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If you are travelling to Costa Rica - Here is some important information you should know
1.Canadians intending to visit Costa Rica require a valid Canadian passport and the passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date of arrival in Costa Rica.
2.Passengers are responsible to pay a local departure tax of US$28 per person upon leaving Costa Rica. Please note this amount can change without notice.
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Canadians traveling to Cuba - Your Passport must be valid for at least 30 days after your return into Canada!!
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 Canadians Traveling to Mexico - Make sure your passport has No water damage, torn pages etc.. You will be sent home on the next flight if you passport is not in good shape - Happy Travels
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U.A.E. New Visa Requirement
Canadians will need visas to enter the United Arab Emirates as of Jan. 2, 2011, according to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the U.A.E.'s embassy in Ottawa.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada posted an update to its website that says visas will be required for tourism and business purposes and can be obtained prior to travel at the U.A.E. Embassy.
Until recently, Canada was one of more than 30 countries, mostly Western that benefited from a visa waiver the UAE offered to their citizens. As of January 2, 2011 Canadians will be required to have a visa to travel to UAE for business or pleasure. UAE citizens are already required to have visas to enter Canada.
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FREDERICTON Airport’s long-term parking is moving to an automated system.
Workers have begun to convert the long-term parking lot at the Fredericton International Airport to an automated system.
The new configuration will have the existing entrance converted to an exit thereby providing two exits. The entrance will be relocated between the rental car lot entrance and the current entrance.
Customers will be able to pay in lane with a credit card at the automated exit stations or by cash and credit card at a new pay station being installed adjacent to the exit lanes.
The automated pay station will be enclosed in a shelter with security cameras.
These changes are expected to significantly reduce the processing time for payment from the long-term parking lot.
The project is part of a C$250,000 improvement to the overall parking system, including cart corrals and exterior benches, and will be completed near the end of the month.
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Canadians to get e-passports
CANADA has announced plans to introduce e-passports to its citizens as early as next year.
Canadians who apply for passports will now receive a document with a chip that contains their photo and personal information such as their age, gender and date and place of birth. Only special and diplomatic passport applicants have received e-passports until now.
It is hoped that the introduction of these passports will increase security and provide better protection against fraud.
There are still a few issues that need to be ironed out and a major online consultation will also be taking place with Canadians to find out their ideas about this service. E-passports will also be valid for 10 years as opposed to the normal five.
For a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding e-passports, visit http://www.ppt.gc.ca/support/faq.aspx?lang=eng&id=810
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AS of May 1, tourists wanting to enter Cuba, Cubans living abroad and foreigners living in Cuba will be forced to buy health insurance.
Medical policies will have to be purchased from insurance companies recognised in Cuba or from a sales point at a point of entry to Cuba.
Diplomats and representatives of accredited international organisations are exempt from this policy.
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Do you dream of an exclusive and luxurious cruisetour in historic Venice or a romantic walk through the countryside in southern France? As your Travel Professionals International personal travel consultant, I can help you see more of Europe for less than you could imagine, and my new e-magazine, Xplore, can help. Click here to read Xplore and call me to start planning your dream European vacation!
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TPI Named “Agency Chain of the Year” Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, is proud to announce its receipt of “Agency Chain of the Year” in the Awards of Merit 2008 as presented by TRAVELHotNews.com (published by Logimonde Inc./Act Communications Inc. – also publishers of Canadian Traveller Magazine).
According to the organizers of the yearly awards, the “TRAVELHotNews.com Awards of Merit 2008 recognizes the best of the best - travel industry companies and individuals all across Canada.” “To be honoured by our industry peers is a major accomplishment for our agents across the country and their support team,” exclaimed Phil Sproul, TPI’s Executive VP & COO.
Voted on by members of the Canadian travel industry, the “Agency Chain of the Year” award represents the network of travel agencies that garners the most number of votes cast.
