This week: Transat Distribution Canada takes on AI; TRAVELSAVERS Canada members convened in Toronto; RIU Hotels & Resorts launched a new mobile app for RIU Partner Club for retail travel agents; Kensington commits to the Canadian travel trade; and Flight Hub has a new content hub.
Transat Distribution Canada
As digital platforms and artificial intelligence continue to reshape the travel landscape, a new proprietary study commissioned by Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) and conducted by Ipsos confirms a clear reality: technology has not replaced travel advisors; it has fundamentally transformed and elevated their value.
The key insight was unveiled during Forum 2026, TDC’s biennial strategic gathering for franchise and affiliate agency owners and managers, held April 7-10 in Banff, Alta. Designed as a high-level leadership forum, the event brought together members from Western Canada, Ontario and Atlantic Canada to reflect, exchange and leave with concrete, actionable strategies grounded in data and real-world experience.
The Ipsos survey of 1,209 Canadian leisure travellers conducted in February complemented by in-depth consultations with TDC agency owners, affiliates, industry partners and internal stakeholders.
Titled The Future of the Travel Distribution Industry, it was presented in part by Diane Ridgway-Cross, Associate Partner at Ipsos Strategy3, and then explored in depth during a Q&A session, allowing owners and managers to fully absorb its findings and be able to put them into practice.
Findings confirmed that travellers increasingly turn to travel advisors for deeply human strengths that technology alone cannot replicate, including:
- Sound judgment and accountability;
- Reassurance and error prevention;
- Real-world experience and destination expertise;
- The ability to navigate growing complexity in travel planning.
“This study sends a very strong and timely signal,” said Karine Gagnon, General Manager of TDC. “Yes, technology and artificial intelligence are introducing new forms of competition across the travel ecosystem, but what our data clearly shows is that, in a more complex environment, the perceived value of expertise, judgment and human accountability is only increasing. That’s a powerful advantage for our agency owners who are well supported and well positioned.”
The Quebec edition of Forum 2026, for franchise and affiliate agencies, took place in Saint-Sauveur from April 20 to 22.
RIU Hotels & Resorts
RIU Hotels & Resorts has launched a new mobile application for RIU Partner Club, its loyalty program for retail travel agents. This strategic launch aims to further digitalize the program with a user-centric approach and strengthen the chain’s relationship with travel agents.
The new RIU Partner Club application is based on three fundamental pillars designed to improve the agent’s daily operations:
- Booking agility: A simplified and friction-free process has been implemented, allowing you to register sales and book your own stays much more attractively and quickly.
- Total real-time control: Users can manage their profile and check their booking history and points status in real time, having all the information at their fingertips.
- Benefit management: Agents continue to accumulate points for each booking made, which can be redeemed for free stays at the hotels of the chain. Furthermore, the programme guarantees that points never expire as long as the account remains active and sales are registered periodically.
Available for download on iOS and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play, the new app allows professionals to manage their activity comfortably, quickly, and securely from any mobile device.
TRAVELSAVERS Canada
TRAVELSAVERS Canada convened close to 85 travel advisors and 26 supplier partners from across the Greater Toronto Area late last week for a Dine & Discover evening focused on relationship-building, knowledge-sharing, and discussion around the current travel landscape.
Among the timely travel trends that were top of mind throughout the evening, were:
- Canadian travellers are still prioritizing travel.
- Decision-making is becoming more thoughtful, with increased attention on overall value and timing
- Cruise and all-inclusive offerings continue to resonate strongly, particularly as travellers look for more predictable pricing
- Booking behaviour is evolving, with a mix of long-term planning and shorter booking windows happening simultaneously
- Travel advisors are playing an increasingly important role in helping clients navigate a more complex and changing environment, and
- Ongoing investment in advisor support, including training, business development, and technology remains a key focus to help agencies adapt and grow.
Kensington
A renewed investment in the Canadian travel advisor community by Kensington is reflected by the appointment of two dedicated, in-market sales executives, says the company, which has named Aerin Chauncey as Sales Director and Crystal Almeida as Account Executive, Canada, marking Kensington’s first dedicated Canadian sales presence in several years.
The appointments come as Kensington’s Outside Sales organization has expanded to more than 30 people overall, reflecting the company’s increasing investment in travel advisor partnerships and growing demand across its business. The broader team supports host agencies, consortia partners, and independent advisors across North America.
“Our advisor partners are at the centre of everything we do,” said Marc Moore, VP, Agent Sales, Kensington. “The addition of dedicated leadership in Canada reflects both the importance of this market and our long-term commitment to supporting Canadian advisors in a more meaningful and consistent way. Having a local presence allows us to be more responsive, more collaborative and more aligned with the needs of our partners.”
Together with Kensington’s broader portfolio of tours, cruises, vacations, and air, the company continues to provide advisors with a comprehensive range of tailored travel solutions for clients worldwide.
With this expanded Outside Sales presence, Kensington says it is further aligning its organization around the needs of the advisor community with the aim of driving mutual growth.
Visit the travel agent portal at www.kensingtontours.com/agents
Flight Hub
Montreal-based OTA Flight Hub has introduced The Lounge, a curated travel content hub designed to support travellers from early inspiration through booking and beyond.
The Lounge features inspirational and budget-friendly travel content across several core categories:
- Trending: Covers emerging destinations, seasonal travel moments, and what is shaping the travel conversation
- Cultural: Explores art, history, traditions, and local perspectives that deepen destination understanding
- Good Eats: Showcases restaurant recommendations, local cuisine, and destination-driven food experiences
- Check-In Spots: Showcases distinctive and culturally connected accommodation that balances comfort, convenience and affordability
- Nature Activities: Encourages outdoor adventures and scenic escapes, whether you’re interested in hiking or slow nature experiences
- The Traveller: Shares personal stories tailored to different travel styles including solo, couples, groups, and families
- In the Mix: Spotlights nightlife, entertainment, and social hotspots, which takes the stress off planning your night out
- Mind and Body: Supports wellness-focused travel centred on balance, restoration, and self-care
Travellers can explore destinations through the Explore the Map tool, which surfaces highlights, top experiences and curated inspiration. The Before You Go section complements this with practical tips, planning guidance and pre-departure resources, while spotlighting partnerships that help simplify the journey. Seamless flight search connects inspiration directly to booking, allowing users to enter travel details within The Lounge and arrive at preloaded results without interruption.
To encourage deeper engagement, the platform incorporates interactive quizzes that add a playful layer to discovery, from matching destinations to film locations to identifying the origins of iconic desserts. These experiences spark curiosity, encourage friendly competition and inspire further exploration.
“Today’s travellers are looking for more than a place to book flights. They want ideas, guidance and tools that help them feel confident at every stage of their journey,” said Ayoub Hissar, Director of Brand Marketing & Communications at FlightHub. “The curated travel content hub brings inspiration and planning all in one place, making it easier to discover destinations, explore experiences and turn travel ideas into real trips.”
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