This week: Following the success of its Rookie Camp, Transat launched Group Camp to attendees help further their business in that segment; BermudAir makes a “pledge” to Canadian travel advisors; Roam by Tauck partners with Approach Guides; and St. Kitts & Nevis launches the SKY incentive program, and TICO names its industry advisory council members.
Transat
Building on the success of its Rookie Camp over the past two years, Transat furthered the initiative with an event dedicated entirely to developing expertise in the groups segment. Held in June the inaugural Transat Group Camp took place at Dreams Puerto Morelos Resort & Spa in Cancún, Mexico.
More than 80 travel advisors (photo above) specializing in groups were on hand to enhance their knowledge, connect with industry experts, and gain firsthand insight into Transat’s group travel products and those of its valued partners.
Over the course of the week, participants benefited from a comprehensive program that combined training, networking, and on-site product discovery with more than 11 hours of specialized group travel training delivered by Transat and its hotel partners. Advisors also participated in three one-on-one meeting sessions with suppliers of their choice, as well as three half-day hotel site inspections, visiting more than 12 resorts throughout the region, from Costa Mujeres to Puerto Aventuras.
The event also featured six exclusive themed activities showcasing various business opportunities in the group travel market. Participants could also choose between two immersive excursions: exploring Tulum or enjoying a catamaran excursion to Isla Mujeres, courtesy of Trafictours.
Hotel partners included Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Bahia Principe, Palladium, Ocean by H10 Hotels, Meliá Hotels International, Barceló Hotel Group, Majestic Resorts, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, Sandos Hotels & Resorts, and Viva Resorts by Wyndham.
“Following the success of our Rookie Camp, we wanted to offer an experience of the same caliber to advisors who specialize in group travel. Our goal was to provide them with practical tools, foster meaningful connections with our partners, and give them the opportunity to discover firsthand the many possibilities offered by this growing market segment,” said Marjorie Larose, Sales Manager at Transat. “The enthusiasm of our participants and the exceptional commitment of our partners exceeded all expectations. This first edition confirms the value of this type of initiative and the importance of investing in the development of our advisors’ expertise.”
BermudAir
BermudAir has made a new Advisor Commission Pledge reaffirming the airline’s investment in Canadian travel advisors through competitive commissions, dedicated sales support, and educational training such as the Bermuda Specialist program.
The pledge, says the airline reflects its view that travel advisors are “essential” to the airline’s continued growth in Canada and deserve the airline’s “unwavering commitment.”
“Travel advisors are not simply a sales channel, they are one of the foundations of our business,” said Adam Scott, Founder & CEO, BermudAir. “While others are reassessing their investment in the trade, we’re strengthening ours. Our Advisor Commission Pledge reflects our confidence in the advisor community and our commitment to growing together.”
The airline also offers a special rate of CAD$49 each way for Canadian travel advisors to encourage them to experience BermudAir’s premium leisure product. Each advisor may also confirm a companion ticket for the same rate.
Under the pledge, BermudAir reaffirms its commitment to:
- Continue offering standard commissions of 4% on all Economy fare families and 8% on Business Class bookings to Canadian travel agencies, paid at the time of ticketing.
- Ensure every Canadian travel agency has access to published standard commissions without requiring a preferred agreement.
- Continue offering enhanced partnership opportunities for agencies seeking to grow their BermudAir business.
- Invest in dedicated Canadian business development, account management and trade support.
- Expand advisor education through the Bermuda Specialist Program and BermudAir Holidays training.
- Continue investing in cooperative marketing, fam trips, advisor promotions and sales incentives.
- Maintain advisor-friendly booking policies, including one of the industry’s most flexible group travel programs.
- Expand distribution through Sabre and Amadeus
“Our philosophy is simple,” added Nicole Conrad, Business Development Director for Canada. “When travel advisors prosper, BermudAir prospers. Every booking deserves to be rewarded, whether it’s an advisor’s first BermudAir reservation or their five-hundredth.”
BermudAir’s investment extends well beyond competitive compensation. Canadian advisors have access to dedicated Canadian business development support; cooperative marketing opportunities; FAM trip opportunities; and much more.
