MONTREAL CELEBRATING AGENT DAY, MAY 4 - Latin America - TravelPress
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TRAVELAGENTS
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CELEBRATI
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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 includes a 3-night/4-day stay at an on-site hotel at Universal Orlando, plus admission tickets to both Universal Studios Florida® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme parks. To be entered in the contest, please answer the following question correctly and insert information below: What is the name of the thrilling new ride coming to Universal’s Islands of Adventure® in Summer 2016? ANSWER NAME AGENCY ADDRESS TELEPHONE EMAIL IATA # Are you registered with www.UniversalTravelAgents.com? YES NO Sponsor: Travel Courier. Please fax responses to 416-968-2377, or visit 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 7, 2016 – May 20, 2016. Does not include air and ground transportation. Limit of one entry per travel agent. HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s16) All the tickets are valid during normal operating hours only. 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 blockout periods during which hotel stay is not available. These periods include all Saturday night stays and March 18 – April 2, 2016; June 5 – August 20, 2016; November 23 – November 26, 2016; December 25, 2016 – January 7, 2017; April 7 – April 22, 2017; with additional blockout dates for 2017 to be determined by Universal Orlando at a later date. © 2016 MARVEL. Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2016 UCF Hotel Venture III. All Rights Reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2016 Universal Studios. © 2016 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. 1615349/JL
CONTENTS Noteworthy
REGULAR FEATURES
10 cover story
A visit to Montreal is a laughing matter…
We look at what’s ahead in this funny,
engaging city…
14 fams
upcoming educational trips for the trade
WestJet Vacations releases
biggest book ever
DESTINATIONS & FEATURES W estJet Vacations released its largest-ever print brochure
this week. With over 324 pages, the 2016/17 edition
includes more than 450 hotel descriptions, destination over-
views, destination maps featuring hotel locations, and more.
9 latin america “WestJet strives to be easy to do business with, and
thanks to the valuable feedback from our travel agent
partners, we have created a selling tool that does just that,”
12 rooms says Jane Clementino, WestJet Director of Agency Sales.
The brochure is double the size of the previous year’s
and includes hotel descriptions for the first time since
13 pix of the trade 2012. Other features include:
An overview of more than 55 destinations in the
14 incentives Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico,
and the United States
Hotels at-a-glance section;
DEPARTMENTS
Flights at-a-glance section;
Destination maps featuring hotel locations; and,
15 careers
Theme pages for specific types of vacations including
professional services
family, luxury, adults-only and group vacations.
business opportunities
The brochure can be viewed in digital format at westjet.
com/digitalbrochure, and ordered online at envoynetworks.
ca. The French version of the brochure will be available in
the coming weeks. tc
The Airline Ticket Centre SM
a company
may 12, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 3
MEET ‘THE KING OF TRAVEL AGENTS’
Derek Winsor is Trafalgar’s ‘Agent of the Year’
michael baginski
It started with a call to Ken Nickerson, Trafalgar’s
sales manager for Atlantic Canada. St. John’s, Nfld.
TPI travel counsellor Derek Winsor wanted to put
together a group of 800 for a First World War site
tour of Europe centred on the July 1, 2016, 100th
anniversary of the battle of Beaumont-Hamel
in France.
When the mammoth request – initially requiring 18
coaches – reached the ears of Trafalgar’s president in Canada,
Wolf Paunic, he thought, “Is he [Winsor] okay, or have I hit the
motherlode?”
Paunic and Winsor can laugh about it now as three years of Trafalgar Canada president Wolf Paunic (r) honours TPI’s Derek
planning is set to come to fruition. In the end, the guest count Winsor as the tour company’s Agent of the Year in 2016.
is approximately 150, but there are more spin-off tours to come
in the future, and the process was still labourious enough to “Derek is the king of travel agents this year,” declared Paunic,
inspire Trafalgar to name Winsor as its first-ever “travel agent praising his “meticulous research” and attention to detail in
of the year” – an inaugural award in 2016, but destined to the tour, such as organizing special wreaths that tour par-
become an annual honorific. ticipants will be able to lay on monuments, as well as a “real
Winsor was feted as part of Trafalgar’s first annual Travel Newfoundland kitchen party in France” as a tour highlight.
