TRAVELSAVERS Canada advisors are feeling optimistic about the upcoming year; Ensemble expands its Range with a new content-rich digital platform; top Trevello advisors cruised in style in South America with Swan Hellenic; Direct Travel got festive across the country; Onvigo recognized its first-year top achievers; and TTAND agents were honoured in Antigua.

Ensemble

Ensemble has launched a new digital platform – The RangeTravel.com – as extension of Range magazine, offering engaging, digital-first content for both advisors and clients.

The site features travel tips, destination information, insights into emerging trends, advice from travel advisors, curated Travel Guides and storytelling from Range’s portfolio of print magazines.

The website also features two ways for travellers to connect with Ensemble advisors: the ‘Connect with an Advisor’ feature seamlessly matches travellers with Ensemble advisors who specialize in the interests and destinations they’ve specified, while a ‘Find an Advisor’ section (coming soon) will allow travellers to search the profiles of participating Ensemble advisors to find one who best suits their travel style.

Launched in January 2023 as part of a comprehensive rebranding initiative, Range’s mission is to ignite travellers’ wanderlust with innovative editorial content. The magazine offers insider insights, helping travellers discover exciting new destinations and fresh ways to see familiar places, all with the assistance of Ensemble-affiliated travel advisors, who are able to customize content with their own unique branding and client engagement strategies.

TREVELLO

Trevello’s Chairman Circle Advisors were recently treated to an expedition cruise aboard SH Vega by Swan Hellenic (photo above), sailing from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires. The exclusive voyage celebrated the organization’s top producers, who were able to experience Swan Hellenic’s five-star service while hosted by Eric Bacon, Director of Key Accounts for Canada and the US West Region at Swan Hellenic, alongside key Trevello partners, including AmaWaterways, Air Canada Vacations, and Hyatt Inclusive Collection.

Zeina Gedeon, CEO of Trevello Travel Group, said, “This trip aboard the SH Vega was the perfect way to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Chairman Circle advisors. By exploring unique destinations and enjoying the unparalleled service of Swan Hellenic, our advisors were inspired to reach new heights of success. This trip was not only a celebration of their hard work and dedication but also a reflection of Trevello’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships and supporting their continued growth.”

TRAVELSAVERS CANADA

TRAVELSAVERS says its advisors are riding a wave of confidence into 2025. A new survey of advisors affiliated with the organization says agencies finds 81% predict their revenues will grow even further next year. Among those, 27% predict sales will increase significantly.

Driving this anticipated growth is a shift in consumer behaviour, says TRAVELSAVERS, as travellers will increasingly turn to a professional consultant for a superior vacation experience with 91% of the respondents envisioning that consumer demand for working with advisors will remain steady or grow further.

“We’re experiencing unprecedented demand for travel advisors as more consumers are
recognizing the value of expert guidance,” said Jane Clementino, Sr. VP and GM of TRAVELSAVERS Canada. “Travellers are looking for professionals who can craft personalized vacations, ensuring their journeys are seamless, unique, and unforgettable.”

Despite two years of healthy sales increases and an industry-wide shortage of consultants, some
advisors would still welcome a boost to their business: 82% expressed a desire to add clients, while 15% are satisfied with their current numbers. Just 3% would prefer to downsize their clientele.

Direct Travel

Over 150 Direct Travel agents, I/Cs, head office staff and preferred suppliers celebrated at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel – one of 16 events held across the country – as part of the group’s celebration of the festive season, the gala dinner was held in the hotel’s legendary ballroom.

“This is an annual event for us,” said Stephen Smith, Direct Travel’s Sr. VP – Leisure Strategy & Marketing said. “It’s such a great opportunity to see friends and colleagues, and welcome new members of the team.” Also present were senior execs from Direct Travel’s US headquarters including Gerard Bellino, President of Leisure Travel and John Coffman, CFO.

Brian Robertson, President Canada of Direct Travel, acted as emcee and proved very popular as he announced door prizes from preferred suppliers. The grand prize, a system-wide pass for two on Air Canada, was won by a delighted Tina Ngotzamanis of Toronto.

ONVIGO

In December, upstart host agency Onvigo hosted its 1st Year in Review & Awards retrospective, celebrating the achievements of its member advisors. The ceremony highlighted exceptional talents across multiple categories, acknowledging their dedication and impact in shaping the agency.

Award recipients includes:

• Supportive Superstar: Laverne Murphy
• Professional Development Achiever: Sandra Ettore
• Digital Marketing Mover: Tracey Difede
• Business Success Record Breaker: Kandita Post

The final category for recognition, the “ONVIGO-Getters” went to 20 advisors who achieved top sales in their first year in business. Top sales honour was given to Roy Dong, a new-to-the industry advisor who “focuses on delivering his clients their dream vacations with little surprises along the way.”

TTAND

The Travel Agent Next Door was well represented at the first ever Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Black Pineapple Awards in December that recognized the 100 top-selling travel agents from various markets including 25 from Canada. TTAND agents Melissa Doucet, Sonia Lawrence and Tari Gibson of Plan It Travel all took home awards.

“We are very proud of our agent partners winning three of the first Black Pineapple Awards,” said Flemming Friisdahl. “All the support team members at The Travel Agent Next Door are so excited to see when our partner agents get recognized for their hard and tireless work. We are so proud of our partners and what they have achieved. To know they are among the best in Canada and north America is amazing!”

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