(The Canadian Press circulated the following story on December 1.)
CALGARY — WestJet Airlines and Via Rail, in co-operation with a Calgary-based tour company, plan to offer rail and air travel packages to Canadian destinations stretching from British Columbia to New Brunswick.
Packages will go on sale in January for the 2004 winter touring season. Tours will include such destinations as Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal and Moncton.
“Our shared goal is to provide customers with a seamless service that makes travel easier,” Steve Del Bosco, VIA Rail’s vice-president of marketing, said in a statement.
“Our agreement with WestJet allows us to combine the strengths and benefits of air and rail travel to offer a flexible alternative at attractive fares for passengers who want to make the most of their travel time across Canada.”
“This is another opportunity for WestJet to provide our guests with more flexibility and quality partnerships,” added Bill Lamberton, the airline’s vice-president of marketing and sales.
Brewster, a tour operator based in Calgary, will be the exclusive sales agent for these package tours. Travellers will be able to combine rail/air travel with Brewster tour packages that include sightseeing and hotel stays, the companies said.