With the strong demand of the return to travel, the Globus family of brands is repositioning itself to meet this demand.
“We’re preparing to close 2022 with some incredibly strong booking trends for the New Year,” said Stéphanie Bishop, managing director of the Globus family of brands, Canada. “Destinations that are leading the way back to travel for us are Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and France. In fact, early 2023 sales for Italy, Scotland and Ireland are at 93% of total 2022 numbers, indicating that our Canadian office is on target to break some travel records next year.”
Three Brands Lead the Way
According to the company, ‘Escapes by Globus’ has proven popular with travellers looking for off-season vacations at lower price points, while the company’s new ‘Choice Touring’ offers increased flexibility and freedom for travellers in Europe and North America.
Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery itineraries are leading the wave in river cruise sales for the company. Since launching its first Active & Discovery cruise on the Danube in 2017, Avalon has grown these “special interest” offerings by 560 per cent. For 2023, the company is providing cruisers with eight Active & Discovery itineraries and 53 departures – that’s 14 per cent of Avalon’s total cruising portfolio.
Earlier in 2022, Avalon Waterways also announced the addition of a new Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria – and itinerary on the Douro River for 2024. The company is having early booking success for the new ship and its first season is 40 per cent sold more than 18 months before launch.
Growing Team
To react to these booking trends and prepare for a return to “regular” travel next year, Bishop says that the Globus family of brands’ Canadian sales and marketing teams have grown by 60 per cent with eight new hires in the last six months.
Joining the company in recent months are Ainsley Ericksen, senior director of marketing; Michelle Lebel, BDM for Quebec and Atlantic Canada and Maurizio Mazzola, BDM for greater Toronto and Northern Ontario; Carolina Suarez, BDM for Eastern Ontario and Ottawa and Alex Mrazek, digital specialist. New hires, filling newly created positions for the company, include Elisha Bouwer, sales project coordinator; Sherri King, marketing coordinator and Anisa Saeed, manager of digital marketing.
“The 2023 travel season is off to an exciting start,” said Bishop. “And with a new, enhanced team in place, we’re better poised than ever before to reignite and re-engage travellers and travel advisors alike, welcoming them back to the world and all its wonder.”
For more information, please visit Globus Family of Brands' web sites.
