3 minute read
Destination Canada
Hearts glow fonder for Canada in 2022
IT’S great to be ‘back’ writing this column for Selling Canada! It has been a tough time for all concerned but we are delighted that Canada is now open for doublevaccinated Brits to travel to this fall and winter.
Never has the phrase ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ seemed more appropriate and the past 20 months or so has certainly made my heart grow fonder for Canada. Be 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 all-singing alldancing Canada Specialist Programme (CSP) is now live at canadaspecialist.co.uk. We are delighted to bring this programme 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 with some FAM trips next year, and to get agents out to experience Canada’s open spaces and epic adventures.
We’ve brought you a 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!
Adam Hanmer, Manager, Travel Trade, Destination Canada
DC update
NEWS FROM DESTINATION CANADA
Virtual expo to ‘fast track’ expert agents
DESTINATION Canada and its key industry partners, including airlines, destinations, trains, Parks Canada and Indigenous Tourism, will join forces on November 23 to host a virtual ‘fast track’ event for agents.
Called Canada Specialist Virtual Xpo, the event will also see the launch of the tourism board’s refreshed Canada Specialist Program (CSP).
Running from 14.00 to 19.00, the interactive format will off er agents the chance to win some great prizes. The fl exible hours concept of the ‘on demand’ event is designed to allow agents to fi t it in around their working schedule – that is, they can drop in at any point over the fi ve hours it will be running.
“We hope that travel agents will take this opportunity to refresh or update their knowledge if they know Canada well, or feel inspired to sign up and learn more if they don’t,” said Adam Hanmer, Travel Trade Manager, Destination Canada UK.
“Agents who join us on the day will be able to fi nd answers to all their burning questions to help clinch that sale. Sign up at: canadaspecialistxpo.com
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 next spring.
Running from May 2327, RVC+ 2022, hosted by Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, will build on the successful virtual-only show in 2021. Toronto was also the host of the last live RVC, in 2019. Said a spokesperson: “RVC+ 2022 will be an exciting opportunity to welcome international buyers back to Canada and showcase the beauty of this country, as well as the truly meaningful travel experiences on off er across each province and territory.
“We will be encouraging all provinces and territories to host pre- and post-FAMs for our international buyers.”
Visitors need eTA for Canada
AGENTS are reminded that all British 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.
