Travel Agencies in Canada Key Terms

Learn the key terms essential to conducting business with Canadian travel agencies

By Paul Hirsch

Canadian travel agencies serve a diverse, bilingual audience over a very large land expanse. In the province of Quebec, French is the primary language, while English is the primary language in the rest of the country. It is helpful if Canadian travel agents know both languages. Another important element of conducting travel business in Canada is learning the key terms associated with the travel industry.

Provinces and territories

Canada consists of 13 distinct provinces and territories. Combined, they make up the world's second-largest country. The 10 provinces are states that receive power and authority directly from the monarchy that governs them. The three territories are governed by the country's federal government.
Try: Learn more about the individual provinces and territories you may want to visit at Explore Canada.

Aboriginal culture

Ontario, Canada is home to many native Aborigines and residents as well as tourists take part in cultural celebrations and festivals. As a travel agent or tourist, it is worthwhile to learn about places and resources available to recommend and enjoy this element of Canadian culture.
Try: Learn the basics about the Aboriginal culture and plan travel packages that include cultural exploration at Ontariotravel.net.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is the national sport of Canada and began as a game played between the native North Americans and the townspeople. Today, there are four kinds of Lacrosse: Box, Womens and Mens' Field and Inter Lacrosse. For game enthusiasts or tourists interested in attending a game to observe the time-honored tradition of Canada, there are calendars and resources available on the Web to assist in travel planning.
Try: Lacrosse.ca offers a short history of the national sport of Canada as well as an event calendar.

Transit visa

A transit visa is permission to enter a country for the purpose of leisure travel or to pass through on the way to somewhere else. This is a common travel document in Canada due to the large border with the United States.
Try: The Citizen and Immigration site for Canada provides a list of countries whose citizens need transit visas to visit Canada.

Kilometer

A kilometer is the primary measurement of ground and air travel in Canada, which uses the metric system. Americans visiting the great white north should learn to convert miles into kilometers when dealing with travel agencies in Canada.
Try: A simple calculator is available online at Metric-conversions.org.

Prix fixe

Prix fixe is a restaurant term for a fixed-price menu. The term is most often used when dealing with nicer restaurants and is generally for a multi-course meal at one price. Premium travel packages arranged by travel agencies in Canada will often include meals at prix fixe restaurants.
Try: Pure Spirits restaurant in Toronto displays its prix fixe menu online along with a description of the food.