In the news this week: Transat Distribution, Trevello, Nexion, Virtuoso, Flight Centre, Ensemble-Windstar, and Air Transat-Morocco.
Transat Distribution Canada
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is set to host its National Leadership Conference from March 22 to 28 at the Club Med Marbella Resort in Spain’s Costa del Sol, marking a change from its usual sun destination locations. The conference will feature insights from 10 expert speakers, including TED-style talks, as well as practical workshop sessions and more.
“And this journey won’t stop at the end of the week – it will continue after we return to Canada, with a series of post-event follow-ups to help members apply their learnings to real-world scenarios,” says TDCGM Karine Gagnon.
Trevello
Trevello World Holdings Inc. officially announced the creation of its US division of Trevello, appointing industry veteran Erwing Hernandez as president to lead the expansion. With more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Hernandez will spearhead Trevello’s US strategy as the company establishes its presence in the world’s largest travel market. The new host agency will launch on May 1, 2025.
“As we continue our expansion into the leading travel market, it’s critical that we have a leader who not only understands this market but is deeply committed to supporting travel advisors,” said Morris Chia, Co-Founder and CEO of Trevello World Holdings. “Erwing’s extensive experience, leadership, and strategic vision make him the right person to drive our growth while staying true to our mission of redefining the host agency model.”
As president, Hernandez will lead Trevello’s US division, overseeing operations, sales, and advisor engagement to accelerate growth and strengthen the company’s position in the market. Most recently, he served as Sr. VP at Travel Planners International (TPI).
Trevello recently announced its acquisition of Gifted Travel Network (GTN), marking its official entry into the US market earlier this year.
Nexion
Nexion Travel Group will hold several events this year designed to help member agencies across Canada grow their businesses, including regional business development events, planned by Nexion Canada, April 17 in Toronto and April 24 in Richmond, Vancouver.
In addition, Nexion will hold its exclusive Corporate CoNexions weekend business event in Toronto from July 25-27.
The regional conferences are designed to give Nexion Travel Group members a chance to network with colleagues from the same geographic area, meet and mingle with local supplier partners and business development managers, learn about Nexion programs that assist in agency business growth, expand knowledge of supplier partners and deepen relationships.
To register for the events, go to https://nexion.com/fundamentals/regionals/ .
Virtuoso
The second annual regional Virtuoso Awards were presented at March 4-6 at Fairmont le Château Frontenac in Québec City. The annual Canada Forum brought together over 120 attendees, including owners and managers from across the country and preferred partners from around the world.
Award winners included:
Northern Lights Award: This recognition is for one member who goes above and beyond in engagement, activism, advocacy, sponsorship and the promotion of Virtuoso in Canada. They embody the commitment, humility and spirit of human connection within the Virtuoso network and are an example of what matters most to members, partners and travellers.
- Winner: Aaron Levine – Laurier du Vallon
Most Engaged: Collaboration is one of Virtuoso’s core values, and this award recognizes a travel agency member and preferred partner with the highest engagement based on participation within the Virtuoso network.
- Member winner: Ocean & River Cruises
- Partner winner: Windstar Cruises
Top Producers: These awards recognise members and partners with the highest overall network sales per category.
Member winners:
- Cruise Top Producer: Direct Travel
- Hotels & Resorts Top Producer: Direct Travel
- Tour Top Producer: Direct Travel
- On-Site Top Producer: Direct Travel
- Specialty Top Producer: Direct Travel
Partner winners:
- Cruise Top Producer: Celebrity Cruises
- Hotels & Resorts Top Producer: Villas of Distinction
- Tour Top Producer: Collette
- On-Site Top Producer: Giltedge – South Africa
- Specialty Top Producer: Allianz Partners
Highest Annual Growth: These awards acknowledge members and partners with the largest annual year-over-year growth per category.
Member winners:
- Highest Cruise Annual Growth: Trevello Travel Group
- Highest Tour Annual Growth: LuxeXperts
- Highest On-Site Annual Growth: Civilized Adventures
- Highest Specialty Annual Growth: Renshaw Travel
Partner winners:
- Highest Cruise Annual Growth: Royal Caribbean International
- Highest Hotels & Resorts Annual Growth: Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, by Hyatt
- Highest Tour Annual Growth: Collette
- Highest On-Site Annual Growth: IC Bellagio – Italy
- Highest Specialty Annual Growth: Prive Jets
Flight Centre
Flight Centre has launched a new global tagline: “Your Centre for Travel.” According to Flight Centre Canada General Manager, Chadd Andre, the global tagline is the latest move in an ongoing brand modernization strategy.
“When people think travel, we want them thinking Flight Centre,” he says. “When you want to fly, stay, cruise or tour, Flight Centre is your centre for travel. Part of our success… has been our ability to continually evolve with our customers’ needs so our new tagline today positions Flight Centre exactly where we need to be; in a league of our own as a full-service travel retailer with a global shop network, bookable product online and via an app.”
Ensemble-Windstar
Ensemble, in collaboration with Windstar Cruises, will host its first-ever ‘Bermuda Bliss’ wellness themed cruise in fall 2025. The seven-day cruise departing from New York on Oct. 19 aboard Star Pride includes stops in Bermuda and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The sailing is part of Ensemble’s Hosted Experiences program and will be hosted by travel advisor Janet Chapa, an ambassador of Ensemble, who has a passion for wellness.
“This cruise reflects our commitment to expanding Ensemble’s Hosted Experiences program, offering travellers unique, themed experiences,” said Beth Butzlaff, SVP of Partner Relations, Ensemble. “Our Ensemble Hosted Experiences provide clients with exclusive perks and amenities, combined with personalized service from the host, ensuring a memorable and intimate travel experience.”
FAMS
Air Transat
Air Transat, in partnership with the Moroccan Tourist Office, hosted a FAM to Marrakech recently, showcasing the city as a flagship destination in its expanding network (banner photo).
The event brought together strategic agencies and tour operators, nine key market players who actively contribute to the promotion and sale of Morocco as a destination: Exotik Tours, Voyages Traditours, Terratours, Wingbuddy, Direct Travel, Voyages Classy Travel, Kasbah Holidays, Voyages Mazagan, and Voyageurs du Monde.
The program offered full immersion in Marrakech’s cultural and tourist offerings and attendees also participated in a workshop with local operators, learning about their services.
The four-day itinerary combined a guided tour of Marrakech, lunch at the Amanjena Hotel, then a 4×4 trip to the Agafay desert for an immersion at the White Camel Desert Camp, with a camel ride and an evening under the stars enlivened by a folklore show. Plus a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise and Moroccan cooking workshop.
“The FAM Trip strengthened ties with our partners and positioned Marrakech as a destination of choice for travel enthusiasts seeking escape and authenticity,” said Jhadyd Gonzalez, Air Transat’s National Sales Manager.
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