corporate info

Designed to encourage Canadians to see their country this summer

b TORONTO, Apr 19, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Whether it's whale watching in the Atlantic or bear watching in B.C... a rail-tour through the Rockies or a guided tour of old Quebec City, Sears Travel today unveiled Go Canada - one of the most comprehensive compilations of Canadian vacation packages.

Designed to encourage Canadians to see their country this summer, Go Canada with Sears Travel offers a packaged Canadian tour for every vacation taste - from family getaways, to self-drive, rail and coach tours, to city and cultural packages, or adventure excursions.

"Canada is a breathtaking country with so much to do and see," said Bryson Forbes, National Marketing Manager, Sears Travel. "There are so many packaged tours available for other parts of the world, like Europe or the Caribbean. Now, with Sears Travel's Go Canada packages, it's just as easy to book a customized Canadian packaged tour."

Information on all Go Canada packages can be found at Sears Travel offices in 110 Sears department stores nationally, by phone (1-888-FLY-SEARS) or online at www.searstravel.ca.

Anyone who has ever booked a self-drive tour through Europe will love the simplicity and ease-of-use of booking Sears Travel Go Canada self-drive packages, such as the 10-day/9-night "Taste of the West Bed & Breakfast" tour, which will take you from Vancouver to Calgary with stops in Whistler, Clearwater, Jasper and Banff.

For those who prefer to have someone else do the driving, choose from an array of rail packages, such as an awesome 8-day/7-night trip from Toronto, through Montreal to Halifax. Once in the Maritimes, you can also take a guided Coach Tour through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI.

If you prefer the outdoor experience, the choices are as vast as Canada's breathtaking wilderness. Stay in luxury at the Whistler Resort, or if you're into the real rustic adventure, there's always bear watching in northern B.C. Perhaps a gondola ride to the peak of Quebec's Mont Tremblant suits your fancy. After a 4-day stay on your "outdoor passport," head back to the city and experience the beauty, charm and European flavour of Montreal and Quebec City.

If culture, cuisine and fine dining are what you enjoy, the choices are as plentiful as the numerous cultural backgrounds that inhabit the country. Try a tour of Ontario's famed Niagara Wine region, combining it with a stay at a deluxe Toronto hotel and a trip to Niagara Falls. For those traveling with kids, Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton is not called one of the most unique hotels in the world for nothing. Connected to the famed West Edmonton Mall, there's something to do for everyone - and kids 16 and under stay for free.

"By booking with Sears Travel you have the comfort of knowing that wherever you travel in Canada, we have travel consultants working and living in the region," said Bryson Forbes, National Marketing Manager, Sears Travel. "In addition to the wide range of vacation choices offered in the Go Canada catalogue, vacationers can benefit from flexible payment options such as 12 interest-free monthly payments when booking on their Sears Card."

Sears Travel is a full-service national travel agency of Sears Canada.

Sears Canada, the retailer with the most extensive multi-channel network in the country, began serving customers in 1953. The Company has 48,000 associates and, in an independent consumer survey, ranks first in trust, respect, and quality products and services. There is a Sears location within a 10-minute drive of 93% of Canadians, and Sears is dedicated to providing them with quality merchandise and exceptional service coast to coast through its 122 department stores, 47 Sears Home stores, over 2,200 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 146 dealer stores, 14 outlet stores, 50 floor covering centres, 110 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.

VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=58312

CONTACT:          For further information: Christine Hudson, Sears Canada Inc.,
                  (416) 941-4423, christine.hudson(at)sears.ca; John McGrath, (416) 876-3945,
                  john(at)prcommunicationsinc.com

News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350  

Copyright (C) 2004 CNW, All rights reserved

SOURCE: Sears Canada Inc.