This week: TTAND tunes in to luxury; Virtuoso unveils 21 Canadian cruise “icons’; KVI Travel also “evolves” with enhanced luxury offerings; Uniworld University introduces a new course; and Coconut Bay Resort & Spa in Saint Lucia has a bonus for advisors.
The Travel Agent Next Door
Thirty TTAND agents from across Canada gathered recently at The Shangri-la Hotel in downtown Toronto for a two full-day immersion program on learning how to understand the luxury consumer. Demand was so high for the LUXE Mastermind program that a second two-day session was scheduled Vancouver where another 18 agents attended March 10-12.
The immersive program for agents looking to sell TTAND’s new LUXE suppliers focussed on understanding the psychology of an affluent and high net worth consumer.
The sessions were led by consumer behaviour psychologist Dr. Paul Russell of the Luxury Academy in the U.K., who helps luxury businesses understand how affluent clients think, what drives their decisions, and how to create service that feels both effortless and deeply personal.
TTAND executives Rhonda Stanley and Christine Ufniak also facilitated sessions at the event along with luxury suppliers.
“Participating in the Luxe Mastermind at the Shangri-La is not just another professional milestone; it’s a strategic investment in elevating my luxury brand,” said said Louise Gardiner, CTM. “This program empowers me to better understand my client needs ensuring each of their journeys reflects the pinnacle of personalized luxury. I’m thrilled that TTAND is investing in this new travel offering!”
Virtuoso
The envelope please: Virtuoso has unveiled its 2026 Virtuoso Cruise Icons, a distinctive honour recognizing representing the top tier of cruise sellers within the Virtuoso network. Among the 178 2026 Virtuoso Cruise Icons are the following 21 Canadian advisors:
Judy Branner, Civilized Adventures; Barbara Chamberlain, BCR Consultants, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Ancaster; Rose Coleman, Direct Travel – Georgetown; Rosie Durham, TTI Travel; Jodi Fox, Direct Travel – Calgary; Erika Gal, Direct Travel – Ancaster; Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Lush Life Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel Toronto – HQ; Nimet Jessa, Kerrisdale Cruise & Vacation Travel; Sandra Keeso-Hall, Direct Travel – Georgetown; Shawn Kilner, Imagine Cruise & Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Victoria; Gerry Koolhof, Direct Travel – Toronto Downtown; Carolyn Kremer, Direct Travel – Georgetown; Rhonda Leblanc, Trevello Travel Group; Grace Markus, Direct Travel – Vancouver; Magda Newman, Direct Travel – Toronto Downtown; Sue Pechtel, Direct Travel – Government Centre; Linda Sim, Renshaw Travel; Samuel Spencer, Ocean & River Cruises; Michelle Streicher, Direct Travel Toronto – HQ; Alan Szeto, Direct Travel – Vancouver; Barbara Trotter, Direct Travel – Victoria
“Cruise Icons are the advisors the industry looks to when there are market shifts or demand accelerates,” said Cory Hagopian, Virtuoso Sr. VP, global partnerships. “They set the standard for how clients engage with luxury cruising across every category, how preferred partners position their products and how the sector continues to evolve. This group represents leadership in action, not just results on paper.”
Icons also gain access to exclusive travel opportunities centered on emerging destinations and innovative cruise products. In 2026, this includes two dedicated charter sailings with AmaWaterways along Colombia’s Magdalena River.
KVI Travel
Vancouver-based interline and retail travel agency KVI Travel (a member of Travel Leaders Network) has launched KVI Luxe, formalizing its ultra-luxury travel offering for a global clientele seeking rare access, high-touch service, and meticulously curated journeys around the world. The division formalizes a segment of the business that has grown rapidly in recent years as demand for highly personalized luxury travel experiences continues to expand.
“KVI Luxe represents the natural evolution of our business,” said Kyle Oram, Founder of KVI Travel. “Our clients aren’t just looking to book a trip; they’re looking for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We see ourselves as architects of joyful moments, ensuring every experience we plan for our clients is thoughtfully executed with the time, intention, and significance it deserves.”
The new division will be led by Cindy Krenn, Founding Director of Business Development at KVI Luxe, who will oversee new client engagement and the continued expansion of the division’s luxury travel offerings.
Drawing on KVI’s global advisory network across 17 countries, KVI Luxe specializes in bespoke itinerary design, ultra-luxury cruises and yacht experiences, private aviation coordination, exclusive rail journeys, and curated hotel partnerships worldwide.
EDUCATION
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has a new course within Uniworld University, offering Canadian travel advisors an in-depth look at what’s ahead for the brand. This year’s course marks the brand’s 50th anniversary, and advisors who complete it will gain insight into Uniworld’s 2026 celebrations and what’s to come in 2027, including new Super Ships, Cruise & Tour journeys, expanded itineraries and more.
In addition, advisors will receive exclusive travel advisor rates, CLIA certification credits, recognition as a Preferred Specialist on the Uniworld website and an official Uniworld Preferred Specialist badge upon completion. Below is a preview of what advisors will learn in the newly released course:
By 2027, Uniworld will transform into a fully Super Ship fleet, beginning with the debut of the S.S. Emilie this March, the brand’s first new build since 2020. The expansion continues in 2027 with three additional Super Ships, the third being an expedition yacht operated in partnership with Aqua Expeditions that will sail twice a year to the islands of Indonesia and Singapore.
Canadian advisors can register for the new course at www.uniworld.com/ca/uniworld-university.
INCENTIVES
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
As Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa unveils a complete transformation of its adults-only Harmony wing, part of the resort’s most extensive renovations in its 20-year history, the Canadian favourite in Saint Lucia reminds that Canadian travel advisors can earn a bonus of up to US$126 on bookings. Simply join the CBAYREWARD$ program and register new bookings at CBAYResortRewards.com.
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