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Travel Weekly
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Booking to Breakthrough: Travel Advisor Education in the Digital Age
Travel is experiencing enormous change, from new business models and distribution channels to emerging technologies and evolving traveler preferences. Add economic, social and climate volatility to that fast-moving train, and it's no surprise that travel advisors require consistent, practical and high-quality education and training to be successful. In the digital age, the role of travel advisors has transformed, placing continuous education in the spotlight. "Today's travelers expect personalized service and insider access at digital speed. Between emerging AI tools, constantly evolving travel policies, and growing demand for authentic experiences, advisors must be more informed and strategically minded than ever before," says Henley Vazquez, co-founder and CEO of Fora Travel, a New York-based travel network. What advisors need to know To be truly competitive and profitable, travel professionals need to go wide and deep. That includes learning about booking mechanics, platforms and supplier ecosystems, storytelling (AKA marketing), running a business, managing customer relationships, integrating technology and identifying trends. Many advisors specialize in destinations (Disney properties, for example) and niche travel — accessible, LGBTQ, senior, women-only, luxury, cruise, wellness, green or adventure — is also booming. But, says Sara Stecker, founder and owner of Travel Advisors Unlimited in Jacksonville, Florida, such expertise shouldn't come at the expense of broad knowledge. "I firmly believe every agent has to specialize in something but also be able to book anything." When entering the field, would-be travel advisors needn't worry about having a four-year degree in travel and tourism. "Is it helpful? Yes, but not critical," Stecker says. She looks for three things when she interviews job candidates: Listening skills—allowing clients to do the majority of talking with the intent of learning what they want from their travel experience and establishing a relationship with them. Creativity - "thinking outside the box," Stecker explains, so advisors can go beyond the standard "go-to" destinations and offer opportunities that inspire clients. Dedication - understanding that advising travel is a labor-intensive job requiring agents to always be available to clients, even in the evenings, on weekends or while on vacation. Why continuous education is critical To perform at a high level, travel advisor education is essential. Travel is competitive and maintaining an advisor's reputation is crucial for client retention. The travel landscape is complex, with many destination options, ways to access travel opportunities — booking direct, using online travel agencies, choosing short-term rentals over traditional hotels, joining travel clubs, taking organized tours versus "winging it" — and risks of changes, delays and cancellations. How travelers acquire travel information is rapidly changing. Social video (Google, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram) has become a primary tool for younger travel customers to discover destinations and book travel. Consumers see user-generated content as more authentic, outperforming professional campaigns in engagement. Thus, mastering those platforms and producing the content is key to growing a customer base. The travel industry is also very dynamic. "Today's travelers expect personalized service and insider access at digital speed. Between emerging AI tools, constantly evolving travel policies, and growing demand for authentic experiences, advisors must be more informed and strategically minded than ever before," says Fora Travel's Vasquez. Plus, the information symmetry between customers and advisors has shifted. Dic Marxen, president and CEO of Fort Worth, Texas-based CCRA, stresses that today's travelers are more tech-savvy and well-informed than in the past. "When customers come to us, they've already been on the web, and they may even have used our engaged AI. That already puts them ahead of the curve, and [advisors] have got to be even further ahead of that," he explains. Essential training hubs for travel advisors Travel advisors have a variety of education opportunities. The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) provides the Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification, which focuses on legal frameworks, ethics, agency relationships and regulatory requirements. The Travel Institute is behind the Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) and Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) exams for increasing levels of professional experience. CLIA, the Cruise Lines Industry Association, offers the Certified, Accredited and Master/Elite Cruise Counselor certifications. Tourism boards/destination management organizations frequently deliver presentations to travel advisors on the destination they represent. Travel Advisors Unlimited's Stecker invites such groups to educate her advisors via weekly webinars. Afterward, she challenges the agents to put the learning to work with tasks like developing a pro forma client quote using the information and resources the presenters make available. Travel agent networks are organized communities of agents and/or advisors that share resources, benefits and partnerships. Most such consortia offer