TORONTO — The Globus family of brands is reporting a jump in Italy sales of close to 70% year over year, and that’s just as of mid-May.

The company says it has been putting “the accent on Italy” in 2018 and is seeing that its efforts, backed up by travel agents, are paying off.

“This year we made a conscious effort to expand and promote our tours outside the big cities and put the emphasis on what we call ‘off-the-beaten-piazza’ corners of the country such as Sicily, Puglia, and Tuscany,” says Kim Clarke, Director of Sales.

Globus, Cosmos and independent packaged travel company Monograms offer a total of 55 itineraries featuring Italy either on its own or in combination with other European countries, ranging in duration from popular three-day City Getaways Your Way with Monograms, to Cosmos’ 17-day Splendors of Italy & Sicily tour.

Clarke adds: “Many Canadians in our target audience have already visited Rome, Florence and Venice, so we’re delighted that they are choosing to return to Italy and visit some of the smaller centres which offer just as much charm and wonderful food and scenery, but without the bustle and the crowds.”