From FAMs to trade show news, and a pair of prestigious awards to the introduction of a new tech tool for MICE, it’s a busy time in the trade – all aggregated in our weekly retail round-up.
Kissimmee
Experience Kissimmee recently hosted a fam for Canadian travel advisors to the central Florida destination (banner photo), which counts Disney World as its prime attraction. With flights provided by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge and agents coming from across the country, the trip was led by Denise Graham, account director for Experience Kissimmee, represented in Canada by VoX International.
Beyond requisite hotel and vacation home site inspections, itinerary highlights included zip lining over alligators at Gatorland, an evening at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, cycling through Celebration, and, of course a day at Walt Disney World theme parks.
Graham says FAM participates picked up new insights into the destination, discovered great new products to sell, and, best of all, “made new friendships and memories to last a lifetime.”
Ensemble
Range by Ensemble has been recognized with two awards by the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA). Announced at the association’s 32nd annual Travel Media Awards, Ensemble’s premier consumer travel publication was honoured as one of the top three travel publications, earning a bronze medal for its Summer 2023 edition alongside Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler, the gold and silver medalists respectively.
The NATJA Awards spotlight exceptional work in publications, travel journalism, photography, and destination marketing, introduced special recognitions across various categories.
Michael Johnson, President of Ensemble, expressed his pride in the achievement: “These awards from NATJA affirm what we’ve always believed about Range by Ensemble – that it stands among the best travel and luxury lifestyle magazines available today. Our commitment to delivering engaging content that fuels the wanderlust of our readers and provides unparalleled insights for planning their next journey with their Ensemble-affiliated travel advisor has truly set us apart.”
Launched in January 2023 as part of a comprehensive rebranding initiative, the quarterly magazine offers insider insights, helping travellers discover exciting new destinations and fresh ways to see familiar places, all with the assistance of their Ensemble-affiliated travel advisor. Members can also customize and personalize the magazine for their clients. The magazine is also available in bilingual French version known as Départ.
Complementing Range by Ensemble are several other publications. This includes Range Best, which features exclusive offers from Ensemble’s preferred partners as well as curated directories for specific verticals including cruise and hotel and themes including Adventure and Wellness.
Check out the award-winning issue HERE.
TTAND
The Travel Agent Next Door has been named to the highest level of the Air Canada Circle of Excellence Agency Reward and Recognition program – a global initiative designed to acknowledge the hard work of the travel trade industry. Through this program, Air Canada provides various travel benefits to honour and appreciate travel agencies and their teams for their unwavering support and loyalty to Air Canada.
“We are extremely thrilled that The Travel Agent Next Door has achieved the highest distinction of the Air Canada Circle of Excellence in 2024, thanks to the hard work and dedication of their professional travel advisors,” said Jamie Fox, Senior Manager-Regional Sales, Air Canada. “I also commend Yazdan Bakhtiary, Air Canada Manager Regional Sales, for his unwavering support and leadership in working closely with the TTAND management team and their amazing advisors leading them to Platinum status.”
“We are very proud to have achieved this level with Air Canada and I want to thank all of our travel agent partners who have contributed to this success,” said Flemming Friisdahl, TTAND CEO.
FCM M&E
With events, event travel and meetings leading the business travel bounce-back globally (recent research shows that the MICE market size, in terms of revenue, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6% from 2022 to 2030), FCM Meetings & Events, a division of the Flight Centre Travel Group, has launched a brand-new booking solution for meetings and group hotel lodging within the MICE industry.
The new FCM Venue Finder, powered by Hubli, includes over 200,000 spaces around the world with fast and easy online booking, as well as sustainability solutions with contracting and cost controls.
It follows the recent announcement detailing the global expansion of the M&E business that saw industry expert Simone Seiler moving into the role of Global General Manager to oversee lofty ambitions for an industry sector that is set to boom in 2024.
“We believe the meetings, events, conferences, and event travel markets are ripe for disruption worldwide – this is an important step in ensuring we have best-in-class technology to deliver for a flourishing sector of the travel market,” says Seiler.
“It’s clear the demand for in-person connection continues to increase, with recent data showing conferences and events being one of the top two reasons for travel among both SME owners and decision-makers – the passion and engagement we’re seeing is very encouraging.
“We’re experiencing and anticipating a steady annual growth rate of demand at 12% year on year for in-person meetings, which means we have some exciting opportunities coming our way.”
Granite Travel Trade Expos
The 2024 Granite Travel Trade Shows will kick off April 22 in Windsor, Ont., the first of four shows in the province in April. The first 50 agents who arrive at each of the 11 Granite Travel Trade Expos (Spring and Fall) will receive a $20 MasterCard, courtesy of Catalonia Hotels & Resorts.
“We recognize that in today’s economy and with high gas prices, there is an expense to attend events,” says Bradley Dean, Oakville Toronto Partner, Granite Productions. “We’re very grateful to Catalonia Hotels & Resorts who also recognizes this and was able to provide this token of appreciation to our agents who support us. As always, it is free to attend our Expos and there is free parking at every one.”
This year’s schedule is as follows:
April 22: Windsor, Ont.
April 23: Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont
April 24: Oshawa, Ont.
April 25: Barrie, Ont.
Oct. 7: Winnipeg, Man.
Oct. 9: Victoria, BC
Oct. 10: Langley, BC
Nov. 4: Ottawa
Nov. 5: Hamilton-Burlington, Ont.
Nov. 6: London, Ont.
Nov. 7: Richmond Hill, Ont.
Just a few of the suppliers sponsors St. Kitts and Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts in 2024 are Oasis Hotels, WestJet Vacations, Majestic Resorts, Expedia Tapp, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, Princess Hotels and Resorts, Blue Diamond Resorts, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica and the Cuba Tourist Board.
The series of regional travel trade events are designed to connect industry suppliers and top- producing travel agents, facilitating valuable and essential in-person interactive consultations and presentations. Each Expo will continue to be focused on training and networking, with face-to-face interaction with agents and products. In each city, a presentation series featuring 15-minute segments by suppliers will be followed by a trade show, dinner, and prize giveaways.
Registration for travel agents opens March 22; click HERE.