by Eric Bowman
Last updated: 3:10 PM ET, Fri October 4, 2024
Over 100 travel industry professionals gathered in Toronto on October 3 to celebrate the launch of “The New Goway.”
The partner event was held at the TIFF Lightbox – home to North America’s largest film festival – and its rooftop setting offered a terrific view of the iconic CN Tower.
Goway Travel was founded by Bruce Hodge in 1970.
“Our very first reservation was done by telegram,” Hodge told those in attendance, revealing how things have changed and what is coming in the future as the company gears up for its 55th-anniversary in 2025.
Goway's founding Hodge family, Bronwyn, Bruce, Claire. (Photo Credit: George Pimentel Photography)
Today, they have nearly 700 employees and 115 countries in their portfolio.
“It was a privilege to welcome and celebrate the New Goway with such amazing guests from the travel industry,” said Craig Canvin, Goway’s Senior Vice President. “These partners have been a key part of Goway’s history and success, and our future together has never been more exciting.”
The new Goway is all about focusing on three pillars: Technology, Education, and Loyalty.
Hodge and his team have been changing things up and innovating in the following new ways:
- New brand and website
- New reservations system and technology
- Growing team across multiple countries
- Enhanced rewards program and incentives for travel advisors
- Expanded trade education program, including GowayPro Travel Academy and GowayPro Travel Tales podcast
- Product innovation, including Odysseys by Goway, new trips to The Nordics, India, and Vietnam, and upcoming wellness product line
- Expansion of Goway GroupsOnly, with team doubling in size and 600 groups traveling this year alone
Earlier this year, Goway’s new website went live, offering a fresh look and a more user friendly experience to navigate through the company’s many offerings.
The investments in technology have been a major focus for Goway.
“We want to be able to ensure that [travelers] have a seamless holiday,” Scott Duncan, VP of Technology said. “That is the number one important thing for us that we will pass into 2025.”
The travel demand is there, and Goway is seeing a strong 2025 ahead.
One thing remains the same though for Goway: They always pay travel advisor commission at time of full booking payment.
Goway remains dedicated to the travel advisor community with these new offerings and incentives coming in 2025:
- New portal for travel advisors
- Roadshows across the United States and Canada
- 5 free FAMs to 5 different destinations
Also in 2025, Goway will launch The Goway Micro Film Festival, which will feature 55-second travel videos from travelers (both consumers and advisors) from around the world.
“We are running this like a proper film festival,” said Mitchell Fawcett, VP Marketing. “We'll have screening events in Los Angeles and Toronto maybe in New York. And a panel of judges and some seriously big prizes.”
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