This week: Air Canada Vacations takes to performers to Portugal; Travel Nevada launches the Specialist Challenge in Canada; TTAND registers an ACV honour; Unique Vacations has dropped dates for more Sandals Masterclasses; and Cunard has a new rep for Canada.
Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations recently welcomed its top-performing travel partners to Lisbon, Portugal (banner image) for its annual Executive Retreat. Hosted by ACV VP Nino Montagnese, the event brought together leading travel agency owners, and leaders from across the country for a program designed to showcase the city while connecting with industry peers, sharing insights, and celebrating their achievements.
A highlight of this year’s retreat was a leadership and strategy session focused on industry trends, emerging opportunities, and the evolving travel landscape. ACV’s senior sales team also shared updates on key priorities, including technology investments, product innovation, and advisor support.
“The Executive Retreat is much more than a recognition event; it is an opportunity to celebrate our partners’ accomplishments while spending meaningful time together discussing the future of our industry,” said Montagnese. “Our goal remains simple: to strengthen our partnerships and provide travel advisors with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. When our partners succeed, we succeed.”
Travel Nevada
The Nevada Specialist Challenge is a new trade incentive designed to support Canadian travel advisors and front-line staff by strengthening their destination knowledge and helping them better sell Nevada to clients.
The initiative invites non-specialist agents and front-line staff to complete two simple steps for the chance to win one of eight Nevada FAM spots. Existing Nevada Specialists may also be eligible to apply to host one of the trips.
“Now is a great time for Canadian travel advisors and front-line staff to upskill on Nevada,” says Corey Marshall. “The Nevada Specialist Challenge is designed to reward engagement, support trade education and help advisors confidently promote the destination to clients looking for something a little different. Whether they’re new to Nevada or already established as a Nevada Specialist, this initiative gives the trade a valuable reason to get closer to the product and ‘Get a Little Out There’ with Travel Nevada.”
The eight prize experiences available through the challenge showcase the breadth of Nevada’s appeal, from the bright lights of Las Vegas and Reno to scenic drives, outdoor landscapes and regional experiences that extend beyond the state’s best-known gateways.
For more info, click HERE.
THE TRAVEL AGENT NEXT DOOR
The Travel Agent Next Door reports it has been recognized in the inaugural Air Canada Vacations Prestige Partner Program, an initiative designed to celebrate travel partners who demonstrate outstanding performance, loyalty, engagement, and commitment to the Air Canada Vacations brand.
Created to recognize top-performing national partners, the program reflects the vital role these partners play in Air Canada Vacations’ success across Canada.
“We are incredibly proud to present this recognition to The Travel Agent Next Door and their Agent Partners. Their dedication to our partnership, commitment to excellence, and ongoing support of Air Canada Vacations have made them a valued and trusted partner,” said Elish Tait, Manager, National Accounts, Air Canada Vacations.
Sandals
Unique Vacations Canada has opened registration for the final five Sandals Masterclass online sessions in 2026, taking place in September and October.
Hosted by Lorna Richards, National Training Manager, the comprehensive, two-hour training sessions are created exclusively for the Canadian market and give a deep into Sandals and Beaches Resorts by encouraging travel advisors to start selling beyond price and beyond transactions.
Participants must be certified as a Sandals Elite Advisor as a prerequisite to register. For those who are not yet certified, they can visit taportal.sandals.com and complete the online, module-based training at their own pace.
Once Sandals Elite Advisor status has been achieved, travel advisors can then register for a session (they will not be recorded), which also allows agents to:
- Earn four ACTA credits towards their Certified Travel Counsellor or Certified Travel Manager accreditation
- Fulfill the educational component required to maintain Sandals Elite Advisor (S.E.A) status.
The Sandals 2026 Canadian Masterclass Fall series takes place 10 a.m. – noon local time as follows:
- 2 – 10 a.m. CST – Saskatchewan
- 3 – 10 a.m. PDT – B.C.
- 1 – 10 a.m. EDT – Ontario
- 14 – 10 a.m. MDT – Alberta
- 15 – 10 a.m. CDT – Manitoba
Register HERE.
Cunard
Cunard is strengthening its North America sales organization with three new appointments, bringing extensive regional and industry expertise to support travel advisors and key accounts across several regions.
Notably, Ruth Fernandez has been promoted to Business Development Manager, Key Accounts, Western USA & Canada. She began transitioning into the position on July 6 and is expected to complete the transition by the end of August. Fernandez brings more than 20 years of travel industry experience. Prior to her promotion, she spent three years leading Cunard’s Partner Support team, overseeing Reservations, World Club, Military Benefits and Stockholder Benefits programs.
In their respective territories, each new Business Development Manager will focus on strengthening relationships with travel advisors, consortia and key accounts, providing strategic support to trade partners and driving awareness and sales growth for Cunard’s luxury voyages.
Alongside the regional appointments, Cunard is also continuing to invest in its dedicated Partner Support team, with plans in place to expand the team further in order to effectively develop new accounts and provide personalized guidance to new-to-Cunard travel advisors.
Partner Support assists advisors with sales development, brand education, marketing and the booking process. The team works closely with field-based Business Development Managers to provide continued support as advisors grow their Cunard business.
For contacts, visit: OneSourceCruises.com under find your rep.
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.