This week: Flight Centre goes “old school” with new bricks and mortar locations; Travel Leaders Network expands its Cruise Complete booking platform; Ensemble’s media brand has launched a new editorial awards program; Nexion is developing its next-gen tech platform; Explora Journeys has launched a new travel advisors rewards program; Air Canada Vacations is hosting groups workshops; and travelbrands has a million reasons to book.
Flight Centre
At a time when almost every part of a trip can be researched and booked from a smartphone, Flight Centre Canada (FCC) says it is investing in something decidedly more personal: a conversation with a travel expert.
The company is opening two new retail locations this month – Flight Centre Crosstown in Toronto and Flight Centre North Shore in North Vancouver – following its 30th-anniversary commitment to invest in the future of travel expertise.
“Opening new travel stores in 2026 might sound old school, but that’s part of the point,” said Anita Emilio, executive VP and GM of Flight Centre Canada. “People can research a trip for hours and still not know what they’re missing. A good travel expert cuts through the noise, flags the trade-offs and helps travellers make confident decisions.
“Technology gives us speed and choice. Our people bring judgement, context and accountability. The real value comes from combining the two.”
The new stores open on the back of a third consecutive record year for Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) Canada, the parent company of Flight Centre Canada. Canada was also the most improved Flight Centre market globally in the financial year ended June 2026.
“Brick-and-mortar retail works when it gives access to expertise people can’t get elsewhere,” said Chris Lynes, managing director of Flight Centre Travel Group Canada. “These openings reflect a deliberate investment in a part of the business we know customers value and trust.
“We’re confident in our offering, but we’re also realistic about the current environment. We’ll continue to be selective about where we invest and focus on opportunities that make sense for both customers and the economics of the business.”
Travel Leaders Network
Travel Leaders Network is expanding Cruise Complete, its exclusive cruise booking platform for members, with the addition of Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises.
The four brands broaden the range of cruise vacations advisors can compare, quote and book through Cruise Complete, from family and adults-only vacations to global itineraries and small-ship experiences. All four are long-time preferred partners of Travel Leaders Network and, for the first time, are now directly bookable by members through Cruise Complete.
Cruise Complete is Travel Leaders Network’s web-based cruise booking solution, designed to make selling cruise vacations easier and more profitable. Advisors can compare cruise lines and sailings, create professional client proposals, book multiple cabins, manage and modify bookings and send customized quotes. The platform also integrates with multiple CRM systems supported by Travel Leaders Network.
“Our goal with Cruise Complete is simple: make it easier and more profitable for our members to sell cruise,” said Lindsay Pearlman, President, Travel Leaders Network. “With Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises now available, advisors can serve an even broader range of clients through one powerful platform…”
Ensemble
Range, the award-winning travel media brand created by Ensemble, has announced the launch of the inaugural Range Best Awards, a new annual editorial awards program recognizing excellence across the travel industry through a unique combination of votes from both professional travel advisors and consumers.
Unlike traditional travel awards that rely solely on industry judges or consumer voting, the Range Best Awards combine two perspectives that matter most: travel advisors, whose professional expertise is built on firsthand experience and client feedback, and travellers, whose votes reflect the experiences and brands they value most.
The Range Best Awards officially launched on Sept. 21, with the opening of nominations on RangeTravel.com. Travel companies have until Oct. 30 to submit entries across one or more of the awards’ 28 categories, spanning Cruise, Stay and Land pillars, before voting opens to both travel advisors and consumers in January 2027. Winners and Honorable Mentions will be announced next July across Range magazine, RangeTravel.com and Range’s social media channels.
Companies may enter a single category for $500 or receive unlimited category submissions for $1,000. Ensemble Preferred Partners will receive a $250 entry credit.
The Range Best Awards are designed to create value for three distinct audiences. Travel companies gain editorial recognition and meaningful exposure among both consumers and the advisor community. Travel advisors help shape an industry benchmark informed by their expertise. Consumers discover trusted recommendations that combine professional credibility with authentic traveler experiences.
For additional information about the Range Best Awards, including submission guidelines, categories and key dates, visit RangeTravel.com.
