bruce poon tip on adventure travel canadian traveller ... · postage paid at vancouver, bc. return...

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Canadian traveller travel agent edition

insideBRUCE

POON TIP ON ADVENTURE

TRAVEL

INDUSTRY INSIDERS’

DREAM TRIPS

SELLING YOUR TRAVEL SNAPS

the destination sales resource for canadian travel professionals

Be BOLDUnleash YoUr Client’sadventUroUs spirit

1 877 390 9050gadventures.com/g-normous

G-Normous is back for an encore! Starting June 1, we’ll be giving away more cash and prizes, including a free G Adventures tour with airfare.

Ask your manager to register you with Sherpa. If you already have an account, you’re good to go!

Continue booking G Adventures tours from June 1 to July 31, 2015.

Visit gadventures.com/g-normous regularly for updates and the latest leaderboard scores.

Here’s how to win:

1

2

3

Free G Adventurestour with airfare*

GRAND PRIZE

awarded to the top sellingCanadian and US agent

aaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrddddddddeeeeeeeddddddd tttttttttoooooo ttttttthhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeee tttttttttttooooooooooooppppppppppp sssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllliiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggCCCCCCCCCCCCCCaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaddddddddddiiiiiiiaaaaaaaannnnnn aaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnndddddddddddddddd UUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSS aaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnttttttttttttttttttt

$500 CASH PRIZE

Awarded to the agentthat books the most

summer travellers

$750 CASH PRIZE


repeat travellers

A ONE-YEAR VIPAIR LOUNGE PASS*

Awarded to the agentthat books the most air

GO ONLINE TO LEARN MORE

WITH MORE CASH &

PRIZES TO BE WON!

15-130-13-MK-NA G-Normous Encore - Print Ads_CA CT 8x10/75.indd 1 2015-05-19 3:12 PM

3 CanadianTraveller.com JUNE 2015

Canadian traveller Travel Agent Edition Contents

JUne 2015 Volume 30, Issue 6

This month is all about unleashing your client ’s adventurous spirit, how to sell your

precious travel snaps and making your wildest dreams a reality on a dream trip…

vickie Sam Paget, Editor

G Ad

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13 RegulaRs 4 Industry Insider The inside scoop on

the hottest news, launches and deals

19 Discover America Roll out the barrel and explore some of the finest craft brewing traditions in the USA

22 Selling Travel with Steve Get smart with your camera gear and your snap-happy vacations could earn you some extra dollars

sPeCIal FeatuRes 10 Adventure We meet G Adventures’ Bruce

Poon Tip, we learn how to increase our adventure travel sales, and we take a look at what Dominica has to offer Canadian adrenaline junkies

16 Dream Trips Industry professionals reveal what their hearts desire when it comes to taking a dream trip

20 Take Off Come fly with us 17ON THE COVER: Encountering Blue Footed Boobies in the Galapagos. Find out more in our Adventure Travel feature on page 10. Photo Credit: G Adventures/Peter Teresa/Attit Patel

1 877 390 9050gadventures.com/g-normous

G-Normous is back for an encore! Starting June 1, we’ll be giving away more cash and prizes, including a free G Adventures tour with airfare.

Ask your manager to register you with Sherpa. If you already have an account, you’re good to go!

Continue booking G Adventures tours from June 1 to July 31, 2015.

Visit gadventures.com/g-normous regularly for updates and the latest leaderboard scores.

Here’s how to win:

1

2

3

Free G Adventurestour with airfare*

GRAND PRIZE

awarded to the top sellingCanadian and US agent

aaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrddddddddeeeeeeeddddddd tttttttttoooooo ttttttthhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeee tttttttttttooooooooooooppppppppppp sssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllliiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggCCCCCCCCCCCCCCaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaddddddddddiiiiiiiaaaaaaaannnnnn aaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnndddddddddddddddd UUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSS aaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnttttttttttttttttttt

$500 CASH PRIZE


summer travellers

$750 CASH PRIZE


repeat travellers

A ONE-YEAR VIPAIR LOUNGE PASS*

Awarded to the agentthat books the most air

GO ONLINE TO LEARN MORE

WITH MORE CASH &

PRIZES TO BE WON!

15-130-13-MK-NA G-Normous Encore - Print Ads_CA CT 8x10/75.indd 1 2015-05-19 3:12 PM

canadiantraveller.com

EditorVickie Sam Paget

[email protected]

assistantEditorSam Burkhart

sEniorgraphicdEsignErIva Zima

graphicdEsignNicole Franke, Arran Yates

prE-prEssGordon Fidler

WEstErnrEgionaLdirEctor–northaMErica James Mohr

nationaLaccoUntManagErJoanne Tichborne

MEXicoaccoUntManagEr Miguel Valdes

gEnEraLadVErtisinginQUiriEs1-888-924-7524

[email protected]

pUbLishEr/prEsidEntBrad Liski

associatEpUbLishErJennifer Prendergast

EditoriaLdirEctorDale Miller

dirEctorofonLinE Kevin Hinton

onLinEEditor-in-chiEf Ryan McKenzie

onLinEcontEntcoordinatorJennifer Larsen

MarkEtingManagErDesiree Miller

MarkEtingcoordinatorAmy Lizee

cUstoMErsErVicESheila Ross

circULationDiana Cippiciani

groUpcontroLLEr/accoUntingAnthea Williams

dirEctor-groUpofMagazinEsMark Yelic

dirEctor-consUMErMarkEtingCraig Sweetman

sUbscriptionhotLinE1-888-924-7524

sUbscribErEnQUiriEs

[email protected]

CT Magazine, 802-1166 Alberni St.