Tauck
Roam by Tauck, Tauck’s new brand designed specifically for travellers in their 40s and 50s, has launched a partnership with Approach Guides, providing travel advisors with instant access to personalized, co-brandable marketing content and a fully co-branded version of the Roam by Tauck website.
With five inaugural departures set for August, Roam by Tauck is designed for travellers balancing full lives who want to recharge and reconnect, combining small groups sizes (avg. 16) exceptional accommodations, immersive experiences, active options and the freedom to explore at their own pace.
Tauck VP Steven Spivak says “Approach Guides gives our advisor partners a faster, easier way to introduce Roam by Tauck to the clients it was designed for, with technology that helps them move from awareness to conversation to booking.”
With one click, travel advisors can create and share co-branded marketing pages that showcase Roam by Tauck and its itineraries. Advisors can also display pricing and availability through a personalized version of www.RoambyTauck.com, with built-in lead generation. Each page is mobile-friendly and easy to share, with the advisor’s branding, contact details and booking prompts front and center.
For more, visit inspires.to/roam. No log-in required.
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) has launched the 2026 SKY (St. Kitts Your Way) Program, a comprehensive travel trade initiative designed to reward and empower the travel professionals who champion St. Kitts. Running from through Dec. 15, the program offers agents exclusive access to preferred rates at 10 participating properties, alongside a suite of agent benefits designed to deepen destination knowledge and confidence.
SKTA says the program is built on the simple premise that “travel agents who invest in selling St. Kitts deserve to be rewarded for it.” That includes:
- Preferred Rates – Exclusive travel agent rates at ten participating properties across St. Kitts, valid for the duration of the programme.
- Site Inspections – Complimentary site inspections of participating properties, enabling agents to sell St. Kitts with firsthand confidence.
- Island Tours & Excursions – Complimentary island tours and excursions for qualifying agents, showcasing the breadth of St. Kitts’ natural beauty, history, and culture.
- Value Card on Arrival – A St. Kitts Value Card offering exclusive discounts across tours, restaurants, and island experiences.
To participate:
Participation in the SKY Program is open to all qualified travel professionals across the four supported markets.
Step 1 – Agents are encouraged to complete the St. Kitts Destination Specialist Program before participating, as destination knowledge provides a distinct advantage in selling the island. www.stkittstravpros.com
Step 2 – For personal bookings and program enquiries, agents should reach out to their designated market representative directly. In Canada: Paul Minich, paul.minich@stkittstourism.kn
Step 3 – When booking directly with any participating property, agents should include their IATA number and reference the SKY Program to qualify for programme rates and benefits.
TICO
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has announced the appointment of new members to its Industry Advisory Council (IAC) following a recent recruitment and selection process.
Along with the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC), the councils bring together diverse voices from consumers and the travel industry to help inform TICO’s work in protecting consumers and supporting a strong, competitive travel marketplace in Ontario.
“The councils play an important role in helping us better understand the issues and trends shaping Ontario’s travel marketplace, ensuring our work continues to reflect the evolving needs of both consumers and the industry,” said TICO’s CEO Richard Smart.
IAC members are as follows:
Newly appointed/re-appointed members:
- Vince Accardi – Ontario Motor Coach Association
- Suzanne Acton-Gervais – Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors
- Dean Dacko – Uniglobe Travel Eastern Canada
- Mike Foster – Nexion Travel Group Canada – IAC Chair (incoming)
- Jean Hébert – Canadian Association of Tour Operators
- Prabaharan Nadarajah – Voyzant Inc.
Returning members:
- Robert Townshend – Total Advantage Travel and Tours – IAC Chair (outgoing)
- Dominic Boisvert – Air Canada Vacations
- Julie Boucher – Tully Luxury Travel Inc.
- Meredith Burbidge – Direct Travel
- Joanne Dhue – Sunwing Vacations Inc.
- Jay Katzeff – Cottage Vacations
- Angie Miniaci – Lanair Int’l Travel Ltd.
- Karen Nasmith – Skican Ltd.
- Scott Selig – Amex Bank of Canada
- Martin Taller – Algonquin College
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