http://www.aviation.ca/content/view/6435/117/Sunquest gives Canadians the ultimate RainCheck this winter
Written by Sunquest
Friday, 14 November 2008
On the heels of what Environment Canada called the rainiest summer in more than 25 years(1), Sunquest is launching RainCheck - Canada's first and only rain guarantee for beach vacations(2). As of Saturday, November 15th, 2008, Sunquest customers will have the option to purchase RainCheck, the rain protection guarantee, which provides them with the opportunity to get another trip(3) if their holiday is rained out(4).
And, to celebrate the launch of RainCheck, the first 10,000 people who book a Sunquest vacation will receive the rain guarantee for free.
"Sunquest is transforming the travel industry in Canada with this innovative, one-of-a kind offer," said Susan Bowman, senior vice-president of marketing, Thomas Cook Canada. "The concept is very simple, if it rains for half of a traveler's vacation, half an inch per day, they get to replace their beach holiday with another one."
A recent survey(5) by Angus Reid and Sunquest of 1001 Canadians revealed that 637 agreed rain would ruin a beach vacation. Thinking of taking a beach vacation this winter? Here are some other fun facts to consider on Canadian traveling preferences:
No shirt, no shoes? No Problem! - More Canadians feel that rain would spoil their vacation than losing their luggage (39 per cent vs. 32 per cent).
With age, comes wisdom - Canadians' concerns about rain decrease with age, 68 per cent of 18-35 year olds were most concerned about rain on a beach vacation, while 60 per cent of those 55 and over are the least concerned.
Be sure to pack a sweater - More Canadians would be bothered by rain than cold weather during their beach vacation (39 per cent vs. 26 per cent).
East vs. West - While Albertans are the most laid back, with only 48 per cent saying rain would ruin a beach vacation, Quebecers took the top spot at 78 per cent of those polled noting their concern with rainy weather on their holiday.
Don't have RainCheck for a beach vacation? Here are a few other suggestions on how to stay dry:
Itsy-Bitsy Spider Don't' mess with those eight-legged friends - it isn't only old wives who believe that killing a spider will make it rain!
Moon Gazing Be sure to watch the moon - weather lore experts note if there is a ring around the moon, rain is on its way
Keep it dirty... Don't wash the car. It is common knowledge that as soon as the car is washed, rain is not far behind.
Get moooo-ving Look for lying cows...in the fields that is! It is said that cows lie down before the rain comes.
About RainCheck
Vacationers who wish to purchase RainCheck, the rain protection guarantee, can do so at the time of purchase or up to 10 days prior to travel. The cost is $39.95 per person and children under the age of 12, who are staying in their parent's room, are included for free.
Rain accumulation is reported by WeatherBill (
www.weatherbill.com), a weather risk management firm. For additional information on Sunquest Vacations or the RainCheck guarantee please visit
www.sunquest.ca or contact your travel professional.
About Sunquest Vacations
For more than 35 years Sunquest Vacations has taken Canadians to the world's best destinations in style. From Mexico to the Caribbean, to the magical Mediterranean, Sunquest's superior service makes for a worry-free vacation from beginning to end.
(1) CTV News. Toronto breaks 28-year rainfall record.
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080723/weather_watch_080723/2 0080723/?hub=TorontoNewHome (Accessed on: November 11)
(2) Beach vacation is determined to be those destinations included in the RainCheck guarantee. Go to
www.sunquest.ca for a full list of included destinations.
(3) Travelers will receive a Future Travel Voucher that represents the entire base travel cost paid to the applicable travel provider for land-only or package holiday, less transportation related fees, taxes, fuel surcharge and agency service fees, and is based on certain weather conditions.
(4) Rain must accumulate more than half an inch of rain, in a 24 hour period, measured at the arrival airport, for half of the vacation, i.e. 3 and 4 night stay - 2 days of rain, 7 night stay - 4 days of rain.
(5) From Nov. 7 to Nov. 11, 2008 Angus Reid Strategies conducted an online survey among a randomly selected, representative sample of 1,001 adult Canadians. The margin of error for the total sample is +/- 3.1 %, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
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