Vancouver BC, V6E 3Z3 Canada

CT Magazine is published 12 times per year

Contents copyright 2015 by CT Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written permission is strictly forbidden.

The publisher can assume no responsibility for unsolicited material.

ISSN 0030-8986

printEdincanadaCanadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 42720012.

Postage paid at Vancouver, BC. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept., 802-1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver,

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Canada M5E 0B1Tel: (416) 907-7524Fax: (866) 250-6839

P A C I F I C Y A C H T I N G ’ S

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onOrange COunty SunShine ShineS On VanCOuVer’S grOuSe MOuntainAn elite selection of travel industry professionals partied the night away on top of Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain recently, as Anaheim Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau wound up its annual Western Canada sales mission.Canada is the number one source of international overnight stays in Anaheim, so the key suppliers from Anaheim Orange County’s hotels and attractions had a lot to celebrate at the VIP event.

The evening marked the end of five days of travel agent seminars, marketplaces, sales calls and training across Western Canada. The road show kicked off in Edmonton before stopping in Calgary, Victoria and Langley and wrapping up in Vancouver.In an informal address, Pepe Avila, director of tourism development at the AOCVCB thanked his “best friends” in Canada for their continued support—companies like WestJet, Western Vacations, TravelBrands and Flight Centre.http://anaheimoc.org

The Anaheim Orange County crew party

on Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain.

Escape to the stunning island nation of Cuba with Signature Vacations’ Cuba vacation packages. Rich in biodiversity, as well as rich in culture and heritage, Cuba has something to offer every visitor. Bask under a golden sun on beautiful beaches, explore the countless species of flora and fauna in natural parks, revel in an array of land and water sports and activities, or visit historic landmarks to discover Cuba’s intriguing past.

Offering an extensive collection of hotels in Cuba’s most popular vacation destinations, Signature Vacations makes travelling to Cuba easier than ever.

To book your next all inclusive vacation to Cuba, visit SignatureVacations.com

Absolutely!

Breathtaking beaches, rich culture and priced within reach?

SIG_CanadianTraveller_Cuba_JUNE2015.indd 1 2015-05-13 12:01 PM

hard rOCk all inCluSiVe upgradeS Vip experienCe Hard Rock’s All Inclusive Collection is introducing ‘Rock Royalty Level’, a concierge level program that provides VIP treatment-seeking guests with additional amenities and unmatched benefits at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta and Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.From Champagne service by the beach to preferential romantic dinner reservations, vacationers at Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta and Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya now have the opportunity to book their room in the Rock Royalty Level and embrace the complete rock star experience.In true celebrity fashion, Rock Royalty Level guests are provided with the phone number of an on-call personal assistant upon arrival to help orchestrate their stay, including assistance with reservations on and off the property. This program also boasts express luggage delivery, a complimentary 25-minute couples massage, ironing service and complimentary shoeshine, upgraded full-size Rock Spa bath products, aromatherapy and an exclusive pillow menu, in-room spa tub preparations, and priority reservations.www.hardrockhotels.com/rock-royalty.htm

Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, Mexico.

JUNE 2015 CanadianTraveller.com4

industry insiderindustryinsider

News/Launches/Deals

Escape to the stunning island nation of Cuba with Signature Vacations’ Cuba vacation packages. Rich in biodiversity, as well as rich in culture and heritage, Cuba has something to offer every visitor. Bask under a golden sun on beautiful beaches, explore the countless species of flora and fauna in natural parks, revel in an array of land and water sports and activities, or visit historic landmarks to discover Cuba’s intriguing past.

Offering an extensive collection of hotels in Cuba’s most popular vacation destinations, Signature Vacations makes travelling to Cuba easier than ever.

To book your next all inclusive vacation to Cuba, visit SignatureVacations.com

Absolutely!

Breathtaking beaches, rich culture and priced within reach?

SIG_CanadianTraveller_Cuba_JUNE2015.indd 1 2015-05-13 12:01 PM

industryinsider

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Format du PAP : 100 % Trim : 8" x 10.75"Type : 7.75" x 10.5"Bleed : 8.25" x 11"Visible : N/ASortie laser @ 100 %

Client : Air Canada Nº dossier : 1116062Description : CBT AltitudePublication : Canadian Traveller Nº annonce : ACTQ2-15-04-04EDate parution : JuneInfographiste : NMNom du fichier : 1116062_ALTITUDE_MAG_CanTraveller_8x10.75po_EN

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Air Canada’s frequent fl yer recognition program is designed to enhance the travel experiences of our most frequent fl yers.

Altitude members enjoy exclusive travel privileges including access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and partner lounges

globally, eUpgrades, priority airport services, recognition with Star Alliance member airlines and so much more.

Explore stories of business travel and more at JourneysToSuccess.com

UPGRADE THE WAY YOUR CLIENTS FLY WITH ALTITUDE.

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up tO $2,000 reSOrt Credit at riuSignature Vacations, in conjunction with its exclusive hotel partner, RIU Hotels & Resorts, is offering up to $2,000 in resort credits to customers booking now and travelling this summer and fall. The credits can be redeemed against a host of products and services, including luxury spa treatments, casino play, rounds of golf, photography and wedding packages. The offer is applicable to bookings made before December 23, 2015 for travel until that date at RIU resorts in Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Nassau, Costa Rica, St Martin, Aruba, Panama and Jamaica.www.signaturevacations.com

tiMe fOr MOM and dad tO relaxThis summer, Sunwing Vacations is helping parents find some relaxation time, as well as ensuring little ones can learn, play and discover with its ‘Summer Camps by the Sea’ program.

