Transat meets travellers' desires to escape winter - The most comprehensive program featuring Sun destinations, all-inclusive packages, cruises and Europe holidays

Transat A.T. Inc.

MONTREAL, May 26, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Transat is pleased to present its enriched winter 2016-17 program. With plenty of additions to its South collections, its new one-stop cruise package formula and popular seaside holidays in Europe, Transat is fulfilling its promise now more than ever to provide vacations for everyone.

"For nearly 30 years, Transat has been meeting Canadian travellers' desires to escape winter. Be it down south or in Europe, on land, in the sky or at sea, our teams are committed to providing the best vacation experience for clients, from their travel inspiration to their actual holiday," says Annick Guérard, President and General Manager of Transat Tours Canada. "To ensure continued improvement, and inspired by the success and appeal of all-inclusive packages, we decided to revamp our cruise program. By designing it as a one-stop formula that includes Air Transat flights, transfers and the cruise, we are making this travel option easier and more accessible than ever."

Sun: the most comprehensive and diversified offer
With all-inclusive packages to 34 destinations in Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, Transat offers the widest array of South vacations, along with more than 560 hotels, 50 of which are offered exclusively, like the Decameron properties and Azul Fives, by Karisma. Transat also stands out for its Solo, Adults, Sun Savvy, Family, Distinction and Luxury collections. Well-loved by vacationers, the collections were enhanced this year, with each of them featuring a selection of hotels and advantages perfectly suited to every type of consumer.

For travellers seeking authenticity, a change of scenery and adventure, Transat has designed flexible, off-the-beaten-path vacation options like à la carte hotels, an increased selection of home and apartment rentals, and a variety of excursions. It also offers discovery-oriented packages, ranging from cruises and guided tours to Duo packages combining two regions on one trip.

In addition to its hotels, collections, packages and à la carte vacations, Transat offers direct flights to 34 South destinations from 22 Canadian cities. Air Transat has 137 routes, 11 of which are new, like San Salvador (El Salvador) from Montreal, Roatan (Honduras) from Quebec City, Cartagena (Colombia) and Managua (Nicaragua) from Toronto, and Los Cabos (Mexico) from Vancouver.

In an effort to consolidate its entire program under the Transat brand, the tour operator will no longer be commercializing the TMR Holidays and Nolitours brands as of June 1, 2016. From now on, the winter 2016-17 program will be presented as a unified, simplified, fuss-free formula.

Transat recently adopted a new, one-stop formula that is sure to appeal to travellers. Cruises are now offered in the form of packages, including roundtrip flights with Air Transat, transfers and the cruise, and can be booked quickly and easily at a travel agency or in one single click on Transat's website, just like an all-inclusive package. Moreover, thanks to Flight Protection, travellers are guaranteed to meet their cruise in case of a flight or ship delay.

This year, Transat has partnered with 13 ocean and river cruise lines to offer more than 60 itineraries in the South and Europe, including four exclusive Caribbean sailings from La Romana, Pointe-à-Pitre, Santo Domingo and Havana. From immense liners to more intimate sailing vessels, an ocean of options is available to couples, families and groups seeking a carefree way to travel.

Transat also allows clients to prolong the fun with the opportunity to add a hotel stay to their journey at sea. Under certain conditions, travellers may move up their departure date up to 14 days before the cruise or postpone their return flight up to 14 days after their adventure at sea, without incurring penalties for changing the flight dates. A wide array of hotels is available in different ports of call in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe.

Europe: seaside fun in Spain and Portugal
Those who dream of escaping winter to a setting rich in cultural heritage can soak up the sun and wonders during a short or long stay on the Costa del Sol in Spain, or even Lisbon or the Algarve in Portugal.

Transat offers packages that are specially designed for cultural immersion and include the flights, a selection of hotels offering reduced rates and a kitchenette or certain free meals, transfers between the airport and the hotel, excursions, and more. For added flexibility, travellers can also personalize their trip by combining flights, accommodation, a rental car and à la carte visits.

Direct flights to Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, are available all year long from Toronto. Transat also provides direct service between Toronto and Faro, Portugal, from January to April, and between Montreal and Malaga, Spain, from January to October. These three routes are available to clients departing from Montreal and Toronto, thanks to connecting flights between the two cities. A Toronto-Montreal-Lisbon flight was added to the Portugal program in March, and will continue to operate throughout summer. Transat also flies to other cities in Europe year-round, namely Paris, London, Glasgow and Manchester.

Guided tours: a simplified program
The new 2017 guided tours program in Europe and Sun destinations will be featured in the new Guided Tours brochure, which will be launched in September. To simplify the offer, Transat will stop selling Discoveries Collection tours in South America, Asia and Africa and will focus on destinations served by Air Transat.

For more information on the complete winter 2016-17 program and Transat's Early Booking promotions, visit transat.com.

About Transat Tours Canada
A specialist in holiday travel, Transat Tours Canada develops and commercializes a vast array of products, including beach vacations, guided tours and cruise packages, under the Transat and Air Transat brands. Transat Tours Canada is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world, committed to sustainable development and recognized as a Travelife Partner.

SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc.

Image with caption: "With all-inclusive packages to 34 destinations in Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, Transat offers the widest array of South vacations. (CNW Group/Transat A.T. Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160526_C4093_PHOTO_EN_700608.jpg

Caroline Gagnon, Public Relations and Marketing Advisor, Transat Tours Canada, 514 987-1616, ext. 4662