Trafalgar takes it up a notch

IAN STALKER

Trafalgar has announced an arrangement with Air Canada Vacations on vacation options that will truly be uplifting for clients flying to Europe.
Trafalgar president Wolf Paunic told a recent Toronto gathering that 16 Trafalgar Europe itineraries will be found in an Air Canada Vacations’ 2018 brochure, with Air Canada Vacations providing the air travel to and from Europe, and other “perks,” while Trafalgar will provide the actual land programs.
The “seamless” packages will be “bundled,” providing all aspects of the vacation, he added.
Paunic said Trafalgar stands to gain a huge amount of publicity, with among other things its brochures being placed in Air Canada lounges.
“It’s really expanding the playing field tenfold,” he said. “We feel that this is a match that couldn’t be better arranged… We’re supremely excited to be working with Air Canada Vacations.”
The program was 18 months in the making.
Paunic is leaving the door open to Trafalgar and Air Canada Vacations working together on vacation programs outside Europe.
The arrangement was praised by Tony Celio, Air Canada’s manager, specialty sales.
“Trafalgar has been a great partner of Air Canada,” he said. “To have Air Canada Vacations involved solidifies that partnership.
“It’s really great to have it come to fruition after months of hard work from both sides.”
Meanwhile, Paunic also reported that Trafalgar has a new agent-dedicated website and a new and improved booking engine.
Paunic also said Tra-falgar is offering agents the Trafalgar Learning Academy that uses e-learning to familiarize agents with the tour operator. “This year we’re investing a lot in education…
“Trafalgar guided vacations have evolved to such an extent that we really need to reacquaint the agent with what kind of experiences we offer,” Paunic said.
The tour operator has added tours in different European countries, among them Norway and Spain.
Italy is a “super hot” destination, Paunic continued.
Meanwhile, Paunic suggested that Hawaii will be a “huge seller” as many seek an alternative to the Caribbean because of hurricane concerns.