It’s (almost) almost all about cruising as the countdown begins for ACTA’s upcoming river cruise summit with Avalon Waterways has begun, Nexion announces a cruise summit in 2025, and Virtuoso names its top cruise lines. Meanwhile, Onvigo agents are dreaming about Cancun after a recent fam (banner photo)
ACTA/Avalon Waterways
In just over a month (Oct. 28), 28 Canadian travel advisors will join Avalon Waterways’ second European River Cruise Summit, in partnership with ACTA. Together, they will go for Baroque on the richest banks of history as they choose from a choice of “Classic,” “Discovery” and “Active” excursions throughout their 8-day Danube cruise aboard their home “suite” home – the Avalon Impression.
This special event and custom, travel advisor-only cruise will set sail in Budapest, and throughout the 8-day excursion, attendees with combine learning through onboard workshops with the Avalon experience, including excursions.
“The feedback from our 2023 European River Cruise Summit with Avalon Waterways was tremendous,” said Wendy Paradis, ACTA president. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to invite more advisors on board the fastest growing travel style in the industry, providing them a chance to see for themselves why river cruising provides them an incredible opportunity to enhance and grow their business.”
Travel advisors chosen to be apart of this journey represent a mix of agencies across Canada – and 90 percent (90%) are new to Avalon Waterways and/or river cruising.
“Getting to introduce the joys and benefits of river cruising to advisors – many of them new to river cruising – is fun and rewarding,” said Denise Harper, senior director of sales for the Globus family of brands. “The Canadian advisor community is incredibly important to us, and I’m excited to showcase this robust – and profitable – travel style to so many first-hand. Last year’s summit was incredibly well-received. We look forward to repeating its success with a new group of advisors.”
Onvigo
New host agency Onvigo conducted its first-ever FAM recently, hosting 11 agent to Cancun, in partnership with Air Transat, Voyzant, and the Hyatt Inclusive Collection (HIC). Included in the group were Onvigo Director of Operations Shean Carmichael and Director of Marketing Angela Bokma, along with HIC BDM Brian Joseph.
To mark the milestone event, and to emphasize its commitment to sustainability, Onvigo partnered with Trees4Travel, gifting 25 trees to each toured property totaling 150 trees.
Properties visited include Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, Dreams Vista Cancun Golf & Spa Resort, Breathless Cancún Soul Resort & Spa, Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort & Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres.
“For some of the FAM participants, this was a first time to Cancun or even Mexico. Additionally, a first for some staying at any of the HIC properties anywhere in the world. As I often tell the ITAs, you cannot sell what you do not know, and there is no better way to learn it than to live it. This first FAM trip was an absolute success and our ITAs are now positioned to grow their sales with both Air Transat and the HIC properties,” said Carmichael.
Nexion
Nexion Travel Group is addressing the surge in cruise interest by expanding its Cruise Group Space program with new supplier partners and introducing a multi-day summit designed to enhance members’ cruise sales skills.
Introduced in 2022, Nexion’s Cruise Group Space program allows members access to top-tier cruise deals risk-free. Members can offer the benefits of group rates even for single cabin bookings, while Nexion absorbs the risk of large group space, enabling advisors to provide exceptional deals – sometimes up to 70% off published rates – to their clients. Participating partners include Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Cunard, Princess, Regent Seven Seas and Holland America Line. Joining the program this year are Azamara Cruises and Windstar Cruises.
“The value of our Cruise Group Space program extends beyond mere savings on cruises,” said Jackie Friedman, President of Nexion Travel Group. “We’ve found that when travellers are presented with these savings, they often choose to upgrade to suites, book shore excursions and arrange pre- and/or post-cruise stays. Travelers love cruising and are willing to invest more in the experience. By booking early to secure current rates and highlighting the benefits of working with a Nexion travel advisor, advisors can increase their earnings. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.”
To enhance its members’ capabilities in selling cruises, particularly in the group space segment, Nexion is launching its inaugural Cruise Sales Summit in Spring 2025. This event will welcome both newcomers to the industry and experienced advisors who are keen to expand their expertise in river and ocean cruises. The summit will adopt a comprehensive approach, featuring networking and educational opportunities with cruise lines, as well as with hotels and travel insurance providers. Attendees will also have the chance to tour various ships and port-area hotels while gaining insights from leading experts and specialists on Nexion’s cruise offerings and effective sales strategies.
Virtuoso
At its recent 36th annual conference in Las Vegas, Virtuoso recognized the network’s top cruise lines. They included:
Best small ship cruise line (350 passengers or less): Winner: Aqua Expeditions
Best ocean line: Silversea Cruises
Best river cruise line: AmaWaterways
Best expedition cruise line: Quark Expeditions