TORONTO — Forward bookings for three of Globus family of brands’ top destinations – Italy, Scotland and Ireland – are at 93% of 2022’s numbers, “indicating that our Canadian office is on target to break some travel records next year,” says Stéphanie Bishop, managing director of the Globus family of brands.

This week Bishop offered an overview of Globus family of brands’ numbers to date and forward bookings. All indicate record-breaking growth.

“We’re preparing to close 2022 with some incredibly strong booking trends for the New Year,” said Bishop. “Destinations that are leading the way back to travel for us are Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and France.”

Also proving to be popular for early 2023 are Escapes by Globus, featuring off-season vacation opportunities at top value – plus the company’s new Choice Touring travel style with new vacations in Europe and North America that provide travellers more flexibility and freedom on each itinerary.

Meanwhile Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery itineraries are leading the wave in river cruise sales for the company. Since launching its very first Active & Discovery cruise on the Danube in 2017, Bishop says Avalon has grown these ‘special interest’ offerings by 560%.

For 2023, the company is providing cruisers with eight Active & Discovery itineraries and 53 departures. That’s 14% of Avalon’s total cruising portfolio.

Avalon Waterways is adding a new Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria – and itinerary (‘Vida Portugal’) on the Douro River for 2024. Bishop says early bookings for the new ship and itinerary are strong, with 40% of capacity already sold, more than 18 months before launch.

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Boosting the company’s presence in this market, the Globus family of brands’ Canadian sales and marketing teams have grown by 60% 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.

Ericksen spoke to Travelweek recently about Avalon’s River Cruise Summit, taking place in 2023 in collaboration with ACTA.

“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.”