Travel agents who bone up on their

Transcription

0417COVER.indd 1
4/14/2014 12:40:22 PM
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Specialist program will reward
an agent with a Hong Kong visit
ravel agents who bone up on their
Tcouple
knowledge of Hong Kong in the next
of months have a shot at actually
taking in the bright lights of that big city –
courtesy of tourism authorities.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has revamped its
Hong Kong Specialist program, with a Canadian version
launched April 1. Some 70 travel agents were enrolled as
of April 10, with over 20 of them already graduating.
“As Asia continues to be a very popular travel region
for Canadians, this program will help agents be better
equipped with the
latest destination information and more confident in selling Hong
Kong to their clients,”
10
cover story
says Michael Lim, who
13
air space
oversees the tourism
18
fams
board in Canada.
26
classifieds
“It also serves
as a refresher course
for those who are
somewhat familiar with the destination.”
Agents who complete the course before July 31 will
have a shot at winning a trip to Hong Kong. The prize
includes return Premium Economy-class travel to Hong
Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific Airways, accommodations and airport transfers. Tours aimed at familiarizing
The Airline Ticket Centre
a
TORONTO DEPARTURES
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SM
company
1-877-SKYLINK (759-5465)
www.skylinkcanada.com
APRIL 17, 2014
0417NEWZ.indd 3
DEAL OF THE DAY
JUN 02, 09, 16 & 23
TRAVEL COURIER
3
4/14/2014 3:35:29 PM
the winner with Hong Kong highlights are
also included.
The online program is designed for all
levels of the travel trade and will help
agents to “gain the professional knowledge
required to promote Hong Kong in your
business,” the tourism board says.
The program is designed “for all levels
of travel trade.”
“The case studies provide useful and
practical information to agents. The tools
section also contains an extensive set of
digital applications available to help make
their jobs easier,” says Lim, adding “there
is a mix in the level of knowledge among
travel agents” about Hong Kong.
Lim notes that the tourism board has
had a specialist program for years, but
“totally” redid it earlier this year.
Agents can sign up at the revamped
www.Partnernet.hktb.com or through
the direct link to the Canadian edition at
www.specialisthk.com/ca.
Meanwhile, Lim says agents who
have taken part in the tourism board’s
SuperFams will find the specialist program
is a “great opportunity for them to become
updated on the latest developments in
Asia’s World City.”
— Ian Stalker
ACTA TOOLKIT TOUTS
VALUE OF TRAVEL AGENTS
ACTA has released a collection of
resources that can be used for free by
ACTA members to promote the value of
FOUNDER
W.H. Baxter
1919-2004
their services to the consumer. Offering
both digital and printable content, the
member “toolkit” can be leveraged to
use in trade shows, document dressings,
advertising campaigns and PR initiatives. All the materials feature the slogan “Without a Travel Agent, You’re on
Your Own,” and highlights reasons to
use a travel agent when planning a trip.
Materials can be customized with agency
contact info by using ACTA’s print shop.
To learn more about the ACTA marketing toolkit, e-mail [email protected] or click
on the “Marketing Toolkit” button on the
home page of www.acta.ca.
Chard Award
Meanwhile, ACTA is now accepting
nominees for the Ches Chard Award, which
will be presented to recognize the best in
the Canadian retail travel industry at the
ACTA annual general meeting on May
13 in Mississauga, Ont. The deadline for
nominations is April 25. The award will be
awarded to an individual, a travel agency or
a group of travel agencies that have demonstrated a significant commitment to professionalism, education and training and
excellence in human resources management. Businesses or individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves or others for
consideration using the nomination form
for the Ches Chard award. A 250-word
piece is required to support the nomination
to demonstrate how the nominee meets the
criteria for the award.
For further details, e-mail:
▶[email protected]
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Edith Baxter
[email protected]
PRESIDENT
David McClung
[email protected]
T
he American Society of Travel Agents
(ASTA) reports that more
than half of its member
agencies had stronger
revenue, greater transaction volume and more
clients in 2013. This appears to be a trend, as it
follows a solid showing
in 2012 where close
to half of agencies reported stronger revenue
from the previous year.
“A second year of strong
growth shows that agencies are connecting with
consumers who want
to work with a travel
professional,” said
ASTA president Zane
Kerby. “ASTA agencies
are confident that they
can continue to expand
their business in 2014.”
Overall, in 2013, 55% of
travel agencies reported
an increase in revenue,
53% reported an increase in transactions,
and 55% reported an
increase in clients.
EXECUTIVE V.P. OPERATIONS
Wendy McClung
[email protected]
Vol. 49 No. 16
www.travelcourier.ca
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bob Mowat [email protected] • EDITOR/PUBLISHER Michael Baginski [email protected] • ASSISTANT EDITOR Greg D. Coates [email protected]
QUEBEC EDITOR Mike Dunbar [email protected] • WESTERN EDITOR Ted Davis [email protected] 604-685-2588 FAX: 604-734-9743
STAFF WRITER Ian Stalker [email protected];
SALES & MARKETING
DIRECTOR INT’L. MARKETING
SALES MANAGER
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
CLASSIFIEDS
AUDIENCE/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MGR.
PRODUCTION
ART DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION MANAGER
ADV. MATERIAL COORDINATOR
CIRCULATION
Earl Lince [email protected]
Rodney Tugwell [email protected]
Mitchell McClung [email protected]
Jacqulyn Bester [email protected]
Emily McClung [email protected]
Johnny Koo [email protected]
Wayne Labourn [email protected]
Sharron Taylor [email protected]
Dee Ristic [email protected]
REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES
WESTERN CANADA
Terry Ohman [email protected] 604-657-2100
ALBERTA
Greg Ohman [email protected] 403-804-3497
QUEBEC AND ATLANTIC CANADA Rodney Tugwell [email protected] 416-968-7252 FAX: 416-968-7569
USA
Earl Lince [email protected] 416-968-7252 FAX: 416-968-7569
FLORIDA - SOUTH
Dino Torres [email protected] 305-775-8734 FAX: 305-477-6607
FLORIDA - NORTH
Gillian Harper [email protected] 954-933-2786
HAWAII
Laurie Doerschlen [email protected] 808-737-4621 FAX: 808-737-2695
MEXICO
Paloma Martinez [email protected] 52 55 2122-3900 FAX: 52 55 5395-4985
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
Lillian Martinez [email protected] 305-476-1130
SPAIN
Luis Andrade [email protected] 34-91-4416266 FAX: 34-91-4416549
TRAVEL COURIER is published weekly by Baxter Travel Media at 310 Dupont St., Toronto, Ont., Canada M5R 1V9 Tel.: 416-968-7252, Fax: 416-968-2377/416-968-7569. Single price per copy $2.00 (plus applicable taxes)
Subscription Rates: Canada - $60 per year(plus applicable taxes). HST #R120906425): Foreign - $110 US per year. ISSN 1182-9699
Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40063078.
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department, 310 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1V9 e-mail: [email protected]
PRINTED IN CANADA Copyright 2013.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
4
TRAVEL COURIER
0417NEWZ.indd 4
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 3:36:02 PM
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LIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT
4/14/2014 12:39:02 PM
DEADLINE FOR TICO
NOMINATIONS NEARS
This year, TICO will be holding an
election for one position on the TICO
Board of Directors (open to a wholesale registrant), and all registrants are
reminded to submit their nomination
forms and supporting documentation
to TICO no later than 5 p.m. Eastern
Time on April 25. Ballots will then be
sent to Member Registrants, and the
results will be announced at TICO’s
Annual General Meeting, which will
be held on June 24 at 4 p.m. at the
Toronto Congress Centre. “Industry
representation is very important on
the board of directors,” said TICO
president Michael Pepper. “I would
like to encourage registrants who wish
to participate on the TICO board to
submit nomination forms.”
Industry forums
Meanwhile, TICO is once again
hosting a series of Industry Forums
(April 30 and through May) to share
information and secure input from
registrants and travel agents.