Available at no additional charge at properties in the Caribbean, Cuba and Mexico, Mom and Dad can unwind together while the kids embrace a world of new experiences in a tropical setting.

New for this year, children can also head to summer camp with Max and Ruby at Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, where the popular cartoon characters will help them discover their inner-pop star with karaoke sessions, learn the importance of staying active with fun activities like scavenger hunts, sample regional cuisine at a culinary class and learn to respect their local environment on an Earth Ranger expedition. www.sunwing.ca

un-CruiSe adVentureS gOeS greenThe Passenger Vessel Association has recognized Seattle-based Un-Cruise Adventures as a member of its Green WATERS Program.

Members of WATERS (We Are Taking Environmental Responsibility/Stewardship) have taken it upon themselves to reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways, including reducing fuel consumption, conserving potable water, using less harmful chemicals near waterways, conserving energy and working with their employees to create a greener workplace.

“We are committed to operating responsibly as we explore in some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring places on earth,” said Un-Cruise Adventures’ CEO, Dan Blanchard.

Un-Cruise Adventures follows ‘Leave No Trace’ practices on all voyages. In the line’s Seattle and Juneau offices and aboard ships, eco-friendly products are purchased; waste is reduced through purchasing decisions; communities are supported through local purchases, hiring and donations; and recycling occurs wherever there are facilities. And a new partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program reinforces the line’s commitment to only serve sustainable seafood.

www.un-cruise.com

Royalton Riviera Cancun, Mexico.

Un-Cruise Adventures has been recognized by the Green WATERS Program.


Format du PAP : 100 % Trim : 8" x 10.75"Type : 7.75" x 10.5"Bleed : 8.25" x 11"Visible : N/ASortie laser @ 100 %

Client : Air Canada Nº dossier : 1116062Description : CBT AltitudePublication : Canadian Traveller Nº annonce : ACTQ2-15-04-04EDate parution : JuneInfographiste : NMNom du fichier : 1116062_ALTITUDE_MAG_CanTraveller_8x10.75po_EN

COULEURS:

ÉPREUVESTUDIO # 1DATE: MAY 13, 2015 4:11 PM

PAGE 1

C M Y K 0000C 0000C 0000C

Air Canada’s frequent fl yer recognition program is designed to enhance the travel experiences of our most frequent fl yers.

Altitude members enjoy exclusive travel privileges including access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and partner lounges

globally, eUpgrades, priority airport services, recognition with Star Alliance member airlines and so much more.

Explore stories of business travel and more at JourneysToSuccess.com

UPGRADE THE WAY YOUR CLIENTS FLY WITH ALTITUDE.

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industryinsider

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CT on Location on the QuanTum of The SeaS

VaCatiOn.COM targetS MillennialS

CT’s Jennifer Prendergast reports from Vacation.com’s annual international conference aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas

Vacation.com played host to almost 1,250 travel agents, agency owners and preferred suppliers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas during its annual ‘Think Bigger’ international conference recently.

Like every year, Canada was well-represented with a delegation of 140 agents and suppliers who “always wave the flag extremely well,” according to Vacation.com president, John Lovell.

Lovell also addressed some of the greatest challenges facing the travel trade right now: “One of the biggest challenges is really connecting the online consumer with the expert offline. Recent studies published in the last 12 months have talked about the renaissance of the travel distribution channel. The consumer is looking for that expert who can give them the professional guidance that they need.

“The millennials really buy based on reviews. The technology is now available for us to be able to match consumers with the expert guidance they need to

get the biggest return on their vacation dollars. But once you start researching, you become confused very, very quickly because everything looks great—so consumers need that professional who can really guide them through the process.”

Senior vice presided Kevin Weisner weighed in: “One of the unique things about the millennials is that they are looking not at doing the Bucket List 50 years from now; they’re looking at doing it today. They need to have the reassurance that they’re getting the right type of product—and they’re perfectly comfortable asking for help.”

He added that travel agent use is higher among millennials than it is among baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y.

Chief marketing officer Stephen McGillivray added: “This generation has grown up on validation. Today trust is at an all-time low. People don’t necessarily trust individuals, but what they do trust are crowd-sourced reviews.”

McGillivray stated that that the professional travel agents who have built their knowledge-base and expertise working with the baby boomers are now perfectly positioned to help service the needs of this next wave of world travellers.

To date V.com’s marketing and outreach efforts have been directed towards their members’ existing customer lists. “This is our first push into finding new customers,” added McGillivray. “Even for our vendors, our efforts have essentially been moving share from one line to the other. They’re happy to take it, but they all want the same thing: new customers for these retailers.”

The goal isn’t to grab consumers right as they’re ready to transact, added Lovell. “The people coming into the site are looking for expertise, not a transaction. This will give us the opportunity to demonstrate just how valuable we can be to them.” www.vacation.com

Vacation.com's John Lovell and Christine James with Stephanie Bishop of Globus.


industryinsiderDa

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Christine Thurlow of Holland America and Seabourne.

Vacation.com's John Lovell, Christine James and Kevin Weisner. Michele Saegesser, Viking Cruises.

Steve Loucks of TLG with Vacation.com's Stephen McGillivray and John Lovell.Kris Endreson of Silversea.



adventure traveL

See our client

adventure

feature on

page 61

poon tip at the South pole.

