Tour Operators | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

May 10, 2012

Test your knowledge and win with Thomas Cook brands

So you think you know your product? Well, Holiday House, Fun Sun Vacations and Intair Vacations want to test you and will reward you for your efforts with TC Loyalty Points and if you are really lucky, a trip for two to London and Paris. Starting today (May 9) and running until June 15, just by booking and guaranteeing any Holiday House, Fun Sun or Intair product with a minimum value of $500, you are eligible to play the new "Tic Tac Know"game. Available on http://www.thomascookagent.ca , the game will ask you a series of product-related questions, all you need to do is get three "O's"in a...

By Bob Mowat

May 9, 2012

Service straight from the heart

Cathay Pacific has added a new level of on-board comfort with the introduction of new seating on its aircraft operating from Canada and a number of other key destinations around the world. The carrier celebrated the official Canadian launch in Toronto last night (May 8) at a festive event at the city's Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. Along with new economy class seating and a new flatbed business class seats, CX introduced what it's describing as its "Premium Economy experience" that includes a separate cabin from economy with between 26 and 34 seats per aircraft. Seat pitch is 38 inches...

By TravelPress Staff

May 9, 2012

Signature adds RIU Palace Peninsula to Cancun portfolio

Signature Vacations has introduced the newest addition to its luxurious RIU Palace resorts line-up - the RIU Palace Peninsula in Cancun, which opened on May 4. The five-star, all-inclusive beachfront property offers 562 well appointed Junior Suites and Suites, each featuring RIU's upscale amenities. The resort features five specialty restaurants, a main international buffet restaurant and seven different bars and lounges. Featured in the all-inclusive program are 24-hour room service, champagne breakfast, poolside waiter beverage service, in-room liquor dispenser, nightly turn down service,...

By TravelPress Staff

May 9, 2012

Ecuador rainforest reserve opens

Goway reports Ecuador's Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve has opened, with the luxury lodge in the cloud forest spanning an area of 1,200 hectares and located 2.5 hours from Quito. Travellers who book a Mashpi Jungle Lodge Adventure by June 30 will receive a free Quito city tour. Goway offers the Mashpi Jungle Lodge Adventure for three or four days from $1,434. Travellers can take the aerial tramway that offers special views, along with walking trails and see waterfalls and hundreds of bird species. Night excursions are offered. The lodge accommodates 44 guests in 22 suites. Huge windows...

By Bob Mowat

May 8, 2012

Thomas Cook making FIT easier to book

New enhancements to ThomasCookAgent.ca will now make it easier for travel agents to book FIT hotels with Holiday House, Fun Sun Vacations and Intair Vacations. Craig Canvin, vice-president, Holiday House, Fun Sun Vacations and Intair Vacations, explained that: "Since ThomasCookAgent.ca was first launched last fall, we've received a lot of feedback on what agents like about the site and what we can do better." He said that, "For phase two, we've taken that feedback and made a number of enhancements, including improvements when it comes to booking FIT hotels specifically. Not only is there now...

By TravelPress Staff

May 8, 2012

Win a Canada vacation with Brewster

Want to see some of our country's most iconic landscapes in person? Then don't forget to enter Brewster Travel Canada's contest for your chance to win a trip to experience western Canada's amazing scenery. Brewster is celebrating 120 years with a tribute to travel agents including a commission boost to 15% and a chance to win an exciting Canada holiday. The lucky winner receives a trip for two including luxury accommodations at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise hotels; travel aboard VIA Rail; various sightseeing excursions in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and...

By Bob Mowat

May 7, 2012

CITC features Jordan, India fams

The CITC is joining forces with NARAT and with ATOURZ to offer agent familiarization trips to Jordan and South India. For the Jordan fam, CITC is teaming up with NARAT for a trip that runs from Sept. 10 to Sept. 17, 2012 and which starts in Amman before heading to Jerash, Mount Nebo, Madaba, Petra, Aqaba, the Dead Sea and an overnight stay at the Bedouin Desert Camp at Wadi Rum. The cost of the land portion of the fam is CDN$897 based on twin share. CITC members enjoy a $50 reduction from the land fees. Direct airfare from Montreal is available at CDN$420 CAD plus $491 tax A limited number of...

By Bob Mowat

May 4, 2012

Travel Law 2012: Hiring & Firing

While hiring employees is a big decision, letting them go can be an even more daunting task. And there are legal aspects in both situations that shouldn't be overlooked. Join Toronto-based lawyer, Tim Law of Heifetz, Crozier, Law, on Thursday, May 10 at 1pm EST as he shares his insights into the legal aspects of hiring and firing staff in the second instalment of the Travel Law Webinar Series, How To Hire And How To Fire: A Lawyer's Look At The "Dos & Don'ts."As a Toronto-based lawyer, Law has seen enough employment cases to know that there are ways in which an employee should and shouldn't...

By Bob Mowat

May 4, 2012

Take a Roman Holiday with Tauck

Tauck has launched its Europe program, rolling out over 50 all-inclusive itineraries, with a highlight of the program being the return of the tour company's exclusive "Roman Holiday" event, along with the addition of a new 10-day itinerary in Sicily and a new 12-day exploration of Turkey. Tauck CEO Dan Mahar observed: "Europe is our most popular destination and we're excited to offer our guests and agents an incredible range of experiences to choose from. From our classic land journeys to river and small ship cruises and from our active, small-group "Culturious" trips to our Tauck Bridges...

By TravelPress Staff

May 3, 2012

ALBATours puts Italy on sale

ALBATours is offering fully escorted tours and air packages to Italy from $1,299 plus tax as part of its limited time "Super Springtime Selloff"promotion. The offer is valid on new bookings made by May 14. Departing from Toronto aboard Alitalia to 17 destinations in Italy, sales available include: Italy South, seven nights, departing June 16 and June 23, $1,299 p.p., plus tax; Artistic Italy, seven nights, departing May 19, $1,499 p.p., plus tax; Best of Italy, nine nights, departing May 19, $1,699 p.p., plus tax; and Dolce Vita in Tuscany - Specialty Tour, eight nights, departing May 24,...