In these sessions, TICO will be
presenting information on its mandate and current initiatives and will
seek feedback on a variety of issues
of importance to the Ontario travel
industry. While there are a number of
forum sessions, participation at each
session is limited. Session dates and
locations are posted at:
▶http://www.tico.ca/news/advisories/
495-industry-advisory-tico-invitestravel-agents-to-participate-atindustry-forum-sessions.html
WATCH OUT FOR FAKE IATA
INVOICES, WARNS NACTA
The National Association of Career
Travel Agents (NACTA) is warning
independent travel consultants across
Canada to watch for fake payment
demand e-mails that look like bills
from IATA. This type of fraud has
picked up again throughout North
America, according to Ann van
Leeuwen, president of NACTA, and
can severely harm the bottom line of
6
TRAVEL COURIER
0417NEWZ.indd 6
an agency or, particularly, an independent travel consultant who pays a
phony invoice. Fraudsters issue fake
payment demands in e-mails to travel
agents sent from a number of e-mail
domain names or addresses, such as
“@iatafinances.org” that appear to be
from IATA. The criminals also make
demands by telephone, saying the
agent owes outstanding amounts that
must be paid quickly to avoid the consequences. Fake invoices often bear
the official IATA logo, and staff names
and “new” bank account information
is provided so payments will be routed
to the con artists.
Bogus domains
To avoid falling victim, NACTA
advises an independent agent with a
host agency should contact that host
upon receiving such a demand. Other
consultants should make certain any
bill is legitimate and is owed. Be wary
of requests to update bank account
information. You can check for bogus
e-mail domain names at:
▶www.iata.org/pages/fraudulentemail.aspx
COLLETTE TO PAY
COMMISSION EVEN ON
CANCELLED TRIPS
Collette has decided that agents will
receive full commission, even if their
travellers cancel. If a passenger buys
Collette’s Travel Protection Plan and
cancels the tour for covered reasons,
the agent will receive full commission on the gross amount paid by the
passenger. The plan promises a full
refund (less the cost of the plan). It
includes on-tour coverage (medical,
baggage loss, delays). The covered
reasons are: death involving the passenger or the passenger’s travelling
companion, business partners or the
passenger’s immediate family member; or a covered sickness or injury
involving the passenger, the passenger’s travelling companion or business
partner; or the passenger’s family
member which necessitates medical
treatment at the time of cancellation
and results in medically imposed
restrictions, as certified by a legally
qualified physician, which prevents
participation in the trip.
▶www.gocollette.com
COSMOS HAS NEW FEATURE
TO REWARD TRAVEL AGENTS
As part of its series of perks and incentives during its Year of the Travel Agent,
Cosmos has unveiled its MyCosmos
feature. Designed for clients who have
already booked a Cosmos holiday,
MyCosmos allows them – or their
travel agent – to customize their
Cosmos experience. This includes
pre-registration for the tour, access to
destination information, and pre-booking of optional excursions, which are
commissionable at 5%, even if it’s the
client who books the tours. Optional
excursions include such attractions as
Versailles Palace near Paris and dinnerand-theatre packages in London. An
additional incentive to encourage clients to book Cosmos is agents can offer
their customers a $100 p.p. air credit –
and locked in airfare – when they book
any Cosmos Europe 2014 holiday of six
nights or more by May 20.
▶www.agentlingo.ca
CANADIAN NORTH AND
FIRST AIR MULL MERGER
Makivik Corporation and NorTerra
Inc., respectively the shareholders of
First Air and Canadian North, have
agreed to hold discussions leading to
the merger of their operations. The
potential merger is intended to create
a single airline entity that builds on
the strengths and identities of the two
companies. According to officials, a
merger would improve the sustainability of these critical Inuit birthright
enterprises and would also create
better air services and new economic
development opportunities across the
north. Flight operations and services
will remain independent and unaffected during the negotiation and
regulatory review phases.
▶www.newnorthernairline.com
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 3:36:27 PM
ro Ho P
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Visit sunquestagent.ca for full terms & conditions.
0417PAGE07.indd 7
[ AT32649 ]
Terms and conditions apply, which include full payment at time of booking. Prices shown are per person in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy and were valid at the time this communication was disseminated. Valid on new bookings only. Flights operate on WestJet, Air Canada,
United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways and/or Alaska Airlines. Flight may be direct or via a connecting city. All descriptions and depictions of hotels and hotel properties were accurate at the time this communication was disseminated. Prices and availability are subject to change
without prior notice are were available on April 10, 2014.
4/14/2014 12:38:26 PM
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0418PAGE08_09.indd 8
4/14/2014 12:37:54 PM
HONEYMOON
T H E
B E G I N S
0418PAGE08_09.indd 9
“I DO”
T H E
M O M E N T
T H E Y
S A Y
4/14/2014 12:37:35 PM
Britain & Europe
Visitors discover Liverpool is cool
MICHAEL BAGINSKI
he Beatles may have put Liverpool
Tnorthern
on the map in the modern era, but the
English city once reigned as the
British Empire’s second city, a legacy it
is working hard to reclaim.
photo/ MICHAEL BAGINSKI
Centred on its status as a European Capital of
Culture in 2008, Liverpool’s renaissance as a stylish,
vibrant, cosmopolitan city has been nothing short
of remarkable.
More than $10 billion has been invested in the
city in the decade surrounding the event, totally
transforming the city centre and helping banish its
well deserved reputation of a dingy industrial town
Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building is a city landmark. Beyond it is
well past its prime.
the Albert Docks, and together they helped Liverpool’s historic
“The hook [for Liverpool] is The Beatles and Livercity core gain UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004.
pool Football Club,” admits Duncan Frazer, Marketing and Commercial Director of the city’s tourist
board, “but, there are a million more things to do.”
by ex-players like Liverpool
Here is just a few:
wears its Beatles, heart on
great John Aldridge.
• Liverpool has more museums and galleries than any city
its sleeve.
• Liverpool ONE shopping
in the UK other than London (and most are free), includ• With the homogenizaing the excellent $150-million Museum of Liverpool, which district (don’t call it a mall)
tion of the British pub
is one of northern England’s into look-alike chains and
opened in 2011.
top attractions, featuring
• The historic Albert Dock riverside district has been redegeneral bar atmospheres,
more than 160 stores, bars
veloped with museums, restaurants, clubs and galleries,
this city still boasts a host
and restaurants and fivethe latter including Tate Liverpool. Not to be missed: the
of great and “very distincacre park.
Maritime Museum, which chronicles Liverpool’s maritive” watering holes, such
• Of course, The Beatles’
time history as the world’s
as the Philharmonic Pub
largest and busiest port and influence is still felt across
on Hope Street, of which
departure point for the New the city and visitors can
John Lennon apparently
get their fill in many ways,
World, and headquarters
once lamented, “The price
for White Star Line, owners from the terrific museum in of fame is not being able to
Albert Dock – The Beatles
of the Titanic. (Liverpool was recognized as a UNESCO
drink here.”
Story – to the Magical
World Heritage Site in 2004.)
• With its Beatles legacy
Mystery Tour, which takes
• Liverpool Cathedral is the largest Anglican cathedral in
and close to 55,000 students
passengers to Beatlesthe UK and fift h-largest in the world. Curiously, its archiattending three universirelated sites like John
tect also designed Britain’s famous red telephone box.
ties, Liverpool comes alive
Lennon’s childhood home
• Football (soccer) is in Liverpool’s bones and Anfield,
at night with music and a
and Penny Lane; or grabhome to Liverpool Football Club – one of the game’s most
vibrant club culture.
bing a drink at the raucous
storied teams – is a true cathedral of the game. Visitors
• A more genteel pursuit,
Cavern Club, where the
might catch a game there (or at Goodison Park, home to
golf, is abundant, as a dozen
Liverpool’s second team, Everton), or visit the grounds and band got its start. The Hard top courses, including
Day’s Night hotel clearly
museum for a tour. Fans can also book a legends’ tour, led
Royal Liverpool (home to
10
TRAVEL COURIER
0417COVERSTORY.indd 10
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 4:03:11 PM
Savings event happening now on select
2014 Alaska, Canada & New England
and Europe cruises.
Reduced fares and generous extras make this
the perfect time for your clients to book the
ultimate summer cruise. They’ll enjoy amenities
and activities for every age and interest, plus
spacious staterooms, delicious dining and
impeccable service.
