SANDALS, BEACHES EXPAND WEDDING OFFERINGS

Sandals and Beaches Resorts have added additional over-the-water experiences for brides and grooms to say, “I Do.”

Sandals and Beaches have hand-selected three of their picturesque Over-The-Water Gazebos to become a part of their collection of signature wedding venues.

The following Over-The-Water Gazebo venues are available to reserve at US$450 for a ceremony and/or reception:

Sandals Grande St. Lucian – Saint Lucia: Over-The-Water Gazebo, maximum ceremony capacity: 40 seated, maximum cocktail and dinner reception capacity: 30 standing/16 seated.

Beaches Ocho Rios – Jamaica: Over-The-Water Pier Gazebo, maximum ceremony capacity: 40 seated, maximum cocktail and dinner reception capacity: 30 standing/30 seated.

Sandals Royal Caribbean – Jamaica (effective Jan. 1): Over-The-Water Pier Gazebo, maximum ceremony capacity: 60 seated.

www.sandals.com/weddings, www.beaches.com/weddings

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ENRICHING THE EXPERIENCE 5 CONTINENTS TAKES ITS MESSAGE TO AGENTS ACROSS CANADA

A new national tour operator is striving to enrich the experience of travellers through a select group of premium inbound destination land operators. The first-year company, 5 Continents, has dubbed itself as a “worldwide inbound embassy,” and has just completed a road trip mission to meet travel sellers across Canada.

Its rapid cross-country trade mission took in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver in mid-September, making its final stop in Vancouver on Sept. 19 at the Best Western Plus Chateau Granville.

In doing so, it introduced agents to some of the inbound specialists who are providing a selection of polished, export-ready tour programs. Reaching out to 5 Continents puts agents into direct contact with these elite inbounds, and the company acts as a conduit for agents, says managing partner David Boigne.
Boigne has established inbound tour contacts over his career as a travel creator with Exotik Tours, Thomas Cook and TravelBrands. After striking out on his own, “the inbounds said there was a great opportunity to open an office in Canada. So that’s what we’ve done,” he said.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” he said, referring to a middle ground market between a GSA and a more traditional tour operator business plan. Agents can make payments to 5 Continents in the currency of their choice, and those funds are then held in trust for payment to the suppliers. Agents get net rate pricing on the programs, which allows them to control the selling prices and profits. They are paid a commission rate of 13% for bookings.

Gold status inbound operator partners include Europe Incoming, Veena World, Athens Express, Pacific Destinations, United Travel, Baltic Travel Group, and more. These and others offer tour/hotel/ground products that cover all of Europe, Russian, Australia, Asia, New Zealand, South Pacific, and some South American countries. 5 Continents also specializes in group travel, including everything from agriculture to art, plus MICE events, weddings, student group travels and multigenerational trips, to name some.

A sample Baltic tour that runs for eight days/seven nights in 2020 has a starting price of $1,899 per person, double, not including airfare.

“The time is right for a new voice in the industry, to shake up the market a bit,” said Claire Newell, founder/owner of TravelBestBets.com. She acknowl-edged knowing David Boigne for a long time, and confirmed his extensive knowledge and professionalism.

www.5-continents.ca

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INSIGHT CELEBRATING EUROPE AND BRITAIN IN 2020

Insight Vacations will be getting its clients up close and personal with the launch of its new 2020 Europe and Britain collection with over 100 journeys – including five brand new trips. As well, new in 2020 is Insight Choice, where guests can choose their own adventures.

On the majority of this year’s European guided journeys, Insight’s Travel Directors will offer clients the choice of two included experiences. Guests can choose experiences reflecting their varied interests from art, fashion, food, local traditions, and nature excursions. In addition, they will enjoy new Insight Experiences, including a visit to the Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville, a private flamenco school and beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant which provides scholarships to deserving students. This support will help ensure that the flamenco tradition lives on in the local community and continues to create opportunities for generations to come. Clients will participate in a dance class and be given front row seats to watch a fiery flamenco performance.

Due to popular demand, the Ancient Civilizations collection is back, featuring 18 trips to nine countries. Guests are invited to explore some of the world’s most ancient civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and the India subcontinent.

In celebration of the biggest premium journey collection of the year, Insight Vacations is offering a 10% discount with their popular Early Payment Discount for clients who book and pay in full by Dec. 18, 2019. In addition, past guests and Club Bon Voyage Members can save up to 5%.

Brad Ford, president of Insight Vacations, Canada, observed: “As the ‘Europe Specialists, we have further enriched the art of travelling in style with our commitment to enhanced personalization during our guests’ guided journeys.”

Ford continued: “They now can choose their Insight Choice experiences to suit their interests and select their preferred restaurants on Dine-Around evenings for more intimate settings with smaller groups of companions.”

And he added: “Clients can also choose Optional Experiences, offering a range of activities during their free time, and they can let our Travel Directors know their travel preferences in advance with our innovative MyInsight online holiday hub.”

For more, go to www.insightvacations.com.

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