For over fourteen years, TPI’s independent travel consultants have been helping thousands of Canadians turn their travel dreams to reality by sending them to destinations around the world. Backed by a head office support system with over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, TPI Associates are ready and available to provide full-service travel solutions. |
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WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, was recognized by Sandals Resorts at The 11th Annual Sandals Travel Agency Recognition (S.T.A.R.) Awards, held December 1st, 2012, at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island in Nassau, Bahamas. The S.T.A.R. Awards recognize outstanding sales performance among agents from around the world in selling Sandals, Beaches, and Grand Pineapple products.
“Sandals has found an incredible partner in TPI,” said Gary C. Sadler, Senior Vice President, Sales, Unique Vacations Inc., worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Resorts, “and we’re very honoured by their ongoing commitment and success in representing Sandals brands across Canada.”
As a top producing agency for Sandals, TPI was awarded:
- Canada: Best of the Best
- Canada: Top Destination Weddings Travel Agency
- North America: Top Home-Based Travel Agency
- Worldwide: President’s Award (given to TPI advisor Lois Barbour)
“It was an honour to be receive these prestigious awards on behalf of TPI,” said Morris Chia, TPI President & CEO. “Sandals has been a consistent supporter of TPI over the years and we are happy that our hard work in building a long-lasting relationship between our two companies has proven fruitful.”
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel advisors and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, innovative technological solutions, and excellent supplier relationships, hundreds of TPI advisors across Canada are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Director, Corporate Development, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 December 2012
TPI Takes 83 to Punta Cana to Celebrate
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel advisors, celebrated the success of its top producing consultants by taking 83 advisors, advisors' guests, and TPI staff to the Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, 4-11 November 2012, as part of the company’s annual Velocity trip.
Visiting Punta Cana and surrounding areas for seven days, attendees enjoyed leisure, networking, and educational components while celebrating their success alongside their TPI peers, a delegation of TPI staff, and Morris Chia, TPI President and CEO.
Exclusive to TPI advisors, the Velocity rewards program is designed to encourage consultants to gain industry designations, participate in TPI and preferred partner functions, and build their businesses through increased sales – all the while rewarding them with incentives such as higher commissions and the annual Velocity trip for TPI’s top-producing advisors and their guests.
TPI’s 2012 Velocity trip was generously sponsored by, TPI preferred partners, Majestic Resorts, Sunquest/Thomas Cook Canada, Air Canada Vacations, RBC Insurance, and Ocean Adventures.
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel advisors and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, innovative technological solutions, and excellent supplier relationships, hundreds of TPI advisors across Canada are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Director, Corporate Development, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel advisors, today announces its membership in the Virtuoso luxury travel network, comprising the industry’s top leisure travel agencies in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia, and New Zealand. TPI’s membership in Virtuoso will bring a host of rare travel opportunities and exclusive values to select TPI Velocity advisors and their clients.
“Less than one percent of travel agencies in North America are admitted for membership in Virtuoso,” said Morris Chia, TPI President & CEO. “This renowned network of luxury travel specialists leverages its combined annual sales of more than US$9.6 billion to negotiate special upgrades, amenities, values and truly rare travel experiences exclusively for the clients of its member agencies. We are very honoured to have been invited to join Virtuoso and now to be able to offer these additional benefits to our advisors and their clients.”
“We are excited to welcome TPI’s select Velocity members into the Virtuoso network,” said Matthew D. Upchurch, CTC, Chairman & CEO of Virtuoso. “We are selective about the agencies we invite to join, and one central tenet shared by all of our members is a commitment to provide personalized service and exceptional experiences for their clientele.”
TPI’s membership in Virtuoso gives its select Velocity advisors – who meet stringent sales quotas in order to qualify for access to the program – reinforced direct relationships with many of the finest hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines and tour operators in the world, as well as an expanded resource of insider destination knowledge and numerous monetary benefits. Virtuoso also provides the services of Virtuoso On-Site ground operators in more than 70 countries, all dedicated to ensuring the happiness and comfort of Virtuoso agencies’ clients. In addition, TPI advisors gain access to the latest in travel product marketing and technology in order to assist them in taking their business success to new heights, including but not limited to Virtuoso’s award-winning marketing and publications and innovative technology platform.