Select cruises receive:
• Exceptional savings on cruise fares
• Free $50 beverage card per person
($100 value per stateroom)*
• Free or reduced 3rd/4th cruise fares for kids*
Book via POLAR Online by visiting Travel Agent HQ
at www.hollandamerica.com or call 1-800-426-0327.
*Subject to availability. Summer on Sale Free $50 Beverage Card is based on promo ZR, applies to 1st and 2nd guests sharing a stateroom and excludes 3rd/4th guests. Beverage card applies to select Europe, Canada & New
England, and Alaska cruises and Land +Sea Journeys, and applies to new bookings only. Beverage card may be used only on the cruise portion of Land+Sea Journeys. The Beverage Card may be used to purchase beverages or
other eligible items at payment terminals aboard the ship. No balance may be carried on the Beverage Card after the end of the cruise. Unused portion of card will not be refunded at the end of the cruise. This card cannot be
redeemed for cash and is not replaceable if lost or stolen. Third/fourth offer is based on sharing a stateroom with 1st and 2nd guests, valid on select sailings, and are based on Promo Z3/ZT. Third/fourth child offer is applicable
to ages 17 and under. Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses apply to all 3rd/4th offers. Offers are capacity controlled, and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Other restrictions may apply. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.
0417PAGE11.indd 11
4/14/2014 4:02:35 PM
photo/ MICHAEL BAGINSKI
Jelly bean Beatles! Well, not the one in the middle – Senior Tours buyer
Darlene St. Louis – who surely wishes she was.
this year’s British Open), can be found
nearby on England’s “Golf Coast.”
“I think Liverpool had a bit of a
stigma – that it’s unsafe, you know,
with hooligans etc.,” observed Darlene
St. Louis of Toronto’s Seniors Tours
after visiting the city on a fam in
March. “And I don’t think that’s true...
I think people are thinking it’s a little
more down and dirty. They don’t realize the regeneration.”
St. Louis notes that Liverpool is
easy to get to (via nearby Manchester
airport or a 2-1/2 train ride from London) and is an ideal base to explore
northwest England and Wales. “And
the amount of museums and galleries
in a confined space is great. That’s a
great draw right there.”
She also points out that there are
many Canadians who want to trace
the path of their parents, grandparents
or ancestors who sailed to Canada
from there.
Kosta Tsimiklis of Alio in Montreal
says he was “pleasantly surprised”
by the city, adding he was expecting
“something more industrial.”
He believes customers have noticed
the difference too, with many of
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0417COVERSTORY.indd 12
those on Alio’s Manchester programs
raving about Liverpool more than
Manchester.
As such, he plans to add more
Liverpool into Alio’s program. “It’s
time,” he says, “that Liverpool ceases
to be ‘an afterthought.’ ”
▶www.visitliverpool.com
ACV HAS CASH INCENTIVES
FOR EUROPE BOOKINGS
Those who book any Air Canada
Vacations (ACV) air and hotel or air
and apartment or air-inclusive Europe
package by April 30 can save $200
per couple. They can also earn thousands of Aeroplan Miles on every Air
Canada and Air Canada rouge flight
and earn 100 bonus Aeroplan Miles
for every $100 they spend. Meanwhile,
those who book an air and hotel
Ireland package by April 30 can earn
5,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles per
member. The offer is valid for travel
completed by Dec. 31. It is for new
bookings only and not applicable to
group bookings.
▶www.aircanadavacations.com
GERMANY FOR
JEWISH TRAVELLERS
The German National Tourist
Board (GNTB) has launched a new
e-brochure entitled “Germany for the
Jewish Traveler,” which is packed
with travel tips and information
about Jewish life, Jewish culture
and places of interest in 64 German
cities. The e- brochure, which is free
to download from www.germany.
travel/en/ebrochures.html, is an integral part of a global travel campaign
launched by the GNTB for travellers
with Jewish heritage.
Germany is home to the thirdlargest Jewish community in western Europe, indeed the only European Jewish community that is
growing rather than shrinking.
Germany – from North to South, East
to West – abounds with celebrated
sites evoking the country’s rich Jewish
history. The new e-brochure also contains interactive maps and useful links
to destinations and places of Jewish
interest which can be found throughout Germany.
▶www.germany.travel/en/ebrochures.html
COPENHAGEN EATERY
CAPTURES THE ATTENTION
OF MICHELIN
Marchal at Hotel d’Angleterre,
Copenhagen, has been awarded its
first Michelin star by the Michelin
Guide. Under 31-year-old executive chef Ronny Emborg, the newly
reimagined Marchal becomes
Denmark’s only Michelin-rated
hotel restaurant and garners the
d’Angleterre’s first star in 258 years.
Marchal at the d’Angleterre offers a
mix of Nordic and French cuisines.
Recently reopened after a two-anda-half-year renovation of the entire
hotel, Marchal has quickly become a
local and international favourite. Its
kitchen, menu and vision are masterminded by Emborg, who recently
launched his first cookbook, The
Wizard’s Cookbook.
▶www.marchal.dk
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 4:03:29 PM
AIR CANADA
Air Canada, the first Canadian
carrier to offer customers inflight
WiFi connectivity, plans to begin
rolling out connectivity across its
North American fleet next month
under an agreement with Gogo.
The agreement will also provide
for future type-testing of Gogo
satellite solutions for WiFi on
international flights. The installations are to begin in May with the
goal of equipping 29 aircraft in 2014,
and a targeted completion date of
December 2015 for the designated
130 narrow-body aircraft.
▶www.aircanada.com
AIR FRANCE, KLM
Air France and KLM have launched
AgentConnect.biz,” a new web
site dedicated to travel agents.
The site provides agents with the
necessary tools and information to
meet customer requirements, 24/7.
It gives information on products
and services, commercial news,
commercial instructions and booking policies. AgentConnect.biz
replaces afk l.biz providing travel
agents with easy, client-friendly and
immediate access to general information on the two airlines. The web
site also features enriched content,
an intuitive navigation system
and a more appealing homepage.
Registered travel agents will automatically be redirected towards
AgentConnect.biz.
▶www.AgentConnect.biz
LUFTHANSA
With the March 30 start of the 2014
summer timetable, Luft hansa and
Germanwings will increase capacity
by 5%. Passengers can choose from
235 destinations in 78 countries,
including Luft hansa’s four newest gateways in Jakarta, Indonesia;
Tokyo’ s Haneda Airport; Bodrum,
Turkey; and Lamezia Terme, Italy.
The summer schedule, which is
valid through Oct. 25, will also add
flights from Frankfurt to Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia and Frankfurt
to Mexico City. In addition, passengers travelling to Canada will
have expanded service to Montreal
and Toronto, with flights from both
Frankfurt and Munich.
▶www.LH.com
APRIL 17, 2014
0417AIR_SPACE.indd 13
TRAVEL COURIER
13
4/14/2014 1:41:31 PM
0$*,&$/&22.,6/$1'6
BC# 833
'D\V H[9DQFRXYHU
TICO# 1543989
$LUIDUHZLWK$LU1HZ=HDODQGQLJKWV3DOP*URYH5DURWRQJD
WUDQVIHUVEUHDNIDVWGDLO\%21861='%ODFN3HDUO3HQGDQW
3SWZLQ7UDYHO$SUµ±0DU¶7D[HVLQFOXGHG6XEMHFWWRDYDLODELOLW\
5HTXHVWRXU7UDYHO3ODQQHU
&DOORUYLVLWZZZJRZD\FRP
GAY WEDDING FIRM
BOOSTS OPTIONS
GayDestinationWeddings.com, part
of the Destination Weddings Travel
Group, has partnered with Perfectly
Planned Hawaii, a full-service LGBT
destination wedding and events firm.
Headquartered in O’ahu, Perfectly
Planned Hawaii is a one-stop, native
Hawaiian agency specializing in
creating and planning luxurious
gay destination weddings. Perfectly
Planned Hawaii’s memorable wedding venues, including private farm
and beach estates throughout Hawaii,
will now be available to couples on
GayDestinationWeddings.com.
Hand-picked
“These venues are hand-picked to
represent the best in luxury and ambience for LGBT Hawaiian weddings,”
said Richard Calvert, Destination
Weddings Travel Group president.
