How long have the companies you are considering been in business? Are they experienced in specialized travel?
We are a Canadian company based in Markham, Ontario with over 30 years of worldwide travel experience. Since 1997 we have been bringing youth from around the world to experience World Youth Day. Our large volumes allow us to secure space that other companies can’t and pass the savings onto the youth.
What do you know about the ownership of the companies you are considering? Are the owners involved in the day to day operation of the company?
Tour Design was founded by our President Fran Bulley. With over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, Fran’s specialty is the research and preparation of escorted tours for both pre-formed groups and special interest groups. Fran’s enthusiasm and keen interest in meeting and sharing her experiences with others is what keeps her working hard and satisfying the needs of her clients.
Do you feel you are being treated with integrity, reliability professionalism, expertise?
You will want to work with a company that listens to your particular concerns. Sometimes these intangibles are the most important factors in your decision! You can only determine this by frequent communication with the companies you are considering.
Nothing replaces been there done that.
All of our tour managers that travel with your group are all experienced travelers; they may have been youth coordinators for previous world youth days, or have had experience in travelling with World Youth Day pilgrims since Paris 1997. We personally travel to the destinations to meet our local partners and inspect all the properties we use to ensure that we have reliable services and all of your arrangements, including transport, accommodation are up to our standards. As our tour managers will be travelling with your group, you can rest assured that we are connected and accessible, during your pilgrimage tour.
Are the companies you are considering members in good standing with various professional associations?
We are a long standing member of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario and International Air Transport Association and adhere to their high standards of conducts and practices.
FRAN BULLEY
Fran Bulley has been working within the tourism industry for over 30 years. As President of Tour Design, she has had the opportunity to meet a wide variety of professionals in all aspects of the travel industry.
Fran’s specialty is the research and preparation of escorted tours for both pre-formed groups and special interest groups. While the main focus of these groups is Seniors, she has organized large groups to travel overseas for World Youth Day in Paris, Rome, Toronto and Cologne and is proud to again play a role in World Youth Day as the Cross moves to Sydney, Australia in the summer of 2008. Groups that have traveled with her include groups of 15 to 2400!
ALAN LAW
Joining the team in 2008 is our Director of Marketing and Communication, Alan Law. His passion for travel lured him away from a career in equities trading at one of Canada’s largest investment firms — and he’s never looked back. Alan has led groups around the world to over 28 countries and 128 cities including Poland, Germany, Norway, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Brazil, India, UAE, China, Korea, Japan, and throughout United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Alan was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work as an onsite tour manager for World Youth Day in Madrid (2011). Rio De Janeiro (2013), Krakow (2016), and Panama (2019). World Youth Day is by far his favourite program.
NANCY LIU
Joined the team in 2010 as our Account Executive, Nancy Liu. Her interest in international travel and culture has paved her path during her education year and personal experiences. Studying, volunteering, and working in various countries around the world, Nancy has lived and worked on 3 different continents, have traveled to 15 countries and 58 cities, and this is just the beginning of her travel aspirations. She has helped plan travel arrangements for over a thousand travellers every year, and have looked after travel arrangements for all Canadian pilgrims since World Youth Day 2011 Madrid and all following World Youth Days up to date.
Nancy was also part of the onsite team of tour managers in Krakow for World Youth Day 2016, an experience she will always cherish and look forward to all future World Youth Day programs to come.