in-depth training to members too. Fora Travel, for instance, provides advisors with education on booking and logistics, client communication, business development and destination knowledge through its certification programs, daily labs, on-demand resources and a community app where advisors share successes, troubleshoot challenges and support each other. In-person conferences, such as GTM North America and live events produced by member-based organizations, such as ASTA's Travel Advisor Conference and CLIA's Cruise360, offer advisors professional development and networking. Some travel advisor networks also produce face-to-face events for their affiliates, including Travel Leaders Network (EDGE Conference), Virtuoso (Travel Week) and CCRA (PowerSolutions Live Events). Suppliers also play a crucial role in educating advisors. Travel Insured International (TII), a leading travel insurance provider, helps deepen travel advisor expertise with accessible, interactive and engaging training covering topics such as licensing laws, rules for offering travel protection, travel insurance products, filing claims, coverage types, plans and guidance on presenting travel protection product options confidently and ethically. TII supports advisors through webinars, downloadable tools, a training video library, an advisor newsletter, dedicated account managers, regional boot camps and its Travel Advisor Certified Specialist Program. "What we've learned through our certification program is profound — technology creates efficiency, but training creates confidence. Together, they're helping advisors evolve from order-takers to strategic protection partners who can transform every client conversation into an opportunity for both service and growth," explains Christine Peruccio, assistant vice president sales and marketing support and Travel Insured International's certified specialist program manager. Travel advisor training of the future Technology of all kinds will figure prominently in future travel advisor learning programs; however, it needs to align closely with well-honed, human skill sets. "Technology is the enabler, but training is the differentiator—Travel Insured International's approach ensures advisors are equipped to provide both expertise and empathy," Peruccio says. So far, Dic Marxen says, the industry is evolving its education and training apace. "I don't see any new training facilities, offerings or programs coming up or being added. I do, however, feel very strongly about the ones already there." Marxen envisions a future in which education is agile (accessible and self-paced), condensed (appealing to advisors' time constraints) and expansive (covering the growing list of niche topics).
Egypt Independent
28-05-2025
- Egypt Independent
Canadians are boycotting the US. Are American travelers still welcome in Canada?
CNN — The bucolic, vineyard-dotted Eastern Townships region of southern Quebec has a message for Americans: come hug it out. The region's tourist board released a promotional video on May 26 portraying an English-speaking tourist who bashfully admits to being American — then gets a big hug from a French-speaking hotel receptionist. It's part of a CA$150,000 (US$109,000) ad campaign timed for the start of the summer travel season and aimed at US vacationers. Isabelle Charlebois, general director of Tourism Eastern Townships, said the video is meant to reassure American visitors that 'they are not only expected this summer, but truly welcome.' If travelers need that encouragement, perhaps it's because amid a trade war and rising tensions some are wondering if it's the right time to visit Canada. 'When our administration starts talking about making Canada the 51st state, I could understand if Canadian border patrol might be giving extra scrutiny to Americans,' said Brian Kirchhoff of Middlebury, Vermont. While he still plans to visit Montreal for next month's Canadian Grand Prix, Kirchhoff worries escalating rhetoric from the White House will have repercussions for Americans traveling abroad. 'I just don't know what attitudes are going to be as the situation continues to unfold,' he said. Melissa Curtin McDavitt, a Fora Travel adviser in Los Angeles, California, was taken aback when clients cited concerns about politics and cancelled a planned girls getaway to Quebec City, a provincial capital that's among the safest cities in Canada. 'I was shocked,' she said. 'Like, 'are you sure?'' Quebec City is a popular destination for visitors, but some American tourists are rethinking their Canada travel plans. Gabriel Shakour/iStockphoto/Getty Images Other US travelers have been taking to social media forums to ask Canadians to weigh in directly. 'We don't want to stir up trouble,' wrote one American on Reddit. 'Is it appropriate for us to visit?' Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), said Canadians working at hotels, resorts and other travel destinations are hearing similar concerns from Americans wondering if they should call off their plans. 'Our members and operators across the province are fielding these types of questions,' Siegwart said. 'Is it going to be seamless to cross the border? Are we really going to be welcome?' From 'elbows up' to 'arms open' Such hesitations could have a big economic impact in Canada, where Americans made up nearly 79% of international visits in the third quarter of last year. US travelers spent $6.6 billion in the same period, according to Canada's national statistics office. 