Agent Day celebrations on May 4 – similarly set to become “I have to commend him,” Paunic told Travel Courier. “He’s
a yearly event (in rotating cities across the country) – which a very good and active businessman… and he generated a
included a reception for key Trafalgar partners at a downtown fantastic result.”
bistro in Toronto. But beyond the business, Paunic says he was enamoured
The TPI agent was presented with the “Big T” trophy, sym- by the spirit of the endeavour. “It motivated the community,”
bolizing the tour company, its parent corporation (The Travel he said of the tour, which commemorates an event that still
Corporation), and its owners, the Tollman family. continued on page 6
TRAVEL Vol.51 No.19 www.travelcourier.ca
COURIER ®
FOUNDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE V.P. OPERATIONS
W.H. Baxter, 1919-2004 Edith Baxter, ebaxter@baxter.net David McClung, dmcclung@baxter.net Wendy McClung, wmcclung@baxter.net
Bob Mowat, Executive Editor bobmowat@baxter.net SALES & MARKETING: Florida – North: Gillian Harper GHTourismSolutions@gmail.com
Michael Baginski, Editor/Publisher baginski@baxter.net Earl Lince, Director of International Marketing elince@baxter.net Hawaii: Laurie Doerschlen MdLinks@aol.com
Greg D. Coates, Assistant Editor gcoates@baxter.net Rodney Tugwell, Sales Manager rtugwell@baxter.net Central & South America: Lillian Martinez twtrm@earthlink.net
Mike Dunbar, Quebec Editor mdunbar@total.net Mitchell McClung, Account Executive mmcclung@baxter.net Mexico: Paloma Martinez pmartinez@towmar.com.mx
Ted Davis, Western Editor teddavis@baxter.net
Ian Stalker, Staff Writer istalker@baxter.net REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES: PRODUCTION:
Ann Ruppenstein, Staff Writer aruppenstein@baxter.net Western Canada: Terry Ohman ohman@baxter.net Johnny Koo, Art Director johnkoo@baxter.net
Emily McClung, Audience/Prd. Development Mgr. emcclung@baxter.net Alberta: Greg Ohman greg.ohman@baxter.net Wayne Labourn, Production Manager wlabourn@baxter.net
Quebec & Atlantic Canada: Rodney Tugwell rtugwell@baxter.net Sharron Taylor, Adv. Material Coordinator staylor@baxter.net
Dee Ristic, Circulation dristic@baxter.net USA: Earl Lince elince@baxter.net Dragana Lekovic-Lucic, Senior Design Manager
Daniel McDonald, Classifieds daniel@baxter.net Florida – South: Dino Torres t_dino@bellsouth.net Wayne McDonald, Michael Mouatt, Production Artists
TRAVEL COURIER is published weekly by Baxter Travel Media at 310 Dupont St., Toronto, Ont., Canada M5R 1V9 Tel.: 416-968-7252, We acknowledge the support of
Fax: 416-968-2377. Single price per copy $2.00 (plus applicable taxes). Subscription Rates: Canada - $60 per year(plus applicable the Government of Canada
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: circ@baxter.net. PRINTED IN CANADA Copyright 2016.
4 travelcourier.ca | may 12, 2016
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NEWS
continued from page 4
touches Newfoundlanders (a special
regiment from the island under British AGENT SPECIAL FOR SUNWING GROUPS GUIDE
command was put together for the TRAVEL AGENT DAY IS GOOD TO GO
battle, in which 736 of 801 soldiers were
killed or wounded in the initial assault). Travel Agent Appreciation Day (the Sunwing reports that the latest edition of
To that end, Trafalgar is also spon- first Wednesday of May) is getting the Sunwing Groups Guide is now available.