“With the recent legalization of
same-sex marriage in Hawaii, we are
thrilled to be expanding our portfolio
and working with Perfectly Planned
Hawaii to offer these exceptional and
exclusive venues.”
▶www.DestinationWeddings.com
SANDALS MAKES
GETTING ENGAGED EASY
Sandals is making it easier than ever to
turn a Caribbean vacation into a very
special “engagementcation.” Its new
“Soon to Moon” service offers the assistance of a concierge, who will help
14
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0417WEDD_HNYMOON.indd 14
couples bring their wildest proposal dreams to
life. No request is too
big or too small when
it comes to setting
the perfect scene for
popping the question.
From setting up a picnic lunch on a private
island in Exuma, to
carving “Will You
Marry Me?” into the
sands of Negril’s famed
Seven-Mile Beach, the
Soon to Moon concierges will ensure all
proposal requests are
fulfilled and expectations exceeded. Soon
to Moon is an extenSandals has launched a new “Soon to Moon”
sion of the popular
service for couples getting set to get married.
WeddingMoon program, and is available
to guests in all room
Marilyn Cairo told a Jamaica audience
categories. Preparations will be orgarecently that wedding options can
nized on-site through the individual
include “two sisters getting married
resort’s wedding planner.
▶www.sandals.com
[to different spouses] at the same
hotel.” Having separate family memMIAMI COMPANY MAKES
bers get married during the same stay
WEDDINGS A FAMILY AFFAIR
at a hotel is practical as family memMiami-based representation firm Ask
bers and friends on hand for the one
Me Inc., says weddings can easily be
will be there for the other, saving them
a family affair. The company works
money that would otherwise be spent
with hotels in the Caribbean and
on travel and lodging, she noted. ASK
Latin America and has a division that
ME notes its packages are commisspecializes in destinations weddings
sionable for travel agents.
and romance travel. Company partner ▶www.askmeinc.com
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 1:42:07 PM
A NEW LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE
Continuing to set the standard for all-inclusive resorts, Meliá Caribe Tropical is proud to
introduce THE LEVEL and THE LEVEL ADULTS ONLY.
Located on the powdery, white sands of Bávaro Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic,
the PDJQLÀFHQW0HOLi&DULEH7URSLFDOunveils an exclusive escape for savvy travelers seeking
memorable vacation experiences, timeless luxury, superior service and personalized amenities
designed to captivate and inspire. At THE LEVEL expect your client’s every need to be
anticipated beforehand.
For information & reservations, contact
your Preferred Tour Operator:
melia.com
888 95 MELIÃ
Follow us on facebook.com/Melia-Hotels
0417PAGE15.indd 15
4/14/2014 12:36:53 PM
SANDALS
Agent workshops
April – June
Sandals Resorts will travel across
Canada throughout the spring to
conduct a series of travel agent
workshops. According to officials,
agents will learn “what sets the
Sandals Luxury Included experience
apart from the rest of the cluttered
all-inclusive industry. By taking a
closer look, agents will discover that
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts
look better, not only for an excellent
vacation experience for their clients,
but also for their own personal sales
success and business growth.”
Agents will increase their product knowledge of new resorts and
new destinations and gain valuable
tips on how to use Sandals Resorts’
various sales and marketing tools to
increase their bottom line.
The fast-paced workshops are
open to agents seeking to become
Certified Sandals Specialists and
current CSS agents who need to
maintain their status. Morning sessions run from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.,
and breakfast will be served (with
the exception of one afternoon session in Sudbury and two evening
sessions in Ottawa). Space is limited
and agents are asked to register
early. A non-refundable fee of $35
is required at the time of registration. All participants will receive a
workbook and collateral kit and also
receive a certificate upon completion
of the workshop.
Agents can register online at
http://www.uvisandals.ca/workshops .
The Sandals 2014 Canadian
Spring workshop schedule is as
follows: April 22, Toronto, Don
Valley Hotel & Suites; April 24,
Mississauga, Ont., Hilton Garden
Inn Toronto Airport West; April 30,
Vaughan, Ont., Hilton Garden Inn
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0417CALENDAR.indd 16
Toronto Vaughan; May 1, Barrie,
Ont., Hampton Inn & Suites; May 1,
Ottawa, Evening Workshop (English), 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., a light
dinner will be served, Ottawa
Conference & Event Centre; May
1, Ottawa, Evening Workshop
(French), 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., a
light dinner will be served, Ottawa
Conference & Event Centre; May
6, Belleville, Ont., Fairfield Inn
& Suites; May 7, Kingston, Ont.,
Kingston Banquet & Convention
Centre; May 7, Hamilton/Burlington, Ont., Holiday Inn Burlington;
May 8, Markham, Ont., Monte
Carlo Inn & Suites; May 8, St.
Catharines/Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ont., Hilton Garden Inn Niagaraon-the-Lake; May 13, Toronto,
Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites;
May 13, Burnaby, BC, Hilton
Vancouver Metrotown; May 14,
Surrey, BC, Sheraton Vancouver
Guildford Hotel; May 15, Victoria,
BC, Coast Victoria Harbourside
Hotel; May 21, Edmonton, Hilton
Garden Inn West Edmonton;
May 22, Red Deer, Alta., iHotel;
May 23, Calgary, Hilton Garden
Inn Calgary Airport; June 4, Timmins, Ont., Cedar Meadows Resort
& Spa; June 5, Sudbury, Ont.,
Afternoon Workshop, (1 p.m.
to 5:15 p.m., a light lunch will be
provided, Steelworkers Union Hall
& Conference Centre; June 10,
Halifax/Dartmouth, NS, Holiday
Inn Halifax Harbourview; June 17,
Monc-ton/Dieppe, NB, Ramada
Plaza Crystal Palace; June 18,
Montreal/Pointe-Claire, English,
Holiday Inn & Suites Pointe-Claire;
June 18, Saint John, NB, Delta
Brunswick; June 24, Langley, BC,
Cascades Casino Resort; June 25,
Richmond, BC, Hilton Vancouver
Airport Hotel; June 26, Kelowna,
BC, Coast Capri Hotel.
TICO
Industry Forums
April 30, May dates
The Travel Industry Council of
Ontario (TICO) is once again hosting a series of Industry Forums
(April 30 and through May) to share
information and secure input from
registrants and travel agents.
In these sessions, TICO will
be presenting information on its
mandate and current initiatives
and will seek feedback on a variety of issues of importance to the
Ontario travel industry.
Input received from participants
at TICO forums has had significant
impact on the way TICO communicates and works with the industry
and promotes the industry to the
public. Similarly, participants have
gained increased insight into being
part of a regulated industry and the
value of associating their business
with TICO. Participants have had
the opportunity to address a broad
range of issues and the new round of
forums will continue that tradition.
Participation at each session is limited. TICO will be holding sessions
around the province, but each will
only accommodate a maximum of
15 participants, and all of the sessions will be booked on a first-come,
first-served basis. Meals and refreshments will be provided. Any TICO
registrant or travel agent working
for a TICO registrant can register
to attend one of the sessions. There
is no fee to attend. Registration can
be done online by e-mailing tico@
tico.ca or by calling 905-624-6241,
ext. 233 or 1-888-451-8426, ext.
233. Session dates and locations are
posted at:
▶http://www.tico.ca/news/advisories/
495-industry-advisory-tico-invitestravel-agents-to-participate-atindustry-forum-sessions.html
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 1:43:34 PM
SUNQUEST
Sunquest is offering great prices
on select Walt Disney World packages, as well as featuring a special,
limited time air credit of $70. Valid
on all new Sunquest bookings at
select Walt Disney World Resort
hotels for stays most nights between
June 15 and Aug. 28, packages start
from $399 plus taxes and surcharge
out of Toronto (June 19) for a fivenight stay at Disney’s POP Century
Resort, and $499 plus taxes and
surcharge out of Calgary (Aug. 12)
for a seven-night stay at Disney’s
POP Century Resort.
▶www.SunquestAgent.ca
ALBATOURS
ALBATours is celebrating the season
with a “Spring Savings” sales event
offering up to $1,200 off per couple
on all Italy touring packages and
Mediterranean cruise holidays.
Valid on all new bookings made by
April 23, on all departures between
May and October, the savings are
especially good through May and
June for anyone looking to kick-start
their summer. In Italy, customers can
choose between six comprehensive
escorted coach tours that range in
duration from eight to 15 days.
