This week: Canadians agents were treated to a Transat FAM to Rio; ACTA and Los Cabos announce an upcoming Destination Learning Experience; Ensemble has a new Make A Wish partner; Collette updates its learning platform, the Jamaica Tourist Board raises the curtain on a cinematic incentive, and Rocky Mountaineer and Trafalgar offer agent rates.
Air Transat
Air Transat, in collaboration with RIOgaleão – Tom Jobim International Airport, highlights hosted Canadian agents on a March FAM trip to the destination to highlight the carrier’s new non-stop service from Montreal to Rio de Janeiro (banner photo), launched in February. The group was accompanied by Laura Albrow, Account Manager at Air Transat.
The program offered a complete immersion blending nature, culture, and iconic experiences, beginning with a stay in Armação dos Búzios. Participants discovered the charm of the peninsula through site visits, a walk along Rua das Pedras and Orla Bardot, a schooner boat tour, as well as several culinary experiences and memorable sunsets characteristic of the destination.
The trip then continued in Rio de Janeiro with a program highlighting the city’s must‑see attractions, including Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, and the iconic beaches of the South Zone. Key cultural experiences, including an immersion into the world of Carnival, a visit to the Museum of Tomorrow, a dinner show, and a samba evening, offered a true sense of Rio’s vibrant energy and cultural diversity. A boat excursion in Guanabara Bay and the discovery of the wild beaches of Prainha and Grumari rounded out the itinerary.
“We are delighted to have introduced this exclusive group of partners to Rio de Janeiro, one of the jewels of our network… At Air Transat, we are committed to offering a distinctive and increasingly diverse selection of destinations.”
ACTA-Los Cabos
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA), in partnership with the Los Cabos Tourism Board, will host an Immersive Destination Learning Experience in the destination from May 25 to 29.
Created exclusively for ACTA member travel advisors, the program is designed to deliver meaningful, in-destination learning through a carefully structured itinerary that combines education, destination immersion, and supplier engagement.
Moving beyond traditional site inspections, the initiative offers participants a hands-on professional development opportunity that includes guided property visits, direct engagement with tourism and supplier partners, and immersive on-site learning sessions that showcase the diversity of the destination’s tourism offering.
Participation in the program is available to selected ACTA members for a fee of $500. Airfare is not included; however, ACTA is working with airline partners to secure preferred airfare rates for the selected participants.
The applications deadline for ACTA members is April 17. Selected participants will be notified on April 23 and payment of the participation fee will be required by April 30 to confirm participation. For more, visit actaevents.ca.
Ensemble-Collette
Ensemble has announced that Collette has committed to serving as the official matching partner for the remainder of its current fundraising campaign in support of Make-A-Wish, reinforcing the consortium’s shared commitment to helping children facing critical illnesses.
Ensemble says it is already well on its way toward achieving that milestone thanks to the generosity and early leadership of member agencies including Fareconnect, Crown Cruise Vacations, Goldrush Getaways, Go Travel Company, Escapes.ca, and others.
Through The Collette Foundation in both Canada and the U.S., is offering a 1:1 match on donations up to $25,000 USD, split evenly between the two countries, through April 19.
Throughout the campaign, Ensemble has stated its goal to raise $150,000 for Make-A-Wish America and Make-A-Wish Canada by the time Ensemble members and partners gather at Horizons in Las Vegas from May 4-7, 2026.
Across North America, more than 75% of wishes granted involve travel experiences, making the travel advisor community uniquely positioned to help turn a child’s wishes into reality.
Further amplifying the campaign’s impact, Ensemble’s parent company has committed to match the $150,000 fundraising target dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling the total contribution generated by the travel advisor community and its partners.
Collette
Collette has launched Collette University 201, a continuation of the self-paced learning platform for travel advisors. Developed in partnership with advisors across the industry, Collette University delivers concise, easy-to-access training modules designed to help professionals grow their expertise, strengthen their brand positioning, and ultimately, increase their earning potential.
Collette U offers a new collection of informative modules that advisors can add to their Collette toolbelt. The program is divided into two distinct tracks – one tailored to experienced advisors (5+ years of experience) and another designed specifically for those new to the industry (0-5 years of experience). This process ensures that every travel advisor receives the most relevant insights related to their experience level.
“Supporting our travel advisors is truly at the heart of everything we do at Collette,” said Christian Leibl-Cote, Executive VP of Global Sales. “We built Collette University 201 to meet advisors where they are – giving them the chance to learn in the ways that work best for them, whether that’s through virtual training, experiencing our tours firsthand, or through meaningful in person conversations. Our goal is simple: to empower advisors with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to grow their business and match clients with exceptional guided travel.”
Throughout 2026, new modules will be released every other month, covering topics such as brand positioning and storytelling; in-depth overviews of Collette’s product lines; business growth strategies for travel advisors; sales confidence and client matching insights.
For more, go to Collette’s travel advisor portal at www.gocollette.com.
INCENTIVES
Jamaica Tourist Board
The new “Dinner & A Movie” booking incentive from the Jamaica Tourist Board rewards travel advisors with one entry for every Jamaica package booking made through Aug. 31. Each month, five winners will receive a Jamaica-branded prize package featuring a $50 Cineplex gift card and a $100 Ultimate Dining gift card. To participate, advisors must submit bookings via visitjamaica.com/canada/engae and log them on the One Love Rewards portal. Eligibility requires Jamaica Travel Specialist certification.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer is offering travel agents 20% off rail-only journeys and vacation packages for the 2026 season, which runs from mid-April through mid-October. Designed to support firsthand product experience, the program is available to accredited agents (IATA, ARC, or CLIA) who have completed the TRACKS training program.
The discount applies to both the agent and one travel companion across all Canadian routes, including First Passage to the West, Journey Through the Clouds, and Rainforest to Gold Rush. It is valid for both SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf Service. Vacation packages must be booked more than 45 days before departure, and agent bookings are non-commissionable.
Trafalgar
Trafalgar is introducing a dedicated 60% off its travel advisor rate across select 2026 European river cruise sailings. The offer is valid on new bookings only, applies to select departures, and is capacity controlled. Eligible advisors may book up to two cabins on select departures, and participation requires completion of Trafalgar’s Masterclass eLearning program. European river itineraries include: Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam and Best of the Danube. Canadian advisors interested in securing a preferred sailing should contact Partner Services at partnerservices@ttc.com with their selected itinerary, departure date, and confirmation of completed training requirements. Rates are available through Dec. 31, 2026.
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