G Adventures debuts new brand campaign: ‘Bring on the World’

TORONTO — G Adventures says its new brand campaign, ‘Bring on the World’, aims to inspire travellers to welcome ‘whatever their adventure happens to bring their way’, and at the same time highlight all the ‘unforgettable experiences, deep connections, and a world-changing ethos’ that G Adventures is known for.

The company describes ‘Bring on the World’ as ‘part rally cry, part love-letter to real travel’ and is live now, with a new anthem video.

The video is one of many tools travel advisors can use to market G Adventures’ trips to their clients. There’s also an agent tool kit with eye-catching, people-focused imagery from recent photoshoots in Morocco and Vietnam, plus other unique marketing assets, including social posts, window decals and consumer flyers.

David Green, managing director for Canada, says G Adventures will add more assets throughout the year as the campaign develops.

He says G Adventures is excited to introduce its ‘Bring on the World’ rally cry to the Canadian market

“Our new campaign is designed to inspire travellers to embrace all aspects of small-group travel, from messy food moments through to beautiful connections made with local communities and fellow travellers along the way. Travel is a privilege and we want to encourage agents and travellers to consciously celebrate all the small but memorable moments that happen during a trip,” says Green.

Meanwhile G Adventures’ director of brand and creative, Kyle Jordan, says the team wanted to showcase what makes real travel so impactful, with a strong call to action.

“We developed a manifesto for this creative concept that captures the mindset of real travellers. It’s a rally cry for people who love to travel like we do. Those who desire real experiences, connection, and meaning. It’s about everything G Adventures has always stood for and celebrates that in a way that inspires travellers to do the same,” said Jordan.

“What people do with their days, who they spend them with, and the idea that giving rather than receiving is what makes people truly happy. These human truths are the fabric of a G Adventures trip. We wanted to recognize these themes throughout the campaign and did so via emotive writing and traveller-focused imagery.

“We’ve learned so much over the past three years and this is our opportunity to embrace the world in a thoughtful way. This campaign seeks to inspire people to do the same. It’s time to Bring on the World, ” he said.

Agents can access assets for the upcoming campaign by logging in to the new brand campaign agent tool kit, or signing up to the G Adventures Asset Library.

Nominations open for position on TICO Board of Directors

MISSISSAUGA — TICO has opened nominations for one elected retail or wholesale position on the Board of Directors.

According to TICO, serving as a TICO Director “is a rewarding position where you have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to Ontario’s travel consumer protection framework.”

The elected Director will serve a term of two years, commencing at the Annual Meeting on Sept. 26, 2023 and ending at the Annual Meeting in 2025.

Serving on TICO’s Board of Directors requires a substantial time commitment, including active participation in Board and committee meetings as well as dedicated preparation time. On average, a Director commits approximately 140-150 hours per year.

Nominations must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 4, 2023. Nominations must be received at the following address: Travel Industry Council of Ontario, 55 Standish Court, Suite 460, Mississauga, ON, L5R 4B2. Nomination forms can be found at TICO.ca.

Saint Lucia wants Canadians to “let her inspire you”

TORONTO — The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is working hard to get its share of the Canadian market’s sky-high demand for travel, hosting a VIP lunch in Toronto to help keep the Caribbean island top of mind.

Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, and CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Lorine Charles-St. Jules, both attended the lunch, held at Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Toronto.

Like many destinations, the SLTA says 2019 was its best year for tourism arrivals. The good news is, the first quarter of 2023 has seen 80% of the numbers from the same period in 2019. Even better, April 2023 was up to 97% of April 2019. The SLTA believes that stronger numbers and new visitors from the Canadian market are the keys to a full recovery and then growth.

To get Canadians there, Air Canada now has three flights a week during the summer season instead of just one. Flights operate Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Air Canada’s Saint Lucia schedule increases to daily flights for the peak winter season. The SLTA’s goal is for daily nonstop flights from YYZ to Saint Lucia year-round, to really make it easy for Canadian travellers to reach the destination. WestJet offers direct, nonstop service once a week on Sundays.

To attract tourists to Saint Lucia, there’s been a shift in focus from resort-based experiences to community-based experiences: for example, the world’s only drive-in volcano and sulphur mud baths. There are plenty of activities such as hiking, diving and bird watching, or seeing the parrot fish in the reef. New attractions include a new chocolate experience and bamboo rafting through mango swamps in Roseau.