'The US market is a really strong part of the economy,' Siegwart said, noting that as the peak travel season nears, he's concerned by slowing cross-border travel. US resident trips to Canada sagged in both February and March, the first year-over-year monthly decreases since 2021. About a third of TIAO members have reported lower summer-season bookings from American travelers when compared with the same period in 2024, Siegwart said. 'We're concerned about the impacts of the trade dispute on travel plans by our US neighbors,' he said. Like their counterparts in the Eastern Townships, members of the Ontario tourism industry are inviting Americans to visit — and telling them that they'll meet with a warm reception. 'We really are 'arms open' to the world and our US visitors,' Siegwart said, using a tagline that riffs on the 'elbows up' slogan that's a rallying cry for Canadian resistance to Trump's tariffs. 'I've heard of a number of destinations in Ontario planning to really roll out the welcome mat.' In western Canada, a group of tour operators specializing in grizzly bear viewing is launching a 'Hey, Neighbor!' campaign this month, featuring small business owners speaking directly to Americans. 'We've been hearing your questions up here in British Columbia. You're wondering if you're still welcome,' the video begins. 'Come on up. You're always welcome.' Montreal, where an overlook from Mount Royal is pictured, is highlighting how far the dollar goes in Canada in efforts to retain American visitors. Sylvie Li/Tourisme Montréal Other destinations in Canada are beckoning US travelers with reminders that their budgets go further north of the border. On April 28, Tourisme Montreal launched a 'stretch your dollar' campaign with a real-time ticker tracking the exchange rate between US and Canadian currencies, which is currently very favorable to Americans. 'In Montreal, we're privileged to have ties with the United States that are historical, cultural and geographical. This is just a way to encourage that to continue,' said Tourisme Montreal spokesperson Aurélie de Blois. 'Montrealers are known for being warm, welcoming and open-spirited, which is not going to change.' What about everyday Canadians? A skeptic might point out that tourism representatives have a vested interest in convincing Americans that Canadians still want them around. Ad campaigns don't always mirror popular sentiment — and it's clear that events on the national level have sparked widespread anger in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians now see the United States as an 'unfriendly' or 'enemy' country, according to a YouGov poll last month; the same poll found that 61% are boycotting American companies. This winter, Canadian fans at NHL and NBA games took to booing the US national anthem. 'We welcome Americans as long as they are respectful of our sovereignty and our culture,' said the owner of the Canada-themed Grizzly Bar in Toronto. courtesy Lauren Corber/Grizzly Bar Canadian Kitchen But surging Canadian pride really isn't hostile to Americans themselves, said Jessica Langer Kapalka, who co-owns Toronto's Canada-themed Grizzly Bar. (Tagline: Canada's most Canadian bar and grill.) 'We welcome Americans as long as they are respectful of our sovereignty and our culture. We aren't anti-American, we're pro-Canadian,' Kapalka said. At Grizzly Bar, visitors of all nationalities can enjoy Molson lager and elk-topped poutine in a space decked with portraits of Canadian greats from Celine Dion to David Suzuki. Plenty of everyday Canadians say they have no intention of taking out political frustrations on visitors — and some are going the extra mile to be neighborly. In February, Canadian TikToker Tod Maffin posted an open invitation for Americans supportive of Canada to visit his Vancouver Island hometown of Nanaimo. On April 26, some 500 people took him up on it, gathering for group photos with the mayor in Maffeo Sutton Park and nibbling the town's namesake dessert: Nanaimo bars. 'It filled my heart,' Maffin said. 'When it comes to rank-and-file Americans, nothing has changed with the relationship and love and kinship that Canadians feel with the people across the border.' In April, Americans and Canadians posed for photos in a show of mutual support in the Vancouver Island town of Nanaimo in response to a TikTok invitation. Dirk Heydemann of HA Photography Responses to Americans' anxious social media queries have been largely friendly, too. Echoing a recurrent theme, one poster suggested that Americans come, but be sensitive: 'Lay off the 51st state 'jokes' and you are welcome with open arms. Have fun, enjoy this beautiful country.' In response to the American who asked, on Reddit, if it's 'appropriate' to visit, Blake Smith of Kitchener, Ontario, replied that even Canadians frustrated with US politics don't have a problem with Americans as people. On a recent phone call, he underscored that perspective. 'I think your average person in Canada likes to judge individuals by themselves, on their own merit … not as a deep red MAGA Republican or a blue Democrat,' he said, then weighed in with an invitation of his own. He said he hopes Americans who do decide to vacation in Canada can treat it as a break from current events. In Canada, he noted, it's still considered a bit impolite to talk too much about politics. 'Leave your troubles at home. Turn off the part of your brain that's doom scrolling,' he said. 'Most people here just want to get along.'