Nexion
Travel advisors have more technology at their disposal than ever before. Nexion Travel Group believes the next opportunity isn’t giving them another tool, it’s making the tools, information and resources they already rely on work better together.
That philosophy is behind the next generation of myNexion and the introduction of OurNeighborhood, two connected platforms designed to make it easier for Nexion members to run their businesses, find what they need and work with the technology they choose.
“Technology should remove work from an advisor’s day, not add to it,” said Laura Bjorne, VP, Business Operations, Nexion Travel Group.
With this is mine, myNexion, long the operational hub for Nexion members, has has been rebuilt on a new technology foundation designed for greater speed and ease of use, while supporting deeper integrations, automation and AI capabilities over time.
The new myNexion brings important business information and actions forward, including financial reminders, key actions and progress toward Nexion’s Excellence recognition levels, says the organization.
Nexion is also working to connect myNexion more closely with the technology advisors already use.
The new myNexion will launch in the U.S. in November, followed by Canada in early 2027.
Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has launched a new travel advisor rewards program created to recognize and reward the expertise, dedication and influence of travel advisors.
Created exclusively for travel advisors in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the ‘Beyond Commission’ program rewards eligible travel advisors for qualifying new bookings by offering an incentive worth up to 2% of the qualifying journey value, delivered as a virtual gift card. As part of the introductory offer, travel advisors will receive a reward equal to 2% of the qualifying journey value on all eligible bookings made by Oct. 31. The offer applies to eligible 2026 Journeys and Q1 2027 Mediterranean Journeys.
Eligible bookings can be registered online following deposit, with rewards fulfilled via virtual gift card and delivered by email approximately 45 days after final payment due date. There is no cap on earnings during the introductory promotional period, allowing advisors to be rewarded for every qualifying booking they make.
Visit explorajourneys.com/traveladvisors.
Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations is hosting a series of Groups Workshops across the country in October and November. The interactive learning experience is designed to help travel advisors strengthen their groups expertise, build confidence, and grow their business.
Developed in collaboration with a certified trainer, the workshops offer practical exercises, live demonstrations, and collaborative activities designed to give advisors will gain actionable knowledge they can immediately apply to their business. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn recognition as an Air Canada Vacations Groups Specialist.
“Forget sitting through hours of slides and presentations,” says Dianne Pedroso, National Groups Key Account Manager, at Air Canada Vacations. “We’ve created a hands-on, collaborative experience that equips advisors with practical takeaways, greater confidence, and renewed excitement for growing their groups business.”
Designed for both new and experienced groups sellers, the curriculum covers the Air Canada Vacations Groups journey, operational best practices, recent technology enhancements, and proven strategies for identifying and converting groups opportunities.
Attendance will be limited to approximately 75 to 100 travel advisors per session. Dates are as follows (locations TBA): Toronto, Oct. 8; Halifax, Oct. 13; Pickering, Ont., Oct. 15; Calgary, Oct. 20; Mirabel (YUL, Oct. 22; Quebec City-Courtyard, Nov. 3; and Burnaby-YVR,(Nov. 22).
Travel advisors interested in participating can register their interest by completing the registration form HERE.
travelbrands
travelbrands is giving Canadian travel advisors one million reasons to book with the launch of its latest Loyalty promotion, offering the chance to win 1,000,000 Loyalty REWARDS POINTS.
The promotion applies across a wide range of travelbrands products, including TravelGenie Packages, Hotel-Only, Add-Ons, Car Rentals, Encore Cruises, Intair Flights, Exotik Journeys and Sunquest, giving advisors the opportunity to earn entries across their everyday business.
One winner will receive 1,000,000 travelbrands Loyalty REWARDS POINTS*, which can be redeemed through the travelbrands Loyalty program for a wide range of rewards.
The grand prize draw will take place in April 2027 at the travelbrands Agent Shows.
Running through March 31, 2027, every eligible booking made during the promotional period will automatically give travel advisors one entry into the grand prize draw. The more eligible bookings advisors make, the more chances they have to win. To make qualifying bookings or more info, visit www.travelbrandsaccess.com.
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