Events are also a big draw. After a hiatus, the Jazz & Arts Festival is returning, and is slated for April 30May 12, 2024. Meanwhile, Saint Lucia Carnival 2023 (July 1 - 19, 2023) will be a grand showcase of the island’s rich culture, culminating in a two-day parade of the bands on July 17 and 18. Also, don’t miss the island’s Spa & Wellness Month this September.

Saint Lucia is currently running a ‘Summer Saint Lucia Style’ promotion with rates at many hotels and experiences at a discount. Travellers can save up to 65% at more than 40 properties until Sept. 30.

Closer to home, starting June 19 for four weeks in Toronto, Saint Lucia will completely take over Union Station and the York/Bay Concourse with digital advertising.

“Canada was the last major international market to really open again, and the other major markets like the U.S. and UK opened a lot more than Canada did, but when we look at the performance of Canada for the first quarter of this year, we saw an increase of 150% over last year. Canada is almost back to normal. We are really pleased that, since re-opening, the Canadian market has been able to rebound so quickly and so strongly. We are looking forward to the summer when we will probably be above where we were in 2019, which will be a phenomenal achievement,” said Minister Hilaire.

Lorine Charles-St. Jules said forward bookings are looking strong. “We are pleased to say that we have just spoken to some of our operators, as well as the airlines, and we are looking healthy for the summer. So, we are here this week for a sales, trade and media mission, and we hope to further accentuate our offerings to Canadians. We are very encouraged by what we have seen so far, but there’s still more space so we encourage any Canadian who wants to come down to Saint Lucia, we have plenty of space available and we will be having nonstop flights beginning in the winter from Air Canada every day.”

The duo also reminded agents about the Saint Lucia Loyalty Agent Program. SLTA is doing an independent fam program that runs from June to November, “[and] if you’ve not been to Saint Lucia before, now is the time, especially since we have the summer service, we encourage agents to come down and see and experience Saint Lucia for themselves so they can come back and sell the island to their clients,” said Charles-St. Jules.

She added: “We’re also again hosting our ‘Global Piton Awards,’ which is what we call our ‘Oscars in Travel’, where we celebrate and honour the best producing and selling travel agents around the world. We will be selecting 40 of those globally. We encourage Canadians to continue selling Saint Lucia and register their bookings in the system, and they may be selected to go to Saint Lucia for a hosted visit.”

More about Saint Lucia can be found at stlucia.org.

Visit Lauderdale welcomes Canadians

TORONTO — Thanks to its 24 miles of golden beaches, cosmopolitan dining and nightlife, world-class shopping and amazing nature encounters - not to mention an average year-round temperature of 25 degrees Celsius - Fort Lauderdale has long been a go-to destination for Canadian travellers.

At an industry event the team at Visit Lauderdale made it clear that this long-time favourite is as relevant as ever for the Canadian market.

Paul Mason and Tracy Vaughan from Visit Lauderdale, along with local hotel reps, treated media and industry partners to dinner at Parcheggio in Toronto, with presentations to showcase offerings of interest to Canadian vacationers.

On the hotel scene, Marissa Hoppe with Sands Harbor Resort and Marina, highlighted the property’s luxurious accommodations, modern amenities and stunning views. The hotel’s penthouse has 1,500 square feet and two bedrooms, full kitchen, large living room, and a wraparound balcony. Trish Pederson with AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach said her property offers 171 rooms: 97 king rooms and 74 double rooms. The hotel offers European-inspired breakfasts and allday craft beer or cocktails with tapas. And Nara Azevedo with Atlantic Hotel & Spa highlighted her hotel’s private balconies, full spa service, and rooftop poolside space that can host up to 80 people. There’s also a meeting room with ocean views.

Embark on an unforgettable road trip along Nevada’s stunning Great Basin Highway

Covering 563 - 941 kilometres of roadway, Nevada’s picture-perfect Great Basin Highway route makes for a great five-day journey up the state’s eastern edge. Here’s a look at the highlights…

Las Vegas To Valley Of Fire State Park

Taking State Route 167 through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area makes for a serene desert drive featuring hills of rust-red sandstone and unparalleled views of Lake Mead, the largest manmade reservoir in the U.S. Wildlife is plentiful here, and you might see wild horses, burros or bighorn sheep.

