ACTA members sailed with Avalon for a special version of the association’s annual summit; Flight Centre launched a new YouTube series, TRAVELSAVERS is counting new members, and Direct Travel is set for its first leisure conference, all in this week’s round-up.
ACTA/Avalon Waterways
ACTA recently concluded its ACTA 2023 European River Cruise Summit aboard the Avalon Vista, sailing from Amsterdam along the Rhine River. One hundred and twenty-five travel advisors were on hand for the special event which afforded the chance to experience cruising as well as participating in workshops, with networking and business opportunities along the way.
Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways said, “The Canadian advisor community is incredibly important to us, and it’s been exciting to have the opportunity to partner with ACTA on our inaugural river cruise summit to showcase this robust – and profitable – travel style to so many, first-hand.”
“One of the many reasons we partnered with Avalon to put together this first-ever European River Cruise Summit was to provide Canadian advisors with a place and platform to experience a river cruise, learn about selling them and ultimately, maximize their earning potential,” added Wendy Paradis, president of ACTA. “This summit has delivered breathtaking views and ‘to dos’ but has also provided our advisor community with invaluable networking, enriching education experiences and inspiration to grow their business.”
Flight Centre
Flight Centre has launched a new travel video series on YouTube. “Relax (Slow TV)” is designed to offer “introspective, soothing, and immersive viewing” that invites travellers to “escape the ordinary and immerse yourself in the beauty of the world” – whether it’s a gondola ride or a panoramic helicopter flight over the Swiss Alps to the serene sights and sounds in Bali or Hawaii.
Brian McLaren, Executive VP of Flight Centre Canada, emphasizes that in a world brimming with incredible travel experiences, slow TV is really the only way of conveying just how amazing many places are to the ears and eyes.
“The slow TV phenomenon offers the perfect respite for individuals yearning to escape the fast pace of life and seek an introspective, soothing, and immersive viewing experience,” he says. “Immersing yourself in a first-person video is the next best thing to being there. Our ‘Relax (Slow TV)’ series provides a unique ‘try-before-you-buy’ travel experience.”
TRAVELSAVERS Canada
TRAVELSAVERS Canada continues to expand in the Great White North, reporting that it has added 80 new members added in the last 12 months, with the most recent being Great Canadian Travel Group – Manitoba; Tisson Travel Group – Alberta; and 510 Travel – Ontario. TRAVELSAVER counts 3,000 independently owned agencies in over 35 countries amongst its affiliates.
Direct Travel
Direct Travel will host its first leisure travel conference in Chicago, Nov 14-16. The event, dubbed “Gaining Altitude” will include some 200 Direct travel advisors – both employees and ICs – along with 80 strategic partners, and comes at time when business has reached “unprecedented levels,” according to Direct Travel Sr. VP, Leisure Strategy and Marketing Stephen Smith.
“This is such a great opportunity for our advisors to network with our top partners, learn first-hand of their new offerings and new strategies to increase sales and better service our mutual clients,” said Gerard Bellino, Direct Travel’s EVP Leisure, who adds that a key theme will be demonstrating to advisors how to earn more money with simple changes to how they conduct their daily business.
“We are also really looking forward to our Giving Back initiative in partnership with A&K Philanthropy where our attendees will be working with Project C.U.R.E. to send a container of medical supplies to the Nakatindi Health Clinic in Zambia helping children and families in need,” added Smith.