Helen Cole & Jonathan Sargeant waving the flag for Ireland
José Manuel de Juan representing the ETC
in Canada
Germany was repped by Sophia Schlundt
Mirko Capodanno's Swiss chocolates
were a hit
Could it be any more appropriate? The European Travel Commission, looking to host agents to an evening of dining and education, cast its net beyond downtown Toronto into the ‘burbs – because not every travel agent can make it downtown after a hard day’s work. And bless them, they landed in Woodbridge, an affluent community known for its considerable Italian population. Ciao, bella!
Now in its 36th year, the ETC is tasked with promoting the entire continent, representing 34 countries (though the U.K. and France aren’t members). “Our goal is to have travellers think of planning a trip to Europe as opposed to just 1 country,” says José Manuel de Juan of the Spanish Embassy and the ETC Rep for Canada.
As always, it was a cosmopolitan group of suppliers, with Spain, Sweden, Ireland and Germany joined by carriers such as LO and LH as well as tour operators Transat Holidays, Globus family of brands, ACV and Trafalgar.
So… what’s percolating for next year across the pond? Lots, according to these folks.
- In Ireland, Derry/Londonderry has been named the U.K. City of Culture for 2013
- Transat Holidays is extending its year-round Portugal program (“Perfect for snowbirds,” says TS’s Denisa Stancilova)
- LH is adding non-stop YVR-MUC seasonal A330 capacity
- Germany is targeting the youth (age 16 – 27) market, promoting itself as ‘simple, safe & affordable’
- There’s a new Parador in Cadiz, Spain – this one a converted monastery!
- Spain’s 6, 10, and 20 trip commissionable high-speed rail pass will whisk your clients from MAD to BCN in a mere 2.5 hr
- ACV will continue to spell out the Aeroplan miles awarded on each trip in its soon-to-be-released Europe 2013 brochure
And wonderful news for Ivanna Gabbalot: The World Police and Firefighters’ Games will be taking place in BFS in August. I hear that she has a thing for hunky, sweaty men. Even the ones who don’t speak English.
Find out more about the ETC at www.visiteurope.com which has handy links to all member countries’ sites.