Valley Of Fire State Park To Caliente

It’s a two hour and 20 minute drive along Highway 93 from Valley of Fire State Park to Caliente, famous for its rose-lined streets, Spanish mission-style train depot and surrounding network of gorgeous canyons. Mountain bikers may already have Barnes Canyon on their must-do list, and with good reason: it’s home to dozens of miles of singletrack. For hikers, there’s Kershaw-Ryan State Park. Tour operator Bindlestiff Tours (bindlestifftours.com/tours/Nevadabike-hike-tour/) has a ‘Nevada Trails to Rails’ small group itinerary showcasing this region that’s perfect for advanced beginner to intermediate bike and hike enthusiasts. For rock climbers, there’s Rainbow Canyon, just outside of Caliente. And for birders, there’s Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. This natural oasis is a twice-yearly stop on the ‘Pacific Flyway’ migration route for waterfowl and songbirds.

Caliente To Pioche

Staying on Highway 93, it’s just a 30-minute drive from Caliente to Pioche. The must-see for this stretch of drive is Cathedral Gorge State Park.

Found halfway between Caliente and Pioche, this state park is home to otherworldly spires, deep chasms and meandering hikes through slot canyons and scenic overlooks. With such dramatic natural scenes, every turn is a photo op, plus hiking trails and picnicking opportunities can make this a perfect day.

Pioche To Ely

Pioche was once one of the roughest, toughest mining towns in the Old West. These days, Pioche is a charming trip through time, with highlights including the ‘Million Dollar Courthouse’ and infamous Boot Hill Cemetery. In just under two hours along Highway 93 and then Highway 50, travellers can make their way from Pioche to Ely, another mining town with a rich history and now with blocks of bars and restaurants. Be sure to book a ride on the Nevada Northern Railway.

Ely To Great Basin National Park

Another hour on Highway 50 brings travellers to Great Basin National Park. This gem is home to the oldest living things on earth - the 5,000 year old Bristlecone Pine trees - as well as some of the darkest skies in the U.S., perfect for stargazing. Get down - way down - with a tour in Lehman Caves, or soar 4,000 feet up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The serene, artsy town of Baker makes a great place to call it a night and wrap up an unforgettable Nevada road trip.

To learn more, become a NV Traiblazer: https://nvtrailblazers.travel nevada.com/login

Many travellers are most familiar with Fort Lauderdale as a cruise port, with a long list of cruise lines sailing in and out of the city, including Silversea, Celebrity, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and many more.

Topping the list of new offerings is Brightline, the high-speed rail network that now serves many of Florida’s top destinations, including Fort Lauderdale. Also on the network are Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Miami. Meanwhile the new station at Orlando Airport is expected to open this summer with tickets bookable for Sept. 1 onwards. There’s word of Tampa getting onboard with Brightline too.

Mason told Travelweek that Toronto and Montreal are Visit Lauderdale top two markets internationally in terms of flights. Air Canada, Canada Jetlines, Flair Airlines, Swoop and WestJet all offer flights to Fort Lauderdale from Canada.

Asked about recovery, Mason said: “The recovery has been constant since the pandemic started, reason being, South Florida never really closed, we were open for business and flights were still coming in. It has been a gradual increase making Canada our number 1 inbound international market.”

When it comes to getting around Fort Lauderdale, the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi is a unique mode of transportation that allows visitors to see the city from a different perspective while travelling on the waterways. The water taxi offers multiple stops along the Intracoastal Waterways and the New River, giving travellers easy access to many popular destinations and attractions in Fort Lauderdale. “Though it’s not new, water taxis are a great way for our tourists to get around and see the mansions and yachts up close on both the Intracoastal and New River,” says Mason.

The City of Fort Lauderdale has also introduced the Micro Mover, a free, convenient and sustainable mobility option to help get residents and visitors around downtown, Las Olas and the beach. Users can download the ‘Ride Circuit’ app to book their ride.

The ‘What’s New in Greater Fort Lauderdale’ section on Visit Lauderdale’s website is a great resource for agents, Mason added. “This will go into detail offerings like our Ale Trail, our Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame complex, new restaurants, events and hotels that have just opened, as well as new attractions, exhibits and event updates.”

Visit Lauderdale works with travel agents in Canada through several programs. Says Mason: “We offer fams based on their criteria and travel agent rates are recognized on our website. We also have pre- and postcruise information, collateral materials and our popular ‘LauderDeals’ on our site. Our Lauderdale Loyalist program offers travel agents the opportunity to be certified in order to promote and market the greater Fort Lauderdale region. There’s a mobile app for the program as well, and there’s no charge to participate.”

For more information go to www. visitlauderdale.com.

