This week: Air Canada Vacations introduces its new agent advisor cohort; ACTA offers referral incentive; FlightHub introduces hotels; agent contest winners experienced Oregon; Ensemble appoints a new director of destinations; and four new Utah specialists were rewarded with an upcoming a FAM.
Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations passed the torch to a new cohort of 13 travel advisors from across the country for its Travel Advisory Board (TAAB) journey, at the same time celebrating the “exceptional contributions” of its outgoing members.
“Over the past two years, outgoing TAAB members have played an instrumental role in the company’s evolution, helping drive enhancements across products, customer experience, and advisor support,” says the company.
The transition was marked during a two-day event in June ACV’s Toronto office, where advisors participated in a full day of updates, forward-looking discussions, and collaborative sessions, followed by a gala dinner.
“Over the past two years, our Advisory Board members have brought forward invaluable perspectives that have directly influenced our evolution,” said Erminia Gallina, Director of Sales at Air Canada Vacations. “We are incredibly grateful for their lasting impact.”
New advisory board members include:
- Charlene Lisa Joyce Daigneault – Total Advantage Travel & Tours
- Anthony Sean Santori – Voyages La Para
- Caroline Lagueux – Voyages 737
- Marcie Noyek – BW Travel
- Julie Smigadis – Envoyage
- Sylvette Deveau – Deveau Travel
- Tessa Porter – Trevello
- Hidar Elmais – Travel Gurus
- Daina Gasner – Travel Masters
- Brigitte Viel – Voyageologues
- Ian David Elliott – TravelOnly
- Shawn Friesen – Expedia Cruises
- Sarah Boville (not pictured in banner photo)
ACTA
ACTA reminds members that its Referral Program remains underway through Aug. 31. Travel advisors and travel agencies who join, renew their ACTA membership, successfully refer a fellow travel advisor or travel agency, or complete eligible certification activities between Jan. 20 and Aug. 31, 2026, earn ballots toward an exclusive Grand Prize Draw. Courtesy of Aurora Expeditions, one lucky travel advisor will receive a complimentary Balcony B cabin (1x FOC) aboard the Sylvia Earle for the South Georgia, Falklands and Antarctica expedition, with an approximate value of $45,000 CAD per person.
The more members join, renew, refer or certify, the more ballots they receive. For more information about the ACTA Referral Program, or to refer a fellow travel advisor, visit the ACTA website.
FlightHub
Online travel agency FlightHub is expanding its travel ecosystem with the launch of FlightHub Hotels, which will allow travellers to book flights, hotels, and bundled travel packages in one place. The new offering gives travellers access to more than 2.6 million accommodation options worldwide, marking a significant step in FlightHub’s evolution as a one-stop shop for travel planning.
The launch also introduces exclusive account-based savings, with travellers who sign in or create a FlightHub account gaining access to special hotel pricing, while returning customers may unlock even deeper accommodation discounts.
In addition to standalone hotel bookings, travellers can package flights for additional savings.
“Hotels are a natural extension of the FlightHub experience,” said Sylvie Hachey, VP of Lodging at FlightHub. “This launch significantly expands the accommodation options available to travellers, whether they’re booking a hotel on its own or as part of a larger trip.”
Travel Oregon
Three Canadian travel advisors, who were winners in the ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ incentive campaign, in partnership with Brand USA and Air Canada, were hosted recently on the prize FAM by Travel Oregon. They included Sue Kos, Envoyage, Sherwood Park, Alta.; Jennifer Quinlan, Trevello Travel Group, Barrie, Ont.; and Anna Chalkadryan, CTMS Travel, Woodbridge, Ont.
“It was very important to Travel Oregon to once again support the Sell Your Way to the USA campaign and continue strengthening relationships with Canadian travel advisors,” says Thomas Moser, Global Sales Manager, Travel Oregon. “This itinerary was designed to showcase some of Oregon’s most iconic landscapes, culinary experiences and communities, while highlighting the diversity of experiences available throughout the state.”
Highlights of the FAM included the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River region, Oregon Coast and eclectic Portland, where the group experienced the city’s renowned food, arts and cultural scene.
Ensemble
Ensemble has appointed Kateryna Havrylova as its new Director of Destinations and Tourism Boards, a newly created role designed to strengthen relationships with destination marketing organizations and tourism boards around the world while creating expanded opportunities for member engagement, education, and business growth.
Havrylova joins Ensemble from Collette, where she most recently served as Partnerships Marketing Manager, overseeing strategic marketing initiatives and partner engagement programs. Prior to Collette, she held a series of partnership, sales and marketing roles across the travel industry with Abercrombie & Kent, The Travel Corporation, Insight Vacations and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
The Utah Office of Tourism
Four Canadian travel advisors have been selected to participate in an exclusive Utah familiarization (FAM) trip following the successful completion of its 2026 Utah Specialist Academy incentive program.
Launched alongside the enhanced Utah Specialist Academy 2.0, the incentive campaign encouraged Canadian travel advisors to deepen their knowledge of the destination while rewarding their commitment to selling Utah. Running from April 21 through June 15, the program attracted strong participation from travel advisors across Canada who completed the updated specialist training for the opportunity to earn a place on an immersive educational journey through the state.
The four winning advisors are:
• Cathy Palmeria, Uniglobe Carefree Travel
• Melissa Matheson, Goway Travel
• Shane Shudra, AMA Travel
• Carrie McNallie, Travel Agent Next Door
The winners will travel to Utah from Dec. 2 to 10, where they will experience many of the state’s iconic landscapes, outdoor adventures, vibrant communities, and unique tourism experiences firsthand. The immersive itinerary has been designed to equip advisors with valuable product knowledge and authentic experiences that will help them confidently inspire and sell Utah vacations to their clients.
Complete the newly enhanced Utah Specialist Academy 2.0 and deepen your destination knowledge — sign up now at visitutahspecialistacademy.com.
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