Canada Travel Solutions

BC Roadshow!

2010-04-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

Anderson Vacations prides themselves on their close relationships with agents and are constantly working to make sure these relationships are maintained. Anderson Vacations strongly believes in getting out and meeting and training as many of their agents as possible. This belief is also held by many of Anderson Vacations partners as was apparent at the Spring Agent Nights held in British Columbia. Anderson Vacations held shows in Vancouver, Victoria & Kelowna. Agents were invited to come out and learn what is new and exciting at Anderson and also to meet some of the staff as well as various suppliers.

Supplier partners in attendance included Pam Duigou from West Edmonton Mall, Coral Perry from Air Pacific, Marilyn Scott from Cook Islands Tourism and a number of Oregon State delegates attend the events to support Anderson Vacations and help promote their regions. New to the shows this year were the delegates from Oregon with many different suppliers coming out to show their support including Chris Warlick from Hotel Fifty, Steven Steinberg from Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites, Greg Eckhart from Travel Portland, Rose Blackson of Amtrak, Sue Walton from Medford Visitors and Convention Bureau, Sue Price from the Southern Oregon Visitors Association, Kristine McConnell from the Central Oregon Visitors Association, Heather Anderson from Washington County Visitors Association, Gabi Duarte from the Woodburn Company, and Lisa Itel from Travel Oregon.

Excellent feedback was reported from both travel agents and suppliers in attendance at the show. Enquiries increased considerably for Canada, Oregon and the South Pacific following the shows. Greg Eckhart had the following to say about partnering with Anderson Vacations for these shows. “Packaging in the travel industry is all about partnerships and Anderson Vacations was the only choice for assisting with our sales blitz in Western Canada. They are organized, attentive and possess the ability to attract qualified & motivated buyers that put Oregon at the forefront as a highly desirable vacation destination.”

Greg was not the only Oregon delegate impressed with Anderson Vacation’s abilities Lisa Itel the Travel Trade Manager at Travel Oregon said “One of the main reasons for a successful tour to any destination is to choose the right tour operator and Anderson Vacations hit the mark for Oregon. We are confident our recent sales mission to Canada in partnership with Anderson Vacations will enhance Oregon’s reputation as a viable destination.”

Anderson Vacations is always appreciative of all the travel agents who continue to attend their events, and support their business. “Travel agent relationships are among the most important that we have in this business and we at Anderson Vacations love to get out and meet the agents and show them our appreciation each year through these events. Thank you to all those who attended, you truly make the shows a success.” Jon Schmiemann Western Canada Sales Manager

ANDERSON VACATIONS ONCE AGAIN NAMED TO ALBERTA VENTURE’S FAST GROWTH 50

2010-02-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

Each year Venture Magazine ranks the top 50 fastest growing companies in Alberta. They divide this into categories Under 20 million and Over 20 million. Anderson Vacation’s ranked number 10 in the Under 20 million category; no small feat when you consider how dominated the Alberta economy is by oil and gas companies. And even more impressive is when you consider last year’s economic downturn and the effect it had on consumer spending. In spite of this Anderson Vacation’s continued to thrive showing amazing growth overall as a company.

2010 BROCHURES COMING SOON!

2010-01-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Anderson Vacations is very excited for the release of our New 2010

Canada Customizable Packages Brochure and

Canada, USA & the World Escorted Tours Brochure!

Watch for them coming soon!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

On behalf of Anderson Vacations we would like thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working with you in 2010, for what will surely be the most exciting travel season yet! Wishing you safe and happy holidays!

-Anderson Vacations

Sun Peaks FAM

2009-12-15T13:21:00.001-08:00

Sun Peaks - An unspoiled gem in the heart of British Columbia.

I recently returned from my first trip to Sun Peaks. It was absolutely amazing. The Mountains were covered in beautiful snow and there was so much terrain. You could ride a different run all day everyday on a trip out there.
The Village is nestled in between the Mountains and almost all the accommodation is ski in and out! There is so much to do there besides riding as well such as snowmobiling, tubing or hitting the spa! Talk about hospitality!
Show up on the right day and you can also ski with Nancy Greene!
I can't say enough about Sun Peaks...... Call Anderson Vacations to get out and go there!

We Have the Best Tour Guides!

2009-11-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank Lillian for her awesome preformance as your director for bus # 2 of the Chateau Lake Louise Yuletide Getaway. We all love and respect her. She worked non stop from Edmonton to Lake Louise & even on the return journey after we dropped off a group on the South side she still continued to talk about buildings we were passing by.
She is an awesome tour guide and we hope that we will see her again on a future tour.
Thank Lillian form all of us.

Charito - Edmonton, Alberta

Ski Season is Upon Us!

2009-11-13T15:07:00.000-08:00

This week is an exciting one as finally the best thing about winter is happening - the ski hills are opening! Sunshine Village was the first to open doors to the public. Soon to follow will be Sun Peaks and Whistler and then the rest of the Mountains!
There is no better way to explore the Rockies and enjoy the winter than a day snowboarding or skiing. The best time is always the morning when the runs are empty and the fresh powder blankets the ground.
Time to get out there!

