Echo Tours & Travel

01/26/2024

Echo Tours will remain closed today due to the icy roads. Our road is a sheet of ice. If you have questions or need to speak to an agent please call 613-284-2003 and leave your name and number and we will call you back. Thanks

01/26/2024

Happy Ice Day! Again.

Due to the freezing rain and our country road masquerading as a skating rink our office will be closed until noon at the earliest. Check back for an update around noon. Stay safe.

12/12/2023

WE ARE STILL IN BUSINESS but without phones. Our phones have been out of order since Wed. Dec 6, 2023. Yesterday a tech was in our office from 9:20 am til 5:30 pm. Still no phone. The tech was great he had to rewire the office from the pole in with new fiber cable. He was done before noon and then waited all day for the the people in the tech office for businesses to finish the programming. He made numerous calls telling various departments that the wiring was completed and was told numerous times that it would be a 3 -4 hour wait to get the lines working. Finally at 5:50 he was told that there was an outage (all day) so nothing could be done til today. Now Bell tells me that they have to send a tech out to replace all the wiring because it is all old copper cable. I have spent 2 hours trying to them that the wiring is done. We are trying to call clients on cell phones. Please email us with your number at [email protected] until our phones are working. Will keep you posted

11/02/2023

For those who have helped with this puzzle, it’s finally done!

03/06/2023

Which of these beaches tops your list?

These spectacular coastlines are certain to delight sun-seeking travelers.

03/04/2023

Ladies, are you busy packing for your March getaway? Have you made a list and checked it twice? Do you have all the essentials to enjoy a week or two of sun & fun? If not, we know just the place you can pick up some fun items to compliment your southern wardrobe. Visit our friends at Full Figure Boutique in Davidson’s courtyard and score yourself some swim suits, wraps and hats!

Check out our instagram reel for a closer look!

And don’t forget to follow us for more reels, info and fun!

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03/03/2023

New Hours Alert!!

For the months of March & April Echo Tours & Travel will be CLOSED on Wednesdays!

Hours will be as follows:
Mondays: 9am-4pm
Tuesdays: 9am-4pm
Wednesdays: CLOSED
Thursdays: 9am-4pm
Fridays: 9am-4pm

02/03/2023

Our friends at Sip serve up some amazing eats; be sure to stop by and try some of their delicious pizza or their tasty soup, or maybe both!!

✨That satisfying moment when the ribbon cuts✨

Join us in congratulating Sip in Davidson Courtyard Shops on their (official) Grand Opening.

Get there soon to try it out yourself! We highly recommend the pizza...and the cheese...all of the cheese.

Welcome to Downtown Smiths Falls, neighbour!!!

01/28/2023

The beautiful beaches of Cayo Santa Maria!

12/25/2022

Wishing you a joyful and safe holiday season!

12/23/2022

Please note our office will either be closed or on reduced hours during the holiday season. If you have a travel emergency please call and leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon possible.

12/22/2022

If you are scheduled for air travel over the next few days be sure to monitor weather and your flight status. Even if your flight is not impacted be sure to give yourself extra time to get to the airport. If your flight is significantly delayed or cancelled check in with your air carrier or booking agent to determine your options. If you purchased travel insurance look at what coverage your policy provides you with. As always, safe travels!

09/12/2022

Come see our New Office, meet the staff and enter our draw

Wednesday, 14 Sept, 2022
2 - 4 pm
7 Russell St. W.
Davidson Courtyard
Smiths Falls

07/12/2022

We have moved. Our new address is
7 Russell St W. Davidson Courtyard.
Smiths Falls. Ontario. K7A 1N8.

Drop in and see our new office.

07/12/2022

05/07/2021

Part two of my story. Again Please, Please read to the end I know it is long. The whole story has to be told.

First off, I have to thank MMP Steven Clark and Renee for all the work they have done on my behalf, fighting for me and trying everything you could to get my grant. Thank you. I hope to be able to thank them in person soon.

In January, the Ontario government introduced the Ontario Small Business Relief Grant Programme with grants of $10,000.00 - $20,000.00.
I applied, as did many travel agencies and received written confirmation on Feb. 13th that we had been approved and the money would be deposited in 10 days, no money arrived.
In March, in an article in a travel publication, Minister Lisa Thompson questioning why travel agencies were getting the grant, when the TICO renewal fees were waived for the year, she indicated that the fees were equivalent to the amount of the grant. The renewal fees are $300.00 + tax a year. Even with new math this doesn’t calculate. She went on to say that travel agencies continued to operate booking tours etc. throughout.
On March 24th Premier Ford announced phase 2 of the grant programme, businesses that had received a grant could receive an equal amount and that there would be a new grant programme for Ontario Tourism and Hospitality. Travel agencies were not classed as small businesses but would be eligible as a tourist attraction or hospitality, like hotels. We are indeed a small business, and the programme is not operating yet.
Last week I received a “post grant questionnaire” because I received grant money (never received). The next day I received a letter saying that all travel agencies are ineligible for any small business grants, we are now classified as a taxi, Uber, limo service or a transportation service such as a bike shop, not a small business.
There were approximately 900 TICO registered travel agencies in Ontario prior March 2020, there are now 500 - 600.
We are a small business. We are not hotels, tourist attractions, taxis, Ubers or limos.
We are one of the worst hit small business industry and for some reason the Ontario government is trying to eliminate an entire small business industry.
If you feel this is unfair, not right then Please Help US.