Bookings open for Uniworld’s 2024 Rivers of the World trip, with 2023 sailing underway

LOS ANGELES — Uniworld Boutique River Cruises kicked off its inaugural Rivers of the World trip in Cairo earlier this month, completing the first segment of the 46-night journey.

The itinerary is the first of its kind for Uniworld, taking guests to nine countries aboard five luxury Super Ships combining both cruise and land. The itinerary features exclusive experiences and surprises throughout, such as the opportunity to visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum before it officially opens to the public and a welcome celebration hosted by a surprise guest: Uniworld’s President & CEO, Ellen Bettridge.

“I’m thrilled to be in Egypt for the first leg of our inaugural world cruise, welcoming our fabulous guests on this trip of a lifetime with Uniworld,” said Bettridge. “Egypt is the home of the first river cruise and a natural starting point for our journey. We enjoyed two days in Cairo and a fantastic week on the S.S. Sphinx along the Nile, and it’s only just the beginning.”

The trip includes sailings on four unique Super Ships throughout eight additional countries. Guests crossed the Mediterranean Sea and flew into the Swiss Alps with two nights in the lake town of Lugano, followed by two nights in Milan prior to boarding the new S.S. La Venezia for a week-long cruise along the Venetian Lagoon.

Guests then continued to Hungary for a sailing on the S.S. Maria Theresa from Budapest to Passau through the heart of the former Holy Roman Empire. Also on the itinerary: the S.S. Joie de Vivre in France to explore the best of Northern France along the Seine; and then on to Portugal, beginning in Porto with a cruise aboard the S.S. Sao Gabriel through the Douro River Valley, followed by a three night land

People

stay in Lisbon and closing event. Back by popular demand, Uniworld’s second annual Rivers of the World cruise for 2024 is currently available for booking. The 2024 trip is even longer and even farther reaching, taking 68 guests on a 55-day itinerary spanning three continents, 10 countries and four Super Ships including new-to-Uniworld destinations Argentina and Brazil.

Uniworld’s Rivers of the World itineraries are all-inclusive including onboard dining, unlimited premium wine, beer and spirits, WiFi, excursions, scheduled airport transfers, onboard gratuities and flights between cruise segments. The trips also feature a dedicated Travelling Concierge to accompany guests for the entire journey to assist with all needs.

Riverside Luxury Cruises enters Canadian market with new hire

After launching in spring 2023, Riverside Luxury Cruises is now officially expanding into the Canadian market with the appointment of Peter Ouzounov as Director of Sales and Key Accounts, Canada.

Offering river cruises on the Danube, Rhine and Rhône aboard a fleet of all-suite ships, the European river cruise line has now set its sights on expanding its presence in Canada, with Ouzounov tasked with introducing the brand to Canadian travel advisors and consumers. He boasts more than 13 years of experience in business development, having spent the majority of his career at Globus family of brands, including Avalon Waterways where he created and implemented sales strategies in conjunction with travel agency owners, managers and front-line advisors.

Ouzounov will join Riverside’s existing North American sales team comprising: Michelle Rodriguez Suarez, Director of Sales, Eastern U.S. & Key Accounts; Kelly Browne, Director of Sales, Western U.S. & Key Accounts; Carolyn Szekeres, Director of Sales and Key Accounts Central and South U.S.; and Jennifer Halboth, CEO.

Ouzounov can be reached at (778) 994-1833.

Register now for ACTA Travel Industry Summits

TORONTO — Registration has opened for the ACTA Travel Industry Summits, scheduled to take place on various dates in September.

This year’s Summits will include the theme ‘Connect. Inspire. Grow.’, and will feature motivational speakers, entrepreneur panels and leading figures from a variety of sectors to meet with attendees and share new ideas and opportunities. There will also be a Grand Trade Show with over 75 suppliers in attendance.

Travel advisors, managers, senior leaders, consortia and host agency teams are all invited to attend.

“It will be a great day of professional development and networking,” said Wendy Paradis, ACTA president.

Summits will take place in Toronto, ON, Richmond, BC and Laval, Quebec on the following dates: Sept. 14, ACTA 2023 Eastern Canada Travel Industry Summit; Sept. 21, ACTA 2023 Western Canada Travel Industry Summit; and Sept. 27, ACTA 2023 Québec Travel Industry Summit.

ACTA Summits are complimentary for ACTA members. Non-ACTA members will be asked to provide a $50 contribution to the Advocacy Fund.

All those who register before July 31 will be entered into a prize draw for a $250 Visa gift card. One winner per Summit. For more information go to actaevents.ca.