Anderson Vacations is extremely proud of our staff, and there happens to be one in particular Tom Burrows! From his personalized service and detailed information and knowledge it is no wonder why Tom is a great asset to this company.

With off to a great start of the year in FIT/Downunder, there has been a positive outlook on the increase of bookings and ultimately more awareness of the fact that Anderson Vacations does the South Pacific. Later this year after our very successful Agent Appreciation Events that were held all through Canada we introduced new staff, making 90% of our reservations department from the infamous Downunder regions. This has given the Anderson Team a great advantage of having specialists from all regions with a high interest in selling Canada and the South Pacific.

With such success for our FIT department it did not stop there when moving onto Inbound. Our custom groups department has been steadily on the rise for this year and next. With demand for Canada and Alaska increasing out of the US market both on custom group programs and our guaranteed tour departures.

In 2010 our convention and housing business continues to rise with our contracts with the AVA (Alberta Volley ball Association), AAPG and Air and Waste Management.

One of the most exciting things during the 2010 year is all of the new preferred retail relationships that Anderson has signed on. These include relationships with CAA Manitoba, Advantage Travel, and Travelsavers. Distribution increased by over 5000 travel agencies across North America.

Having one the tender in 2008 to provide all package registration and accommodation for World Skills Calgary 2009 this brought to Anderson it's targets contract in company history. Anderson took it on with tact, and through their resilience, exceptional service, and technology platform, they were able to 100% accurately provide registration to over 3500 delegates, filling over 27 000 hotel room nights.

Speaking of great assets... one of our top reservation agents in our head office. Mr Tom Burrows, received the Merit Travel Award in 2009 for Agent of the Year! Anderson could not be any happier as we all know the effort and dedication that Tom puts into all of his work! Just like Tom, our company received an award for being the 110th Fastest Growing Company in Canada - a great success. Along with that Corey Marshall CEO/ President of Anderson Vacations received an award from Avenue Magazine for Top 40 Under 40 in the Calgary area.

With the 2009 year full of awards, contracts and better business practice, the Anderson brand was at an all time high in terms of interest and awareness. Watch out 2010!

2008 The first quarter for Anderson Vacations in 2008 marked even further corporate growth for the organization.  The independent travel business continues to grow , SIMPLE Res is operates and has solidified contracts for the year I   including the Calgary Stampede, AAMDC Fall Conference, AOSSM Summer Meeting, AAMDC Spring Convention, Rendezvous Canada 2009 and World Skills 2009 in Calgary. Anderson Logistics (Charter brokering business) continues to work transporting Oil and Gas workers in Fort McMurray and a second destination in Fort Saskatchewan and the Inbound Group business grows due to strategic alliance with Travel Alliance Partner Ltd. Most importantly following six months of market research Anderson begins to get ready to roll out their new division, providing customized vacations to The South Pacific: www.DownUnderSolution.com 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

A banner year for Anderson, 2007 marks significant further growth for the organization.  The independent travel business grows into the company’s number one product line in only its third year, and spurs new retail distribution contracts with Sears Travel and CAA South Central Ontario, as well as Vacation.com USA and Canada.  SIMPLE Res is a great success operating 6 major conferences housing contracts in year 1 including the Calgary Stampede, AAMDC Fall Conference, AOSSM Summer Meeting, and The North American Outgames. Anderson Logistics (Charter brokering business) lands a large logistical contract transporting Oil and Gas workers in Fort McMurray and the Inbound Group business surges with over 100% growth, Lisa MacDonald is hired as General Manager in the fall and Corey Marshall is elected to the NTA Board of Directors, as well as the Travel Alliance Partners Ltd. Board. Anderson now maintains its head office in Calgary with regional offices in Edmonton and London, Ontario. A staff of over 30 travel professionals ensures we are THE ONE STOP CANADA TRAVEL SOLUTION.

To start 2006 Marshall Anderson Tours Ltd is purchased outright by Corey Marshall and Karen McCardle, from Jim and Pauline, and the business is passed on to the next generation of Marshall entrepreneur's. The Anderson FIT program triples in size in year 2, Inbound group division surges forward with the election to the Travel Alliance Partners Ltd operating group, Jim Marshall is appointed Director of Charters and with this appointment new found success is found brokering transportation service and monitoring logistics, and in late December Anderson Vacations launches SIMPLE Res, an online housing platform designed to provide reporting and infrastructure, as well as full online booking capability for Conference planners and their delegates and the corresponding hotel partners.  Destination Marketing Organizations across North America show interest in the program for their city wide events.

The Perfect FIT (Fully Independent Travel) program launches, with great success, and the support of travel agents including Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Co Op Travel, and independent agencies is tremendous.  This increases growth in all divisions of the corporation.  There is a surge in NTA and ABA operators purchasing tour programs through Anderson as a receptive operator, and the staff grows to 9.  Of most importance in this hiring is Karen McCardle, Director of Product for the organization. With this diversification of product offerings and services offered Anderson Tours and Charters rebrands to Anderson Vacations.ca to be seen visually not just as an escorted touring company but as The One Stop Canada Travel Solution.

Anderson moves Calgary office to 17th Avenue, and hires first employee in Southern Alberta.  The focus of the Calgary office changes to implement a “Customized Canadian Vacation Independent travel program, complete with online technology, retail distribution and a FIT (Fully Independent Travel Brochure). Gaps in the market present themselves and preferred agreement discussed with key retail chains for distribution.  All this while maintaining more inbound business then ever before, and an outbound group tour program that is gaining provincial market share in Alberta.

Anderson opens first Calgary office, geared to increase market share on domestic outbound tours, and serve as a hub for the inbound group tour programs. Research done on the potential of a third product line, and probable gaps in the market.  Seth Downs joins the business in Edmonton.  Charter business grows steadily as more customers look to Anderson to “broker” their motor coach needs.

Significant Market share in Edmonton Tour Industry has been won, and company growth of 100% per year has maintained. 

Pauline Marshall named as the first ever employee of Anderson Tours.  Day to day operations are done out of the home of Dave and Lorraine Anderson.

Anderson Tours and Charters Founded by Dave and Lorraine Anderson in Strathcona County, AB Canada.  6 Tours were run in year 1 for the 50+ Traveler.