Heartland International Travel and Tours Ltd. has been a private sector Winnipeg inbound receptive tour operator since the company was founded on November 01, 2001. Prior to this time Don Finkbeiner, owner of Heartland International Travel and Tours and colleague Heather Pedreira, operated the incoming, receptive division of McDonald Worldwide Travel from 1990 until they founded Heartland in 2001. Working together for 22 years Don and Heather have 19 years of this as receptive service experience.

Employee Bios and Information

Don Finkbeiner

Don has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba and is the owner, manager of Heartland International Travel and Tours. He has been in the travel/tourism industry since 1974. Together with Heather Pedreira developed the incoming/receptive division of McDonald Worldwide Travel in 1990 and this incoming/receptive concept was the cornerstone of Heartland International Travel and Tours in 2001. He has created many Winnipeg and Manitoba tours that showcase our city and province to tourists. He is very familiar with all attractions and hotel properties in Winnipeg and is capable of guiding groups on any general or customized tours of the city. He is a member of Meeting Professionals International, Team Winnipeg, Winnipeg Tour Connection, Heritage Winnipeg, Canadian History Society, SKAL, and the Tourism Awareness Network.

Heather Pedreira

Heather graduated from Success Business College’s Travel and Tourism course in 1986. She started working in the travel industry as a travel agent coordinating group airline tickets and travel arrangements to destinations all over the world. In 2001 she continued with Don as he formed Heartland International Travel working as a Destination Management Company in the Winnipeg and Manitoba markets. She has 22 years experience in all aspects of tour planning, packaging, marketing and fulfillment. She has working relationships with most of the hotels, attractions and venues and as she has lived in Winnipeg all her life is very familiar with all aspects of the city. She is pleased her position allows her the opportunity to provide others with memorable experiences of this fine city.  

Shannon Claeys

Shannon is an incoming, receptive destination management company consultant who has worked at Heartland International Travel & Tours since June 2005. In her current job at Heartland International Travel & Tours, job duties include: answering phones, sending and receiving emails, website editing, computer skills with Word, Excel and Power Point, developing local tours and packages for people and groups to book, working with local attractions and hotels, booking airfares and packages, and general office work. These duties combined with a degree from Red River College’s Tourism program give Shannon the experience necessary to perform her job effectively. Shannon has lived in Winnipeg all her life giving her a great deal of experience in promoting the city. 

Memberships and Affiliates

Winnipeg Tour Connection

MPI-Meeting Professionals International

Team Winnipeg

Ensemble Travel Group

IATA/TIDS designation

Continental Travel Group

Heartland International Travel and Tours Tourism Awards

1. 2004 Manitoba Tourism Award for Service Excellence MPI - Manitoba Chapter 2005/06 Horizon Award for Outstanding Creativity and Success within the Meetings and Events Industry MPI - Manitoba Chapter April 15, 2008 National Meeting Industry Day Influence Award  2008 - Winner of the Manitoba Tourism Awards in the category of Partnership-Haunted Winnipeg Tours
2. MPI - Manitoba Chapter 2005/06 Horizon Award for Outstanding Creativity and Success within the Meetings and Events Industry
3. MPI - Manitoba Chapter April 15, 2008 National Meeting Industry Day Influence Award 
4. 2008 - Winner of the Manitoba Tourism Awards in the category of Partnership-Haunted Winnipeg Tours
5. Heartland was nominated a finalist for the 2008 Manitoba Tourism Awards in the category of Product Development-Winnipass Attraction Pass
6. Heartland was nominated for the 2009 Manitoba Tourism Awards in the category of Product Development for the Hermetic Code Tours of the Manitoba Legislative Building

 Testimonials

"I would like to let you know what a real and genuine pleasure it was to work with you and your staff. The tour design was superb - interesting and diverse tours for each of the three age groups of adults, teens and children. Everything was well organized, and on time. We appreciated the red carpet service all the way from the contracting, the onsite delivery and the invoicing. We would definitely recommend Heartland Travel & Tours to other associations and to industry. I could not have been more pleased with the services you provided. We thought that the level of service was above expectations, and we were impressed!" Angie Herzog - Manager, Professional Development - Canadian Veterinary Medical Association - Ottawa, Ontario

"On behalf of MEDA'S recent convention in Winnipeg I want to thank you for your assistance in organizing and arranging our tours. With three days of tours, 8 different options and meals in many cases, our side trips were an amazing addition to the convention. Our members enjoyed everything from curling and shopping to studying their heritage in Steinbach. The weather cooperated and helped us showcase many of Manitoba's sights and attractions. We appreciated your careful attention to detail as well as your flexibility with our group. Over the years I have worked with many different companies arranging excursions during conventions but the level of excellence that you provided coupled with your desire to reveal Winnipeg's cultural flavour provided me a service that is not found in other cities" Ann-Michele Ewert - Vero Consulting, Conference and Event Planning   

“Everything was absolutely fabulous! You did a great job and I wouldn't hesitate using you in the future. You and Heather were a joy to work with - so accommodating and you just made my life so much easier. I truly appreciate everything you've done. You offer such a variety of tours it's amazing." Pat Malynyk - Office Mgr - Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Canadian Regional Conference - Winnipeg, MB  

Business References

For a business reference for our company, please contact Travel Manitoba’s marketing department or Product Development Departments at 1-800-665-0040 or 1-204-927-7800. You can also contact Tourism Winnipeg at 1-800-665-0204 or 1-204-943-1970.

Location and Contact Information

“Not your typical travel company”

202-3111 Portage Avenue

Winnipeg, MB  R3K 0W4

Phone: (204) 989-9630     N.A. Toll Free: 1-866-890-3377      Fax: (204) 989-9636

Email: info@heartlandtravel.ca

Web site: http://www.heartlandtravel.ca