Staff Retreat in Quebec City!

2009-11-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

After 5 days in beautiful Quebec City, the staff of Anderson Vacations are home!

Every year everyone at Anderson Vacations leaves the office and heads out to a different destination where they spend time planning for the next calender year, team building and having fun! Everyone gets a chance to offer up ideas about how they can better the company and then the best ideas are implemented!

Another huge part of the retreat is the infamous Amazing Race that everyone takes part in! Quebec City Tourism set up the race which was highly strategic and had everyone trace all the highlights around the city.
This years winning team was Rebecca Dickson (FIT Consultant) and Jon Schmiemann (Sales Representative - Prairies).

Quebec City is beautiful and and a perfect host for any vacation!

Top 40 Under 40!

2009-10-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Last night was an exciting night for Anderson Vacations as President/CEO was awarded the Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine.All 40 winners were recognized and awarded at Heritage Parks Gasoline Alley. The whole event was a great success!

An honored Corey Marshall says that the key to his success is "An incredible work ethic, supportive family, intelligent wife and business partner and goal setting"- Avenue Magazine

Alaska/Yukon Tour Results are in!

2009-10-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

From Ross and Pauline in Oshawa, ON

Everything was excellent. Gunther was the best Driver/Tour Guide we have ever had. You are the best!
He went out of his way many times to make the trip most enjoyable. The best part was that Ross could sit back and enjoy everything there was to see, and there was lots!
We would travel with him again anytime we would recommend Anderson Vacations to our Family and Friends as they have a well planned tour
Thank you for a wonderful holiday!

From Ida and Les in Dundas, ON

This was the best tour we have ever been on!

Agent Night!

2009-10-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

That was an absolutely fantastic evening... besides the free drinks and great food ... I learned so much from Seth that I didn't know about Anderson vacations.... and Seth is so excited about his company and product.
Thanx again for inviting us.

Dee

Great FAM trip!

2009-05-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

I will ALWAYS think of Anderson Vacations first. You are the best and most reliable way for agents to book Canada - not to mentioned the great destinations you have for the travelers!

Thanks a bunch,

Carolyn

Ontario & Quebec Agent FAM tour

2009-04-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to thank Anderson Vacations for the fantastic FAM to Ontario and Quebec!
We had a fantastic time and Jason did an excellent job! It will be alot easier to sell those cities now that we know what they have to offer.

Thanks again!

Laurie Umscheid

Owner/Manager

Valuventure Vacations

Hi Tom!

2009-04-27T11:51:00.001-07:00

Everything went very well. Besides a very late train out of Edmonton the trip went very smoothly. We couldn't have asked for more and had a great time! Thanks so much for all your help. I have been singing your praises to family and friends who could not believe the rates you got us for such a great holiday. Thank you so much!

Lake Louise Senior Yuletide Getaway

2008-11-26T06:56:00.000-08:00

We just wanted to send a heartfelt thanks to Anderson Tours for arranging such a wonderful getaway for seniors. This was our 5th time attending this event as it always occurs near our wedding anniversary; this year we celebrated 52 years! We have mentioned this event to friends of ours, and it is now something they attend and enjoy yearly.

This year three other couples attended with us and all of us thoroughly enjoyed all of the entertainment, activities, exquisite food and wonderful hospitality.

Thank you again for all your efforts in making our 52nd anniversary at Lake Louise such a memorable event.

Quebec City Package!

2008-10-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Karen, I have now returned from my trip to the east. Thank you, it could not have been better. Absolutely no hitches. The dinner in Quebec was fantastic. Usually when things like that are thrown in it is not a very good place. It was top of the line. They treated us wonderfully. We had a great time. Thank you again. I would not hesitate to use your company again.

Verna

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

2008-08-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

I want to thank you for your part in making my trip to the Edmonton Indy and the Exhibition such a wonderful experience. My wife and I had 3 wonderful days in Edmonton........our first trip to your lovely city. The people were very friendly and helpful. Though we weren't able to rent a car, it worked out perfectly because there was a shuttle bus from the hotel to the Edmonton Mall every half-hour, which was very convenient. The mall was a wonderful experience.........with the facilities of the huge water park, skating rink and all of the other attractions. We enjoyed the Exhibition on our first day there and saw country singers, who were very good.

The Indy itself was exciting and a great experience we'll never forget. It was nice to be able to view the cars & drivers up closely in the paddock. The hats & shirts were great souvenirs of our trip. So thanks so much for everything........it's a holiday we'll always remember.

Pat & Valerie

DOWNUNDER

2008-07-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely impressed with your research - both for the air and for the cruise. I am not positive that my clients would want to go at this time of year - as the pricing is more than anticipated! However, I will pass everything along to them - to see if I can get them interested.

Again, I appreciate all your research and hard work. I have not worked with Anderson Vacations before - you were recommended by our Head Office. However, I will definitely try and work with you in the future. Thank you kindly.

Beverly
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Windsor, Ontario

I love great service!

2008-07-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

I wanted to say thank you for the very professional service that I received from your company.

I love great service. Thank you!