soring two students from Memorial bigger every year. In fact, many suppli- The updated guide features hotel infor-
University of Newfoundland to accom- ers are professing their love for travel mation important to the group traveller, a
pany the trip. And Paunic himself will retailers by offering special perks for Sunwing Airlines flying summary, travel
attend. the entire month of May. Here are just agent incentives plus exclusive offers for
“[This trip] has a larger scope, where a few: destination weddings, family and friends,
we as an industry, and Trafalgar, can special interest, meeting and incentive
COLLETTE… is celebrating its agents
give back to the community,” says groups. To celebrate the launch of the
partners by giving them a chance
Paunic. guide, agents have a chance to win a million
to win a free spot for two on British
For Winsor, the 10-day tour, which is STAR Agent Reward points with the new
Landscapes fam trip. Every booking
supported by Veterans Affairs Canada, “STARmillionaire” promotion. Through
made in May gives agents a chance
is a labour of love, having lost family June 28, when an agent books a group of
to win. The 10-day trip, Nov. 17–26,
members in the battle. 10 adults or more with either Sunwing
features two nights in London, one
“It’s an important part of or Signature Vacations, with departures
night in York, two nights in Edinburgh,
Newfoundland history,” he says. “It between Nov. 1 and Oct. 31, 2017, they will
one night in Ruthin, and two nights in
took a generation out of Newfoundland. be entered into a draw to win a million
Stratford-Upon-Avon. The free fam is
Families were devastated.” STAR points that can be converted to
land only; travel agent and companion
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment cash, a value of $1,800. The winner will be
will be responsible for own air.
that took part in the battle, which was selected by a random draw on July 8.
(www.gocollette.com)
part of the better-known Battle of As well as being distributed through-
Somme, is still remembered on July 1
WESTJET… The Hooray for TAs out travel agencies, an online version of
Memorial Day in the province. contest takes place all month with the Groups Guide can be found at:
Though the tour participants come eligible agents invited to submit their → www.sunwingagents.ca
from across Canada, “they are all WestJet flight and WestJet Vacations
Newfoundlanders,” says Winsor. “It will bookings or correctly answer
be a very emotional time.” WestJet-themed trivia questions for a ACTA ONTARIO HITS
It’s the biggest group the TPI agent chance to win one of 30 prizes. Prizes LINKS ON JULY 7
has ever done. And celebrating that include 10 WestJet Vacations pack-
achievement on Travel Agent Day was a ages and 20 round-trip airfares for This year the 28th ACTA Ontario Golf
natural extension of Trafalgar’s support two. Plus, fare bookings or bookings Tournament will be held on Thursday,
for the project, said Paunic, who was that include advance seat selection July 7 at the Royal Ontario Golf Club in
also quick to recognize all travel agents. will provide agents with an even Milton. The title sponsor for this event is
“We understand how hard your work greater chance to win. Agents are the Air Canada group of companies (Air
is and we appreciate it. We want our encouraged to visit www.westjetagent Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada
partners to know that we are their big- contests.com for full contest details Vacations and Air Canada Cargo). “These
gest cheerleaders.” and registration. Other initiatives events create an opportunity for Air
And to that end, the tour company will be rolled out throughout the Canada to engage with our travel trade
has unveiled a May promotion as part of month. (www.westjettravelagents.com) media, travel agency, travel management
its “Trafalgar Loves Agents” campaign: tourism boards and online or offline
CLUB MED… The “Thank you à la
any Trafalgar or CostSaver booking dur- partners,” says Duncan Bureau, the air-
Club Med” campaign gives agents a
ing the month earns agents a $25 HBC line’s VP of Global Sales. “Co-sponsoring
chance to escape every week and the
gift card per passenger booked. this event with ACTA enforces our overall
rules are simple: G.Os hide objects
There are also consumer deals avail- strategic relationship with ACTA and
in videos and travel agents must find
able including $300 per passenger off their membership base.”
them. Each week, a new video is pub-
Delta airfare on Italy bookings during The cost for this event is $175 for
lished, giving a new chance to win.
the month of May, and up to $618 off per golfers and includes golf cart, BBQ lunch,
couple (40% off) on autumn, winter and To find out more, go to www.facebook. dinner and wonderful prizes! Dinner only
spring bookings made by Aug. 25. com/agents.clubmed. guests are welcome at a cost of $80 p.p.
→ www.trafalgar.com tc → www.clubmedagents.ca → www.acta.ca
6 travelcourier.ca | may 12, 2016
Better Views Are
JUST THE BEGINNING.
The Suite Ships® of Avalon have revolutionized the river cruise industry.
Every aspect of these spectacular ships has been designed to deliver an
extraordinary experience. Our spacious, innovative Panorama SuitesSM are
some of the biggest in river cruising, featuring giant wall-to-wall windows
that open to spectacular views. We created unique Open-Air Balconies® that
don’t compromise interior room space. And once travellers leave their room,
they will find the same attention to details everywhere else onboard. And
they’ll find fewer people. Which means more space everywhere they go.