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adventure traveL

Bruce Poon Tip is a busy man. Over the next 10 days he’s travelling to Rio, London, Edinburgh, Tokyo and Chicago. So CT gets in quick with some questions to find out all the latest news from G Adventures

What’s new at G Adventures?Our Local Living series of programs, which we’ve recently expanded to include around 40 different experiences. The brand is a game-changer for us, taking people to various parts of the world where they can live locally. That could be a small village in France, with a tribe in the Amazon, with a nomadic tribe in Mongolia, at a ranch in Iceland or in a winery in Chile.

Why do you think this kind of travel is a big hit with Canadians?The world is changing in terms of what people want from travel. They don’t want just a week on the beach; they want more. And travel agents are selling more experiential travel and adventure holidays.

We are promoting the travel agent because our travellers really need to speak to a travel professional. Our

product is not a commodity product, where they’re trying to sell last-minute capacity. It’s a product where the client needs someone to sit in front of them and provide a service; to provide travel advice. At some point they want contact with someone to talk about the shoes they’ll need, what kind of bug repellent they should take and what kind of luggage to carry.

“You can change the World bY going on holidaY”Bruce Poon Tip is a busy man. Over the next 10 days he’s travelling to Rio,

Bruce Poon Tip

poon tip undergoes a traditional cleanse in the amazon.


adventure traveL

How can travel agents connect with that target market?I think the first thing is not to be afraid of it. When a customer comes into your office and they say they want something different, in that magical moment you can be a true professional and offer all the options. Sure you could offer them a resort holiday; sure you could offer them a cruise or a coach tour… But then you could offer them something totally different, like taking their family to Costa Rica or Egypt.

It’s easier now than it’s ever been to book a life-changing adventure. 15 years ago, if someone came into your office and said: I want to book an African safari, it involved a lot of work—not like booking a resort. But now you can pick and choose brand styles and seem like a real hero. And when the customer comes back you’ll be a real hero. Our passengers are brand-loyal and they go back to their agent and repeat-book. That’s how agents have to look at it, because it’s building their business long term. What marketing support is in place for agents?There’s lots. We have online training and reps on the road who will come into your office and do training. We’ll even do seminars and shows with your customers. We have an endless amount of support to help travel agents grow. What’s the latest with your sustainable project, Planeterra?We’ve just built five community projects in Latin America. There are two homestay programs in small villages that we’re taking a couple of thousand travellers a year to. Then there’s the organic coffee co-op in Costa Rica where we built facilities for them to have their visitors stay for lunch. We take eight thousand travellers a year there for lunch and it’s sustaining the whole community. But the biggest one is in the Sacred Valley in Peru, where we built a kitchen and a training facility in an area that had zero employment. All of our groups—that’s 20,000 people a year—go there for lunches and dinners.

Our main promise to our customers is wealth-distribution and we are creating jobs and local benefits. You can change the world by just going on holiday. ❋

www.gadventures.com

What other travel trends are you seeing at the moment?People are going to more remote areas; they want to be more disconnected than ever before. 10 years ago they wanted to go to towns for the hustle and bustle—the markets in Marrakesh or travellers’ towns like Cusco where there’s a lot of action and lively nightlife. We’re now seeing people wanting to go to Mongolia, Tibet, Antarctica or the

Galapagos; areas where they can truly disconnect.

We’re in such a wired world right now, so the idea of getting away is being completely redefined. These days, if you go on a cruise, you are still connected, so people are looking to totally disconnect in more remote areas. I mean, look at Antarctica. Who would have thought about the number of people who are now going to Antarctica?

running of the bulls, pamploma.

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Privacy and comfort in Classica Plus class

adventure traveL

how to Sell adventure travelNurture your adventurous side… Who knows what doors may open?

Do What You SellHere’s the scoop: having your own adventure stories is one of the keys to success—and especially when the time comes for you to sell adventure itineraries to your clients. If you’ve done something adventurous and lived to tell the tale, then this is something your clients will buy into. Both experienced adventure-seekers and the just-about-to-step-off-the-cliff newbies need to know you do what you sell. Street Cred’ is ImportantIf you’ve notched up a couple of firsts, you’ll want to promote that fact. When you have tried something new, different and slightly off the chart—then you have something that’s related to your street cred’. Your clients will buy into the fact that you are adventurous in your own right.

The Supplier’s Street Cred’Now we must look to the suppliers with whom you intend to book your client’s trip. An obvious choice that springs to mind is

G Adventures (check out their competition on page two), which offers nine adventure styles. G springs to mind because of its track record and the marketing it does. For closer-to-home adventures you might turn to the Great Canadian Adventure Company or Yellowknife’s Top of the World Travel & Tours.

These companies offer what we call ‘soft adventure’ experiences, and here we invoke that age-old one-liner that denotes ‘soft’ adventure and it goes like this: take me out and thrill me, but bring me home for supper. What’s YOUR Style?So two things for you to ponder: your own adventure travels and the credibility of the supplier you book your client’s adventure vacation with. We need to know what your style—if you have one that is—and if not, how about creating one? Your adventure style might tie into a destination you are passionate about and also any personal journeys you have yet to complete and don’t mind an additional 10

By Steve Crowhurst, CTC

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people coming along with you for the ride. Their money will pay your way and put some jingle jangle in your jeans too.

