Club Med has opened its first dedicated Canadian travel agency in downtown Montréal, signifying, according to the pioneering all-inclusive resort chain, “a strong investment in market” that may include more locations in the future.
Located at 600 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. in the heart of the city, the bricks-and-mortar business follows the December’s opening of Club Med Québec Charlevoix resort, the first all-inclusive, all-season resort in the country.
Club Med says its agency endeavour continues its plans to “plant roots” and invest in the Montréal market, where it has operated for over 50 years, employing over 80 people in its Canadian headquarters, including staff working at the new agency.
“Like many Canadians, Club Med is optimistic about the future of travel and recognizes that individuals and families are looking to make up for lost time,” says Vincent Giraud, VP, Managing Director of Club Med Canada and North America Sales Operations. “We are delighted to introduce our signature service within the Canadian market and offer the same level of care, but with a heightened sense of safety as we continue to adapt and evolve with the changing landscape.”
Giraud says the new Montréal agency will provide personalized services and customer care “that goes above and beyond the already premium online trip planning experience offered by Club Med.”
The agency is set up to welcome and engage both adults and children, even offering a virtual reality experience that invites customers to explore Club Med resorts around the world before deciding where to book.
Staff, dubbed “travel experience designers,” will help clients curate a wide variety of vacations across the Club Med roster of some 70 global resorts, including family vacations and adults-only getaways at Club Med’s 5-star Exclusive Collection resorts.
Québec firm Conceptum dreamed up the interior design of the new travel agency, taking inspiration from Club Med resorts. The space is divided into different areas illuminated with bright colours and ambient light. Two murals add decorative touches.
Given its central location, the agency will also provide greater visibility for the brand at the street level and serve multiple functions by hosting special events and speaking engagements for the community.
Travel agents
Meanwhile, to engage travel advisors nationally, Club Med says it has invested in new digital tools designed to help agents create a seamless online experience. These efforts include the launch of the Club Med Travel Advisor booking engine that allows travel professional to book their clients with Club Med online and to access an array of dedicated Club Med resources designed to save agents time. The brand has also launched an interactive e-learning tool called Club Med University, created to train, engage, and reward travel advisors for becoming Club Med Specialists.
With plans to open 17 new resorts and renovate 13 existing properties by the end of 2024, the brand, which was founded in 1950, continues to move upmarket with its developments at signature resorts including Club Med Peisey Vallandry, Club Med Pragelato, Club Med Albion, and Club Med Marrakech and the opening in 2022 of its second North American ski resort: Club Med Utah.