Who are we?

Transat A.T. Inc. is one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and the leader in Canada’s holiday travel industry. The Company, which is headquartered in Montreal, has more than 6,000 employees and approximately 17 business units, all operating in the travel and air transportation industries, in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Greece, the United States, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Transat is first and foremost an outgoing tour operator and, as such, offers more than 60 destinations worldwide. It is also vertically integrated, in other words, it procures tourism services not only from thousands of suppliers, but also in large measure from its own business units, all of which are involved in the travel industry. Similarly, it markets its products through third parties as well as via its own distribution network. More information is available in the Our segments, business units and products section.

Transat is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange since 1987 and has a diversified body of shareholders, primarily Canadian. The Company reported sales in excess of $3.5 billion for 2008. More information is available in the Investors section.

Transat offers its customers an extensive selection of destinations and holiday packages on all continents. Its key markets are sun destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida. It offers all-inclusive packages, tours or cruises year-round, but primarily in the winter months with departures from Canada. Transat also offers year-round travel from Canada to European destinations and vice-versa; but mainly in summer, with approximately 60 direct city-pairs in this market — more than any other company. Transat also serves the Mediterranean Basin, Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Mexico and many other exotic destinations. Finally, it offers cruises out of France and Canada, as well as travel to Greece from many countries. More information is available in the Our segments, business units and products section.

Transat’s strategic plan focuses primarily on internal growth, acquisitions and expansion into new markets. In the 2006–2008 period, Transat grew its market share in both Canada and Europe, acquired tour operators in the United Kingdom and France, and further strengthened its vertical-integration strategy by breaking into the hotel industry. More information is available in the Annual Report.

Transat is also very actively involved in social responsibility issues, in particular sustainable tourism. In 2008, it adopted a sustainable tourism policy and became a member of the Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development, a group that, in conjunction with many United Nations organizations, is striving to encourage the tourism and travel industries to adopt the principle of responsible management. More information is available in the Social Responsibility section.

Highlights