Time to check topics off your list: are you a mountain climber, hiker, kayaker, wilderness-lover, waterfall-viewer? Choose one or two and become known for them. To do that, make use of all things photographic and social. Shoot those selfies and post them. You cannot afford to be shy about self-promotion. Shoot video footage and narrate it and post it on YouTube. Tweet when you’re actually on an adventure. Keep it focused on what you are experiencing and include a photo of what you are looking at ‘right now’. Blog from wherever you are and keep in mind that today most subscribers prefer to watch a video and not spend an hour reading pages of text. And wear the t-shirt. Have a decal created that features you on that mountain top and wear that t-shirt everywhere. Ad-FAM-venturesYour suppliers are always willing to send you on a FAM if you are a serious contender for selling their products. Prove you’ve been out there and sold adventure travel and you have a decent clientele who are hooked on adventurous trips and then apply for a trade rate. If you have not yet made the grade, you may have to pay your way, but that’s a good thing. Suppliers like travel agents who are willing to invest in their education and not just take, take, take.

Show you have the passion and doors will surely open. ❋

Hiking with g adventures through patagonia.


adventure traveL

Five Good Reasons to send adventuRe Clients to dominiCa

GLP W

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“In November 2014 I went on an expedition to Antarctica. It is without a doubt the most adven-turous trip I have ever taken. Every aspect of the trip presented a certain level of adventure, nota-

bly the two-day storm across the Drake’s passage, which challenged me both mentally and physi-

cally. In the end the most adventurous part of the trip was the snowshoe trek on Deception Island. We hiked for four hours and were rewarded with

an incredible 360-degree view of the island. It was an experience I will truly never forget.”

Michael Sadowski, PR and social media specialist, Intrepid Group

onlY seRious adventuReRs need applYDeparting Buenos Aires, GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel and Tours’ ‘Great Antarctic Expedition’ is one of the most comprehensive ways in which to explore Antarctica and the surrounding region.

This 20-day adventure offers passengers a truly memorable and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the beauty and maj-esty of Antarctica.

Hurtigruten’s deluxe expedition ship, MS Fram, will wind its way through the isolated Falkland Islands, stunning South Geor-gia and the wild South Orkneys before exploring the Great White Continent during early Austral summer, one of the most advanta-geous times of year to witness the natural splendor and enchant-ing wildlife of Antarctica.

Polarcirkel Boat landings, ranging from the volcanic Deception Island to the spectacularly photogenic Half Moon Island, provide opportunities for snowshoe hikes, whale watching , overnight camp-ing, kayaking and viewing the phenomenon known as ice calving, as the massive ice shelves of the Antarctic continent turn into mile-long tabular icebergs in the strong currents of the Waddell Sea.

Expedition guides are on board to lead the guests through the many penguin colonies and educate them on the history, geology, wildlife and marine elements of the region.

This expedition leaves on November 29 and prices range from $14,370 to $26,975 per person. For more information visit: www.glpworldwide.com

exploring danco island.

“In 2012 I had the pleasure of accompanying a travel agent FAM

through Peru. The highlight of the trip was our last adventure—a sunrise hike

to Peru’s most iconic site, Machu Picchu. Nothing has ever felt as satisfying as reaching the Sungate Viewpoint just as the sun was rising and the clouds were burning off, perfectly framing

the wonder of Machu Picchu below. A #NOREGRETS moment of a lifetime!”

Lauren Howard, national marketing manager, Contiki Canada

“While taking in the breathtaking views of the pristine wonder that is Antarctica, an opportunity for adventure arose that

I could not pass up: plunging into the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean.

While my body was numb for hours to follow, the sheer excitement of being

immersed in the same water that is home to penguins, leopard seals and

humpback whales is a thrill I could never describe.”

Katy Rockett, North America marketing manager, Exodus

W h at ’ s t h e m o s t a d v e n t u r o u s t h i n g yo u ’ v e d o n e o n va c at i o n ?

THEBIG

QUESTION



adventure traveL

1. Dominica has Sensational ScubaDominica is rated one of the ‘Top 10 Dive Locations in the World’. Scuba divers can choose from a variety of dive sites that feature dramatic walls and pinnacles, pristine reefs and amazing creatures. Although diving is a year-round activity on the island, Dive Fest is held in early July each year. The event educates both novices and experienced divers about the sport of scuba diving and helps raise awareness about Dominica’s stunning and unique marine environment. 2. Dominica is a Hiker’s HeavenDominica is the only Caribbean destination with a walking trail that extends the whole length of the island. The Waitukubuli National Trail—named after the Carib Indian name for Dominica—is 185-kilometres-long

and is divided into 14 contiguous segments. The whole thing takes an experienced hiker nearly two weeks to complete. The trail leads visitors into local communities while passing through mountainous landscapes and rainforests and past rivers and waterfalls. 3. Whales Love to Visit DominicaDominica is known as the ‘Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean’ and it is the only country in the world where sperm whales reside year-round. Dominica is home to at least 20 species of whales and dolphins, including humpback whales, pilot whales and spotted dolphins. 4. Dominica is Home to the Amazing Morne Trois PitonsThe Morne Trois Pitons National Park

(a UNESCO World Heritage Site) boasts almost 500 kilometres of footpaths, streams and waterfalls. The park is an area of significant volcanic activity, which includes the Valley of Desolation, a region of boiling mud ponds and small geysers. 5. Dominica Has Plenty of Water to Play inDominica offers a variety of activities for watersports enthusiasts. Adventurous visitors can kayak on cool mountain lakes, swim in secluded river pools, tube down a river into the calm waters on the West Coast, or snorkel pristine reefs. The island’s abundance of fresh flowing water is fed by up to eight metres of rainfall annually. ❋www.discoverdominica.dm

They’ve zip-lined in Jamaica, climbed mountains in St Lucia and even swam with stingrays in Grand Cayman. So where should you send your Caribbean-bound

adventure clients next? Dominica, that’s where…

Five Good Reasons to send adventuRe Clients to dominiCa

dominica is rated as one of the ‘top 10 dive locations in the World’.

