Now in its 9th year, Peterborough Departures are back with a new destination
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
Calling all Peterborough area residents. BST Vacations (Blowes & Stewart Travel Group Ltd) has revealed the lineup of destinations for its Peterborough Departures program across 2023.
“2022 was a very exciting and successful return to the program after not being able to run for two years during the pandemic,” says Scott Stewart, President of BST Vacations. “At the end of the 2022 season, we asked [passengers] for destination suggestions for 2023. Overwhelmingly, our passengers asked us to return to cities that we visited previously over the past nine years of the program.”
The schedule features four of the company’s best selling destinations of all time — New York City, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Boston, Massachusetts and Nashville, Tennessee — and one new destination: Austin, Texas.
A OWG Boeing 737-800 aircraft accommodating up to 189 passengers will be used for the 2023 season. OWG is a division of Nolinor Aviation.
“We travelled to Texas about five years ago on a Peterborough charter and through our passenger surveys, Texas, specifically Austin, was frequently suggested. Many aspects are included when determining our destinations each year, however, the number one point is always the responses and recommendations of our passengers,” Stewart tells Travel Courier. “The [other] destinations are iconic, popular and have so much for visitors to do. You can travel to these specific major cities like NYC, Boston, St John’s and Nashville and not do the same things twice. They are new experiences every time.”
This year brings a new airline partner — Nolinor Aviation — utilizing a Boeing 737-800 aircraft carrying 189 passengers — accommodating more passengers than in previous years.
Not only do guests fly directly from Peterborough, but food and beverages is included on the flight. Continental breakfast and in flight meals are hand picked and made to order the morning of the flight by Sobeys Catering department on Lansdowne Street. Spirits and beer on board are from local distilleries and craft brewers.
Brother & sister team Scott Stewart, President, and Dana Empey, Vice-President are two of the owners of BST Vacations, which is behind the Peterborough Departures.
“Our Peterborough Departures are unique, customized, dynamic packages, hassle free experiences with virtually no line ups,” he adds. “The experience is seamless and because our team controls the entire process on departure and arrival, our team members are with our passengers through the entire process.”
Notably, Stewart says their passenger catchment area has expanded to include travellers from the GTA, Barrie, Kingston and Ottawa.
“Because of the overall customized and hassle-free experience, we have a high client repeat factor. These passengers recommend [it] to their families and friends,” he adds. “As we are licensed and wholesale to other travel retailers, small groups, special interest groups, corporate incentives are also a small part of the types of clientele we serve.”
In 2022, BST Vacations served Publican House Pet Pilsner onboard and collected $1,500 in donations for the Humane Society’s Pet Project on the flights.
For dates and details, click here.
