By Michael Baginski/    Collette celebrated Travel Agent Month with a special gathering for Toronto-area travel advisors Tuesday atop the X Hotel at Exhibition Place, offering arguably the most spectacular view of the city, and the island airport.

Joined by virtual events and training manager Kelsie Marchetti – in town from HQ in Pawtucket, Rhode Island – North America’s longest-run tour operator simply thanked the 50 or so advisors for all they do, and offered a little fun via a bingo game activity.

“We just want to express how they (travel advisors) play such a pivotal role in our success,” Collette’s VP for Canada Ron Lonsdale told Travel Industry Today.

More importantly than games and cocktail nibbles, Lonsdale added, is that the tour company has invested significantly in tools for travel advisors to help them be successful in selling Collette – particularly given the dynamic, evolving nature of traditional guided touring.

Among the offerings from Collette for agents are:

• Social Media Marketing via Rallio: Collette recently joined the Rallio platform, offering dozens of social posts to advisors with their call to action.
• Collette Connection: Advisors can order Collette brochures and send them directly to their clients with a letter personalized with their call to action — for free. The new Italy and British Isles brochures join the growing offering.
• Travel Advisor Network (TAN): Includes daily giveaways, events, etc. This is the main place where everything is happening for the month and where we reveal “insider” info throughout the year.
• Travel Advisor Portal: Enhanced resources and tools available on the Collette advisor portal.
• Business Development Managers: Personalized support from Business Development Managers who are focused on helping advisors to grow their business.
• Collette University: Access to quick comprehensive learning modules aimed at empowering advisors.
• Marketing Resources: A suite of marketing materials designed to help advisors promote their services effectively.
• Just-for-Advisors Virtual Events & Flash Chats: Interactive virtual events and flash chats tailored specifically for travel advisors; including a Travel Advisor Chat on May 29. To take part, click HERE.

“We’ve gone from bus to robust,” Lonsdale laughed, but added seriously, “Especially with Collette University, we really think we’ve provided (agents) the tools to help them.”

Marchetti added, “Having the opportunity to meet in person with travel advisors that we have connected with over these last few months means so much to the team. The community that we have built within the Travel Advisor Network (private Facebook Group) is a supportive resource that helps others sell confidently and ask for advice in real time.”

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