Book Now &
Save up
to
15% ON 2017 AVALON WATERWAYS
RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS.*
*For full terms & conditions, please visit Agentlingo.ca. TICO#1893755/50015835
WWW.AGENTLINGO.CA | RESERVATIONS: 800.268.1639
INSIDE SALES: 888.268.1928 | CANADIANGROUPS@GLOBUSFAMILY.CA
NEWS click here
for digital extras
VIA RAIL, DISCOUNT EXPAND PARTNERSHIP DHTOUR CUTS EUROPE
PRICES FOR MAY BOOKINGS
VIA Rail Canada and Discount Car & connected to a live Discount agent
Truck Rentals, an official rental car who is trained to guide them through A strengthening Canadian dollar has
partner of VIA, will soon be providing a fast and easy rental process. The live prompted DHTour to reduce prices
even more of VIA’s customers with interactive video link lets the customer on many of its England, Scotland
a seamless travel connection option and agent confirm the rental agree- and Ireland tours by 10%. The 10%
when they arrive at the train station. ment details, mobilizes the car using a discount is in place for all bookings
QuickCar white-blue-and-green branded smartphone and gets the customer on made through May 31 for travel from
rental kiosks will be installed at high- the road. Once the rental is processed, June 1, and will be reviewed on June
traffic VIA stations across the country. customers quickly receive an email 1. If the Canadian dollar remains
Six new locations are being added to with instructions on how to access the strong, officials say pricing will be
those already in operation in Ottawa, rental vehicle from VIA Rail’s parking locked in for the balance of 2016.
Fallowfield, Kingston and London, lot. Discount’s new system also allows In addition, DHTour has reduced
bringing the total to 10. customers to return the rental vehicle pricing on all FIT product such as
smartphone app using their smartphone or at the kiosk London Oyster/Travel Cards, day
Each kiosk is equipped with a any time they choose – 24 hours a day, tours and hotel packages in all UK
credit card reader and driver’s licence seven days a week. and European cities. All-new pricing
scanner. Once customers initiate the → www.discountcar.com can be found at:
vehicle rental process, they are quickly → www.viarail.ca → www.dhgrouptours.com
AIR
WESTJET
WestJet has launched non-stop
service between six Canadian
cities – Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto,
Edmonton, Winnipeg, and St. John’s
– and London Gatwick. The airline
will fly a total of 56 weekly flights
in both directions, including the
only non-stop transatlantic service
available from Winnipeg. With the
exception of flights from St. John’s, Air Canada and Hamilton International Airport hosted a group of
which will operate on one of the air- travel agents May 4 at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport
line’s Boeing Next-Generation 737s, to celebrate the launch of new non-stop service between Hamilton
all London flights will be operated and Montreal. The double-daily service begins on May 24. Pictured at
by one of WestJet’s four 767-300 the event in Hamilton are Steve Goodfellow, director of sales – East-
extended-range aircraft. ern Canada, Air Canada; Tracey Bellamy, director, Global Accounts,
→ www.westjet.com Air Canada; Christine McKay, travel consultant, TravelPath; JoAnne
Patterson, leisure and national groups manager, Vision Travel Solu-
tions, Ancaster; and Mike “Pinball” Clemons.
8 travelcourier.ca | may 12, 2016
DESTINATION | LATIN AMERICA click here
for digital extras
LEARN TO COOK AMAZING AMAZON DISHES ON CRUISE
Rainforest Cruises is offering new
gourmet cooking cruises in the Peruvian
Amazon with Peruvian chef Pedro
Miguel Schiaffino of Malabar and Amaz
PUNTA CANA READY restaurants. Considered one of Peru’s
FOR WEDDINGS culinary pioneers, Schiaffino specializes
in ingredients from the Amazon region.
