Tour Operators
Take A Trip Downunder With Goway
Goway is celebrating Downunder Day with deals on its air-inclusive, Australia and New Zealand Combo. The operator’s celebration marks Australia Day (which took place on Jan. 26) and New Zealand’s Waitangi Day which is celebrated on Feb. 6. Travellers who book by Feb. 28 will save US$350/CDN$470 per person on the operator’s Australia and New Zealand Combo. The trip is tailor-made for Downunder first-timers, combining the best of magical Sydney with a few days in gorgeous Auckland. In each city, travellers will see the highlights on escorted tours, then enjoy plenty of free...
AAT Kings Unveils 2023-2024 Season
AAT Kings has unveiled its 2023-2024 Guided Holiday tour season for Australia and New Zealand, with the launch of three new South Australia tours. The new season’s offerings cement South Australia as the next hot international destination. The trips focus again on the places, stories and tastes of Australia -- from incredible, landscapes, to food and drink that immerses guests into the destination. AAT Kings CEO Ben Hall said: “Our new 2023/2024 season showcases the best Australia and New Zealand has to offer and has a real emphasis on South Australia, a bucket list destination...
Sunwing Addresses Disruptions, Impact On Agents
In a statement sent to ACTA following a meeting with the Travel Agency Leaders Advisory Group yesterday (Jan. 25), Sunwing addressed the recent travel disruptions and impact on valued travel advisors, and the company's plan moving forward for the winter season. The tour company’s statement begins: “At Sunwing, we have always remained steadfast in our purpose of making vacation dreams come true and travel advisors are integral to that process, helping our mutual customers choose from a wide variety of all-inclusive resorts located in a number of popular vacation destinations. We...
WeTravel Report Tracks Booking, Payment Trends For 2023
WeTravel has launched its inaugural annual travel trends report, Purchasing Habits: The Future of Travel Bookings and Payments, using data from thousands of tour operators and group travel businesses to understand how travel purchasing is shifting in post-pandemic consumerism. The report is comprised of the business’s internal data from more than 3,000 clients -- that, through the platform, marketed more than 100,000 global tours and multi-day trips, leading to more than half-a-million traveler bookings and payments -- and an external survey of nearly 150 non-WeTravel tour operators...
ACTA “Incredibly Disappointed”
ACTA said that it "is incredibly disappointed" by Sunwing’s decision not to protect commission on cancelled programs in Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada, Northern Ontario, and other areas across Canada. Sunwing advised ACTA yesterday (Jan. 25) in a written statement in response to repeated calls for a statement on its intentions. Wendy Paradis, ACTA president said: “ACTA continues to call on Sunwing to do the right thing and protect commission and urges for immediate improvements to its agent communications to ensure clear, consistent, and timely sharing of information so that...
Intrepid Travel Launches New Experiences In 2023
Intrepid Travel has launched over 80 new experiences for travellers in 2023, as it continues to innovate its trip offerings in fresh and responsible ways. With itineraries in new locations, more ethical wildlife adventures, an increase in activities supporting Indigenous communities and female-run businesses, and with fresh ways to discover the world’s most iconic destinations, Intrepid aims to provide more meaningful ways to forge connections while making a positive impact on the places visited. Erica Kritikides, Global Product Manager for Intrepid Travel, said: “After one of...
Travel Trends Shaping 2023
Despite economic concerns, Canadians are still budgeting for travel — and that’s good news for the tourism industry this year. “Most travellers still consider vacations a high budget priority,” says Intrepid Travel president, North America, Matt Berna. “People seem to be prioritizing spending on travel expenditures, and this is more vital than ever for communities that were financially crippled by the cessation of international travel and where inflation is even worse.” To date, the tour operator hasn’t seen a dent in demand due to inflationary pressures. “Despite...
CATO Takes A Stand
In a statement issued yesterday, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has outlined its position on Ontario’s Travel Industry Compensation Fund and they kind of changes that are needed. CATO Chair, Brett Walker writes: “It’s time for consumer protection that’s commensurate to consumer risk and without all the caps and gaps. It’s time for government and TICO to get this right and to provide consumers the protection they deserve, and no doubt believe they have, when booking with an Ontario registrant.” In its statement, CATO says: “We believe the consumer...