This week: WestJet Vacations and Las Vegas hit a home run with TRAVELSAVERS Canada advisors at the Rogers Centre (even if the Jays didn’t win); Aqua Expeditions has introduced a new loyalty program for the travel trade; and there’s still time to register for Antigua’s Black Pineapple Awards.
WestJet Vacations, Las Vegas
WestJet Vacations and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (represented in Canada by Reach Global) hosted a group of TRAVELSAVERS Canada travel advisors at a Blue Jays game on Tuesday (banner photo). The extracurricular event was one of the perks associated with a member of the Vegas Insider Club.
The Vegas Insider Club is an exclusive program that recognizes and rewards top-selling travel advisors in Canada. It’s a unique opportunity for agents to deepen their Las Vegas expertise, enjoy VIP experiences, and bring fresh selling stories back to their clients.
Beyond the Jays game, eight Club members from across the country will be invited on a highly curated FAM trip to Las Vegas in November, with another in the planning stages for early 2026.
Aqua Expeditions
Small-ship expeditions specialist Aqua Expeditions has introduced a new loyalty program for travel advisors. The first phase of the initiative, the Circolo Aqua Trade Loyalty Program, is a dedicated platform for both individual travel advisors and partner companies that offers exclusive, tier-based rewards in the form of Miles.
The program applies retroactively to all qualifying bookings with departure dates from Jan. 1, 2025, and the first rewards will be issued in January 2026, based on total production from the 2025 calendar year.
Circolo Aqua is divided into four tiered segments (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) for individual travel advisors partner companies (tour operators and DMCs) based on annual production calculated from gross revenue for individual advisors and net revenue for partner agencies.
All rewards are issued in Miles, which partners can redeem toward Aqua Expeditions travel or future bookings. Full details of the program can be found in Aqua’s Agent Portal.
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) reminds that there’s still time for travel advisors to qualify for an opportunity to be included in its Black Pineapple Awards, the Caribbean islands’ premier travel trade recognition event taking place on-island in December.
Canadian travel professionals are encouraged to register all their Antigua and Barbuda bookings made between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, for the chance to be honoured at the awards celebration taking place in Antigua from Dec. 3 to 7.
Named after the Antigua black pineapple, considered a symbol of hospitality and excellence, the Black Pineapple Awards were created to celebrate the invaluable role of travel advisors in growing Antigua and Barbuda’s presence in the Canadian market. Top winners will be flown to Antigua for and island experience and to receive their award.
How to participate:
- Register all Antigua and Barbuda bookings made between Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2025 on the Antigua and Barbuda Travel Agent website at www.AntiguaBarbudaTA.com
- Each registered booking is an entry into the awards program
- Travel advisors with the highest sales, most room nights, and most individual bookings will be recognized.
Tameka Wharton, Director of Tourism Canada, commented, “Canadian travel advisors are instrumental in sharing the beauty and diversity of Antigua and Barbuda with travellers. The Black Pineapple Awards not only recognizes top sellers but also rewards the creativity and passion that Canadian agents bring to promoting our destination.”
The five-day awards celebration will include exclusive networking events, awards gala, and island experiences that showcase why Antigua and Barbuda remain one of the Caribbean’s most desired destinations.
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