Disco

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dream trips

Dreams Can Come TrueCT asks: What’s your dream trip?

MALDIVES“As I love islands, my dream trip would be to visit the Maldives. The country is made up of over 1,200 atolls and most islands house just one resort that has exclusive access by seaplane or boat. The Maldives offer a truly secluded atmosphere, with pristine turquoise ocean views everywhere. Most accommodations are upscale and offer over-water bungalows (some even with a private plunge pool) as well as beautiful private beach bungalows. The marine life and diving is world class.” Bronwyn Hodge, general manager, IslandsEscapes, Goway Travel

See our

client

Dream tripS

feature

on page 39


dream trips

THAILAND“Thailand has been on my bucket list for years. I have always been interested in learning more about the country’s diverse culture, from the beautiful Buddhist temples and the Grand Palace, to the exotic wildlife, floating markets and all the great shopping that I have heard about. With Thai being one of my favourite foods, where else would I want to learn about all the exotic spices and how to prepare it, besides in an authentic cooking class in Thailand? I picture an interesting, peaceful, colourful country like no other.”Dawn Rzepka, national sales director, TravelBrands

ITALY“The Coliseum was the most surreal experience because of its rich history. I was looking forward to that experience as much as any other. I travelled with my teenage girls and they would tell you it was one of their favourite experiences as well. Everything was so awesome, how can you pick just one thing that was the best? Venice = awesome! Florence = awesome! I’ve always loved reading about Medieval and Renaissance history, so Florence was maybe my favourite overall experience. Having read Tom Follett’s Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, I loved all the Renaissance architecture in Florence and, of course, Michelangelo’s David.”Brett Walker, general manager, Collette

COLORADO“A dream trip came true for me this past December. For Karen and myself, outdoor adventure and activity are all part of an amazing holiday experience. What could be better than skiing some of ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’ in Park City in the morning and then running some of the ‘Mighty Five’ national parks that afternoon—and carrying on doing so the next day and for days on end? Seven days, five national parks, three days of epic skiing—all in Utah! That was it for me. ‘Life Elevated’ is their slogan and no question it hit me in all the right places!”Corey Marshall, CEO, Anderson Vacations


discover americadream trips

PHILLIPINES & GABON“It sure has been a great ride so far; I’ve been travelling since I was 12 and I’ve been lucky enough to rack up almost 150 countries. So people think there can’t be a bucket list, but there sure is! I’d love to visit the Philippines—an undiscovered gem and great for active travellers. Plus Gabon, in southwestern Africa. A friend visited there and told me that on the beach you can see elephants playing, gorillas rooting for shellfish in the sand, hippos splashing in the water and whales breeching off in the distance. All in one day. Wow.”Pat Rochon, senior manager, active travel division, Vision Travel Solutions

DISNEYLAND“My dream vacation is—and has always been—a Disneyland vacation. I love that I can forget about the outside world; I love that I can have the time of my life whether I’m with adults, kids or travel agents. It’s the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ and it makes me the happiest person on earth when I’m there.”Tracey Poole, district sales manager, western Canada, the Walt Disney Company

CUBA“My dream vacation starts off with a glass of sparkling wine on board award-winning Sunwing Airlines headed for Santa Clara, Cuba. After a transfer, which can double as a free excursion as it takes you through scenic Cuban villages, I arrive in gorgeous Cayo Santa Maria. The beautiful, jaw-dropping white sandy beaches, combined with calm turquoise waters make this an ideal location to sit back, relax and spoil yourself in the luxurious surroundings of the Royalton Cayo Santa Maria. The people’s kindness and warmth also makes this my dream spot.” Rod Hanna, business development manager, southwestern and northern Ontario, Sunwing

KENYA“My dream vacation was last year, when I was hosted on a magical Kenya trip by the Kenyan Tourist Board. We spent eight wonderful nights there, four nights on safari and four nights in Nairobi. I love it when you get to experience nature and different cultures—and Kenya has this in spades. I found the warmth of the people, the scenery and the incredible game so enthralling. We experienced not only the ‘Big 5’ large game, but also many other beautiful animals, like impalas, zebras, giraffes and wildebeest. The bonus for me was the incredible variety of birdlife. The sound and smell of Africa will always have me coming back. Thank you Kenya.”Michael Mullin, director of sales & marketing, Exotik Tours and Boomerang Tours



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AdvENTUrEs iN BEErsummer is the perfect time to explore some of the finest craft brewing

traditions in the UsA. Many regions offer beer trail tours, so put away the car keys and go on a beer tour

By Josephine Matyas

To find out more about the Discover America - Canada Committee, attend a meeting or receive the bi-monthly newsletter, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.discoveramericacanada.orgvisit www.discoveramericacanada.org

The FlagstaFF-grand Canyon ale trail is a self-guided beer tasting route in the city considered

to be the gateway to Arizona’s Grand Canyon. A low-cost passport provides discounts on some of the state’s finest handcrafted beers at 10 local craft breweries, plus a souvenir silicone beer pint glass.

More than 75 breweries are a part of the Finger lakes Beer trail in upper New York State. Exploring the trail is a great way to enjoy creative and innovative new recipes and techniques while learning how craft beer is made.

Craft beer is big business in Virginia. With more than 100 breweries now open, Virginia has become a magnet for those who appreciate handcrafted

beers. From Ontario and Quebec, it’s less than a day’s drive (nine hours) to experience some of the state’s amazing craft breweries.

