Tour Operators
Contiki adds 10 new trips across Europe and Peru
Contiki is launching its most extensive Europe trip collection in more than 60 years, along with two new budget Peru trips. Travellers can choose from 10 new itineraries, including Contiki’s first-ever trip to Albania and destinations across Athens, Rome, France, England, Switzerland, Morocco, and Egypt. “We’ve been leading travel experiences in Europe for over 60 years, and it’s a region that holds a special place in Contiki’s history and heart,” says Adam Armstrong, CEO of Contiki. “This new collection of trips is about evolving with our travellers' desires. We want to...
ACV’s fall product launch kicks off in Vancouver
A cross-Canada fall product launch tour by Air Canada Vacations got off to a rousing start in Vancouver last week, with 400 enthusiastic travel advisors from the YVR region attending the first stop of the mission. The ACV tour then continues to Edmonton on Sept. 12 before paying visits to Halifax and Montreal, and then winding up in Toronto on Sept. 26 for the final show (more details below). In attendance in Vancouver was Ted Davis, western Canada editor for Baxter Media. The event ballroom at the Delta Hotels Burnaby Conference Centre welcomed the travel advisors with a busy trade show,...
TravelBrands raises more than $300,000 for SickKids Foundation
TravelBrands raised more than $300,000 during its 9th Annual Charity Golf Classic, held at the picturesque Eagles Nest Golf Club in support of the SickKids Foundation. This year’s event saw an incredible turnout of suppliers, partners, agents, and employees, all united by a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families. An impressive $308,224.21 was raised, all of which will go directly to the SickKids Foundation. These funds will help fuel vital research, clinical care, and new initiatives at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), continuing...
Thomas Cook aquired by tech giant, eSky
Thomas Cook, the oldest travel brand, confirmed it has been acquired by Polish eSky Group, owner of a leading travel platform in Central and Eastern Europe. The deal will provide Thomas Cook with access to eSky's superior flight inventory and will support its continued growth. This in turn will pave the way for eSky to enter one of the most developed markets in Western Europe. The acquisition agreement signed with Chinese Fosun Tourism Group will spur significant growth for Thomas Cook and allow eSky to strengthen its position in Western Europe. About eSky Group eSky Group...
Sunwing’s “Best of the Best” list highlights 250+ top-selling resorts
Sunwing Vacations recently released its 2024-2025 Best of the Best List, an expansive, curated collection of more than 250 top-rated resorts across 50-plus categories. The list combines travel expert recommendations, star ratings and customer feedback that travel advisors and their clients can lean on to make their vacation dreams a reality this winter. Every week until late October 2024, Sunwing will be releasing a new set of lists and content categories, including 17 brand-new lists for this year, directly targeting the vacations customers are seeking out with the goal of making the...
Goway gears up for 2024 Africa & Middle East gathering in October
Goway’s long-standing and successful Africa & Middle East Gathering is set to take place in Toronto on October 28, 2024. The gathering will bring together travel advisors with Goway’s Destination Specialists and over 25 travel partner suppliers from across Africa and the Middle East. Travel advisors will have opportunities to make invaluable business connections, learn selling tips and tricks, and upgrade their knowledge with panel discussions. There is also the opportunity for individual meetings and plenty of social events with exclusive prizes. Travel advisors across...
Transat puts the magic of Peru on show for travel advisors
Transat, and its partner Jumbo Tours, provided 20 handpicked Canadian travel advisors the opportunity to participate in an exclusive familiarization tour of Peru, using Air Transat’s direct flights from Toronto. The trip took place from Aug. 14 to Aug. 22. The itinerary was inspired by Transat's Magical Peru guided tour, which allowed participants to immerse themselves in the country's rich culture and history while discovering its breathtaking landscapes. Lindsay Merrill, Transat's sales manager, said: “This trip was the perfect opportunity to highlight the exceptional...
Globus Family of Brands adds two to Canadian sales team
The Globus family of brands is expanding its Canadian sales team, hiring travel industry veteran Gina Goranson and sales professional Elaine French as business development managers (BDMs) for Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland as well as Southwest Ontario, respectively. Reporting to Denise Harper, Goranson and French are charged with building and maintaining travel partner relationships while growing regional sales for Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways. Denise Harper, senior director of sales for the Globus family of brands, observed: “Built on a foundation of education,...