3 minute read
Destination Canada
Hearts glow fonder for Canada in 2022
I AM delighted to be writing my fi rst-ever column for Selling Canada! Produced by our UK team, we think the publication will really resonate with the Australian market.
Never has the phrase ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ seemed more appropriate, and the past two years have certainly made my heart grow fonder for Canada.
Make sure you’re fully up to date with the latest requirements for entry via the o cial government site at travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/ travel-restrictions/exemptions.
Our new Canada Specialist Program (CSP) is now live at canadaspecialist.com.au. We have brought this program bang up to date to support agents selling Canada. Find out more about the CSP and its benefi ts on pages 6 and 7.
I cannot wait to return to Canada with some FAM trips later this year, and to give agents the chance to experience Canada’s open spaces and epic adventures.
We’ve brought you this bumper issue of Selling Canada, together with all our industry partners, and hope the following pages will inspire you to ‘Think Canada’ and also help inspire your clients to book Canada in 2022 and beyond!
Nathan McLoughlin, Account Director – Trade, Australia, Destination Canada GSA
DC update
NEWS FROM DESTINATION CANADA AUSTRALIA
Agent famils, road shows – and more
AS we all adapt to a ‘new normal’ we’re excited to see the return of the exceptional perks that make the Canada Specialist Program so popular.
Travel agent famils are at the top of our list and we plan to host multiple famils to diverse destinations across Canada in all seasons.
Our pre-COVID agent famil program included phenomenal small group journeys, from British Columbia to Ontario and everywhere in between.
Our renowned ‘Mega-Fams’ facilitated larger numbers of agents split into small groups to explore various destinations, culminating with a meet-up in Vancouver where they shared their stories and adventures.
From skiing the powder snow of Alberta to witnessing the iconic Niagara Falls, our travel agent famils are much sought after. For your chance to be part of the 2022 journeys, simply sign up to the new CSP platform and complete the training modules in your own time.
Famil announcements will be made via the CSP newsletters and private Facebook page.
We will also resume inperson training events and agent roadshows in 2022, in partnership with our key travel wholesalers.
Our virtual program will continue, including CSP Webinars, More To Explore eDMs and monthly newsletters.
As a Canada Specialist Agent, you gain access to our CSP Facebook group, where you can network, view exclusive content and share selling tips for Canada. keepexploring.com.au
RVC+ live in Toronto in 2022
CANADA’S premier travel trade show, Rendez-Vous Canada, will be a hybrid live/virtual event when it takes place in Toronto from May 24-27,
Hosted by Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, RVC+ 2022 will build on the successful virtual-only show in 2021. Toronto was also the host of the last live RVC, in May 2019.
Visitors need eTA for Canada
AGENTS are reminded that all Australian visitors to Canada who arrive by air must be in possession of an Electronic Travel Authority (eTA) – which should be obtained before the purchase of air tickets.
An eTa usually takes around three days to approve.
Apply online at Canada.ca/ eTa. Any website charging more than C$7 is not an offi cial government site.
eTa: what you need to know
• An eTA costs C$7 (£4.15). • An eTA is valid for five years or until the passport expires, whichever is first. • With an eTA travellers can fly to Canada several times without reapplying as long as their eTA and passport remain valid. • The online application form requires a credit card and an email address. • Travellers can only apply for one person at a time. For example, for a family of three they would need to complete and submit the form three times.