CNN
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Canadians are boycotting the US. Are American travelers still welcome in Canada?
The bucolic, vineyard-dotted Eastern Townships region of southern Quebec has a message for Americans: come hug it out. The region's tourist board released a promotional video on May 26 portraying an English-speaking tourist who bashfully admits to being American — then gets a big hug from a French-speaking hotel receptionist. It's part of a CA$150,000 (US$109,000) ad campaign timed for the start of the summer travel season and aimed at US vacationers. Isabelle Charlebois, general director of Tourism Eastern Townships, said the video is meant to reassure American visitors that 'they are not only expected this summer, but truly welcome.' If travelers need that encouragement, perhaps it's because amid a trade war and rising tensions some are wondering if it's the right time to visit Canada. 'When our administration starts talking about making Canada the 51st state, I could understand if Canadian border patrol might be giving extra scrutiny to Americans,' said Brian Kirchhoff of Middlebury, Vermont. While he still plans to visit Montreal for next month's Canadian Grand Prix, Kirchhoff worries escalating rhetoric from the White House will have repercussions for Americans traveling abroad. 'I just don't know what attitudes are going to be as the situation continues to unfold,' he said. Melissa Curtin McDavitt, a Fora Travel adviser in Los Angeles, California, was taken aback when clients cited concerns about politics and cancelled a planned girls getaway to Quebec City, a provincial capital that's among the safest cities in Canada. 'I was shocked,' she said. 'Like, 'are you sure?'' Other US travelers have been taking to social media forums to ask Canadians to weigh in directly. 'We don't want to stir up trouble,' wrote one American on Reddit. 'Is it appropriate for us to visit?' Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), said Canadians working at hotels, resorts and other travel destinations are hearing similar concerns from Americans wondering if they should call off their plans. 'Our members and operators across the province are fielding these types of questions,' Siegwart said. 'Is it going to be seamless to cross the border? Are we really going to be welcome?' Such hesitations could have a big economic impact in Canada, where Americans made up nearly 79% of international visits in the third quarter of last year. US travelers spent $6.6 billion in the same period, according to Canada's national statistics office. 'The US market is a really strong part of the economy,' Siegwart said, noting that as the peak travel season nears, he's concerned by slowing cross-border travel. US resident trips to Canada sagged in both February and March, the first year-over-year monthly decreases since 2021. About a third of TIAO members have reported lower summer-season bookings from American travelers when compared with the same period in 2024, Siegwart said. 'We're concerned about the impacts of the trade dispute on travel plans by our US neighbors,' he said. Like their counterparts in the Eastern Townships, members of the Ontario tourism industry are inviting Americans to visit — and telling them that they'll meet with a warm reception. 'We really are 'arms open' to the world and our US visitors,' Siegwart said, using a tagline that riffs on the 'elbows up' slogan that's a rallying cry for Canadian resistance to Trump's tariffs. 'I've heard of a number of destinations in Ontario planning to really roll out the welcome mat.' In western Canada, a group of tour operators specializing in grizzly bear viewing is launching a 'Hey, Neighbor!' campaign this month, featuring small business owners speaking directly to Americans. 'We've been hearing your questions up here in British Columbia. You're wondering if you're still welcome,' the video begins. 'Come on up. You're always welcome.' Other destinations in Canada are beckoning US travelers with reminders that their budgets go further north of the border. On April 28, Tourisme Montreal launched a 'stretch your dollar' campaign with a real-time ticker tracking the exchange rate between US and Canadian currencies, which is currently very favorable to Americans. 'In Montreal, we're privileged to have ties with the United States that are historical, cultural and geographical. This is just a way to encourage that to continue,' said Tourisme Montreal spokesperson Aurélie de Blois. 'Montrealers are known for being warm, welcoming and open-spirited, which is not going to change.' A skeptic might point out that tourism representatives have a vested interest in convincing Americans that Canadians still want them around. Ad campaigns don't always mirror popular sentiment — and it's clear that events on the national level have sparked widespread anger in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians now see the United States as an 'unfriendly' or 'enemy' country, according to a YouGov poll last month; the same poll found that 61% are boycotting American companies. This winter, Canadian fans at NHL and NBA games took to booing the US national anthem. But surging Canadian pride really isn't hostile to Americans themselves, said Jessica Langer Kapalka, who co-owns Toronto's Canada-themed Grizzly Bar. (Tagline: Canada's most Canadian bar and grill.) 