Joanne
Farlie Travel in St. Albert, AB

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

2008-07-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

Bonjour mes amis

Away back in January, I mentioned to (my friend) that I'd never been to Quebec City and had always wanted to go. She said that she'd never been to Niagara Falls and then (another friend) said that the only part of Toronto she'd seen was the airport. And before we knew it, we had gone down to Sear's travel department and booked a trip.

The upshot was, we flew to Ottawa, traveled by train (which was great) between Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto, with 2 days in each city and flew back home from Toronto.

And I wouldnt have missed it for anything. Each city had a river and bus trip booked and we walked for miles in between. The hotels were good and staff pleasant, with the front desk happy to see us in and happy to see us out and in between the concierge handled everything else. It was a pleasure and surprise to be so well received everywhere we went. Of course we had lots of mini catastrophes but laughed all the way there and back. Can you imagine trying to parle vous with half a dozen words between us but there was no problem in finding people who spoke English.

At the end of our trip, the icing on the cake was Niagara Falls and going on the Maid of the Mist. We did not go up on the top deck but even wearing the blue plastic hooded capes, we were drenched. The wind and spray pelted us while the boat pushed against the force of the falls coming down right in front of us, it was very exciting... and we screamed a lot! The bus driver had said that they should call it The Maid of the Hose instead and he was right.

Ottawa was a learning experience. Finding the hotel, the landmarks, tour pick-up spots etc.
On the last morning, we had a lovely lunch with my pen pal at her favourite lunch spot ... and a short visit to her house and colourful garden. Then she kindly drove us to the railway station for our connection to Quebec City.

There we found a nearly vertical staircase facing us inside the hotel Manoir Victoria front door but a willing and able porter to help. The hotel was very nice and seemingly is used by the Elderhostel crowd. Much to our surprise my friends later found a green painted McDonalds around the corner from the hotel and of course the cameras came out. And then there was a funny (for us) happening at dinner that night, with a carafe of wine, which is a long story and not suitable for print!

On our departure from Montreal, we were charged for our pre-paid hotel room but did not panic. All seemed sorted out satisfactorily at the front desk but when we got home, my Master Card bill arrived with an extra $500 on it. Sears came to the rescue and all will be well.

And in Toronto on the last morning, we impulsively hopped on a streetcar to find City Hall, $1.85 seniors, one- way so our fares here are not too bad. Our family lived in Toronto for 8 years away back in the 50s and so it was quite nostalgic for me to be there even though there was so much change that I had not a clue where anything was.

One friend stayed behind for 4 more days visiting with a cousin and family and we took West Jet home.

At the beginning, we had some reservations about being together for 8 days, sharing a room etc. I wondered if I could keep up with the two young ones but it was so much fun that there may just be a 2009 jaunt.

I had never been to Ottawa so visiting the capital and seeing the Rideau Canal and the Parliament buildings etc. was special.
Quebec City was a must and we really liked it and the Funiclaire and worth another visit, I cannot emphasize enough on how nice people were to us.
Montreal felt very historical somehow even with the shopping on St Catherine St and we walked until we dropped.
And when we stepped out of the railway station in Toronto and the crowds surrounded us and the skyscrapers towered, it felt like the big city that it is.
One thing that we would do differently would be to book hotels that serve breakfasts. All our hotels were good but the one in Toronto hit the spot every morning for 3 hungry tourists from Vancouver.

Betty

provided by :
Bob @ Sears Travel Service
Vancouver BC

Thank you to your staff!

2008-02-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to give a big high five to your staff-for several yrs we have wanted to go on vacation and contacted your company for our options-while we werent able to go anywhere until last spring everyone from reception to the tour agents have been nothing but kind and available to answer our every concern-no matter how minor. Courtney has been absolutely wonderful she fully guided us through our spring trip last yr to Vancouver and Victoria and her wealth of knowledge and personal experience has led us this yr to go to Banff this coming spring-her patience and attention to all the details has been phenomenal!! We are so grateful to her understanding and compassion as we iron out the final costs and details for another great family vacation. Without Courtney we wouldnt have the ideal experience that we only dream about prior to contacting Anderson Vacations. She deserves to be recognized for her level of service to each and every client-we know that if she is willing we will have a very long history-the only limit is that we cant take her with us. Now that truly would be a vacation to remember!Thankyou for hiring such wonderful staff and we look forward to not only this vacation but many more to come!

Sincerely,
The Shipley Family

Rockies By Rail

2008-02-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

I just returned from my cross the Rockies by Rail program, and I must congratulate the Anderson team on what a fantastic experience I had. The service was phenominal from start to finish, the scenery fantastic and the highlight for me was the stop in Jasper, and the service of the Fairmont properties.I will definately book my next Canadian Vacation with
Anderson.

Henrietta Fischer.

Welcome to Anderson Vacations' New Blog!

2008-01-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hello Happy Travelers,

Anderson Vacations wants to hear from you!

How much fun did you have on your last Anderson Vacation? Did it exceed your expectations?

Tell us your story and we will post on this blog.

Discover your own backyard this year... explore CANADA!