RIU says its new Riu Republica The Aqua Amazon Cruise luxury river-
Hotel, in Punta Cana, Dominican boat can accommodate 24 guests plus
Republic, is “perfect for all types of crew, which makes for an intimate experience. Activities include chef-guided market
weddings.” Located on Arena Gorda visits and cooking classes with Schiaffino, where guests will learn various techniques
Beach, the five-star resort is the first and flavours of the jungle and can expect to cook with exotic fruits, vegetables and
adults-only property in its Classic spices. Schiaffino is joining just three cruises in 2016, including a four-day cruise
line, and features a 24-hour all-inclu- departing Nov. 26, and a five-day cruise departing Nov. 29.
sive program, all five RIU wedding →w ww.rainforestcruises.com
packages and exclusive added values.
Hotel highlights include free WiFi
in all areas, including guest rooms;
premium liquors throughout the AIR CANADA TEAMS UP BAJA GRAND VELAS
hotel; concierge service in the lobby; WITH AVIANCA BRAZIL TO OPEN IN NOVEMBER
special wine list and romantic din-
ners on the beach (extra charge). Star Alliance partners Air Canada and Mexico’s Velas Resorts has announced
wedding package Avianca Brazil have implemented the that the US$150-million Grand Velas Los
Meanwhile, Riu Hotels & Resorts’ first stage of a codeshare agreement. Cabos will open on the Baja Peninsula in
new Indulgence Wedding Package is Initially, Air Canada will sell, in all of November. The resort is the fifth prop-
available for couples and 18 guests at its channels, tickets for flights operated erty of the family-owned and -operated
the company’s adults-only properties. by Avianca Brazil under the AC code, company. The beachfront property will
It can be booked this year for 2017 or significantly expanding its distribution have a staff ratio of three to one and will
later, and new added values include in the local Brazilian market. have enhanced signature facilities and
a rehearsal cocktail the night before The agreement includes flights services of Grand Velas resorts, includ-
the wedding; a romantic dinner for to and from Brasília, Curitiba, ing duplex wellness suites with juice
the couple; Mr. and Mrs. slippers; and Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, bars, wine-based features inspired by
a framed picture. New spa services Recife, Rio de Janeiro (Antonio Carlos the proximity to the region producing
include aromatherapy, moisture facial, Jobim-Galeao airport), Salvador and Mexico’s fine wines, and ocean views
exfoliation, massage and spa pedicure, São Paulo (Guarulhos airport). Air and unique spaces infusing every area of
all for the couple, and a manicure for Canada customers will have the the resort. Located between Cabo San
the bride or groom. benefit of boarding through direct Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, the resort
→ www.riu.com connections, checking in only once will feature 306 oceanview suites, all
and dispatching baggage to the final over 1,180 sq. ft. with private terraces and
destination. personal plunge pools. .
→ www.aircanada.com → www.velasresorts.com
,JXDVVX)DOOV%XHQRV$LUHV 5LR
GD\V
Air from Toronto with Air Canada, 8 nights accommodation, transfers,
Buenos Aires and Rio City tour, visit to both Brazil and Argentinian
side of Iguassu Falls, some meals.
K^jn^lmhnkMkZo^eIeZgg^k Call 888 469 2955 or visit www.goway.com
*Per person, twin. Subject to availability. Taxes included. Other gateways available. TICO#1543989. 3284 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON.
may 12, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 9
COVER STORY | MONTREAL
Montreal in 2017:
BORING STORY BY IAN STALKER
PEOPLE MONTREAL’S NEXT MAJOR MILE-
STONE IS A LAUGHING MATTER.
NEED
And the man who has been chosen as the ambas-
sador for the city’s 375th anniversary celebrations in
2017 is certainly in a position to know.
Gilbert Rozon, who also is the founder of
NOT
Montreal’s long-running Just for Laughs comedy
festival, told Rendez-vous Canada 2016 delegates
recently that Montreal “is the funniest city in the
world” and a “place where people like to party,” and
VISIT!
that will be particularly evident in 2017.
“Any excuse is good to celebrate [in Montreal]...
If you’re serious, if you’re boring, don’t come
to Montreal in 2017,” he joked to the Montreal
audience.
Rozon promised the audience that Montreal will
“have tons of things” next year, with celebration
organizers “going to offer you over 200 shows all
over the city.” Festivities actually get underway in
December of this year.
Events will include the energetic outdoor winter
party Igloofest; March’s world premiere of the
opera version of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the
Wall; winter’s World Junior Hockey Championship;
October’s World Artistic Gymnastic Championships;
and May will see celebrations in the Old Port com-
memorating the founding of Montreal.
