TORONTO — With no sign of surrender in the U.S.-Canada trade war – and as Canadian travel advisors reacquaint themselves with all the tour operators offering Canadian product, anticipating big demand – one company is eager to keep a high profile with travel advisors in this market.

Calgary-based Anderson Vacations, in business for more than 30 years, has long offered an interesting duo of destinations: Canada, and the South Pacific.

While some travel advisors think ‘inbound’ when they hear about Anderson’s Canada product – and certainly the company does its fair share of inbound business – domestic travel within Canada by Canadians, plus inbound, represents 70% of the company’s market.

And as an FYI for any agents with clients looking beyond Canada this summer – say, to the South Pacific – outbound travel to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti accounts for 30% of Anderson’s operations.

But home is where the heart is, and for Anderson, that’s Canada. “We are true Canadian travel experts, and Canada remains our primary focus. We offer tours across every province, including off-the-beaten-path and Indigenous tourism experiences,” said Anderson’s GM, Andres Reinoso.

“TRAVEL ADVISORS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE”

Anderson is also big on travel advisors. It’s a preferred partner for Ensemble Travel, Travel Leaders and many more.

Asked for the company’s message for Canadian travel agents who think that most Canadians book domestic trips without an agentʻs help, Reinoso said that travel advisors’ expertise when it comes to helping clients make informed decisions, while offering added safety, time and cost savings, and ongoing support before, during, and after their trips, is invaluable.

“Advisors also introduce travellers to off-the-beaten-path experiences that they may not have considered otherwise,” he added.

“We strongly value our partnerships with travel advisors. We know that travel advisors play a crucial role in the travel experience by providing personalized recommendations and guidance on unique destinations.”

Agent know-how is especially key for Canadian travellers booking Canadian getaways. It may come as a surprise to those who believe most domestic bookings are made direct, but as Reinoso puts it, “travel advisors play a key role in domestic tourism in Canada and are a significant portion of our business. Many Canadians are unfamiliar with destinations beyond their province and seek curated travel experiences tailored to their interests, budget and accessibility needs.”

The company puts its money where its mouth is, offering 10-13% commission to travel advisors, depending on the product (FIT or group) and their agency affiliation. There are also cash gift card and FAM incentives.

Currently Anderson is offering a free seat on one of its Maritime Mosaic and Newfoundland small group trips, worth over $11,000. The spot will be awarded to the agent who books the most seats on Anderson’s small group tours by April 30.

“THIS DOMESTIC TRAVEL TREND IS NOT NEW TO US”

As many Canadian travellers book away from the U.S., and look to Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories for travel inspiration, we asked Reinoso about the ramp-up of Canadians wanting to travel in Canada this year.

In his words, “as a Canadian tour operator who has long promoted the beauty of our country to fellow Canadians, this domestic travel trend is not new to us.”

“In 2022, our domestic travel division surged due to lingering international COVID-19 travel restrictions, and now economic factors like the weak loonie and trade tensions are driving another spike,” he said.

He added that Canadians “are prioritizing exploring their backyard and supporting local businesses, which is reflected in our domestic bookings this year.”

Anderson’s business model, with a sizeable portion of its Canada bookings coming from international travellers, including Americans, gives the company a unique perspective on how the trade war and weak loonie are impacting travel: “Interestingly, Americans remain eager to visit, but Canadian cancellations to the U.S. are rising,” he said.

TOP PICKS, HIDDEN GEMS & SHIFTING BOOKING PATTERNS

Anderson specializes in small group tours, custom offerings and FIT. So what’s booking especially well in Canada for summer 2025?

Here’s Reinoso’s take: “The Rockies corridor (Alberta and B.C.) remains a top choice for small group, road and rail trips. Atlantic Canada, particularly Newfoundland, is seeing high demand as travellers seek unique experiences. Northern destinations – Yukon, NWT, and the Arctic – are growing as interest in remote Canada spikes. City breaks in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto are always popular, and self-drive itineraries continue to appeal to budget-conscious travellers.”

With the well-travelled domestic explorer in mind, we also asked about Canada’s hidden gems.

“Each province has its hidden gems, often closer than Canadians realize,” said Reinoso. “In Alberta, Waterton National Park and the Badlands offer breathtaking landscapes with fewer crowds. Haida Gwaii, the archipelago off the coast of B.C., provides a unique Indigenous experience, showcasing the deep cultural heritage, stunning scenery and traditions of the Haida Nation. Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula boasts spectacular sea and mountain views, surrounded by stunning national parks.”

One of the company’s best-selling small group experiences remains its Yellowknife, NWT tour. “With the solar cycle at its peak this year, it’s the perfect time for travel agents to offer clients a bucket-list aurora borealis experience.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Anderson is reintroducing Alaska and Churchill to its group tour portfolio in 2026, enhancing its range of remote and wildlife-focused experiences.

On the back-end, the company is also refreshing its brand and website and expanding its product range “to align with emerging travel trends.”

Out of all the trends driving booking patterns in 2025, multigenerational travel continues to have a major impact.  A welcome holdover from the ‘revenge travel’ era immediately following the pandemic, families are prioritizing experiences that bring them together in meaningful ways, said Reinoso.

Meanwhile small group travel continues to grow in popularity, he added, “as travellers seek more exclusive curated experiences with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals.”

Flexibility in itineraries is also in demand, with travellers preferring trips that allow time for personal exploration at their own pace.

“Booking patterns are shifting,” said Reinoso. “More travellers are securing their trips well in advance to guarantee availability in high-demand destinations like the Canadian Rockies. Additionally, there is a heightened interest in cultural experiences, particularly those that allow deeper engagement with

Indigenous communities and their connection to the land.”

For more information about Anderson Vacations click here. This article appears in the March 27, 2025 issue of Travelweek.