Direct Travel advisors attended a GEM of an event in Costa Rica; Ensemble has announced its first-ever hosted LGBTQ+ sailing; Virtuoso VIPs assembled in Slovenia; and four Canadian agents were trip winners in Quark Expeditions’ ‘Ultimate Summer in The Arctic Sweepstakes.’
Direct Travel
Direct Travel celebrated its 2024 GEM awards in Costa Rica early this month. The company’s “Going the Extra Mile” recognition are given each year to North America-based leisure advisors who go above and beyond their roles to improve the organization in pursuit of Direct Travel’s goals.
Forty attendees from Canada and the US, including leaders and advisors from Direct Travel, as well as important partners, gathered recently at the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo. To show appreciation for these top-producing advisors, Direct Travel organized a program that was both fun and educational, including coffee making and tasting, cold plunges, water sports, zip lining, spa opportunities, a Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands Boat Tour, and rum and cultural experiences sponsored by A&K were all highlights.
The GEM incentive program, introduced in 2016, is an opportunity for Direct Travel to show appreciation for the company’s top performers. There are multiple categories for advisors to qualify from each geographic region: Highest Strategic Supplier Sales; Highest % Strategic Supplier Sales; Highest Single Strategic Sale; Highest Strategic Insurance Sale; Highest Strategic Air Sale; Highest Average Yield; and the Spirit of Lynda Sinclair Award, the latter given each year to an individual in leisure travel who demonstrates perseverance while maintaining positivity and passion for travel.
“We are delighted to recognize the 150 GEM Awardees from across North America this year,” said Toronto-based Stephen Smith, Direct’s Sr. VP of Leisure Strategy & Marketing. “This is a testament to how exceptional they are at their craft.”
Ensemble
Ensemble has announced its first-ever hosted LGBTQ+ sailing with luxury cruise line Explora Journeys. Taking place from July 26 to August 2, 2025, aboard Explora I, the eight-day journey will set sail from Istanbul, Turkey, to Genoa, Italy, and will be hosted by Jeffrey Bateman, VP of Operations at New Jersey-based Crown Cruise Vacations, a, a top member of Ensemble.
“Our partnership with Explora Journeys on this LGBTQ+ sailing represents Ensemble’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and our dedication to providing safe, vibrant, and enriching experiences for those both from the LGBTQ+ community as well as other travelers looking to embrace an open and inclusive experience,” said Beth Butzlaff, SVP of Partner Relations, Ensemble. “This journey is part of our broader initiative to foster community and connection, which also includes the launch of a new Circles community for LGBTQ+ members in 2025.”
Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions announced the winners of its ‘Ultimate Summer in The Arctic Sweepstakes,’ an education-based contest that offered travel advisors from around the globe the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic trip to share with a traveling companion of their choice. The 10 winners – including four Canadians – will embark on a 13-day ‘Ultimate Arctic Voyage’ itinerary in July 2025, hosted by a member of the Quark Expeditions’ sales team.
Highlights include wildlife-rich Spitsbergen, volcanic Jan Mayen, and the midnight sun in Reykjavik, Iceland, along with the awe-inspiring glaciers, towering mountains, and historical landmarks that encompass these unique regions.
“We were thrilled by the outstanding level of engagement in this contest and are even more excited to reward 10 deserving travel advisors with the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic prize,” says Sebastian Canape, Director of Trade Marketing at Quark Expeditions. “Our dedicated advisors transform clients’ polar dreams into reality each day. Now, they will have the chance to experience the Arctic’s breathtaking beauty firsthand.”
Altogether, almost 3,000 travel advisors from 57 different countries participated in the sweepstakes, earning points through a variety of activities, including attending educational webinars, securing Arctic bookings, sharing Arctic content, and subscribing to Quark Expeditions travel advisor newsletter. During the contest’s duration, more than 230 travel advisors graduated from Quark Expeditions’ PolarPRO program, affirming their commitment to expanding their expertise in polar travel and delivering exceptional and informed service to their clients.
Canadian winners in the sweepstakes included Aisha Ross – Inner Peace Travel/Nexion; Cathy Driedger – Expedia Cruises; Penny Wareham – Red Tag Vacations; and Shauna Cook – Great Canadian Travel Group.
Virtuoso
From Nov. 6-10, Virtuoso recognized its highest-performing travel agency members in Slovenia. The annual event, which is held in a different location every year, has shown to accelerate interest and growth in the popularity of its host destination. This year, the Chairman’s Event was split between two of the most exciting Slovenian cities: Ljubljana, a vibrant green city that blends the allure of a small capital with the buzz of larger European cities, and Portoroz, the hub of social events on the coast and one of the most picturesque, historical Mediterranean towns with a riviera vibe.
With the help of local tourism boards and Virtuoso partners, the network honored its VIPs – 134 agency owners and managers from 14 countries – with four days of relationship-building and destination immersion. A highlight was a private welcome reception at Ljubljana Castle.
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