'We welcome Americans as long as they are respectful of our sovereignty and our culture. We aren't anti-American, we're pro-Canadian,' Kapalka said. At Grizzly Bar, visitors of all nationalities can enjoy Molson lager and elk-topped poutine in a space decked with portraits of Canadian greats from Celine Dion to David Suzuki. Plenty of everyday Canadians say they have no intention of taking out political frustrations on visitors — and some are going the extra mile to be neighborly. In February, Canadian TikToker Tod Maffin posted an open invitation for Americans supportive of Canada to visit his Vancouver Island hometown of Nanaimo. On April 26, some 500 people took him up on it, gathering for group photos with the mayor in Maffeo Sutton Park and nibbling the town's namesake dessert: Nanaimo bars. 'It filled my heart,' Maffin said. 'When it comes to rank-and-file Americans, nothing has changed with the relationship and love and kinship that Canadians feel with the people across the border.' Responses to Americans' anxious social media queries have been largely friendly, too. Echoing a recurrent theme, one poster suggested that Americans come, but be sensitive: 'Lay off the 51st state 'jokes' and you are welcome with open arms. Have fun, enjoy this beautiful country.' In response to the American who asked, on Reddit, if it's 'appropriate' to visit, Blake Smith of Kitchener, Ontario, replied that even Canadians frustrated with US politics don't have a problem with Americans as people. On a recent phone call, he underscored that perspective. 'I think your average person in Canada likes to judge individuals by themselves, on their own merit … not as a deep red MAGA Republican or a blue Democrat,' he said, then weighed in with an invitation of his own. He said he hopes Americans who do decide to vacation in Canada can treat it as a break from current events. In Canada, he noted, it's still considered a bit impolite to talk too much about politics. 'Leave your troubles at home. Turn off the part of your brain that's doom scrolling,' he said. 'Most people here just want to get along.'
CNN
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Canadians are boycotting the US. Are American travelers still welcome in Canada?
The bucolic, vineyard-dotted Eastern Townships region of southern Quebec has a message for Americans: come hug it out. The region's tourist board released a promotional video on May 26 portraying an English-speaking tourist who bashfully admits to being American — then gets a big hug from a French-speaking hotel receptionist. It's part of a CA$150,000 (US$109,000) ad campaign timed for the start of the summer travel season and aimed at US vacationers. Isabelle Charlebois, general director of Tourism Eastern Townships, said the video is meant to reassure American visitors that 'they are not only expected this summer, but truly welcome.' If travelers need that encouragement, perhaps it's because amid a trade war and rising tensions some are wondering if it's the right time to visit Canada. 'When our administration starts talking about making Canada the 51st state, I could understand if Canadian border patrol might be giving extra scrutiny to Americans,' said Brian Kirchhoff of Middlebury, Vermont. While he still plans to visit Montreal for next month's Canadian Grand Prix, Kirchhoff worries escalating rhetoric from the White House will have repercussions for Americans traveling abroad. 'I just don't know what attitudes are going to be as the situation continues to unfold,' he said. Melissa Curtin McDavitt, a Fora Travel adviser in Los Angeles, California, was taken aback when clients cited concerns about politics and cancelled a planned girls getaway to Quebec City, a provincial capital that's among the safest cities in Canada. 'I was shocked,' she said. 'Like, 'are you sure?'' Other US travelers have been taking to social media forums to ask Canadians to weigh in directly. 'We don't want to stir up trouble,' wrote one American on Reddit. 'Is it appropriate for us to visit?' Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), said Canadians working at hotels, resorts and other travel destinations are hearing similar concerns from Americans wondering if they should call off their plans. 'Our members and operators across the province are fielding these types of questions,' Siegwart said. 'Is it going to be seamless to cross the border? Are we really going to be welcome?' Such hesitations could have a big economic impact in Canada, where Americans made up nearly 79% of international visits in the third quarter of last year. US travelers spent $6.6 billion in the same period, according to Canada's national statistics office. 'The US market is a really strong part of the economy,' Siegwart said, noting that as the peak travel season nears, he's concerned by slowing cross-border travel. US resident trips to Canada sagged in both February and March, the first year-over-year monthly decreases since 2021. About a third of TIAO members have reported lower summer-season bookings from American travelers when compared with the same period in 2024, Siegwart said. 