“We feel the Velocity advisors at TPI are a perfect fit for our organization and the assets we’re able to provide our members, from exclusive amenities with tangible value to personal relationships with more than 1,700 of the world’s best travel providers, will translate into better travels for their clients,” said Upchurch.
TPI is in good company within the Virtuoso network. Virtuoso’s travel specialists dominate the annual top-agent lists in Travel+Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and National Geographic Traveler.
“This is truly an exciting next step in TPI’s history as we continue to lead as the home for Canada’s independent travel advisors,” stated Chia. “Combining TPI’s travel advisors with the power of the Virtuoso network will create new revenue opportunities for our advisors and exceptional experiences for their clientele.”
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel advisors and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, innovative technological solutions, and excellent supplier relationships, hundreds of TPI advisors across Canada are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Director, Corporate Development, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its 2012 Annual Conference, “Achieve!”, at the Gran Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, 21-26 April 2012.
Attending the conference were 115 TPI Associates, 25 travel industry suppliers and partners, and 7 TPI Head Office staff. Conference attendees were invited to share best practices for achieving the true potential of their businesses through their travel partners, associate peers, and head office support team.
Morris Chia, TPI President & CEO, congratulated the assembled associates on their success and noted that TPI's overall travel sales were up 19% for its fiscal year-to-date 2012, with the largest area of growth being tour sales (up 19%). Forecasting continued growth across the network, Chia emphasized the company’s expanded focus on developing niche markets in conjunction with each member's business focus.
Keynote speaker, Nolan Burris, led attendees through a “business boot camp” on the four essential cornerstones of business in order to achieve success – sales and marketing, technology, finance, and operations.
In addition to the educational components of the conference, a number of attendees visited the SOS Children’s Villages (SOS) to spend time with orphans and their substitute mothers. SOS is a private, non-profit, non-political and non-denominational welfare organization whose goal is to offer orphaned and abandoned children – regardless of race, nationality or creed – a permanent home and to prepare them for an independent life. In order to assist with the programming offered by SOS, TPI associates, clients, and industry partners from across Canada donated a large quantity of school supplies in addition to raising funds for the program.
Celebrating the success of TPI, Sandals sponsored the Gala Awards Night where members were recognized for their contributions to the company. Fifteen individual TPI awards were handed out in various categories including top overall sales growth, top commissions, top cruises sales, top insurance sales, and top associate sales in each region.
"Achieve" was generously sponsored by TPI Preferred Partners, including Platinum Sponsor Thomas Cook Canada, Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Jamaica, RBC Insurance, Transat Holidays/Nolitours, Celebrity Cruises, Insight Vacations, Air Canada Vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines, Tourcan Vacations, AMA Waterways, Royal Caribbean International/Azamara Club Cruises, WestJet Vacations, Trafalgar, SeaWorld, Sandals/Beaches, G Adventures, Gateways International, Alio, Sabre, Kensington Tours, Holland America Line, Silk Holidays, Viking River Cruises, Collette Vacations, Princess Cruises/Cunard Line, and SuperClubs. Also in attendance were representatives from CITC and ACTA.
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, innovative technological solutions, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Director, Corporate Development, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its annual Ontario summer barbeque, Thursday, 7 June 2012, at the Mimico Cruising Club, Toronto, Ontario.
Attending the event were 45 associates and their guests, Leah Smith, TPI Business Development team member, Penny Martin, TPI’s Ontario Training and Development Manager, Melanie Carter, TPI’s National Marketing Manager, and Sandra Gardiner, National Accounts Manager for AMA Waterways.
The 2012 TPI Ontario annual summer barbeque was generously sponsored by AMA Waterways.
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, innovative technological solutions, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Director, Corporate Development, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, has been announced as part of the exclusive Platinum Circle of Viking River Cruises.
