With almost the entire world ready to lay out the welcome mat for Canadian travellers in 2023, the Globus family of brands says it is ready for the resurgence with record-breaking growth and a surge in bookings.

“We’re preparing to close 2022 with some incredibly strong booking trends for the New Year,” said Stéphanie Bishop, managing director of the Globus family of brands.

“Destinations that are leading the way back to travel for us are Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and France. In fact, early 2023 sales for Italy, Scotland and Ireland are at 93% of total 2022 numbers, indicating that our Canadian office is on target to break some travel records next year.”

Also proving popular in the New Year, according to Bishop, are Escapes by Globus – which provides travellers with attractively-priced off-season vacation opportunities– and the company’s new Choice Touring travel style with new vacations in Europe and North America that provide more flexibility and freedom on each itinerary.

On the river cruising side, Globus says Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery itineraries are leading the wave in sales. Since launching its first Active & Discovery cruise on the Danube in 2017, Avalon has grown these “special interest” offerings by 560%. For 2023, the company is providing cruisers with eight (8) Active & Discovery itineraries and 53 departures – 14% of Avalon’s total cruising portfolio.

This fall, Avalon announced the addition of a new Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria – and itinerary (“Vida Portugal”) on the Douro River for 2024. The company says it is enjoying early booking success for the new ship and itinerary with 40% of capacity already sold, more than 18 months before launch.

To react to these booking trends, Bishop says that the Globus family of brands’ Canadian sales and marketing teams have grown by 60% with eight new hires in the last six months.

Joining the company in recent months are Ainsley Ericksen, senior director of marketing; Michelle Lebel, BDM for Quebec and Atlantic Canada and Maurizio Mazzola, BDM for greater Toronto and Northern Ontario; Carolina Suarez, BDM for Eastern Ontario and Ottawa and Alex Mrazek, digital specialist. New hires, filling newly created positions for the company, include Elisha Bouwer, sales project coordinator; Sherri King, marketing coordinator and Anisa Saeed, manager of digital marketing.

“The 2023 travel season is off to an exciting start,” said Bishop. “And with a new, enhanced team in place, we’re better poised than ever before to reignite and re-engage travellers and travel advisors alike, welcoming them back to the world and all its wonder.”