Chicago is a happening place—and the local craft beer scene is proof of that! The city has more than 45 craft breweries, from hip microbreweries to trendy taverns. GQ Magazine recently named Chicago the ‘Greatest Drinking City in America’.

Portland claims to have more breweries than any other city on earth. There are almost 60 breweries, beer-centric walking, pedalling and bus tours, and almost two-dozen annual beer festivals. July 2015 will see the first Portland Beer Festival, featuring only beers brewed in the city.

san Francisco is the birthplace of

America’s beloved craft beer movement and the city’s microbreweries are at the centre of a beer renaissance. Every winter the city celebrates with SF Beer Week.

In addition to the major breweries like Coors and Anheuser-Busch, Colorado also has a huge selection of microbreweries. In September, Denver will host The Great American Beer Festival, the largest domestic beer festival in the country. ❋


Take off

BORN TO RUN In addition to being the official airline of Vancouver’s Marathon in May, Air France fielded a team for the relay race. Representatives of Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and the Vancouver Airport Authority formed the four-member team that ran the 42-kilometre marathon. “Just weeks after inaugurating our Vancouver-Paris service, we are proud to have been involved within the Vancouver community as the official airline of the 2015 Vancouver Marathon, one of the city’s biggest events,” said Jean-Noël Rault, vice president and general manager of Air France-KLM Canada. “We are also proud to have literally teamed up with our partners to run this spectacular race course.”

YVR STAR EXHIBITOR AT DUBAI AIRPORT SHOWThe Vancouver Airport Authority utilized the world’s largest annual airport show in Dubai last month to launch the first self-service border control solution in the Middle East region, which is fast emerging as the 21st century’s new travel hub with a projected passenger volume of 450 million by 2020.

Christopher Gilliland, manager for innovative travel solutions at Vancouver Airport Authority, said that more than 650 kiosks are now operating in 23 major international airports in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. Over 25 million travellers have benefited from the cutting-edge technology that made its first appearance at the Vancouver airport five years ago.

BorderExpress accepts all passports without any fees or prior registration requirements, to expedite processing and reduce border control wait times by up to 50 per cent. Travellers complete the data-entry function themselves using a touch-screen kiosk and then officers verify the documents for final admission.

Floris Sjer and Jean-Noël Rault of Air France-KLM Canada, Steven Larkin of Delta Canada and Drew

Pankrath of Vancouver Airport Authority.

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SUNWING OFFERS CUBA FROM FREDERICTON, NB Sunwing Vacations is returning to Fredericton Airport next winter for a ninth season, and this time the carrier will offer service to two favourite Cuban destinations: Varadero and Holguin. Direct weekly flights to Varadero will be available on Fridays between Feb-ruary 13, 2016 and May 7, 2016. The Holguin weekly flight service will be available between February 9, 2016 and May 3, 2016.

Memories Holguin Beach Resort, Cuba.

ARE BENDY WINGS THE FUTURE OF AVIATION?NASA researchers, working with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and FlexSys Inc, have completed successful initial flight tests of a new morphing wing technology that has the potential to save millions of dollars annually in fuel costs, reduce airframe weight and decrease aircraft noise during take-offs and landings. The wing is able to morph itself like that of a bird to provide the same functionality as normal wing flaps, but with much less weight. Dur-ing the six months of flight tests, flap angles were adjusted from -2 degrees to up to 30-degrees.

NASA’s shape-shifting wing flaps could revolutionize aviation.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE


MaxiMuM CoMfort with MagnifiCaThis summer, Alitalia flights operating out of Toronto to Rome wil l offer flat-bed seats in Magnifica, the airline’s business class cabin on intercontinental services. When traveling in Magnifica, your clients enjoy maximum comfort and a sophisticated travel experience like no other.

STyle in The SkyWhen it comes to style, the italians know a thing or two.And Alitalia is certainly no exception

The cabin configuration offers travelers all-aisle seating, fully lie-flat seats and the latest in-seat work and entertainment options. Service in Magnifica on all aircraft includes award-winning menus featuring regional italian cuisine, linens designed by italian luxury brand Frette, tableware designed by Richard Ginori and an amenity kit with personal care items by Salvatore Ferragamo.

Take off

Style and space are key in Magnifica.

AiRLiNe SPotLigHt

Privacy and Comfort in Classica Plus.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Best airline Cuisine —five Years in a rowAl i ta l ia rece ived the award for best airline cuisine in Global Traveler’s 2014 Reader Survey Awards for the fifth consecutive year. in Magnifica, Alitalia’s business class, menus are carefully paired with a selection of fine italian wines selected by Alitalia’s official sommelier in collaboration with the italian sommelier foundation.

MagnifiCa: at a glanCe• electronic controls that convert

the seats to 180-degree flat-beds• large 15.4-inch lCD screens

that provide on-demand audio and video

• PC power and USB ports for charging

• Built-in massage technology and privacy screen

• Direct-aisle access

ClassiCa Plus: at a glanCe• A seat pitch of 38 inches and

a width of 20.1 inches—that’s 40 percent more space than economy

• large 10.6-inch screens for on-demand entertainment

• Priority check-in and boarding• Two checked bags versus one in

economy• in-seat PC power and noise-

canceling headsets• Welcome drinks and amenity kits

www.alitalia.CoM

alitalia’s ClassiCa Plus returns to toronto kicking off in July, the da i ly Rome serv ice will showcase Alitalia’s newly-configured A330, f e a t u r i n g C l a s s i c a Plus, Alitalia’s premium e c o n o m y c l a s s . Classica Plus offers the privacy and comfort of a separate cabin, with seats that recline more and offer 40 percent m o r e s p a c e t h a n economy class.


