This week: Ensemble is picking up the pace; a first for TRAVELSAVERS Canada; Travel Counsellors earns royal approval, Brendan Vacations plans Ireland FAMS, Oceania Cruises adds to its Canadian sales team, travel learning platform KORE arrives in Quebec …………
Ensemble
Ensemble closed out Horizons 2026 at Resorts World Las Vegas (banner photo) with a clear message: the network is growing. With nearly 1,000 members and partners gathered for its annual flagship conference, Ensemble pointed to a string of results that reflect an organization that has found is picking up pace with network-wide sales having grown 11% year-over-year and more than 50 new agencies having joined the network over the past year. Ensemble also delivered profit sharing for the fourth consecutive year.
Referrals remain the leading source of new agencies joining Ensemble, the organization said.
“The progress we’ve made has been very intentional,” said Michael Johnson, President of Ensemble. “We’ve stayed focused on what matters – helping advisors build more profitable, sustainable businesses. The travel advisor has never been more important or more in demand, but the job is also more complex than ever. That raises the bar for what a consortium needs to deliver, and we take that seriously.”
Notable award winners at the event included AmaWaterways as Overall Award Partner of the Year; Innovation Award (Canada) – Travel Gurus; and Member Excellence Award (Canada) – Personal Travel Management.
Ensemble reports that its Horizons 2027 event will be held at sea for the first time aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy, April 5-9, 2027.
TRAVELSAVERS Canada
‘Passport to Profit: Partnerships that Perform’ was a first-of-its-kind event for TRAVELSAVERS Canada agency owners to unlock new growth opportunities through collaboration, education and strategic partnerships.
Held April 27-28 in Waterloo, Ont., the invitation-only, two-day program brought together over 50 attendees for hands-on learning, peer-to-peer exchanges, and actionable insights to propel further prosperity in today’s evolving travel landscape.
Through workshop-style sessions and collaborative discussions, agency owners were educated on emerging opportunities across key travel verticals including luxury, cruise, and group travel, while gaining tangible strategies they could immediately implement within their businesses.
“Timing of this event could not have been better, with travel being impacted by world events. It was the perfect time for owners to look more closely at their business plans, sales and revenue goals and strategies to grow,” said Jane Clementino, Sr. VP and GM TRAVELSAVERS Canada. “This event sparked interest in many diverse travel segments and inspired owners to look at new opportunities, and different approaches to accomplish their desired outcomes.”
Event sponsors included Manulife, Air Canada Vacations, AmaWaterways, Collette, and Globus family of brands.
Travel Counsellors/TTAND
Travel Counsellors, which recently acquired The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND), has achieved a prestigious King’s Award For Enterprise for Innovation, marking the fourth time the business has received one of the UK’s most prestigious business honours.
This year’s award for Innovation recognises the continued evolution of Travel Counsellors’ model and its commitment to innovating with purpose. The company has transformed how entrepreneurs can build and grow successful travel businesses, bringing together a people‑first culture with a collaborative way of working that enables business owners to deliver exceptional, highly personalized service for their customers.
FAMS
Brendan Vacations
Celtic travel specialist Brendan Vacations will host a new FIT (Flexible Independent Travel) FAM, for North American travel advisors Oct. 17-22. The first-of-its-kind program gives advisors the unique opportunity to experience three distinct Brendan travel styles in a single, immersive week.
The FAM includes three simultaneous itineraries, each offering a different perspective on Ireland through Seamless Rail, Luxurious Private Driver, and Intimate Small Group travel styles. All three itineraries begin in Dublin and culminate in a shared finale at Ashford Castle, bringing the full advisor group together for a closing experience at Ireland’s most iconic hotel.
The trips will be hosted by Brendan Vacation’s Director of Sales, Katie Jessup, and Sales Managers Donna Looby and Kevin Loftus, giving advisors the opportunity to connect directly with the sales team while exploring the Emerald Isle. Itineraries include:
- Kilkenny & Ashford Castle: See the medieval town of Kilkenny with a Local Host and join a storytelling tour visiting landmarks like Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House, and St. Canice’s Cathedral, along with a culinary walking tour.
- Westport & Ashford Castle: Explore the rich foodie scene of Westport, landscapes of Achill Island, cycle the Great Western Greenway, and visit the iconic Kylemore Abbey.
- Killarney & Ashford Castle: Visit Ireland’s scenic south, experiencing a jaunting car tour through Killarney National Park and exploring the Ring of Kerry, including a Deluxe Seaweed Experience, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Once at Ashford Castle, advisors will enjoy a fine dining dinner at the George V Restaurant and take part in a falconry experience at the oldest falconry school in Ireland.
Cost is US$1,099 p.p. with twin share accommodations. Advisors can apply in three steps: choose an itinerary, submit a short application, and receive confirmation before securing a place with a deposit. Applications are open now and accepted on a rolling basis, with the first round of confirmations issued on June 15. Apply HERE.
EDUCATION
KORE
Travel education platform KORE has expanded into Quebec with the launch of its digital learning experience in the province. KORE’s updated platform combines interactive training tools, expanded customization and flexible online learning is designed to give learners practical skills, business knowledge, and the confidence to succeed as travel advisors.
“KORE Travel Education is a comprehensive, industry-built training platform that goes beyond traditional learning, combining real-world skills, direct mentorship and agency connections to create career-ready advisors,” said Diana Hnatov, Director of Sales and Services, KORE. “Its French-language expansion marks a critical step toward a more inclusive and scalable future for the industry.”
For French-speaking agencies, this debut provides an ideal way to prepare new-to-industry talent for a successful advisor career. The customizable training program can align with an agency’s brand, suppliers, and sales focus.
“KORE’s launch in Quebec is a strong step forward, helping elevate the next generation of travel advisors through structured training and practical tools. It also makes it easier for agencies to bring in and develop new talent while creating consistency in training and supporting higher-quality service,” said TRAVELSAVERS Canada BDM Marylene Lupien;
SUPPLIERS
Oceania Cruises
With a strengthened Canadian sales presence, Oceania Cruises says it is deepening its relationships with travel advisors, delivering hands-on partnership, and helping Canadian agencies grow their businesses through localized expertise and consistent support.
Stephanie McDonald has been newly appointed as Business Development Manager for Eastern Canada, joining Kimberly Tobias, Business Development Manager for Western Canada. Together, they work closely with Shirley Lew, a 12-year veteran of Oceania Cruises, who was recently promoted to Director of Preferred Accounts, overseeing the line’s preferred agency partnerships in Canada.
“Canada has always been a vital market for Oceania Cruises, and our commitment to the Canadian trade has never wavered,” said Nathan Hickman, Chief Sales Officer, Oceania Cruises. “These new appointments ensure our advisor partners have the support, insights, and collaboration they need to confidently grow their businesses with Oceania Cruises. Shirley, Kim, and Stephanie bring deep experience and trusted relationships that reflect how seriously we take our partnerships across Canada.”
As the senior member of the team, Lew brings more than 30 years of global experience across the hospitality and travel sectors. She is widely respected for her strong trade relationships and strategic, growth-oriented perspective. Prior to joining Oceania Cruises, Lew held roles with Cruise Strategies Ltd., Singapore Airlines, and the Thomas Cook Group in Canada.
The moves come at a time the line has announced the elimination of Non-Commissionable Fares (NCFs), beginning with Oceania Aurelia’s inaugural season in 2028, as well as the 2028 Summer and 2028-29 Winter seasons when they open for sale in June 2026.
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.