Economic uncertainty effects our costs

I received this email from our tour manager, Shelbi Benedetti. If you have already paid in full for your trip, it looks like it won't effect you, but for those who haven't there will be a small increase of $35, which will show up on your statements tomorrow, Nov 14, 2011. Here's Shelbi's explanation:

This year's momentous world events, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, have led to extreme volatility in fuel prices. Unfortunately, we are forced to pass these fuel surcharges on to our travellers.

Although oil prices have declined from their peak, the airlines have not responded by lowering their fuel surcharges. This is an unfortunate development that affects your group – and the travel industry as a whole.

I would like to give you advance notice that your group’s current departure fee will increase except for those travellers who have paid in full. Although we’re seeing increases up to $65 depending on departure gateway and destination, your group’s increase is $35. 

The new total will appear on your travellers' accounts on Monday, November 14th. Please inform your group of this change and have them log in to their account to find the departure fee change listed under "Account Summary".

I share any frustration you may have over this increase and want you to know that we are doing all we can to pressure the airlines to lower their surcharges. We will continue to communicate directly with the airlines and are committed to keeping you and your travellers informed.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, 

Shelbi

Shelbi Benedetti

Tour Manager

EF Educational Tours

60 Bloor Street West | Suite 501 | Toronto, ON | M4W 3B8

t 1.800.387.1460

f 1.800.556.6046

eftours.ca

Fundraising opportunity

There will be a Coop Gift Card Fundraiser from April 18th – 29th!

Pick up the forms in the office at school.

Trip enrollment update

With about 360 days until we leave for Edinburgh, there are 30 travellers signed up, not including staff chaperones! With staff chaperones we will have reached our target of 35 in the group. Of course we hope more people will join us (there is no upper limit on how large our group can be), but right now we are on target and everything looks great!

Something to think about: Some of you have already signed up and paid for the added excursions to Windsor and Versailles. If you've paid for this, you'll be going. The question I have is whether or not the rest of you would like to make it a full group experience (the cost for both is $180 Cdn), or whether we should simple let it be a matter of preference. Note: if we don't sign up and pay in advance, we will not be able to make the decision to join those tours when we're over there. The decision needs to be made ahead of the travel date, and EF will likely have a deadline for us, so that they can book the two excursions.

You can feedback here, in the comments section, or email me at krahnp@borderland.ca with your opinion.

Meeting report

About 17 parent/student units (about 40 people in total) showed up to listen to Ange and Chris and I enthusiastically pitch the trip! Thanks for putting up with our rambling. We hope what we said helped make your decision to travel clearer.

Shortly after our meeting tonight, I received emails indicating that two more students have signed up! We are now at 13 travellers!

After the meeting someone had a question about how to register and it struck me that we just assumed that you would all understand that registration and initial payment for the trip happens online, at the EF website.

To register, you can click on the "Link" to the right "Enrol on the trip (565269)" and enter the trip number (565269). The site should walk you through it from there.

I've also added a link (on the right) to the website of the store (MEC - Mountain Equipment Co-op) that Ange mentioned. It's a great store for travelling and outdoor-living gear. You'll find the sling bag that Ange modelled, as well as great shoes, clothes, and other bags and accessories there. There's a location in Winnipeg, on Portage Avenue.

If you have more questions, email me, or call me at 324-6416 (ext 2042). If I can't answer your question, I can find someone (Ange or Chris or some EF people) who can!

Edinburgh Castle

Trip Information Meeting - March 15!

We're meeting on March 15 (Tuesday) at 7 pm in the Choir Room.

Come out for more information about the trip, or just to be together with your fellow travellers!

NOTE: The current price quoted for the trip will be guaranteed if you enroll by March 31st! After that the costs will increase.

Again, to enroll on the tour, click on THIS LINK and then enter this tour number - 565269.

If you have further questions email me at krahnp@borderland.ca, or call 324 6416, for help.

How to sign-up!

We are travelling to Scotland, England, and France over Spring Break of 2012! If you wish to travel with us, you will need to register, and decide on a payment plan.

This PowerPoint presentation will take you through the trip itinerary and highlights. And this PowerPoint includes more detailed information about costs, travel necessities, procedures, as well as contact EF Tours contact information.

To enroll on the tour, click on THIS LINK and then enter this tour number - 565269 - to either get the information and itinerary for the tour, or to enroll in the tour. The rest should be self-explanatory. If not email me at krahnp@borderland.ca, or call 324 6416, for help.

Yours in anticipating this adventure,

Paul Krahn