Contact Minister Lisa Thompson at [email protected]
1-866-396-3007 or 519-396-3007.
Premier Ford at [email protected] 416-745-2859
Email your MPP.
Thank you for your help and support for all Merchants of Travel in Ontario.

05/05/2021

Today is Travel Agent Day. It seems like the right day to post this. I know it’s long but please, please read to the end.
For 34 years I have been a Merchant of Travel and for 30 of those years my husband Lee and I have owned our own travel agency, Echo Tours and Travel. Before I begin my story you should know 75 - 80% of all travel is booked through travel agencies.
Due to recent events it is time that people know how Covid-19 has impacted travel agencies. Like all nonessential businesses in Canada we closed our doors in March 2020 as the pandemic began to rage. Our staff of 4, Trudi, Amanda, Lee and myself scrambled to make sure our clients were home or on their way and dealt with cancelled holidays, like every travel agency was doing.
This is what every agency left in Ontario is now dealing with.
Let’s say you booked a March 2020 holiday, your deposit, and final payment went directly to the tour company, Sunwing, Transat, WestJet Vacations or Air Canada Vacations. When your holiday was cancelled you were given a travel credit for the amount paid. The credits were good for two years and registered to the travel agency. As the pandemic continues, travel advisories still exist but there are very few holiday packages to book and the travel credit expiries have been extended as far as 2026. Travel agencies work on commission and we receive our commission after you travel. So to recap – it could be 6 – 7 years before I get paid for the trip I booked for you in 2019/20.
Our office remained closed until mid-September when we started opening three mornings a week. Since March 2020 we have only sold 5 train tickets for a total of $11.43 in commission and 5 air tickets and airlines stopped paying commission 27 years ago. We closed Dec. 26th for the second lockdown, and are once again closed. Unlike other businesses we can’t offer curbside, takeout or open patios, we don’t have anything to sell if there is no travel to sell.
I know everyone is trying to support local small businesses, don’t forget your Merchant of Travel. A call or an email showing support could help your travel merchant make it through another difficult day.
Part 2 of this story coming later this week, highlights why travel agencies are classed as taxis or Ubers.
Please pass to your friends. Thank you for reading to the end. Hugs to all.

01/26/2021

01/26/2021

When the world returns to "normal", where is the first place you want to travel?

11/09/2020

COOKIES.....Who doesn't LOVE cookies?
COVID got you all cooped up, maybe you're looking for a little outing on this extremely beautiful November day? Need to satisfy a sweet craving? Well, good news, you can kill three birds with one stone. Follow this map on down to Lombard street and swing by Andress Independent and pick-up some minty fresh girl guide cookies, don't wait too long, much like this beautiful weather, they will be gone soon.While you enjoy your sweet treat know that you are supporting young girls in their drive to be future leaders in our community. When we support each other success is sure to follow.

09/22/2020

Today for me 😂

09/21/2020

After a long 6 months, we are Open!
Monday's, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Please remember masks are mandatory.

07/09/2020

July Update:

Good day travellers, we sure do miss you!

Unfortunately, due to the continued travel restrictions the Federal government has in place, our office remains closed. However, staff is monitoring files and checking messages regularly. Appointments for any essential travel can still
be arranged just call and leave us a voice mail or drop us an email and we’ll arrange a time meet with you.

We hope to be back in the office, even if only on a part-time basis, soon but until then we will continue to monitor all things travel related.

We have received a few inquiries regarding winter travel and resort reopenings. Most southern resorts that have resumed operations or are planning to resume in the near future are primarily focusing on local clientele and have a number of new procedures in place including , but not limited to, COVID testing upon arrival, room quarantine for up to 8hrs or until the test results are completed. Also, many services at the resorts are either not running or have been modified. Canadian tour companies that fly south are not in a position to take travellers outside of the country until the travel restrictions are lifted. Once we know more we will be sure to advise you all, until that time please be well and stay healthy! We look forward to serving you as soon as it’s possible to do so!

05/19/2020

Not only has the Covid-19 pandemic put a temporary hold on travel sales, it is impacting many local businesse, charities and community initiatives. Normally around this time of year we all open our doors to girl guide smiles & cookies but this year our local girl guides cannot sell their cookies door to door.

Great news though, you can still show your support and indulge in their sweet treats by visiting your local Independent grocery store as they have answered the call and are helping to get the cookies out. They are $5.00 a box with all proceeds going directly to Girl Guides of Canada.

If you can't buy travel right now why not travel on over to Andress Independent store here in Smiths Falls and buy some cookies.