Your Passport For The Perfect Vacation Begins With Windsor Essex Travel Agencies
With the pandemic restrictions behind us, there’s a growing desire for authentic travel experiences again.
As we embark on a journey to rediscover the beauty and charm of the world, Windsor Essex travel agency professionals are ready to help us explore — offering a gateway to hidden gems and unforgettable adventures just waiting to be uncovered.
The following article highlights a select group of travel agencies in the Windsor and Essex County region that are registered and regulated by TICO.
All offer various vacation options from family and couple getaways to cruises, European trips, rail/motor coach tours, all-inclusive tropical getaways, destination weddings/honeymoons and more.
However, each section highlights a certain aspect of the travel industry, so our readers are informed on different issues before they book their next trip.
Basic Travel Tips, Online Booking & Riverboat Cruises
Powerbest Travel — 1206 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor — is a full- service travel agency offering their clients corporate and leisure travel options, river/ocean cruises, sun packages, international travel, ski vacations, European packages, destination weddings, group tours, last minute deals and more!
“I personally have travelled extensively, so I can speak on the destinations to which I have travelled — especially the European riverboats — such as Avalon Waterways, Viking Cruises, Uniworld, and more,” indicates Beverly Power, Owner/Manager of Powerbest Travel whose specialty is in riverboat cruises. “We also work with suppliers who have expertise and personal travel information about the various parts of the world they promote. We are also part of the Travel Leaders Network, a vast organization offering specific suppliers from all around the world.”
Power adds: “Our business is unique and obviously, has staying power in that it has lasted since 1989. Our staff of eight offer personalized service to our clientele, no matter what ethnic groups or destinations are involved.”
This personalized service includes driving clients home after an appointment, paying the balance of a file because a client was over their credit limit, paying for a one-way ticket for a new husband to come visit his wife, and taking care of visa applications when clients don’t know how to apply.
“When our clients depart, we are constantly on alert for any schedule changes or cancellations,” Power points out. “We advise them, even when they are at their destination, and continue to monitor their files and flights until they return.”
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic impacted many businesses in a negative way. However, few were hit harder than the travel industry, as airports, hotels and cruises were shut down.
“The travel industry and its various suppliers, including cruise lines, airlines, et cetera, are continuing to recover,” she comments. “Among those in our specific industry — the travel agencies — many have closed since the pandemic. The ones that remain open are very optimistic and are waiting for a big turn-around!”
Power goes on to explain that her office continued to operate during the pandemic as there were several travellers that still needed to travel.
“However, there has been a significant overall increase in prices,” she says. “Suppliers are charging for things they have never charged for including increases in baggage fees, seat fees, etcetera. If people haven’t travelled since the pandemic, they are usually pretty surprised by the cost of travel today.”
According to Power, there are some things that must be top of mind when travelling anywhere, at any time.
“It is imperative that all travel documentation, including passports, permanent resident cards for people just entering Canada, Canadian travel documents, et cetera, be checked for proper names and expiry dates before confirming travel,” Power stresses. “Also, it needs to be determined if a travel visa is required, if travelling to a foreign country, as there are some airlines and countries that have rules not allowing people to transit through their country without a travel visa. Agents must be on top of this information as the traveller is often not aware of it or insists that they don’t need a visa.”
She strongly cautions that you do NOT purchase your tickets until you have your visa in hand! Power also warns that travellers booking online can run into problems and often end up calling a travel agent for assistance.
“Be aware a travel agent cannot help if you are not a client or file of the agency,” she says. “Therefore, it is always smart to book with a local travel agent. A lot of our clientele do check their travel options online, but come to our office to book with us, because if they see a promo online, we can check it out for them.”
The Ideal Time To Travel
Opened in 1997, LaSalle Travel Services Inc. offer cruises, flights, tours, passport photos, honeymoons, bridal registry, groups, and family trips.
Situated at 5841 Malden Road, Suite 118 in LaSalle, their agency boasts seven full-time agents and 12 who work from home.
“All our agents visit all the places we sell in order to keep our staff up to date on destinations,” notes Jacqueline Mizon, Owner/Manager of LaSalle Travel Services. “We have close relationships with all our vendors, and they are always there to assist us with all our client needs.”
While they offer a wide variety of travel services, LaSalle Travel Services specializes in group trips such as those to Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico, plus cruises and river cruises.
While the pandemic shutdowns wreaked havoc on the travel industry, LaSalle Travel Services continued to work hard from home during this time to ensure the needs of their clients were met.
“We are personable and go the extra step for all our clients because that’s the service we expect from our vendors,” Mizon says. “We keep up with the latest technology to get the best prices, and with social media, we always know the latest trend in places to travel.”
LaSalle Travel Services offers after-hour appointments and will work late in the evenings to get their clients booked and happy. They also supply 24 hour emergency phone numbers for all their vendors and airlines.
“We are notified from companies when sales are going on and what is left,” she states. “Unfortunately, with over 70% of Canadians travelling now, those sales are being scooped up as fast as we can put them on our website.”
Mizon goes on to mention that March Break is not the most popular time to travel anymore as everyone now seems to be travelling at all different times of the year.
However, she comments that for 2024: “Everyone is travelling to Europe this year during the summer and this is literally the ‘hot’ trip to take.”
European Trips
Since the late 1980s, Tecumseh Travel has offered full-service travel agencies services, including hotel, flights, tours, all-inclusive packages, and cruises.
Working now out of an office at 25 Amy Croft Drive in Tecumseh, the staff of five try to visit destinations whenever time permits, but when it doesn’t, many companies offer travel agency webinars to keep them up to date.
“An agent is there to help guide you in the right direction from beginning to end,” expresses Micheal Horvath, Co-Owner of Tecumseh Travel, along with Luc Leblanc, who took over the business in 2012.
“You just don’t get that from an online booking engine.”
Horvath continues by stating how they can help if something goes wrong for a client when he/she is away. They are able to contact the insurance company used and assist the client with procedures on how and what to do to get back home safely.
As for European vacations, Horvath recommends that you book early!
“We have seen that airfare this season is almost double in price,” he says. “Some Mediterranean cruises are already sold out, as well as some bus tours. Since we have such diverse clients that live in Windsor and the surrounding areas, there are many popular destinations, including Italy, Greece, and river cruises — all which we organize groups to. “