'We're concerned about the impacts of the trade dispute on travel plans by our US neighbors,' he said. Like their counterparts in the Eastern Townships, members of the Ontario tourism industry are inviting Americans to visit — and telling them that they'll meet with a warm reception. 'We really are 'arms open' to the world and our US visitors,' Siegwart said, using a tagline that riffs on the 'elbows up' slogan that's a rallying cry for Canadian resistance to Trump's tariffs. 'I've heard of a number of destinations in Ontario planning to really roll out the welcome mat.' In western Canada, a group of tour operators specializing in grizzly bear viewing is launching a 'Hey, Neighbor!' campaign this month, featuring small business owners speaking directly to Americans. 'We've been hearing your questions up here in British Columbia. You're wondering if you're still welcome,' the video begins. 'Come on up. You're always welcome.' Other destinations in Canada are beckoning US travelers with reminders that their budgets go further north of the border. On April 28, Tourisme Montreal launched a 'stretch your dollar' campaign with a real-time ticker tracking the exchange rate between US and Canadian currencies, which is currently very favorable to Americans. 'In Montreal, we're privileged to have ties with the United States that are historical, cultural and geographical. This is just a way to encourage that to continue,' said Tourisme Montreal spokesperson Aurélie de Blois. 'Montrealers are known for being warm, welcoming and open-spirited, which is not going to change.' A skeptic might point out that tourism representatives have a vested interest in convincing Americans that Canadians still want them around. Ad campaigns don't always mirror popular sentiment — and it's clear that events on the national level have sparked widespread anger in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians now see the United States as an 'unfriendly' or 'enemy' country, according to a YouGov poll last month; the same poll found that 61% are boycotting American companies. This winter, Canadian fans at NHL and NBA games took to booing the US national anthem. But surging Canadian pride really isn't hostile to Americans themselves, said Jessica Langer Kapalka, who co-owns Toronto's Canada-themed Grizzly Bar. (Tagline: Canada's most Canadian bar and grill.) 'We welcome Americans as long as they are respectful of our sovereignty and our culture. We aren't anti-American, we're pro-Canadian,' Kapalka said. At Grizzly Bar, visitors of all nationalities can enjoy Molson lager and elk-topped poutine in a space decked with portraits of Canadian greats from Celine Dion to David Suzuki. Plenty of everyday Canadians say they have no intention of taking out political frustrations on visitors — and some are going the extra mile to be neighborly. In February, Canadian TikToker Tod Maffin posted an open invitation for Americans supportive of Canada to visit his Vancouver Island hometown of Nanaimo. On April 26, some 500 people took him up on it, gathering for group photos with the mayor in Maffeo Sutton Park and nibbling the town's namesake dessert: Nanaimo bars. 'It filled my heart,' Maffin said. 'When it comes to rank-and-file Americans, nothing has changed with the relationship and love and kinship that Canadians feel with the people across the border.' Responses to Americans' anxious social media queries have been largely friendly, too. Echoing a recurrent theme, one poster suggested that Americans come, but be sensitive: 'Lay off the 51st state 'jokes' and you are welcome with open arms. Have fun, enjoy this beautiful country.' In response to the American who asked, on Reddit, if it's 'appropriate' to visit, Blake Smith of Kitchener, Ontario, replied that even Canadians frustrated with US politics don't have a problem with Americans as people. On a recent phone call, he underscored that perspective. 'I think your average person in Canada likes to judge individuals by themselves, on their own merit … not as a deep red MAGA Republican or a blue Democrat,' he said, then weighed in with an invitation of his own. He said he hopes Americans who do decide to vacation in Canada can treat it as a break from current events. In Canada, he noted, it's still considered a bit impolite to talk too much about politics. 'Leave your troubles at home. Turn off the part of your brain that's doom scrolling,' he said. 'Most people here just want to get along.'
Travel Weekly
22-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Host agency Fora Travel expands into Mexico
Host agency Fora Travel has expanded into Mexico, saying there is great opportunity there. Fora Mexico general manager Sofia Minvielle said Mexico expansion was an idea six months ago, and that the host now has 250-plus advisors in the country. Fora plans to offer its advisors local meetings, direct payment capabilities in Mexican pesos and Spanish-language webinars and support. Affiliation with Fora comes at an annual membership fee of $299.