▶www.ALBATours.com
▶www.TravelBrandsAgent.ca
MAXXIM VACATIONS
Music, memories and more await
visitors at the eighth annual Trails,
Tales & Tunes Festival, being held in
western Newfoundland May 16-25.
The festival features live music, workshops, walks in Gros Morne National
Park, and food. Maxxim Vacations
has a Trails, Tales & Tunes Festival
package that includes roundtrip airfare to Deer Lake in western Newfoundland, a rental car with unlimited kilometres, four nights accommodation in local inns or B&Bs,
daily breakfasts, a four-day Gros
Morne Park Pass, and admission to
various festival events. Clients will
enjoy Celtic, country, R&B, folk, and
roots and traditional styles. Maxxim’s
four-night package (commissionable
at 10%) is priced from $1,139 plus
taxes, including airfare from Toronto.
Pricing is available from other cities.
▶www.maxximvacations.com
You’ll Love Our Scotland!
5 Day Sightseeing Coach Tour
Iona, Mull & Isle of Skye
Outer Hebrides
Orkney & the Far North
from
879
$
• Full Scottish breakfast daily
• 4 nights in Hotel or B&B
• Discover the islands of Scotland
from
1069
$
from
859
$
• Discover the magic of the Hebrides
• Discover Scotland’s northern edge
Islay & the Whisky Coast
Speyside Whisky Tour
Isle of Skye
639
$
• 3 nights in B&B
• Sample Scotland’s finest whiskies
from
429
$
• Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail
from
429
$
• Explore the romantic island of Skye
905-773-6773 • 1-866-907-8687 • royalscottishtours.com
Prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and subject to availability. Iona, Mull & Skye from $879 to $1029
Outer Hebrides from $1069 to $1289 ~ Orkney from $859 to $1029 ~ Speyside from $429 to $469 ~ Isle of Skye from $429 to $529
For full terms & conditions see the Royal Scottish Tours 2014 brochure. 13311 Yonge St, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON, l4E 3L6. ON Reg.50010152.
APRIL 17, 2014
0417ON_TOUR.indd 17
TRAVEL COURIER
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INDIA, SRI LANKA
April 24, May 6
Indus Travels is hosting two 10-day
agent fam trips – “Incredible India”
departing April 24 and “Super Sri
Lanka” departing May 6. The April
24 trip costs $1,599 plus taxes and
includes flight from Vancouver,
Oberoi accommodation, most meals
and domestic flights. Places visited
include Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, and Udaipur. The
May 6 trip costs $1,280 plus taxes
and includes flight from Toronto,
hotel accommodation and all
meals. The itinerary includes visits
to Colombo, Kandalama, Kandy,
Nuwara Eliya, and Bentota.
▶www.indus.travel
SRI LANKA
May 6
A 10-day Super Sri Lanka fam
is being offered by Indus Travels,
departing May 6 from Toronto
and including visits to Colombo,
Kandalama, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya,
Galle, and Bentota before returning to Toronto. The cost is $1,280
(plus taxes) and includes deluxe
hotels, all meals and international
flights from Toronto.
▶www.indus.travel
ATLANTIC CITY
May 8-11
(Deadline April 17)
Quebec’s Tourism Centre is hosting
a May 8-11 Atlantic City fam tour for
tour operators. Departures are from
Montreal and participants will get to
experience all that Atlantic City has
to offer – beaches, boardwalk, dining,
shopping, entertainment, nightlife,
and non-stop casino action. Space is
limited. Those interested are asked to
respond to Lisa at [email protected] no
later than April 17.
▶[email protected]
18
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0417FAM.indd 18
JAMAICA
Various 2014
dates
The Jamaica
Tourist Board
in Canada is
inviting agents
to register for
upcoming 2014
fam trips, offering an opportunity for agents to
brush up on their
Jamaica
island knowledge.
Fams, departing
via WestJet or Air
Canada rouge from several major
cities across Canada between May
and November, are as follows:
• Toronto departures (five nights,
$399): May 22-27 (via WestJet);
Sept. 18-23 (via WestJet); Sept. 26
– Oct. 1 (via Air Canada rouge);
Oct. 5-10 (via Air Canada rouge).
• Toronto departures (seven nights,
$449): Sept. 9-16 (via Air Canada
rouge); Nov. 3-10 (via Air Canada
rouge); Nov. 25 – Dec. 2 (via Air
Canada rouge).
• Ottawa departure (seven nights,
$499): Nov. 1-8 (via WestJet).
• Montreal departure (six nights,
$499): Nov. 3-9 (via WestJet).
• Montreal departures (seven nights,
$499): Sept. 8-15 (via Air Canada
rouge); Oct. 27 – Nov. 3 (via Air
Canada rouge).
The cost includes return airline
ticket, all meals, local transportation, sightseeing, all taxes, and
shared accommodation in a twinbedded room. Note that overnight
hotel in Toronto, if required,
will be the agent’s responsibility.
Application deadlines are 31 days
prior to departure. To apply, agents
should visit:
▶www.surveymonkey.com/s/JTB
Fams2014
PORTUGAL
Nov. 13
Collette Vacations has two fams to
Portugal departing Nov. 13. Discover
Portugal’s Treasures is nine days and
part of Collette’s small group product
line Explorations, which host tours of
12 to 24 passengers. Participants can
learn of the Knights Templar on a tour
of the Convent of the Order of Christ;
discover Portuguese cuisine during a
cooking class; enjoy pousadas, from
castles to fortresses to convents the
accommodations have been restored
to luxurious, traditional or historic
lodging; and explore a port wine cellar with tastings. The tour is $999
agent double rate, $1,499 com-panion, and $1,499 single. Rates are p.p.
and include land and interair where
applicable. Many meals are included.
Portugal & Its Islands is a 10-day
tour to Portugal’s Riviera with visits
to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. Participants experience an evening of cuisine,
wine, folk dances and the sounds of
Fado; spend four nights exploring
St. Michael, the “green island,” and
largest of the Azorean Islands; and
visit tea and pineapple plantations.
The cost is $1,299 agent double rate,
$1,799 companion and $1,799 single.
▶www.collettevacations.ca/agentfam
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 2:05:48 PM
Adventure Travel
sharing it with
some great white
whales for up
to three hours.
“Belugas are
very curious and
not dangerous,”
Hayberg reports
of the “super
cute” cetaceans.
“Generally, they
like to investigate the divers
Thousands of belugas gather in the Churchill River
by swimming
estuary in the summer.
below and
around them
without getting
GOWAY’S ‘ULTIMATE
too close, but there have been guests
FAM TRIP’ ON THE WAY
that have been able to touch them,
Goway’s AFRICA Experts is getting
although this is rare.”
▶www.frontiersnorth.com
set to host its 2014 Ultimate Fam trip
photo/ DOUG ROSS
NORTHERN MANITOBA TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS ‘SUPER CUTE’
BELUGAS
Frontiers North Adventures wants
to introduce people to nanook’s lessintimidating neighbours. The Winnipeg tour operator offers the polar bear
tours that put Churchill on the tourist map, but marketing co-ordinator
Brandi Hayberg notes summertime
Churchill visitors can also snorkel with
beluga whales, sharing the Churchill
River estuary with creatures that are
also large, but aren’t carnivorous. July
and August see over 4,000 belugas –
which can reach up to 18 feet – migrate
into the Churchill River to both
birth and feed; and Frontiers North
Adventures sends Arctic wetsuit-wearing clients by Zodiacs to the site, from
which they then enter the waterway,
COME MEET YOUR PLANET
INTRODUCING A NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON NATURAL
HISTORY TRAVEL, CREATING
UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES
IN MAGICAL REALMS
For more information visit www.tauck.com/bbcearth or call 1-800-GoTauck
APRIL 17, 2014
0417PLA_ADVENTURE_TRVL.indd 19
TRAVEL COURIER
19
4/14/2014 3:42:19 PM
for travel agents. This year, eight lucky
participants will win a nine-night trip,
including three nights in Dubai and
six nights in Kwazulu Natal, South
Africa, and air with Emirates. All
accommodations, most meals, sightseeing, return airfare from Boston,
and a welcome and farewell party are
included. To qualify, agents need to
have made at least one booking with
Goway and have completed both
the South African Tourism FUNDI
course, as well as the Dubai Experts
course before they travel. Every
additional booking earns an extra
entry, and if land is combined with an
international air ticket on Emirates
airways, it counts as two entries.
