Canadá en Español happy to help the Mexican Shotokan Karate Team with a hotel mixup

The past couple of days I played the role of "cruise director" of sorts to the Mexican Shotokan Karate team (in photo), in Toronto to compete at the World Shoto Cup taking place at Ryerson University this Thanksgiving weekend (over 20 countries participating). I have known Alvaro Ruiz, Black Belt Fifth Dan and one of the head coaches, for many many years (we were karate buddies in our youth). What was supposed to be just a friendly reunion last Wednesday with Canadá en Español hosting the team (treating them to some sightseeing in Toronto, etc.) turned into a mission to help the team fix a major hotel mix-up. One of the members of the team made their reservations by phone with Travelocity in Texas (interesting insight into another way Mexicans are booking travel to Canada). The assignment was to book a flight and hotel in Toronto for the team of about 20 competitors and coaches at the least expensive price. According to the person who booked the trip, the agent in Texas recommended the Howard Johnson's hotel saying it was in an accessible location to downtown Toronto at a very reasonable price. Problem is, this particular hotel is not in Toronto but in Brampton, Ontario. Big mistake. The Karate tournament starts at 8 am in downtown Toronto. Brampton is about 30 miles away from downtown T.O. How were these people going to get there on time over the course of four days? The cost of transportation alone makes staying in that hotel expensive. Furthermore, there's really nothing to do or see in Brampton for these visitors after the daily competitions. I made several calls to Travelocity speaking to agents and finally to a supervisor. I was very pleased with their attitude and service realizing that their agent made a mistake in the first place by recommending a hotel so far away from the tournament. Travelocity did the right thing, and while the team had to spend last night in Brampton they will be staying at the Howard Johson's in the Yorkville area of Toronto very close to Ryerson University and the tournament. They will be able to sightsee and shop after hours and will certainly have a great time. So kudos to Travelocity for doing the right thing and making the necessary changes to the team's reservations.

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From a Canadian Tourism perspective I find it very interesting that these travellers called Travelocity in Texas instead of calling a local Mexican travel agent or going online. It is an example of the variety of ways Mexicans are booking travel to Canada. I am also encouraged to see that if Mexicans have a reason to travel to Canada, even if they don't have a lot of money, they will do everything they can to make that trip. This is encouraging at the moment, given the global financial crisis that is also affecting Mexico by devaluing the peso. I am confident we will see good numbers from Mexico this coming December, albeit not as good as last year's. As for tthe Karate team I wish them the best and hope to see some of them in the finals on Thanksgiving Monday. Mexico, Mexico, Mexico!
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Jaime
www.demexicoacanada.ca
www.canadamigos.com
www.cactusrock.com