Food tastings; concerts; museum exhibits, one
revolving around Montreal native Leonard Cohen;
and neighbourhood tours are also in the works.
Because celebrations begin this December, festiv-
ities will actually span 375 days.
Rozon said summer will see the closure of some
downtown Montreal roads, freeing up streets for
the celebrations, creating what Rozon said will be a
“carnival atmosphere.”
The lively nature of the plans prompted Yves
photo courtesy CANADIAN TOURISM COMMISSION
Lalumiere of Tourisme Montreal to tell Rendez-vous
delegates on that show’s April 27 closing day that
Montreal “will be on Red Bull all of next year.”
Lalumiere’s Tourisme Montreal colleague Hugo
Leclerc told Canadian Travel Press that “Montreal
has always been a city that loves to party. Imagine
how it’s going to look when we actually try to make
a party?”
More information on the upcoming celebrations
can be found at www.375mtl.com.
10 travelcourier.ca | may 12, 2016MONTREAL GETS A
BOOST FROM CULTURE
There’s no doubt about it – culture is a driving force for
Montreal’s tourism industry.
A new study, conducted for Tourisme Montreal, makes
it abundantly clear that culture is one of the main pillars
supporting the city’s tourism industry and a key com-
ponent of the city’s identity as an international-calibre
cultural destination.
In fact, some 2.3 million culture-seekers visit the city
every year, accounting for 26% of all tourists who come to
photo courtesy ANDREW MILLER
Montréal.
The study found that culture is “essential” to tourism,
representing 6% of Greater Montréal’s GDP for a total of
nearly 131,000 direct and indirect jobs and annual eco-
nomic spin-offs of $10.7 billion.
Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme
Montréal, observed: “Culture is already at the heart of
Montréal’s identity, personality and history. It is a key
driver of the city’s development, economic vitality and
future prosperity. That’s why we strive to maintain and
stimulate synergies between the tourism and culture
sectors. The idea is to promote the creation of innovative
and appealing projects that will take our tourism product
photo courtesy FRÉDÉRIQUE MÉNARD-AUBIN
photo courtesy PARTENARIAT DU QUARTIER
to the next level.”
And Montreal’s mayor, Denis Coderre pointed out that:
“Montréal’s cultural scene makes an incredible contribu-
tion to the city’s reputation. The City of Montréal actively
supports arts and culture through various initiatives, such
as increasing funding to the Conseil des arts de Montréal.”
He continued: “Tourisme Montréal is the custodian of
DES SPECTACLES
the relationship between the tourism and cultural sectors,
two key pillars of Montréal’s ecosystem that, together,
further enhance the city’s renown. In fact, the economic
benefits of the tourism-culture connection are both sig-
nificant and growing.”
As for attendance at cultural activities, traffic to
festivals alone amounts to more than 7.5 million admis-
sions; while museums recorded 7 million admissions, with
tourists accounting for 49% of museum patrons across the
province; and the number of entries at other attractions
reaches 9 million.
In its examination of both the direct and indirect
impact that culture has on Montréal’s tourism economy,
the study found that on an annual basis, cultural tourism
photo courtesy QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES
brings in $333 million for local hotels; $341 million for the
food and beverage industry; and $149 million for shops
and boutiques. Tourists who come to Montréal are 95%
satisfied with the cultural activities offered.
According to the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), cultural tourism
is one of the fastest-growing tourism markets worldwide.
www.mtl.org
may12, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 11ROOMS click here
for digital extras
capital city, Belgrade. The
242-room hotel will be
in a prime location in
Belgrade’s historic Old
Town. The new-build
HILTON WORLDWIDE seven-storey Hilton
Belgrade will be close
Hilton Worldwide plans to enter to sights such as Square
Serbia with the signing of a manage- Slavija, St. Mark’s Church,
ment agreement that paves the the National Museum, Republic Square, is slated to open in 2018.