Full details will be unveiled in the
near future.
▶www.goway.com
WORLD EXPEDITIONS HAS
SOME GREAT CANADIAN
ITINERARIES
World Expeditions has launched its newest division in its “paths less-travelled”
style. Great Canadian Trails caters to
travellers seeking unique remote active
holidays in Canada and offers both
guided and supported self-guided hiking and cycling adventures that include
accommodation, luggage transfers,
bike rentals, and maps and route notes.
Great Canadian Trails allows travellers
to cycle across Prince Edward Island at
their own pace with all of the logistics
taken care of; complete an end to end
hike along Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula
without needing to camp or carry a full
pack; and hike a rugged stretch along
the Fundy coast carrying just a day
pack, with local guides, and the full
support of a camping crew.
▶www.worldexpeditions.com
INTREPID TRAVEL NOW
FULL OWNER OF URBAN
ADVENTURES
Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd has acquired
the 50% stake in Urban Adventures
Limited, a move that has it take full
ownership of the global day tour
20
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0417PLA_ADVENTURE_TRVL.indd 20
company. Launched as a joint venture
by Intrepid Travel and WHL Group in
October 2009, Urban Adventures is on
course to carry 70,000 passengers on
265 trips in 90 cities this year. Urban
Adventures will oversee new initiatives, such as the clustering of Urban
Adventures tours for the FIT market,
and the recent launch of the Home
Cooked range of tours which allow
travellers to share a meal with a local
family in their own home.
Celebration
Intrepid Travel has launched a short
film as part of its 25-year birthday
celebrations. The 90-second video
was inspired by Miriam Beard’s quote
“Certainly, travel is more than the
seeing of sights; it is a change that goes
on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of
living.” It encapsulates moments filmed
on the road across 12 countries, and
has a variety of faces, food, landscapes
and transportation, giving viewers an
insight into the real life experiences
travellers encounter on an Intrepid
Travel adventure. The video was created by Intrepid Travel’s food travel
partners Daniel Klein and Mirra Fine
of The Perennial Plate.
▶www.intrepidtravel.com
VOLCANO AMONG HIGHLIGHTS
OF COSTA RICA TOUR
Sparkling Voyages’ signature Luxury
Adventure Tour is an option for adventure-loving families to “explore Costa
Rica’s marvelous sights with class.” The
six-night/seven-day tour is a multisports itinerary featuring such sights as
The Pacuare River, known for its warm
water, cascading waterfalls and rain
forest, and the Arenal Volcano, with its
ongoing lava flows and eruptions. The
itinerary includes accommodation at
upscale lodges, tours and activities,
all ground transportation, bilingual
guides during the entire tour, and more.
▶www.sparklingvoyages.com
MOTHER NATURE HAS
BEEN KIND TO DOMINICA
Recently ranked one of the top 10
countries in the world by Ethical
Traveller, Dominica’s natural beauty
is proving a hit. Known as Nature’s
Island, Dominica’s tropical rain forests,
one of which is on the UNESCO list
of World Heritage Sites, cover twothirds of the island and are home to
1,200 plant species. With rivers, lakes,
streams and waterfalls, visitors are
never far from nature. Visitors can hike
up to a boiling lake and see a host of
remote waterfalls, including Victoria
Falls, or opt for a more leisurely
journey to the Trafalgar Falls or the
Emerald Pool. They can also experience Dominica’s forests by taking a
flora and fauna tour. Dominica is still
being formed by geothermal-volcanic
activity, as evidenced by the world’s
second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake.
Dominica Yacht Services, a yachting
and destination management company,
offers assistance for all sized yachts.
▶www.dominicayachtservices.com
ORLANDO-AREA RESORT
GUESTS CAN CHOOSE FROM
TWO HOTELS
Grande Lakes Orlando has both a luxury 582-room Ritz-Carlton and deluxe
1,000-room JW Marriott Hotels. The
Grande Lakes Adventure Experiences
program, which includes kayak and
canoe eco-tours, reflects natural
surroundings. Grande Lakes also
offers the culinary creations of chefs
Norman Van Aken and Melissa Kelly,
new total-wellness inspired treatment
programs at The Ritz-Carlton Spa
and Golf Digest Schools’ golf instruction. The estate is 15 minutes from
Orlando International Airport and
minutes from major theme parks.
Guests at both hotels can enjoy all the
facilities and services at Grande Lakes
Orlando, including the 18-hole golf
course, designed by Greg Norman; the
40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa,
offering a new rooftop eco-space, a
selection of natural treatments, baths
and hydrotherapies; and advice from
the world’s first Citrus Consultant.
▶www.grandelakes.com
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 3:37:41 PM
SMILING FACES
in the most
unforgettable places
The charms of Vietnam,
Cambodia & the Mekong
Uniworld’s 2015 Vietnam & Cambodia
Boutique River Cruise and Tour Includes:
In 2015, your clients can get to know the indomitable spirit
and remarkable resilience of the Vietnamese and Cambodian
Y 7-night Mekong River cruise in a riverview
stateroom
Y 7 nights in deluxe hotels featuring sophisticated
accommodations, buffet breakfast, and all
service charges, taxes, and porterage
people. And no one shares the stories of these great people and
the remarkable destinations your clients will visit like Uniworld.
Y Gratuities for local experts and drivers
SAVE your clients C$800 per couple
Y All transportation throughout the trip
on a 2015 Uniworld Vietnam & Cambodia Boutique River Cruise
and Tour when they pay in full at time of reservation.*
Y All transfers on arrival and departure days
Offer expires October 31, 2014.
Y 14 buffet breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
Y Complimentary wine, local beer and spirits, soft
drinks, coffee, and tea throughout the cruise
Y Welcome and Farewell Dinners with live
entertainment onshore
Y Apsara dance with dinner and Thang Long water
puppet show onshore
Y 12 days of captivating, fully-escorted excursions
For more information, please contact your local
Sales Manager at 800-868-7905 or visit uniworldcruises.ca.
*Savings listed in Canadian dollars. Pay-in-Full Savings is not combinable with Early Booking Savings or any other promotional offers, and requires full payment at time of booking. Subject to availability. Capacity controlled. Other restrictions may apply. Uniworld
reserves the right to withdraw or change offers at any time. For complete details on all promotions, general information, and terms and conditions applicable to all Uniworld trips, please visit uniworldcruises.ca.
TICO Reg. #50018458 | Uniworld River Cruises (Canada) Limited | 33 Kern Road | Toronto, Ontario | M3B 1S9 Canada
0417PAGE21.indd 21
4/14/2014 12:36:21 PM
CARNIVAL WAIVES
INITIAL GROUP DEPOSITS
As part of a new travel agent promotion, Carnival Cruise Lines is waiving its initial deposit requirement
for group bookings, as well as offering an enhanced free cruise berth
program, through April 30. Through
the promotion, no initial deposit will
be required for group bookings on
sailings departing between Nov. 1 and
April 30, 2015. In addition, Carnival
is offering agents one free cruise berth
for every 10 full fare guests berthed,
compared to the current policy of one
free cruise berth for every 15 full fare
guests berthed. As a special bonus,
Carnival is offering one free cruise
berth for every eight full fare guests
berthed on West Coast sailings of
three or four days in length.
▶www.GoCCL.com
PRINCESS OFFERS
‘WORLD OF SAVINGS’
Princess Cruises has launched a
“World of Savings” promotion offering up to $1,200 off per stateroom,
now through April 30. The sale also
includes a special reduced deposit
of only $100 p.p. More than 200
cruises are featured in the promotion,
including exotic itineraries to Asia,
Australia and New Zealand, Tahiti
and the South Pacific, and beautiful
vacation destinations in the Caribbean, Canada and New England,
Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama
Canal. In addition to special fares,
passengers can save up to $700 p.p.
on airfare for select Tahiti voyages and
up to $400 p.p. on select Asia voyages.
