This week: A Western Canada road show, first FAM, conference gathering, and more from the likes of Ensemble-Virgin Voyages, Travel Nevada, Virtuoso-Jamaica, and Travel Edge.

Travel Nevada

Travel advisors in Western Canada recently had the opportunity to connect with Travel Nevada and its partners during the organization’s ‘Get A Little Out There’ travel trade road show through the region (banner photo), which included stops in Calgary (Mar. 29-31), Red Deer (Apr. 1), Edmonton (Apr. 1) and Vancouver (Apr. 2).

Over the course of the week, Travel Nevada connected with 130 travel advisors and trade partners on a mission to show Canadian travel advisors they value their partnership and are focused on a long-term relationship. Participating partners included Las Vegas Territory, Visit Lake Tahoe, Travel North Tahoe Nevada, Reno-Tahoe, Reno Tahoe Territory, Visit Fallon, The Attractions Group and Bramer Tours.

Highlighting the Nevada Trailblazers agent specialist program, Travel Nevada also launched a new contest exclusively for travel advisors: “Road Trip With Travel Nevada Trailblazers.” Through April 30, travel advisors who complete the program certification can enter for a chance to win a FAM trip to Nevada. Throughout the four-week contest, travel advisors can continue to enter each week for extra entries.

At the trade events, prize trip giveaways to Nevada, including airfare, were won by Ken Stewart, Crowfoot Travel Solutions in Calgary; Claudine Dafonseca, Centre Holidays in Edmonton, and Sarah Colibaba, Uniglobe Carefree Travel Group in Vancouver.

Ensemble-Virgin Voyages

Ensemble recently completed its first-ever Cruise Circle FAM trip in partnership with Virgin Voyages. From March 21 to 30, a group of 20 elite Ensemble Cruise Circle advisors set sail aboard the Scarlet Lady, experiencing the best of Virgin Voyages’ Eastern Caribbean Antilles itinerary during nine days of immersive learning, community-building, and firsthand exploration.

The inaugural Cruise Circle FAM was designed to deepen advisors’ product knowledge and strengthen relationships with key cruise partners while fostering peer-to-peer learning within Ensemble’s growing Circles program.

“The Ensemble Cruise Circle is all about creating a space where cruise-focused advisors can grow, collaborate, and share insights that ultimately elevate the client experience,” said Katrina Kelly, Manager of Learning and Performance at Ensemble, who hosted the trip. “This FAM brought that vision to life in an unforgettable way.”

The group also enjoyed direct engagement with Virgin Voyages leadership and experienced the brand’s innovative adults-only concept, elevated onboard dining, entertainment, and wellness offerings.

Kelly was joined by co-hosts Amanda Morales, Sales Manager, National Accounts at Virgin Voyages, and Chuck Maida, President of All Seasons Travel.

“This FAM was just the beginning,” added Kelly. “We’re building a vibrant cruise community within Ensemble, and experiences like this one are key to helping our advisors stand out in a competitive market.”

Virtuoso-JTB

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has recently been accepted into Virtuoso’s exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising 2,300 preferred suppliers in 100 countries. According to the Minister of Tourism, Honorable Edmund Bartlett, inclusion in Virtuoso will present new sales and marketing opportunities to the network’s luxury travel advisors and their highly desirable clientele.

“Virtuoso agencies worldwide sell an average of US$35 billion annually, making the network the most significant player in luxury travel. The network’s acceptance process is incredibly selective, so becoming a preferred partner is a true honour,” said Bartlett. “The reputation Virtuoso member agencies have for outstanding dedication to their clients is a perfect fit with our own bespoke approach to service. Now that we’re part of this renowned network, we look forward to offering Virtuoso advisors and their clients the special amenities, values and experiences that surpass their expectations.”

“Welcoming the Jamaica Tourist Board into the Virtuoso network is a powerful statement of the destination’s commitment to the luxury sector,” said Virtuoso Director, Alliances Javier Guillermo. “This partnership deepens the synergy between the island’s rich offerings and a strategic vision to serve high-value travellers with excellence.”

Travel Edge

Luxury host agency Travel Edge recently hosted ‘Limitless Live: Crafting the Extraordinary’ at the Kimpton Santo Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, bringing together its travel advisors and top partners for three days of networking, learning, and celebrating collective achievements.

“Our advisors are at the heart of everything we do,” said Andy Pilkington, President of Travel Edge. “Limitless Live is more than just an event; it’s a reflection of our commitment to empowering them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. Whether it’s our enhanced technology, expanded training opportunities, or the elite partnerships we foster, everything is designed to help our advisors deliver extraordinary experiences to their clients.”

Among the highlights of 2024, Travel Edge shared key achievements as well as what’s ahead for 2025, including:

• The launch of an extensive new hotel directory, designed to provide advisors with seamless access to the world’s most elite sought-after accommodations.
• Upgraded owned channels and a refreshed website
• A renewed focus on social media, with enhancements rolling out in the coming weeks to reflect a more aspirational and luxury-forward presence.

• Growing regional office presence and engagement in response to advisor feedback.

Travel Edge also revealed plans to expand its Knowledge Trips program in collaboration with luxury partners. Advisors will have the chance to experience destinations firsthand with immersive journeys to Iceland, Peru, Fiji, and Austria.

Additionally, responding to advisor interest, Travel Edge is adding more mini-FAM trips to domestic and city-based destinations such as Carmel Valley Ranch, JW Marriott Marco Island, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, Langham Hotels, and more.

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