way for a Hilton hotel in Serbia’s and the National Theatre. The property →w ww.hilton.com
HOTEL LE CRYSTAL, MONTREAL likes of an indoor salt-water swimming pool, saunas,
outdoor whirlpool, fitness centre, and a spa. The hotel’s
Sabine Hacker says her Montreal hotel is in a perfect bistro La Couple has placed an emphasis on Quebec cuisine,
neighbourhood – a stone’s throw from the Bell Centre, which Hacker says has it working closely with local pro-
home of the Montreal Canadiens, and also near the ducers. Hacker noted the hotel saw renovations in 2014,
city’s premier shopping and nightlife options, such as including changes to its lobby and suites. “It’s eight years
Crescent Street. Hotel Le Crystal has received a five-star young and we’re trying to keep it young,” she says. “We like
rating by Accommodation Quebec and says its 131 suites to say it’s chic – tres Montréal.”
are among the city’s most spacious. Visitors will find the →w ww.hotellecrystal.com
TOURING
Returning favourites include exped- designer of the Bluenose. Days aboard
itions of the Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Passing Cloud are filled with beach
the Great Bear Rainforest, Pacific walks, island explorations, wildlife
Rim National Park and Gulf Islands sightings, and cultural experiences.
National Park. Meals are influenced by what guests
schooner and crew encounter throughout the
OUTER SHORES Guests explore BC’s coast aboard day. Guests frequently dine outside
EXPEDITIONS the 70-foot wooden schooner Passing at the aft deck table, or inside around
Cloud. Built in Victoria in 1974, Passing the large dining table in Passing
British Columbia sailing operator Cloud was designed by William James Cloud’s main salon.
Outer Shores Expeditions has Roué, Canada’s first naval architect and →w ww.outershores.ca
begun its 2016 season with a six-
day/five-night expedition cruise of
Pacific Rim National Park. Russell GLOBUS, COSMOS gram (with an optional three-day
Markel, captain and founder, has Jordan extension) is particularly
designed two new itineraries to Globus and Cosmos are reminding popular with church groups, says
Outer Shores’ expedition collection agents that they continue to offer Stéphanie Bishop, managing director
this season, nine-day/eight-night faith-based travel, with the sister com- of the Globus family of brands. The
Canada’s Great Bear Sea, as well as panies’ program getting bigger every company will donate up to $1,000 to
Taste the Salish Sea, a three-day/two- year. This year Cosmos has expanded a group’s church as part of its Get Out
night weekend expedition focused its offerings to include a new Protestant & Give Back incentive.
on the region’s culinary delights. Classic Israel tour. The eight-day pro- →w ww.agentlingo.ca
12 travelcourier.ca | may 12, 2016click here
Pix of the trade for digital extras
MEET THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRAVEL To celebrate the winners of the 2016 Baxter Student Ambassador Program
(BSAP), Baxter Travel Media held a special reception on May 4 at the Chelsea Hotel Toronto. Now in its second year, the
program has grown to include Sheridan College, Ryerson University, Algonquin College, Confederation College and Mohawk
College, in addition to last year’s participant, Humber College. Along with individual grand prizes, all winners received an
eight-week internship at Sandals in St. Lucia. Bon voyage and congratulations to all winners!
Tom Griffin, assis-
tant professor, Ted
Rogers School of
Hospitality and
Tourism Manage-
ment at Ryerson
University, with
winner Aminah
Housermann of
Ryerson University,
and Wendy
McClung, VP,
operations and
BSAP program
director at
Baxter Travel
Sponsor Erin Oddleifson of Transat, with winner
Media.
Larissa Machulec of Humber College, and Kevin
Smith, program coordinator, tourism man-
agement, School of Hospitality, Recreation &
Tourism at Humber College.
Giannina
Veltri,
program
coordinator,
tourism –
travel and
eco-adventure
at Confeder-
ation College,
winner
Danielle
Murray with
sponsor
Brent
Bowes,
Andrea Dixon, professor, School of Hospitality Skål Toronto.
and Tourism, Algonquin College, winner Sara
Grainger and sponsor Maureen Barnes-Smith,
Sandals Resorts/Unique Vacations.
Sheridan
College
winner
Vanessa Teran,
with Anish
Bhandari, profes-
sor of tourism,
sponsor Dave
Cecco of WestJet
Vacations, and
Donna Black, Sponsor Emma Daisley of ACTA, with winner
professor, tourism Bryannah Day of Mohawk College, and
and travel, at Ashley Rochefort of Baxter Travel Media.
