Transat Distribution Canada welcomed a delegation of around 200 travel agency owners, preferred partners and members of the TDC leadership team last Thursday for its bi-annual National Leadership Conference in Punta de Mita, Mexico. On the agenda, an exciting week of workshops, strategic reflection, discussions, and various presentations to support network members in their business objectives. The conference will be in full swing until December 12th.
The financial health of the network, the priority
Louise Fecteau, General Manager of TDC, said that, “protecting the financial health and security of our travel agency network is one of our main objectives.
“We are the largest network of travel agencies in Canada, notably because we have developed strong relationships with respected industry leaders, but most importantly, because we fundamentally believe in the role that travel professionals play when it comes to their relationship with their clients, and more than ever, we want that role to be a central focus in our work.”
Members discussed the 2020 marketing plan for Club Voyages, Marlin Travel and Voyages Transat, and reviewed some of the major achievements of this past year and upcoming developments such as the gift card program.
Unlike many similar programs available on the market, Transat Travel, Club Voyages and Marlin Travel gift cards can be used at all TDC network point of sales, including retail agencies and websites and redeemed on any product offered in agencies, no matter the supplier.
In 2020, the gift card program will continue evolve, and will be used to expand marketing campaigns, particularly through promotional gift cards.
Cybersecurity, an unavoidable challenge
Unfortunately, the topic of fraud in the travel industry has made headlines way too often in recent years.
This is a reality too many owners and travel professionals have had to deal with. Consequently in a world where new technologies are becoming increasingly essential, Transat’s cybersecurity manager addressed methods frequently used by hackers and fraudsters to educate members about phishing, identity theft, ransomware, and more.
He outlined what Transat is developing to minimize risks to the travel agency network, with practical advice on what they can do to reduce potential risks associated with cybersecurity in their daily operations.
Emotional energy and brain power for leadership
Specialists from Axellite Leadership spoke on the topic of emotional intelligence, how to determine what has control over us, and how to succeed in balancing ourselves. Partners Katarina Haddad and Jean-François Thibault explained the brain’s reactions in multiple situations, and provided members with refocusing techniques to quickly return to a high performance mindset.
The conference is being held at Marival Armony Luxury Resort & Suites in Punta de Mita.
