Tour Operators
Brendan Vacations introduces savings across all travel styles
Brendan Vacations is offering limited-time savings during the summer season across its Ireland and Scotland portfolio, including Guided Vacations, Small Group Tours, and FIT itineraries. The Every Season Sale gives travel advisors the opportunity to present clients with reduced pricing across multiple travel styles and departure options in 2026 and 2027, with e-gift card incentives available for advisors who book during the promotional window. Whitney Ramirez, SVP Sales, Brendan Vacations, North America, said: “Ireland and Scotland have something extraordinary to offer in every...
Sunwing Vacations Group suspending its Cuba program indefinitely
Sunwing Vacations Group -- including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec -- has made the difficult decision to indefinitely suspend all Cuba operations until further notice. The announcement comes following the company’s review of its Cuba program and the current operating environment. In a statement the company said that: “As part of the broader WestJet Group, this change aligns operationally across the group, including WestJet Airlines and WestJet Cargo, where applicable.” And it continued: “We recognize this news may be disappointing for...
Latest CATO report shows Canadian tour operators making an impact
The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has once again commissioned the consulting firm BDO to carry out a third study of the economic impact of Canadian tour operators for 2024-2025. A first analysis was conducted in 2021 to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to continuously track the industry's growth. The survey consisted of 12 questions focusing on three categories for the years 2024-2025 that included Revenue and expenditures (to fulfill services); Employment; and Innovation Total Economic Contributions Total revenue, employment, labour costs, and...
TTC Tour Brands names Robinson as Senior VP, Sales, North America
TTC Tour Brands has appointed Joe Robinson as Senior Vice President, Sales, North America. Robinson will report directly to Deputy CEO & Chief Sales Officer Melissa DaSilva and will lead TTC Tour Brands’ North American trade sales strategy across the U.S. and Canada, overseeing advisor partnerships, strategic accounts and field sales. In making the announcement, DaSilva said: “Joe brings a deep understanding of the advisor landscape, and a proven ability to build strong commercial partnerships across the travel industry. His diverse experience from tour to technology make...
A little summer inspiration from Kensington
In today’s uncertain world, travellers are waiting longer to book their summer vacations this year, compared to past years. Yet despite the shorter booking window, Kensington is helping travellers finalize their later-than-usual plans into seamless, personalized journeys through its team of Destination Experts, who manage every detail from logistics to tailored experiences regardless of the booking timeline. From charming villages in Provence and the Greek Islands to the Canadian Rockies and Alaska's vast wilderness, Kensington continues to see availability across a range of...
Intrepid Travel expands family offering with new premium family range
According to a survey conducted by Wakefield Research and commissioned by Intrepid Travel, 83% of Canadian parents have taken vacations with their children to expose them to new cultures and places. The wider findings from the new study point to a growing opportunity for travel experiences that combine cultural enrichment with ease as Intrepid Travel launches its Premium Family range with itineraries designed to offer even more inclusions and hands-on experiences for families. Christian Wolters, President, Canada, Intrepid Travel, said: “Canadian parents see travel as more than a...
“The majority of our business is through advisors:” Collette celebrates travel trade at appreciation event
Now in its 108th year in operation, Collette has some secrets to its success as the oldest, longest running tour operator in North America. And one of those pillars is travel advisors. “The majority of our business is through advisors, it’s not even close,” Christian Leibl-Côté, Executive Vice President of Global Sales for the family-owned business, told TravelPress Today. “In Canada, it’s probably the highest of all the markets that we have, it’s pretty significant.” Joined by members of the Canadian team, Leibl-Côté was in Burlington last night from Collette's...
CATO urges industry, government to support the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
In a statement, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has expressed its strong support for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and underscored the importance of sustained and stable funding for the organization and its initiatives. CATO points out that over the years, ITAC has played a critical role in advancing Indigenous tourism across Canada, fostering meaningful economic opportunities for Indigenous communities while enriching the Canadian tourism experience through authentic cultural engagement and reconciliation in action. In fact, the organization...