members can now earn points on their entire vacation package when booking their next dream escape through Air Canada Vacations. Eligible members can earn up to 12,000 extra points when booking a minimum 7-night stay from a selection of more than 240 vacation packages to Mexico and the Caribbean. Nino Montagnese, Vice President at Air Canada Vacations, said that: “Striving to make every vacation experience memorable, today we give Canadians another reason to book...
African Travel, Inc. Launches New 2024 Brochure
African Travel, Inc. has launched of its new 2024 brochure offering authentic wildlife and cultural encounters across 16 destinations in Africa from Cape Town to Cairo and its newest destination, Morocco. African Travel Inc. also announced that it will be offering 90 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER EXPERIENCES across all of its itineraries from its newest journeys to the most popular itineraries that benefit wildlife conservation or local communities. Each conscious travel experience is carefully chosen for the positive social or environmental impact they have for the communities ATI explores as...
Smart Talks Challenges, Fund Framework, Fees And More At TICO AGM
In sharing the results of ‘another busy and challenging year’ at the Travel Industry Council of Ontario’s (TICO) annual general meeting last week, TICO’s president and CEO, Richard Smart observed that “the only constant we all continue to experience is change itself. This past year has been no different.” He told those attending the AGM that “With pandemic travel restrictions lifted, global travel demands are quickly approaching pre-pandemic levels. In Ontario, many registrants have experienced increasingly higher demand for travel, as consumers plan long-anticipated...
TTC Tour Brands Names New Canadian Groups BDM
TTC Tour Brands North America has appointed Lora Hamre as its new Groups Business Development Manager, Canada effective immediately. Hamre is a familiar face in the Canadian travel industry, bringing over 20 years of sales experience – including an earlier position as BDM with Trafalgar, Costsaver and Brendan Vacations – to this newly created role with TTC Tour Brands, where she will service and support Canadian advisors in the lucrative groups market. Guy Young, Chief Trade Engagement Officer, TTC Tour Brands North America, said that: “With strong demand and steady interest...