This week: ACTA is set to host a townhall meeting; ACV FAM introduces northern Portugal; Total dominance and movin’ on up at TRAVELSAVERS’ Canada; Virtuoso celebrates a milestone; meet the Trevello agents who are ‘Simply the best’; and new agent tools from Explora Journeys.
ACTA
ACTA members are invited to join the association’s next ACTA Townhall on July 14 at 1p.m. EDT. The event will be hosted by ACTA’s new President, Suzanne Acton-Gervais, along with Avery Campbell, ACTA’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations. On the agenda will be ACTA’s latest advocacy efforts, including an update on the new federal government, Canada-US relations, and how ACTA is supporting travel advisors and agencies across Canada. Non-ACTA members are also welcome to attend. A French Townhall will take place on July 16. Register HERE.
Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations recently hosted in a FAM to Porto and Northern Portugal, in conjunction with the region’s tourist boards (banner photo). Ten top-performing travel advisors and key account manager Suzanne Morgan explored the area’s heritage, landscapes, and hospitality, including UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Guimarães, the Douro Valley, and Bom Jesus do Monte and top-tier properties including The Lince Santa Clara, a sophisticated 5-star hotel.
Travel advisors experienced deluxe accommodations at landmark properties such as Vila Galé Collection Ponte de Lima, Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia, and Porto Palácio Hotel.
“International Familiarization trips are an integral part of our plan to grow our global portfolio,” said Nino Montagnese, Vice president of Air Canada Vacations. “These experiences allow us to strengthen our relationships with our travel agent partners and empower them to better showcase our expanding destination offerings to Canadian travellers.”
Air Canada Vacations has newly introduced tours to Porto, with direct flights from Montreal starting this year. To learn more about Porto, click here.
TRAVELSAVERS CANADA
At this year’s TRAVELSAVERS Travel Market, Total Advantage Travel & Tours was honoured with the Chairman’s Award – the highest accolade presented to affiliate agencies. The award recognizes exceptional performance, outstanding partner sales, and an unwavering commitment to driving growth.
Accepting the award on behalf of the agency was Robert Townshend, Founder and President of Total Advantage Travel & Tours (photo above). With over 30 years of experience leading the Toronto-based agency, Townshend has built a reputation as a trusted leader and travel consultant.
Meanwhile, TRAVELSAVERS Canada has promoted Monique Lalonde to Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships. With over 35 years of experience in the travel industry and more than four years at TRAVELSAVERS Canada, Lalonde manages preferred supplier relationships and drives strategic growth. In her new position, she will lead the development of innovative strategies, cultivate new accounts, and continue to enhance the value TRAVELSAVERS Canada delivers to both its network and suppliers.
Virtuoso
Virtuoso celebrated its milestone 100th episode of its popular podcast, ‘Thanks for Asking.’ Hosted by Virtuoso’s Director, Training & Professional Development Helen Nodland, the podcast delivers candid, relevant and insightful conversations designed to support and elevate Virtuoso travel advisors.
Created in 2019 by Virtuoso advisors, for Virtuoso advisors, Thanks for Asking offers an engaging forum to explore real-world expertise and best practices from mastering client relationships to embracing evolving technologies, sales strategies and much more. Advisors generously share their knowledge, making the podcast a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration for others in the network and embodying Virtuoso’s core belief that working together takes advisors and partners further than working alone.
Last year, the podcast expanded its lens to also spotlight Virtuoso preferred partners, offering frontline advisors a deeper look into the stories, values and passions that drive these companies. With an emphasis on the “why” behind each brand’s mission – rather than just the “how” or “what” – the podcast’s mix of conversations with advisors and partners aims to enrich connections within the wider Virtuoso network.
Trevello
Trevello Travel Group reports that five of its advisors were honoured at the Air Canada Vacations’ ‘Simply the Best Awards Night’ – a celebration of excellence for independent agents in the Canadian travel industry. Trevello’s award-winning advisors include:
- Top Cruise Advisor – Natalia Zawierucha
- Top Sandals Agent – Kim Hartlen
- Care Rockstar – Lisa Anne Vrazeau
- Highest Sales with ACV – Angela Randell
- Runner-up Top Sales – Renee Winsor
“These recognitions are not just awards — they’re proof of the incredible talent, dedication, and professionalism of our Trevello advisors,” said Zeina Gedeon, CEO of Trevello Travel Group. “We are so proud of Natalia, Kim, Lisa, and Angela, and of the entire Trevello network. Our advisors, go above and beyond for their clients every day. These awards are a reflection of that passion and hard work.”
Explora Journeys
MSC Group’s Explora Journeys has launched a comprehensive new digital initiative designed to empower and elevate the success of travel advisors. The complimentary suite of digital marketing tools provides agents with access to brand-approved content that can be easily scheduled and shared across their social media channels, as well as enabling advance post planning, performance tracking, and ensuring consistency in voice and visual identity. Travel advisors in Canada, US, UK, Ireland, Australia and Germany will be the first to benefit from this offering.
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