Sheridan College.
may 12, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 13FAMS click here
for digital extras
{Send Submissions to tc@baxter.net}
Eight tour operators
from Canada were
recently hosted by Visit-
Scotland at Expo 2016,
followed by a five-day
fam trip co-sponsored
ISRAEL, JORDAN (PETRA)
by the tourist board, Air
Jan. 17-26, 2017
Canada and Rail Europe.
Sunworld Tours is hosting a travel
Starting in Edinburgh,
agent fam to Israel and Jordan (Petra),
the fam called in Loch
Jan. 17-26, 2017. The cost for agents is
Lomond, Ayrshire, Isle of Arran and Glasgow. Highlights included a visit to
US$1,199 (companion rate, US$1,999)
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, taste testing at the only Malt Whisky
and includes return airfare out of
distillery on Arran and exploring Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park.
Toronto, hotel accommodations
Among those taking part were (back row, l-r) Jennifer Backus, Air Canada;
with breakfast and dinner daily,
Hayley Forson, VisitScotland; Nicky Cox, Goway Travel; Diane Ascenzi,
and guided sightseeing tour with
CIT Tours; Leigh-Ann Fevery, Ellison Travel & Tours; Anita Emilo, Trafalgar;
English-speaking guide. For further
Nadia Matwijiw, Active Journeys Inc.; (front row, l-r) Alasdair Northrop, Cale-
detail, contact Sunworld Tours at
donia Tours; Ian Cowan, Connection Tours; Conor Duffy, RIT Vacations;
1-800-461-6854 or 403-245-9181.
and Rares Dumitru, Rail Europe. (Missing: Kristin Eversen, Scotia Inspire.)
E-mail: sunworld@sunworldtours.com
→w ww.sunworldtours.com
INCENTIVES
GOWAY • If the group goes to Europe that’s
$200 when the group travels.
Goway Travel’s dedicated GroupsOnly • Book and deposit a group by
department has tripled its rewards March 31, 2017, and use it as a
incentive for travel agents and travel “wild card” stamp on your Goway
planners for any group booking of 10 or Passport.
more passengers. For more information, visit the
• Deposit on any new air/land group incentive page at www.GowayAgent.com.
and receive $100 on your card.
• Get another $100 on your card
when the group travels and double TRAVELBRANDS
your rewards.
To show its appreciation to travel
agents, TravelBrands is offering
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER world-renowned GoldLeaf Service 1% extra commission for all book-
– the crème de la crème of Rocky ings made through May 14 (retro-
Rocky Mountaineer is offering agents Mountaineer’s product offerings. There active to April 6) on all products
a chance to win a journey through are separate contests available to Eastern booked through TravelBrands.
the Rockies with its newly launched Canadian and Western Canadian agents. In addition, for all car rental book-
“Travel Agent Challenge.” Top per- Learn more about the contest details ings, agents will earn an extra
forming agents will be rewarded and prizes applicable to your region here: 3% commission.
from a selection of journeys rang- Western Canada – http://bit.ly/1TpacKK; →w ww.travelbrandsagent.com
ing in length and excursions. How- Eastern Canada – http://bit.ly/21A7ZCh.
ever, all winners will experience the →w ww.rockymountaineer.com
14 travelcourier.ca | may 12, 2016CAREERS | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
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,I\RXDUHLQWHUHVWHGLQDSSO\LQJIRUWKLVSRVLWLRQSOHDVHVHQG\RXUFRYHUOHWWHUDQGUHVXPH
Contact TXRWLQJWKHSRVLWLRQDSSOLHGIRULQWKHVXEMHFWOLQHWRFDUHHUV#6HOO2II9DFDWLRQVFRP
classifieds@baxter.net We would like to thank all who apply, however only those who meet the qualification will be contacted.
or 416-968-7252 SellOffVacations.com is an equal opportunity employer.
To advertise: classifieds@baxter.net may 12, 2016 | travelcourier.ca 15FOR FAMILIES BIG AND SMALL Hotel Bella Costa on Varadero Beach provides affordable accommodations, three specialty restaurants and a glistening pool just steps from the ocean. It caters especially to families with spacious, two-storey Family Suites for up to eight guests, free stays for two children under 13 sharing a room with their parents, and a Kids’ Club for ages four to 13.
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