Tour Operators
Rocky Mountaineer cancels select Jasper rail journeys over wildfires
As a result of the wildfires currently present in Jasper, Alta., Canadian rail operator Rocky Mountaineer has made the difficult decision to suspend its journeys operating to and from the region. "Given these devastating circumstances, we are unable to continue our rail journeys to or from Jasper for the foreseeable future. Our team is moving as quickly as possible to work through the impact to guest itineraries in this developing situation. We ask guests to please be patient as we address departures in sequential order," the company wrote in a statement. "The safety of our guests,...
Tauck releases new tech to help boost agent sales
Tauck has partnered with Approach Guides to develop a new technology that allows travel advisors to add custom sales messages, group pricing and other trip details to supercharge their group sales. The new technology builds on Tauck’s existing partnership with Approach Guides, as the two companies already work closely together on a wide array of “Content Experiences,” or pre-built marketing pages that advisors can easily co-brand and share with clients and prospective clients via social media, email and other methods. Tauck’s existing Content Experiences cover a range...
ACV celebrates return of its travel advisory board
Air Canada Vacations is welcoming the return of its Travel Advisory Board (TAB), hosting the group of travel partners at an event held in mid-June. The gathering marked the first of its kind since the pandemic and it included representatives from chains, consortia, and independent agencies. It was also a significant milestone for Air Canada Vacations as it reconnected with its valued travel partners to share insights and gather feedback. Erminia Gallina, Director of Sales at Air Canada Vacations, observed: “It’s always inspiring when we meet with our travel industry peers....
TICO provides progress report on response to OAGO recommendations
In early May, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) shared a Public Action Plan detailing how the organization will address the recommendations from the Auditor General of Ontario’s (OAGO) December 2023 value-for-money audit report, which reflected TICO’s progress as of March 31, 2024. TICO has just released a quarterly update on its progress, capturing key accomplishments up to May 31, 2024. TICO has now completed five action items associated with the nine recommendations directed solely at TICO. TICO will continue to provide quarterly updates on the plan’s...
Air Transat launches non-stops from Montreal, Quebec City to Tulum
Air Transat has announced the launch of two non-stop routes to Tulum, Mexico, from Montreal and Quebec City. From Montreal, this seasonal service will operate from Dec. 19, 2024, to April 27, 2025, with three departures per week on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. From Quebec City, flights will be offered every Saturday from Dec. 21, 2024, to April 26, 2025. Tulum joins four other destinations in Mexico served by Air Transat: Acapulco, Cancún, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta. Sebastian Ponce, Transat's Chief Revenue Officer, said: “This new service to Tulum is an important step...
Abercrombie & Kent joins TRAVELSAVERS Canada’s OnLocation program
With travellers looking for personalized experiences, TRAVELSAVERS Canada is expanding its OnLocation Program to stay ahead of that demand. To that end, Abercrombie & Kent has been accepted into the OnLocation Program to provide unique encounters to clients of agencies affiliated with TRAVELSAVERS Canada and The Affluent Traveler Collection. TRAVELSAVERS Canada’s OnLocation Program was created to meet growing traveller requests for bespoke experiences around the globe. A recent survey of advisors affiliated with TRAVELSAVERS Canada found that bucket-list travel, personalized...
Sunwing, Aston Hotels team on special offer in Cuba
In celebration of July’s Partner of the Month, Sunwing Vacations and Aston Hotels are offering travel advisors and their clients the best offers on all-inclusive getaways to their preferred Cuban paradise. With complimentary upgrades and rate reductions, clients can save more and get more on their vacation in the tropics while advisors can earn 3X STAR Points on packages booked before July 31, 2024. When advisors book their clients an all-inclusive vacation package at Aston properties in Cuba by July 31, 2024 for travel by Oct. 31, 2025, they can earn 3X STAR Points on every...
Apollo Funds to Acquire The Travel Corporation
Apollo and The Travel Corporation (TTC) announced today that they’ve entered into a definitive agreement for Apollo-managed funds (the “Apollo Funds”) to acquire TTC, which has been privately owned and operated for more than a century. The transaction is comprised of 18 leading brands, including Trafalgar, a leading escorted tour operator; Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, a luxury all-inclusive river cruise line; Contiki, youth travel specialist tour company; premium guided vacation company, Insight Vacations; as well as other global travel brands and supporting business...