• Our Mission
• Our BHAG
• Our Executive Team
• Brief History

Brief History

Anderson Tours and Charters was founded in 1992 by Dave and Lorraine Anderson.  Owning their own motor coach equipment at the time Dave and Lorraine felt it best to start a tour company focusing on a very small market segment (The Strathcona County 50+ Traveller) and taking that segment travelling around Alberta.  In 1994 the Marshall family bought this company from Dave and Lorraine and have owned and operated it to this day. 

Increasing in size each year by an average of 50% the growth has stemmed from our organizations commitment to excellent customer service, and care provided to our retail travel agent partners as well as the end client. This growth can be also attributed to our ambition to stay ahead of tourism market trends and online technology.  New product lines have been introduced since 2001 including Explore Canada (Group Tours piece), and Independent Travel Packages.  These product lines allowed us to form a point of difference in the Canadian travel market.

With the diversification of distribution channels and product offerings Anderson Tours re- branded in 2005 to Anderson Vacations.ca, so we could be seen visually as not just a Tour Escorting company, but as the ONE STOP CANADA TRAVEL SOLUTION. With the re-brand and diversification, Anderson Vacations relocated our head office to Calgary in 2005, while maintaining secondary offices in Edmonton and the Corridor region of Ontario.

Each of our product lines have different travelers types that they appeal to.  Our Escorted Tour programs target the 55+ domestic traveler that want everything planned and looked after for them.  Our Explore Canada Groups program focuses on the inbound tour operator group market throughout North America, as well as student, convention, conference and corporate incentive groups. These groups use us as their receptive tour operator as we look after complete itinerary planning saving them time and money. Our Independent Travel Packages appeal to all ages depending on the product and itinerary they are looking for.  Completely customizable, tailor made packages for travellers from the adventurer to the rail enthusiast, from the family get away to the romantic couples program.

2007 saw the launch of the latest editions in Anderson’s business arsenal Anderson Logistics (our Charter Brokerage and Logistic Business), and SIMPLERes.ca (our convention housing platform).  While Anderson Logistics strength has been in securing and working with major sport and oil transportation contracts, SIMPLERes forcuses on the meeting planner, providing a solution for city wide convention housing contract management.

2008 will see the final and latest addition to the Anderson product family.  However instead this time rather then trying to become further diversified in the Canadian Travel marketplace, Anderson made the decision to apply the same brand messaging of niche, specialist knowledge and expertise, exceptional customer service, and one stop solution to its next destination.  This time Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands, and Anderson will become your One Stop Canada and Downunder Travel Solution.  By forging relationships with major airline partners, as well as a technology platform provided to the Canadian retail agent at desk top, Anderson is bringing to the Canadian retail market South Pacific travel in a real time way that it has never been able to be booked or researched before.   With 60% of the Anderson Call centre and executive team being from the South Pacific it was a perfect fit, as the destination knowledge Anderson is able to pass on will add further expertise to the new venture.  The Future of South Pacific Travel is Here Now  www.DownUnderSolution.com

Anderson Vacations is THE ONE STOP CANADA & DOWNUNDER TRAVEL SOLUTION.

Specialist Canada Knowledge & Expertise:
We are known and respected in the Canadian market for our specialist’s knowledge on Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands as a destinations; we rely on this as our point of difference and never undervalue this key ingredient in our success. Staff have regular opportunities to visit, explore, and experience destinations from coast to coast, and pass there experiences onto our customers so they can ensure they make the most of our holidays.  For a complete staff listing click here.

Owner / Management Run Company
A key benefit in working with Anderson Vacations, an owner operated company, is that our Product Team, Reservations Team and Clients are managed directly by the owners of the company. This ensures that all aspects of the partnership, from marketing and negotiations to the reservation process and operation of the tour or independent package will be run efficiently and treated as priority with the same emphasis that existed in 1992 under the guidance of Dave and Lorraine Anderson.  Although a different business today our long standing tradition of exceptional service, personalized detail, and customer retention/loyalty still hold true.

Anderson now sits as a company of just over 30 staff, and 6 product lines promoting one stop shopping for Canadian travel needs, and is seen as one of the largest growing travel companies in Canada to work for or travel with.

OUR GOAL IS TO EARN YOUR CONFIDENCE AND KEEP YOU TRAVELLING WITH US!