▶www.princess.com/sale
NORWEGIAN BRINGS
WORLD CUP TO THE SEA
Norwegian Cruise Line is providing
soccer fans with the chance to follow
the FIFA World Cup, while on board
22
TRAVEL COURIER
0417CRUISE.indd 22
Carnival Cruise Lines is waiving its initial deposit requirements for group
bookings through April 30.
Norwegian ships this summer, as it
will be screening the biggest matches
fleet-wide. World football’s flagship
event will be held in Brazil from
June 12 to July 13. A partnership
with the TV channel SPORT 24 will
ensure that throughout the competition key games from the tournament
matches will be available on board.
NCL will be showcasing key matches
in multiple venues onboard each ship,
so guests will have plenty of options
to relax and enjoy their vacation,
while experiencing a great sporting
atmosphere onboard.
▶www.ncl.com
EXPLORER OF THE SEAS
HEADS DOWN UNDER
Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas will join Voyager
of the Seas and Radiance of the
Seas for the winter 2015/16 season
in Sydney, Australia. Royal Caribbean’s winter 2015/16 Australia, New
Zealand and South Pacific season
opens for reservations on April 29.
From November 2015 through April
2016, Explorer of the Seas will primarily sail 11- and 14-night New Zealand
cruises, with up to seven ports of call
in the South Pacific country, while
Voyager of the Seas will sail eight- to
12-night South Pacific and Fiji cruises,
all roundtrip from Sydney. For its
part, Radiance of the Seas will offer
travellers a variety of itineraries to the
South Pacific and Fiji, New Zealand,
and throughout Australia.
▶www.LoyaltoYouAlways.com
QE MAKES MAIDEN
CALL IN HALONG BAY
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth made
its maiden call at Halong Bay in
Vietnam on March 31. Queen
Elizabeth’s call came over half way
through its annual Round World
Voyage, after leaving Southampton
on Jan. 10 and having already sailed
through the Panama Canal and on to
San Francisco, Hawaii, New Zealand,
Australia, Japan, and China.
▶www.cunard.com
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 2:06:22 PM
0417PAGE23.indd 23
4/14/2014 4:02:15 PM
WESTJET ADDS
PENTICTON TO LINEUP
WestJet has added Penticton, BC, as its
newest destination. Non-stop service
between Penticton and Calgary takes
off Oct. 26 on board WestJet Encore’s
Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft.
Special introductory fares are available
now on westjet.com. In other news,
WestJet has announced the launch of
daily, non-stop WestJet Encore service
between Edmonton and Kamloops,
starting Feb. 15, 2015.
▶www.westjet.com
SUN PEAKS TO BE ONE OF
THREE BIGGEST IN NATION
Sun Peaks Resort Corporation is
announcing the next steps in the
resort’s development master plan,
which includes additional trails for
both winter and summer outdoor
adventures. Work starts this spring on
new trails in the West Morrisey and
Gil’s area. Skiable terrain will grow to
4,200 acres for the 2014/2015 winter
season. This larger trail network will
tie Sun Peaks Resort with Lake Louise
in terms of area, making Sun Peaks
one of the three largest mountain
resorts in Canada. “Sun Peaks has
emerged as one of Canada’s must-ski
resorts, and we’re now adding even
more value to our resort guests’ experience,” said Nancy Greene, director
of skiing at Sun Peaks.
▶www.sunpeaksresort.com
DISCOVERY COAST DISPUTE
TURNS TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Opponents to changes being made to
the BC Ferries Inside Passage services
this summer may now have the BC
Human Rights Code on their side.
“While the BC government may think
a 16-vehicle barge is an adequate
replacement for a 115-vehicle full-ser24
TRAVEL COURIER
0417WEST.indd 24
vice car ferry, it appears the Nimpkish
may not even satisfy human rights legislation,” say opponents, acting under
the Save the Discovery Coast Ferry
banner. The little Nimpkish is slated to
replace the Queen of Chilliwack on the
9.5-hour sailing between Bella Coola
and Bella Bella. But opponents say the
ship has no wheelchair access to reach
washrooms or the passenger lounge.
Thus, the route “has not only become
an international embarrassment, it may
violate the human rights of persons
with disabilities and the elderly.”
▶www.savethediscoverycoastferry.ca
ORCA CAMP IS OUTOF-ORDINARY VACAY
Orca Camp is a new two-, threeor five-night family kayaking and
camping whale-watching wilderness adventure in BC’s Johnstone
Strait that is now being offered by
Ecosummer. Families with children as
young as eight can take part in these
guided kayaking trips, scanning the
horizon for orcas, sea lions, dolphins
and humpback whales. After a day
outside, the clan can retreat to twoand four-person tents tucked into the
rain forest. Special pricing for groups
including activities, camping accommodations, meals and guides is available. Bookings made by the end of
April include one night pre- and one
night post-Orca Camp accommodations at no extra cost.
▶www.ecosummer.com
BEACHES OF VANCOUVER
ISLAND FOR SHELLFISH
FORAGING
The chance to experience a sandy
shoreline full of shellfish is now available to those who visit the Quadra
Sands, on the Vancouver Island coast
near Parksville. The embayments in
the region act as nature’s sand traps,
forming some of the widest beaches
in Canada – breeding grounds for
tasty shellfish. Foragers learn about
First Nations’ use of shellfish, species
identification and how to ensure that
shellfish are safe to eat. After, they
will get a short cooking demo and a
shellfish-themed meal, paired with
Vancouver Island wines. The fivehour excursion costs $95 p.p., including a three- course meal with wine.
Foraging take place on May 31, June
28 and Nov. 22.
▶www.viu.ca/deepbay
SILVER CELEBRATION
AT FAIRMONT WHISTLER
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler
in BC will mark its Silver Anniversary in November with 25 Days of
Giveaways. All guests checking in
from Nov. 1-25 will choose an envelope with a surprise gift, ranging from
complimentary upgrades to spa and
restaurant gift certificates, as well as
Whistler Blackcomb Lift Tickets. To
top off the 25 days of Giveaways, five
lucky guests will win their entire stay
at the property.
▶www.fairmont.com/whistler
CORONADO WALKING
TOURS HIGHLIGHT REGION
Coronado Touring offers guided
historic walking tours of downtown
Coronado and historic homes that
give the “Crown City” its unique
character and magical quality. The
tour includes the Duchess of Windsor
cottage and home of author L. Frank
Baum, where he wrote three of his
famous “Wizard of Oz” books. Tours
depart at 11 a.m. every Tuesday,
Thursday and Saturday from the
Glorietta Bay Inn. The cost is $12 p.p.;
children under three are free.
▶http://coronadowalkingtour.com
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 3:38:13 PM
HILTON WORLDWIDE
Hilton Worldwide has signed a
management agreement to operate
the new-build Hilton Garden Inn
Port-au-Prince Louverture Airport.
Scheduled to open in 2016, the hotel
in Haiti will introduce the Hilton
Garden Inn brand to the Caribbean
and debut the company’s first hotel
in Haiti. Forming part of the midpriced brand, Hilton Garden Inn
Port-au-Prince Louverture Airport
will be strategically located in the
airport’s industrial park area –
acting as the only internationally
branded hotel at the airport. The
newest hotel to the airport complex
will welcome travellers with on-site
staff to arrange transportation from
the airport to the property.
▶www.hiltongardeninn.com
INTERCONTINENTAL SAN JUAN
InterContinental Hotels Group has
completed a US$22.25-million renovation of the InterContinental San
Juan. The public space areas provide
a modern ambience for business
meetings and leisure, and all meeting rooms were refreshed with a look
and feel consistent with the rest of
the resort, featuring the newest digital signage. The AAA Four-Diamond
InterContinental San Juan hotel’s
renovation included upgrades to its
guest rooms and suites, lobby, meeting rooms and the property’s common areas. The property is located
on white-sand beach on Puerto
Rico’s northern coast of Isla Verde,
minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín
International Airport.
▶www.ihg.com
FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON
The Four Points by Sheraton brand
has made its debut in Brisbane,
Australia. Four Points by Sheraton
Brisbane is the first globally
branded, new-build property to
open in Brisbane’s Central Business
District in more than a decade. It
is also the brand’s fourth property
in Australia, joining Four Points
hotels in Sydney, Geelong and Perth.
Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane is
located in a contemporary 32-storey
tower. The hotel features 246 guest
rooms, a fully equipped fitness centre and all of the brand’s amenities
and services, including free WiFi,
complimentary bottled water, fresh
coffee in the lobby, and the Best
Brews local craft beer program.
▶www.fourpoints.com/brisbane
stays, self drives and escorted tours.
ing travel agents prizes for bookings made at its properties in Las
Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno/Tahoe
or Tunica. Sky’s the Limit applies to
bookings made through April 12 for
stays throughout 2014. Agents can
register each booking for an entry
towards the top prize giveaways
(five entries per registered booking).
They can play the Sky’s the Limit
Spinning Wheel game daily for
additional entries and earn a chance
to win one of 12 random prizes.
Grand prizes
Grand prizes include accommodations at a Caesars Entertainment
resort, air travel from Sunwing and
shopping credit at Miracle Mile
Shops. Random prizes include
accommodations at a Caesars Entertainment resort, show tickets and
gift cards. Caesars Entertainment
properties in Canada are represented by Discover the World.
▶www.CaesarsSkysTheLimit.com/
Canada
▶www.andersonvacations.ca
ANDERSON VACATIONS
For every new booking on packages
of five nights or more that include
Nova Scotia or New Brunswick,
Anderson Vacations will give travel
trade agent partners a $25 VISA gift
card. Those interested must book
by June 30 for travel until March
15, 2015 to get the offer. “Whether
clients wish to drive the famous
Cabot Trail, set sail in a tall ship,
or simply take in the stunning
scenery and a lobster dinner, Nova
Scotia has something to offer. In
New Brunswick clients can visit
the famous Hopewell Rocks and be
amazed as the tides change those
simple rock formations to flower
pots. Or visit the quaint town of St.
Andrews by the Sea,” the tour operator says. Anderson Vacations offers
a variety of packages to Nova Scotia
and New Brunswick, including city
TAUCK
Tauck is helping agents to travel on
the company’s fully-inclusive land
tours, cruises and special events – and
encouraging them to sell more Tauck
– with a new agent incentive program.
Agent Rewards awards booking
agents with credits they can apply
toward the price of their own Tauck
land journeys, cruises and special
events. For every client booked with
Tauck, agents registered in the program will receive a $200 credit toward
a Tauck journey. Agents can accrue
up to $12,000 in credits in a given
year, which they can redeem themselves or divide between themselves
and companions travelling with
them on the same Tauck departure.
▶www.tauck.com/agentrewards
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT
Caesars Entertainment is offer-
APRIL 17, 2014
0417CHECKIN_FINALWRD.indd 25
TRAVEL COURIER
25
4/14/2014 4:09:36 PM
TRAVEL AGENCY FOR SALE
IN WHITE ROCK, BC.
Independent, full service travel agency
for sale.
EXPLORE OUR WEB SITE!
Travelindustrypersonnel.com
,$7$&/,$(QVHPEOH
,QEXVLQHVVIRU\HDUVORFDWHGLQDEXV\
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6XUUH\
$QQXDO6DOHVRI0DQGJURZLQJDIWHU
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AND FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
We are celebrating over 25 years of recruiting for the
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Our service is free to candidates. We maintain strict
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Or contact us:
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E-mail: [email protected]
Member of
All the news
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Why partner with a
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Let our agents tell you!
Our move to a consumer brand with FCA
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– Charlie and Susan Pitchford
Take your career to the next level
with industry leading commissions,
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To learn more about this unique
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flightcentreassociates.com
or call 1 866 474 3140
SellOffVacations.com is looking for
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RESPONSIBILITIES:
QUALIFICATIONS:
3URYLGHVKLJKTXDOLW\VHUYLFHWRFRQVXPHU
WUDYHOFOLHQWVHPSKDVL]LQJORQJWHUP
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LHGHWDLOHGWUDYHOGRFXPHQWDWLRQHWF
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$VVLVWVLQWKHUHVROXWLRQRIFOLHQWFRPSODLQWV
,QYRLFHDQGGRFXPHQWFOLHQWILOHVDFFXUDWHO\
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We would like to thank all who apply, however only those who meet the qualification will be contacted.
SellOffVacations.com is an equal opportunity employer.
26
TRAVEL COURIER
0417CLASS_pg26.indd 26
APRIL 17, 2014
4/14/2014 4:33:24 PM
Agents: Win a Trip for Two to Universal Orlando® Resort
Travel Courier and Universal Orlando® Resort are teaming up to give Canadian travel agents a
chance to win one spectacular trip for two to Universal Orlando®. The prize package will include a
four-night/five-day stay at one of the four on-site hotels at Universal Orlando, and admission tickets to both
Universal Studios Florida® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme parks, Blue Man Group, and Wet ‘n Wild®
waterpark.
Visitors can join the front lines of an intergalactic war on the new TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D.
The Autobots need your help to defeat the Decepticons in this new TRANSFORMERS adventure. This next-generation thrill ride
fuses high-definition 3D film with flight simulation technology to create the greatest battle you’ll ever ride!
To be entered in the contest, all you have to do is answer the following question correctly:
What is the name of the new hotel at Universal Orlando® Resort?
Answer:
Name:
Agency:
Address:
Telephone:
E-Mail:
Are you registered with www.UniversalTravelAgents.com?
IATA #:
Yes
No
Please fax responses to 416-968-2377, or visit http://promo.baxter.net/contest/universal.asp for full contest rules and to enter online.
To qualify entrants must be full-time accredited travel agents, one entry per agent. The winner will be chosen at random.
Contest runs April 3, 2014 – May 15, 2014. Does not include air and ground transportation.
Limit of one entry per travel agent.
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
(s14)
All the tickets are valid during normal operating hours only. There will be block-out periods during which tickets are not valid for entry. These periods include June 14 – August 14, 2014; December 19 – December 31, 2014 – January 1 – January 3, 2015 with additional block-out dates
for 2015 to be determined at a later date. These dates are subject to change without notice. Operating hours and availability of attractions and shows are subject to change without notice. Some special events may be separately ticketed. Universal reserves the right to change the name
of all tickets. All tickets specifically exclude admission to special or separately ticketed “hard ticket” entertainment events at either of the theme parks, hotels, or within any of the Universal CityWalk venues such as Hard Rock Live® and Blue Man Group. There will be block-out periods
during which hotel stay is not available. These periods include all Saturday night stays and June 6 – August 16, 2014; November 26 – November 30, 2014; December 25, 2014 – January 3, 2015; March 27 – April 11, 2015 with additional block-out dates for 2015 to be determined
by UO at a later date. TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2014 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. © 2014 DreamWorks L.L.C. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. © MARVEL. Hard Rock
Hotel ® Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. © 2014 BMP. 2014 Wet ‘n Wild. All rights reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2014 Universal Studios. © 2014 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. 1401860/MLW
0417PAGE27.indd 27
4/14/2014 12:35:47 PM
Heavenly Holguin & Sunny Santa Lucia
CLUB AMIGO RESORTS
Vacationers love Club Amigo’s resorts
in Cuba for their powdery, white-sand
beaches, turquoise waters, family-friendly
atmosphere and great value. The Club
Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca Bungalow
noliPLUS +++ in Holguin is prized for
its attractive noliPLUS inclusions like
a separate check-in, mini-bar stocked
upon arrival and a 50% massage discount,
along with comfortable, generously
proportioned accommodations, while
the Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca
Hotel & Villas +++, situated on the
same spectacular beach, also features
0417PAGE28.indd 28
numerous exciting activities for singles,
couples and families. Both hotels offer
single parent specials. The lively Club
Amigo Caracol +++ is in Santa Lucia’s
noliZONE, designed for travellers who
wish to venture off the resort and get
to know the local scene. One child under
13 stays and eats for free, and the resort
also offers an introduction to scuba
diving, 24-hour unlimited drinks and a
dine-around buffet at the Club Amigo
Mayanabo ++1/2 – another fun-filled
noliZONE hotel.
4/14/2014 12:35:09 PM
UPCOMING
FESTIVALs
EVENTS
&
new
hotel
developments
Health
Tourism
in Jamaica
Casino
Resort
planned for
Montego Bay