Transat launches cycling-oriented tour packages

Transat is partnering with the Québec City and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes for the fourth year in a row, and taking an active role in the development, reach and influence of this major sports event by offering five custom-designed packages for riders entering the first-ever La Montréalaise and La Québécoise Cyclosportives, or cycling-for-all events. “We are delighted to have supported the Grands Prix Cyclistes since their inception,”said Joseph Adamo, vice-president, Marketing & Web Commercialization, Transat Tours Canada, adding, “The races bring huge numbers of people together and are becoming more popular each year, helping to grow Quebec’s reputation as a high-calibre tourism destination. Now, with the creation of the Cyclosportives, we have a further opportunity to emphasize the wealth of heritage and tourist attractions that set us apart. So we’re thrilled to have expanded our partnership role by creating these all-inclusive packages catering to amateur cyclists from all over the world.”The City Culture and Lifestyle package to Quebec City includes, among other things, a tour of the historic Old Town and a visit to the Musée de la civilisation, while a second, Gourmet Getaway, includes dinner at well-known restaurant Le Saint-Amour. For those visiting Montreal, the City Culture & Lifestyle package includes the Montreal Museums pass with public transit, plus a taste tour on two wheels; the other, Laid-Back Lifestyle, offers a spa experience at Scandinave Les Bains in Old Montreal. A seven-night all-inclusive package is also available for visitors who want to ride in both Cyclosportives. These products will be marketed in Europe through Transat’s network, namely Vacances Transat in France. Business unit Jonview Canada, the largest incoming tour operator in the country, which developed the products, will also bring its wholesale customers into the mix. Formal marketing agreements have been made for Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain, and discussions are underway with the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. For the fourth year in a row, Transat and its carrier Air Transat will be supporting the Grands Prix Cyclistes by flying the over 300 professional riders and their support staff, plus equipment, from Paris to Quebec City on board an Airbus 330. A second charter flight, from Montreal to Paris, will carry the competitors back to Europe after the two races.