Who We Are

Family-run. Ottawa-proud. Since 1976.

Handa Travel has helped Ottawa—and travellers across Canada—see the world since 1976. From our longtime home at Billings Bridge, we’ve built a reputation for fair prices, seasoned advisors, and genuine, old-school service backed by modern tools.
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Trusted. Personal. Reliable.

Ottawa’s Go-To Travel Advisors

Handa Travel began in 1976 when Inderjit Handa, affectionately known as ‘Mister Handa’,  opened a small travel office with a big idea: treat every trip as if you’re planning it for your own family. Word spread quickly. Over the decades, our team earned the trust of leisure, group, and corporate travellers throughout Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto—always combining personal care with the latest booking technology to find the right itinerary at the right price.

Meet the Founder

Mister Handa’s Vision for Travel

Born in Punjab in 1937, Inder brought an entrepreneur’s grit and a host’s heart to Ottawa. He was known across Canada’s travel community for his kindness, energy, and encyclopedic knowledge of fares and routes. Mister Handa led Handa Travel for nearly half a century and passed away peacefully on January 26, 2023—just days before his 86th birthday—leaving a legacy of service that guides us every day. To see his life celebration website visit: www.misterhanda.com

Handa Profile
Why We Exist

A Tradition of Service and Community

From our Billings Bridge head office, Handa Travel became a local fixture—helping families reunite, students explore, couples celebrate, and businesses grow. Along the way, industry recognition followed, including Ottawa’s Consumer Choice Awards over multiple years—honours earned through customer feedback and consistency of care.

What Drives Us

Trust. Expertise. Human Connection.

People First
Trips aren’t transactions; they’re life moments. We listen, advise, and advocate for you before, during, and after you travel.
Experience Matters
Our advisors have decades of know-how across complex, multi-stop itineraries, groups, cruises, and tours.
Fair Value
We pair competitive pricing with the support only a dedicated agent can provide.
Local Roots, Global Reach
Ottawa service with worldwide partners and support.
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Today & Tomorrow

Handa Travel remains proudly independent and family-run—rooted in Ottawa, serving clients across Canada and beyond. We honour Inder’s legacy by planning every journey with care, integrity, and a sense of possibility. Whether it’s a complex round-the-world ticket or a first family vacation, our promise is simple: we’ll treat your trip like our own.
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Meet the Advisors Behind the Name

We’re a tight-knit team of 10+ dedicated travel advisors, each with unique specialties—from luxury cruises and group tours to Indian destination weddings and family-friendly resorts. We speak multiple languages, have decades of first-hand travel experience, and care deeply about making your trip smooth and memorable.

View Our Travel Experts
Hyacinth Samaroo
With 28 years in the travel industry—including 23 years in retail with Handa Travel—I specialize in leisure travel that’s seamless, stress-free, and tailored to each client’s needs. I’m committed to making every journey smooth and enjoyable while treating every client with dignity, respect, and genuine care.
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Lydia Mitilineos
I specialize in crafting intimate small-group journeys and curated cruise experiences, from relaxed river cruises to ocean voyages. With a passion for South America and key regions across Asia—including Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand—I create rich, personal, and memorable travel adventures.
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Joyce Ortiz
With over two decades of experience and personal travel across five continents, I design bespoke luxury itineraries grounded in authentic insight and meticulous detail. From river cruises to cultural immersions and private-island escapes, I turn each client’s travel dreams into extraordinary, seamless experiences.
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Raj Dhawan
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Connie Campbell
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Zubida Aziz
From teaching in Trinidad and Tobago to becoming a seasoned Travel Consultant in Canada, I’ve built deep expertise across land packages, flights, groups, weddings, and cruises. Today, I bring that journey and passion together to guide clients through even the most intricate travel plans with ease and enjoyment.
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Ramya Alahakoon
A globally experienced, IATA- and TICO-certified travel professional with over 25 years in Canada and 3 years in Australia, I create exceptional, insight-driven itineraries. Drawing from extensive firsthand travel across Oceania, Asia, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe, I offer clients truly informed and personalized guidance.
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Paul Subir
With extensive experience in high-volume retail travel consulting, I specialize in personalized service, custom itineraries, and seamless end-to-end booking management. Known for strong client relationships and operational expertise, I handle everything from flights and packages to issue resolution and regulatory compliance.
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Lalit Sharma
With 28 years of experience, I specialize in creating seamless travel plans—from India itineraries and global vacation packages to cruises and international tours. My goal is to use my extensive expertise to ensure every journey is thoughtfully crafted and flawlessly executed.
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Mario Naim
A seasoned travel professional with 44 years of industry expertise, I specialize in crafting unforgettable cruise experiences. As a dedicated manager and leader, I bring deep destination knowledge and a passion for delivering seamless, spectacular journeys for every client.
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Cherry Paredes
A globally trained travel expert with roots in Manila and over 25 years of experience supporting corporate and community clients. Now a proud member of Handa Travel in Canada, I specialize in serving the Filipino community and crafting seamless, personalized journeys worldwide.
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Questions? We’ve Got You.

No Confusion. Just Straight Answers.

Simple answers for stress-free travel planning.
What makes Handa different from other agencies?
We’re one of Ottawa’s most established agencies, with decades of experience, deep vendor relationships, and a reputation for honest, caring service. We’re not a franchise or call center—we’re a local team committed to our community.
Why should I use a travel advisor instead of booking online myself?
Our clients come to us for peace of mind. Online booking sites leave you on hold for hours when things go wrong. With Handa Travel, you call a local person who knows you and will resolve issues quickly.
Do you charge extra service fees?
For most packages, cruises, and tours, there are no additional fees beyond the supplier’s price. For flights or special requests, we’re always transparent about any fees up front.
What happens if something goes wrong on my trip?
Call us. Unlike online sites, you won’t be left stranded. We step in immediately to fix flight changes, cancellations, or other issues.
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Want to Plan with People You Can Trust?

Let’s Make Your Next Trip a Meaningful One

Whether you're celebrating a retirement, reunion, or just want things done right—our team is here to help.
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