In this week’s round-up, Ensemble agents get cozy with Antigua-Barbuda, Flight Centre pledges to plant trees, and TRAVELSAVERS introduces a new business director for British Colombia.

ENSEMBLE

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James visited Canada in mid August to announce a partnership with Ensemble, explaining “Antigua-Barbuda tends towards the upper end of the market, so I think it’s a good fit with Ensemble to ensure that it gets into their marketing base and reaches the clientele that’s appropriate for our destination.”

And that clientele, according to James, is “mid to upper end looking for aspirational type vacations” – a niche, he says that “really fits the bill with Ensemble. In the US, we really had a great activation recently with Virtuoso… and I think Ensemble allows us to do that in Canada and to really put our destination front and centre with high caliber and high-performance agents, so we can really go after the market.”

James says the partnership will have multiple activations, joint co-op marketing, FAMS, as well as offer support to agents who specialize in high end properties, ensuring that they become Antigua-Barbuda “ambassadors.”

He notes that two Antigua hotels have already signed up for the partnership. “So,” he observes, “it’s already starting to work for us.”

FLIGHT CENTRE

Flight Centre has unveiled a new “hassle-free” travel solution for clients offering a shopper’s list of bundled list of curated travel services, but also a boost for the environment. With each “Captain’s Pack” purchased, Flight Centre pledges to plant trees in Morocco and Vancouver Island with Reforest, a platform dedicated to authentic climate change action through local reforestation projects.

“As a global brand, we have an ambitious goal: to plant over one million trees worldwide. One of our initiatives is right in our backyard – on Vancouver Island – and we’re thrilled it will resonate with our community in Canada,” says Brian McLaren, Executive VP of Flight Centre Canada.

Starting at $49 for the Essentials Pack, $69 for the Value Pack, $99 for the Plus Pack, as well as a dedicated Pack for All-inclusive Vacation Bookings, the Captain’s Pack includes lost baggage tracking, price drop protection, and change fee and cancellation fee waivers. (Young explorers accompanying an adult with an eligible pack can receive the benefits at no additional cost.)

The bundle offering is available when customers book flights, holiday packages, cruises, or tours with travel agents in-store or over the phone.

TRAVELSAVERS CANADA

Emma Madsen has joined the TRAVELSAVERS CANADA team as a Director of Business Development. She will oversee strategic acquisition and services for British Columbia, advancing the organization’s mission of driving more business with agency affiliates in that province.

Madsen began her travel career as a Business Development Manager at the age of 24. She was the first individual hired at Sunwing Vacations in Western Canada in 2006 and three years later, moved to the Jamaica Tourist Board.

“Emma has gained exceptional experience, diversity and recognition in the industry as a highly regarded travel professional,” says TRAVELSAVERS CANADA Sr. VP and GM Jane Clementino. “Emma’s industry expertise will be instrumental in driving the company’s continued growth and success for our agency partners in western Canada.”

Madsen will work closely with agency owners and advisors to support their business objectives and help accelerate preferred supplier sales.