More Canadians are visiting Australia than ever, and Tourism Australia touched down in Toronto last week to say thank you. Karen Fitzgerald, General Manager, Experiences, Tourism Australia, said the downtown meeting was an opportunity to connect with Canadian travel advisors and to make sure they’re aware of the country’s luxury travel experiences. Fitzgerald took time to introduce agents and Aussie specialists to the Signature Experiences of Australia program, a Tourism Australia initiative with seven marketing collectives that offer unique experiences for the luxury traveller. Together the seven marketing collectives represent 176 operators across Australia and offer more 800 experiences. Australian Read more
travel agents
A prominent travel agents’ group says WestJet customers should be fully reimbursed for any losses they suffered as a result of the WestJet mechanics strike. It says travel advisors who had to work to rebook clients should be compensated. The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies today (July 2) issued a press release saying WestJet “should take full responsibility” for the strike. “ACTA is deeply concerned about the impact of the recent WestJet disruptions on travellers, travel agencies, and travel advisors,” the group said. “While we’re relieved the strike has concluded, we recognize the significant challenges it has created. “We’ve heard Read more
Despite the financial challenges posed by inflation and high gas prices, a significant majority of Canadians remain determined to embark on road trips this summer. Conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum, the 2023 edition of the annual Toyota Canada Summer Road Trip Survey found 74% of those polled are still planning a road trip, but fuel efficiency and other ways to cut costs are very much top of mind this year. Cost-cutting and affordability are top of mind Of those who are planning a road trip this summer, 43% say rising gas prices have impacted their plans. And, Read more
After months and months of travel discontent across Canada, the Canadian government today said it will spend $1.8 billion over five years to improve airport operations and passenger screening, and to address a backlog of airline complaints to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). Canadian Press reports the Trudeau government also is “proposing to strengthen the rules around compensation for Canadians whose travel plans are disrupted, and to give the CTA more authority to resolve passenger complaints.” That will no doubt play well with consumers who were angered by flight delays and cancellations over the Christmas holidays, but probably not with Read more
The number of air passenger complaints to Canada’s transport regulator has more than tripled over the past year, soaring past 42,000 as of this month, Canadian Press reports. Complaints totalled about 13,400 as of March 31, 2022, before skyrocketing to unprecedented highs in the ensuing 12 months, according to Canadian Transportation Agency reports. They hit 36,000 in late January, and rose by another 17 per cent since then. Ottawa recently announced $75.9 million in new funding to help deal with the backlog. Canadian Press reports another $11 million was given to the CTA last year, and that the number of Read more
