All-In Advertising A Major Step Forward For Travel Consumers
Montreal, December 16, 2011
Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and the parent of Air Transat, welcomes efforts by the Government of Canada to clarify advertising rules vis a vis the travelling public, following today’s announcement that paves the way for the inclusion of all fees and taxes in advertised prices.
“Our company has long advocated for a harmonized approach to advertising as it relates to travel services. We commend the federal government for moving forward with this important initiative and look forward to advancing other efforts to protect consumers purchasing travel services,” said Jean-Marc Eustache, President & Chief Executive Officer of Transat A.T. Inc.
Advertising rules for travel operators have long been a confusing issue for consumers. Airlines are regulated at the federal level and, for now, there is no stipulation that all the auxiliary fees and taxes be included and explicitly listed when fares are posted in travel and tour operators’ advertising. With the coming into force of Clause 27 of recent amendments to the Canada Transportation Act, this important move to enhance consumer protection while promoting fair competition will now go ahead in earnest.
Transat A.T. looks forward to participating in the public consultations on airfare advertising to be led by the Canadian Transportation Agency. The Corporation will continue to advocate for improved transparency in airfare ticket pricing, for the benefit of the Canadian travelling public, as well as other critical initiatives aimed at removing barriers to a strong Canadian travel and tourism market focused on both customer satisfaction and future growth.
About Transat
Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, accommodation, destination services and distribution. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A)