Tour Operators
Final pandemic temporary regulatory amendments expiring
The Ontario Registrar is advising that the final COVID-19 pandemic temporary regulatory amendments are expiring in April and December 2024. In an advisory, the Registrar notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government amended the General Regulation (O. Reg. 26/05) under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (TIA) to reduce burden on Ontario’s registered travel agencies and tour operators and to assist certain travellers impacted by the pandemic. Some of these changes were permanent, while others were time-limited to support the industry and consumers during a time of...
AAT Kings adds two Short Break tours in Northern Australia
AAT Kings, an Australia and New Zealand guided holiday company, has partnered with Australia’s Northern Territory and launched two new Short Break tours, offering immersive and cultural experiences. Ranging from two-to-five-days each, these tours enable clients to personalize their holidays and embark on multi-sensory and off-the-beaten-track adventures while being led by knowledgeable driver guides. Clients have a last chance to save up to 15 per cent on selected tours to Australia’s Northern Territory and five per cent off its recently launched Short Break tours in the region...
G Adventures heads to India for 2024 Summit
G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, have confirmed the GX Community Tourism Summit will return in 2024, taking place this year in India. Following the hugely successful inaugural event in Cusco, Peru, last year, agents, suppliers, media and travellers will once again gather from around the globe to experience firsthand what a monumental impact community tourism can have on a destination, on local people, and on travellers themselves. Running from September 24 - 29, 2024, the second GX Summit will once again incorporate the Change Makers agent event, which brings agents of...
Sunwing & Palladium offering great savings before March 31
Courtesy of Palladium Hotel Group, Sunwing Vacations’ partner of the month for March, the chance for agents and their clients to benefit from great vacation offers and added value is here and now. Offering more ways to save on all-inclusive vacation packages, travellers can experience great savings when booking a getaway to Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts and TRS Hotels before March 31, 2024. Set in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, Grand Palladium and TRS properties are well-equipped to meet every guest’s travel needs. Between world-class service, modern...
Demand for group travel is skyrocketing, Goway says
Goway Travel celebrates its Groups Only division's unprecedented success, sending 500 group vacations worldwide in the past year. “We are incredibly proud of the exceptional performance achieved by our Groups Division in the past year," said Shirley Rourke, vice-president of Groups Only at Goway. "This success emphasizes our team’s commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service and unforgettable travel experiences." This milestone marks Groups Only’s most profitable period to date and showcases the burgeoning demand for custom group travel experiences. According to...
ACV unveils 36 Tulum packages; shares details of agent FAM
Air Canada Vacations has unveiled a series of expanded vacation opportunities with direct flights from Montreal and Toronto to Tulum. Air Canada, the exclusive Canadian carrier to Tulum, recently announced the launch of a brand-new non-stop route, offering travellers unparalleled convenience with direct flights from Toronto to Tulum every Friday and Sunday starting May 3, and from Montreal to Tulum every Saturday starting May 4, 2024. Travellers can now choose from a variety of 36 vacation packages tailored to suit their preferences, ranging from luxurious beachfront resorts to...
Busbud acquires Brazilian bus booking marketplace
Today, Montreal-based Busbud, a global ground travel booking platform, announced the acquisition of Buson, a leading bus booking marketplace in Brazil. By joining forces, Busbud expands its presence throughout Brazil, the third largest bus market globally, and strengthens its leading position in the Americas. In Brazil, bus travel makes up over 59 per cent of leisure and tourism travel, and the intercity bus market has been rapidly digitalizing in the past few years with the wider adoption of electronic tickets. Investing in the Americas As part of the transaction, Kaszek,...
ACV grows sales team with four new appointments
Air Canada Vacations recently hired several new members to its sales team, strengthening its ongoing commitment to excellence in the travel industry. Clementina Iannuzzi, Bruce Parkinson, Anna Teglasi and Suzanne Morgan have all joined the company in various capacities. “These appointments and new additions underscore our dedication to building strong partnerships, providing unparalleled support, and driving growth opportunities for the travel community and our travel partners," said Ana Paula De Souza, director of sales at Air Canada Vacations. Elish Tait has also been...