I was talkIng to my author pal anthony Dalton recently and we were reminiscing about the days

when you could—as tony did—sell a travel image for thousands of dollars.

those were the days when if you had your camera and lenses and tripods fixed and fitted, you could hardly stand up. It was a lot of kit. Recently though, as I prepped for a trip to the Uk, I decided to go light and make use of all things iPhoneography.

My Shootin’ iKitI left the big Canon and 300mm lenses at home and travelled with the following:• Fujifilm 16MP point & shoot – (my Canon DslR is only 10MP)• 64gB sD card – good for 7,000 images at 16MP a shot• iPhone 5 + two lenses (wide angle and telephoto)• iPad that uses the same two iPhone lenses• istick 32gB for storing images from both iPhone and iPad• shuttr release for DIY shots• Pen/brush for iPad• tripod clamp for iPhone• X-shot selfie extension bar• gorilla mini tripod• lightening connector for transferring images• 8-pin adapter for iPhone in survivor case• Battery charger for point & shoot camera• Charging unit for iPhone and iPad• applicable cables x 2

and that kit is so small it

packed into a shoulder bag.

no more heavy duty camera bags and droopy shoulders for me! shooting light is the way to go. with the sD cards, the istick and the lightening connector, there was no concern about using wiFi and losing my images to anyone who might be hacking. It’s all safe and sound and self-contained. Plus, if I have to, I can always upload to my Dropbox and iCloud accounts.

Apps are Now the Extra Gear the light Meter app in my iPhone does a nice job. with a click and a tap I can switch it on, check the reading, check my point and shoot for manual adjustment if need be, or stick to auto.

No Need for Photoshopthe images I can shoot with what’s in the bag can be enhanced using any one of many apps. the one I favour the most is the tangled FX app. It’s very creative. I just slip the sD card into the iPad connector, upload, work the FX magic and save.

Selling What You ShootIf you have an eye for imagery and you can shoot images that other people do not see—as long as your image is clean, sharp and high res—then you can sell it.

as my pal tony and I were talking, he received an email with a request for an image. the client wanted images of certain countries and the rates ranged from $100 to

$500. not bad. He had signed up with

www.photographersdirect.com and the call had been sent to all members. so there you see, you can travel light, shoot loads of images and return home to select your best and offer them for sale.

what an industry, eh? so many ways to make money—from selling group travel to selling a photo taken with your point and shoot. I know you may be thinking about the quality of the image, and whether or not it is sellable. well, here’s the thing: the main thing the buyer is looking for is a unique image or one that fills the gap they need to fill. the camera gear you use doesn’t, for the most part, even come into it.❋

selling travelwith steveBy Steve Crowhurst, CTC

Travellin’, Shootin’ ‘n’ Sellin’Get smart with your camera gear and your snap-happy vacations could earn you some extra dollars

Steve Crowhurst CTC is an author, speaker, trainer and the owner and operator of The Selling Travel Store – where travel trade professionals shop for new ideas. Visit Steve’s store at www.sellingtravel.net or email [email protected].

Book your vacation with Sunwing.ca & enjoy:Sound advice from the travel experts

Exclusive holiday collectionsExclusive privileges and perks

Award-winning Champagne Service

To book your vacation at Hyatt Hotels, contact your local travel agent or visit Sunwing.ca.

The Evolution of All-Inclusive™

Experience the future of all-inclusive luxury and enjoyment, right now, in many of

the most beloved beach destinations throughout Mexico and Jamaica. From all-suite

accommodations, to beach butlers, to rum sommeliers, to world-class spas, to exciting

activities on land and sea, you’ll discover a world of experiences and unexpected delights

all tailored to the preferences of modern travellers like you.

SW_CanadianTraveller_HyattHotels_JUNE2015.indd 1 2015-05-13 3:42 PM

selling travel


Book your vacation with Sunwing.ca & enjoy:Sound advice from the travel experts

Exclusive holiday collectionsExclusive privileges and perks

Award-winning Champagne Service

To book your vacation at Hyatt Hotels, contact your local travel agent or visit Sunwing.ca.

The Evolution of All-Inclusive™

Experience the future of all-inclusive luxury and enjoyment, right now, in many of

the most beloved beach destinations throughout Mexico and Jamaica. From all-suite

accommodations, to beach butlers, to rum sommeliers, to world-class spas, to exciting

activities on land and sea, you’ll discover a world of experiences and unexpected delights

all tailored to the preferences of modern travellers like you.

SW_CanadianTraveller_HyattHotels_JUNE2015.indd 1 2015-05-13 3:42 PM


Book your stay and travel in summer 2015 (from June 1 to August 31). Two children 12 and under stay free with 1 full paying adult in one room. Blackout dates exist per property. Minimum 3 night stay required. *$1,800 Limitless Resort Credit based on a 7-8 night consecutive stay per room. Bookings of 3 nights receive $500, up to $750 with a 4 night stay, up to $1,500 with a 5-6 night stay, up to $2,000 with a 9-11 night stay and up to the equivalent of $2,500 with a stay of 12-13 night stay and up to $3,600 with a stay of 14 nights or more. A 20% service fee will apply over the final price of all transactions using the Limitless Resort Credit promotion on all services or products available at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Hard Rock Riviera Maya, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta. Service fee can only be paid with cash, room charge and credit card. Service fee cannot be paid with the remaining Limitless Resort Credit promotion balance. Other restrictions may apply.

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bruce poon tip on adventure travel canadian traveller ... · postage paid at vancouver, bc. return...

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