TORONTO — Part of Go Ahead Tours’ plan for its big push into Canada is a “long-term partnership” with travel agents, as the tour company looks to take more market share here with help from those who know Canadian travellers best.

At Go Ahead Tours’ Travel Agent Open House event last night in Toronto, Go Ahead’s Vice President, Canada, Johan Astrom told agents: “From our side we see you as a fundamental part of our success here in Canada, and how we can grow the business. We want to grow a long-term partnership with all of you.”

Go Ahead has always served Canadian (and U.S.) travellers out of its Boston office but in January 2015 the company officially set up shop in Canada. Parent company EF Education First has been around for 52 years with global offices. The company’s headquarters is based in Lucerne, Switzerland with sales and service offices for Go Ahead specifically in Boston and Toronto.

Astrom admitted that “for us, it’s been a bit of a new thing to work with travel agents”. In researching the Canadian market, he said, Go Ahead realized that travel agencies are “where [Canadian travellers] go to book their tours … go for expert knowledge … and go to learn about new destinations.”

Astrom added: “For us, it’s just natural that we want to work with you. We want to partner with you long-term. We are here long-term in Canada and we are here to really invest in the market, and grow the Canadian market.
“We want to take a big market share from our competitors, so that’s something we need to work on together.”

Last night’s event was co-hosted by Travelweek’s Xplr VR. “We are so excited to be co-hosting this open house with Go Ahead Tours to help spread the word about VR technology,” said Devin Kinasz, Director of Digital Strategy at Travelweek. “Agents and agency owners need to know how this groundbreaking technology can capture the attention of consumers and help increase sales. It’s fun, innovative and an absolute game changer for the travel industry.”

Go Ahead offers more than 150 tours on seven continents, highlighted by everything from Europe to food & wine tours and special event tours.
Tour group sizes capped at between 14 to 35 travellers, “well below the industry average”. There’s also a ratio of 10 paid, one free. Add on excursions are available.

What’s the Go Ahead difference? The company points to its locally created itineraries, local tour directors, local cuisine, guided sightseeing, personalized flight options, private transportation and unmatched service with expertly trained tour consultants. Internal flights are often included.
Go Ahead also has a 24/7 emergency support team in place as part of a 40,000-strong worldwide staff.

The company’s mission: “Opening the world through educational travel”.