This week: Transat Distribution Canada reveals Rendez-vous 2026 details; TTAND introduces a new preferred partner; Ensemble is putting on the Ritz; Virtuoso makes key C-suite appointments; and Sandals/Beaches Resorts is offering cash bonuses in April.
Transat Distribution Canada
Rendez-vous 2026 will take place at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale on Sept. 26 and 27, (English edition). A French edition will also be held at the Centre de congrès de Saint-Hyacinthe on Sept. 19 and 20.
In an era defined by artificial intelligence, platforms, and automation, TDC intends to highlight a simple truth it says makes all the difference: that “in travel, trust cannot be downloaded. It is built – by the people behind every project, every itinerary, and every challenge resolved along the way. Powered by Heart celebrates what truly drives the industry forward every day: expertise, listening, judgment, and empathy.”
Karine Gagnon, General Manager of TDC, adds, “Technology – and especially AI – is a powerful ally. It helps travel professionals become more efficient, agile, and high performing. But travel remains a fundamentally human experience. It is travel advisors who give it meaning, who ensure it aligns with their clients’ aspirations, and who inspire confidence at the moment of decision.
“With Powered by Heart, we continue to reaffirm what our network stands for: innovation only has value when it serves people – travellers, as well as the partners and teams who bring the industry to life.”
Keynote speakers
- Jasmin Bergeron, Professor at Université du Québec à Montréal and author, will present his signature keynote, Create a WOW Effect, while Édith Lemay will present Eyes Wide Open. Over the course of just over a year, this mother of four travelled the world with her family to fill her children’s visual memory – three of whom will lose their sight – with images, memories, and beauty. A deeply moving story about humans, powered by their hearts, showing adversity, and above all, resilience, captured in a National Geographic documentary.
“This keynote will resonate strongly with our network, as travel professionals support people who have a story – or who are searching for one, for an experience,” notes Karine Gagnon. “Édith Lemay’s message, focused on how we respond to challenges, is both inspiring and full of hope.”
TTAND
The Travel Agent Next Door has signed a preferred supplier agreement with Delta Vacations, marking the first U.S. based tour operator agreement for the host agency group.
“Our agents who operate near the Canada/U.S. border have been asking for this,” said TTAND Founder and CEO, Flemming Friisdahl. “They have clients who want to travel from U.S. gateways near the border.”
He added: “However, Delta Vacations is also available to clients on any Delta flight from Canada as well.”
TTAND says Delta Vacations provides travel advisors with a trusted partnership backed by the strength and reliability of the Delta Air Lines, and provides a premium, curated global portfolio of 5,000-plus 4- and 5-star hotels in 330-plus worldwide destinations from origins across the U.S. and Canada.
Ensemble
As luxury cruising continues to evolve toward more intimate, residential, and experience-driven journeys, Ensemble has added The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to its luxury cruise portfolio.
Across its network, Ensemble says members are seeing increasing demand for smaller ships, highly personalized service, and immersive itineraries that prioritize depth of experience over scale.
Ritz-Carlton joins other premier names such as Oceania, Crystal, Viking, Ponant, Aman at Sea, Explora, Cunard, Atlas, Seabourn, and Regent.
Through its growing cruise portfolio, members benefit from preferred access, curated offerings, and differentiated programs that support both client satisfaction and member profitability.
Virtuoso
Virtuoso has announced two key C-suite appointments as part of an evolved leadership structure designed to further its continued global growth. Brad Bourland, who has been serving as Virtuoso’s Chief Operating Officer since 2020, assumes the role of President, while industry veteran Tristan Dowell joins the organization as Chief Commercial Officer.
The network says the newly established roles within the executive structure reflect Virtuoso’s ongoing progression as it scales for continued global growth, while reinforcing its commitment to delivering maximum value for its members, partners and travellers worldwide.
Bourland, who will continue to serve as acting COO until a successor is named, has played a pivotal role in shaping Virtuoso’s global strategy over the past six years. As President, he will advance the company’s long-term vision by aligning teams and resources to create and capitalize on opportunities, while also charting a course for the network’s sustained growth and leading the newly created C-suite leadership team.
Dowell brings a longstanding relationship with Virtuoso to the role, along with a distinct perspective informed by his firsthand experience as a preferred partner within the network. Over the course of 23 years spent with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Dowell held positions that included Global Brand Director Park Hyatt and Andaz, as well as regional and global corporate roles. Most recently, he served as Global Vice President – Luxury, Lifestyle & Leisure Sales.
Bourland will continue to be based in Fort Worth, Texas, at Virtuoso’s headquarters, as well as New York. Dowell, who starts with the company April 14, will be based in Manchester, U.K.
INCENTIVES
Sandals/Beaches Resorts
Unique Vacations Canada is shining the spotlight on two featured resorts – Sandals Royal Curaçao and Beaches Turks & Caicos – in the month of April and giving Canadian travel advisors the chance to earn up to USD$200 in bonus cash per booking. For all new bookings (6 nights or longer) made by April 30 via taportal.sandals.com or with the Unique Vacations Canada reservations team, advisors will earn some extra cash for themselves.
Sandals Royal Curaçao
- USD$150 cash bonus (increased from $85) – Butler Suite
- USD$100 cash bonus (increased from $60) – Club Sandals / Concierge level
- USD$30 cash bonus – Luxury/Deluxe room
- Travel dates: through Dec. 25, 2026
Beaches Turks and Caicos
- USD$200 cash bonus (increased from $85) – Butler Suite**
- USD$100 cash bonus (increased from $60) – Club / Concierge level**
- USD$30 cash bonus – Luxury/Deluxe room
- Travel dates: June 1 – Sept. 30, 2026
**not applicable for Treasure Beach Village bookings
Terms and conditions apply. Bonus cash incentive is not applicable on contracted Group bookings, Loyalty and Travel bookings, cobrand bookings or Military/First Responder bookings.
The extra bonus cash incentive is in addition to the existing bonus commissions available (no minimum nights required) on all Sandals and Beaches Resorts, when booked with Unique Vacations Canada or via the Sandals TA Portal.
- 3% Bonus Commission for Butler Suites
- 2% Bonus Commission for Concierge level
- 1% Bonus Commission for Luxury/Deluxe level
For more information, contact your local Sandals BDM or call 1-800-545-8283 ext. 1 (or ext. 6 for French)
If you enjoyed or found this story useful, we’d appreciate if you would forward it to a colleague or friend who may also enjoy it. If, on the other hand, a friend shared it with you, welcome! You can get all the latest travel news and reviews from Travel Industry by simply clicking HERE.