As top producing agencies for Viking River Cruises, Platinum Circle members were rewarded with a private charter cruise in Europe on the new Viking Prestige at the end of March, 2012. Proudly representing all of TPI’s independent travel consultants, Morris Chia, President & CEO, took part in the celebration along with other representatives of top producing agencies from around the world.
Michele Saegesser, Vice President of Sales for Viking River Cruises, says that the Platinum Circle is Viking’s very best. “We are a company dedicated to the service and the support of our travel partners,” said Saegesser.
The cruise embarked from Amsterdam and took guests through the surrounding waterways. One hundred twenty industry partners enjoyed the first class service of Viking’s inaugural sailings of four new ships as guests explored cities such as Antwerp, Brugge, Ghent and Rotterdam, among others – all the while networking and celebrating the success of their partnership with Viking.
“It was an honour to be asked to attend this prestigious event on behalf of TPI,” said Chia. “River cruising is an important product for TPI and one that our consultants are focusing on more and more every day due to great product and service offerings which result in high customer satisfaction rates.”
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, innovative technological solutions, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Director, Corporate Development, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, today releases its 6-month financial results for the period ended 31 January 2012, showcasing double-digit year-over-year growth in travel sales and consultant service fees.
The privately-held company experienced a 22% increase in total travel sales revenue with ITC sales in particular showing the group’s largest product increase at 26% – a change from the previous year’s trend that saw dynamic packaging and FIT travel achieving the largest product increases.
Service fees related to travel sales increased 27%, driven by TPI’s independent travel consultants receiving an average of 7% more in service fees per booking for the value-added services they provide to their clients.
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, innovative technological solutions, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Director, Corporate Development, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, celebrated the success of its top producing consultants by taking 34 associates, associates' guests, preferred partners, and TPI staff to the Aston Bali Resort, Bali, Indonesia, 14-21 October 2011, as part of the company’s annual Club Velocity trip for its top independent travel consultants.
Visiting Bali and surrounding areas for seven days, attendees enjoyed leisure, networking, and education components while celebrating their success alongside a handful of TPI staff, David Boigne, VP Specialty Brands, Thomas Cook Canada, and Morris Chia, TPI Chairman and CEO.
“We had an amazing time exploring the island, its warm people, interesting culture, temples, local villages, shopping, and relaxing on the beach and pool side,” exclaimed Carl Henderson, a Diamond-level TPI associate from Toronto, Ontario.
Exclusive to TPI Associates, the Velocity rewards program is designed to encourage consultants to gain industry designations, participate in TPI and preferred partner functions, and build their businesses through increased sales – all the while rewarding them with incentives such as the annual Club Velocity trip for TPI’s top-producing associates and their guests.
“The annual TPI Velocity trip is such a great reward from TPI and always so much fun with the other TPI Associates from across the country and head office staff,” said Henderson.
TPI’s 2011 Club Velocity trip was generously sponsored by, TPI preferred partners, Exotik Tours, Sunquest Vacations, Royal Caribbean International/Azamara Cruises, and RBC Insurance.
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, has concluded its cross-country fall training series, entitled TPI 2011 Summit, attended by over 300 of the company’s travel consultants.
TPI 2011 Summit visited seven cities across Canada throughout September and October, bringing Associates in-person training from invited speakers, members of TPI’s management team, and preferred partners on need-to-know trends affecting the industry, new TPI program offerings, and best practices for business success. In addition, TPI offered an optional training add-on day for Associates to take part in one-on-one marketing workshops with TPI Training and Development Managers.
Keynote speaking at the TPI 2011 Summit was Terry Knox, a motivational speaker with clients throughout North America and Dubai, who spoke with TPI travel consultants about tools to enhance their personal and professional lives.
TPI 2011 Summit events were held in Dartmouth, NS; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC; Toronto, ON; Regina, SK; and Winnipeg, MB.
Preferred partners supporting the events included Thomas Cook Canada, Transat Holidays/Nolitours, Royal Caribbean International/Azamara, and Princess Cruises, as well as RBC Insurance, Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations, Trafalgar Tours, and many more.
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Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
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