Tour Operators
Goway Showcases Japan With Guaranteed Departures
With demand for Japan trips at an all-time high, Goway has released packages with guaranteed departure dates during the most colourful times of the year -- the heights of autumn and the spring cherry blossom season. Goway’s new departure date for the 12-day Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey takes travellers to Japan during the height of the bloom. Goway’s other two departure dates for Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey have sold out, so travellers who want to enjoy exclusive cherry blossoms viewings in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo should not delay in booking the April 3, 2024 departure. There are...
TICO Advisory On Unrest in Israel And Registrant Obligations
With the devastating humanitarian situation happening in Israel, and the Canadian government’s travel advisory for the region, registrants have been supporting impacted consumers. However, TICO has received several questions about registrants’ responsibilities under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (the Act) and Ontario Regulation 26/05 (the Regulation). Conditions that may impact a consumer’s decision to purchase travel services Registrants are required to warn customers of the war. Prior to reserving travel services for a customer, a travel agent shall bring to the...
Transat Launches New Offerings To Peru
Transat is launching packages and à la carte hotels in Peru -- a new destination that’s being offered by Air Transat. Air Transat flights to Lima, starting in December, will also be available year-round from Toronto and Montreal. Joseph Adamo, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Transat, said that: “By integrating accommodation options into our Peru offer, we continue our commitment to enriching our customers' travel experience." Adamo continued: “These new offerings are in line with our desire to facilitate access to the unique wonders and charms of South America....
Sunwing Vacations Group Launched As WestJet Group’s New Vacation Division
WestJet Group is bringing together five tour operating and retail travel brands to form its new vacation division, Sunwing Vacations Group. The move comes following WestJet Group’s acquisition of Sunwing in May 2023 and brings together Canadian leisure tour operators, Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations; the growing United States tour operator Vacation Express; together with the Group’s own travel retail businesses SellOffVacations.com; and Luxe Destination Weddings. Together they form the largest vacations brands in North America. Each brand within Sunwing Vacations...
TTC Tour Brands Goes In Depth In North America In 2024
TTC Tour Brands is rolling out a new itinerary from Insight Vacations for 2024 plus new MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences, focused on culinary and active adventures across Canada and the United States. With the new additions, TTC Tour Brands; Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver and Luxury Gold zero in on more local focused experiences and now have at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience across 100% of their North American itineraries. Melissa DaSilva, President of TTC Tour Brands, North America, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to provide more experiences for our guests...
TICO Ushers In Governance Changes, Welcomes New Directors
TICO held its AGM on Sept. 26 to share the organization’s milestones from the previous fiscal year. Richard Smart, TICO CEO Richard Smart, said: “The ever-changing landscape of the travel industry over the past three years has meant that both consumers and registrants have needed support more than ever before.” He continued: “In working with both groups, our aim has always been, and continues to be, to find fair solutions so that consumers remain confident purchasing their travel from Ontario’s registered businesses.” The AGM saw TICO’s membership confirm by-law...
Sunwing Asks: What’s Your Client’s Vacation Persona
In a new survey, Sunwing Vacations investigated how Canadians choose to maximize their time on vacation and define their vacation personas, with over one-quarter (27%) of respondents considering themselves ‘max relaxers’ who like to lay low and relax while on vacation. Similarly, another quarter (28%) of survey participants describe themselves as ‘reserved vacationers’ who tend to keep to themselves and/or their travelling companions. On the other hand, over one-fifth (22%) likened themselves to ‘adventure hunters’ who enjoy exploring new, fun activities on their...
Canadians Check Out Utah On Inaugural Specialists Fam
Five travel trade representatives from key Canadian and Australian tour operators -- including WestWorld Tours & Women Xplorers and CAA-Quebec – who earned their certification from the new Utah Specialist Academy have just returned from a week-long fam trip to Southern Utah hosted by the Utah Office of Tourism with a goal of adding new Utah products and itineraries to their 2024 programs. Leanne Haus, General Manager of WestWorld Tours & Women Xplorers – a first-time visitor to Utah – said of the trip: “Utah’s natural beauty and national parks were more impressive...