Air Canada Vacations and Azamara combined for what they called a “landmark” incentive trip with Expedia Cruises, while Travel Only advisors donated to Hurricane Beryl victims with the help of One Caribbean Canada, and Virtuoso member attended a series of cruise ship tours.

ACV/Azamara/Expedia Cruises

Air Canada Vacations and Azamara partnered to host 14 key managers from the Friesen Travel Group, which owns and operates 13 franchise units under the Expedia Cruises banner led by prominent franchise owner Shawn Friesen, for a week of professional and personal development.

Throughout the week, attendees participated in three comprehensive presentations by Air Canada Vacations, which covered essential topics such as business building and marketing opportunities, product diversity, and a focused look at cruise offerings. These sessions provided invaluable insights and practical takeaways that attendees could apply to their own business operations.

The itinerary also included visits to picturesque locations such as Nice, Monte Carlo, Marseille, St. Tropez, and Sete, with organized activities designed to balance work and leisure.

“We are incredibly proud to have pioneered this initiative,” said Elish Tait, Manager – National Accounts at Air Canada Vacations. “This trip not only allowed us to strengthen our professional relationships but also provided a platform for our partners to gain new insights and strategies that will help drive their business forward.”

One Caribbean Canada/Travel Only

An annual summer trade event at Toronto-area Mimico Cruising Club organized by Pat Probert and Mary de Almeida from Bob Family Travel Team at TravelOnly turned into an amazing show of support for the Caribbean as participants rallied together to fill two vehicles with everything from tarps and toothpaste, to blankets and baby diapers and wipes, to toothpaste and many more items of a personal hygiene items, for victims of the recent Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean.

Among those in attendance were the Bob Family Travel Team, which included Rob Pittelli, Wendy Sedore and Sandy and Terry Declare from TravelOnly, as well as over 100 Travel Only advisors and various travel industry suppliers.

“All of these islands as of today, still do not have power and they do not know when they may get power or clean drinking water,” said Pat Probert, of Bob’s Family Travel. “We are one big family in this travel business and when one of us hurts, everyone helps. We sent out a message asking everyone to bring something to aid these countries – and were overwhelmed by the response.”

“Although some people have left their homes for the bigger island of St. Vincent, still others have chosen to remain in their homes and vow to rebuild.  But they have no roofs.  In fact, they have nothing as all their belongings were taken by Beryl.  We are grateful beyond measure to Pat and Mary, for organizing this event – and to each Travel Only Advisor and supplier who brought items so desperately needed,” said Shelley John, Director of Sales in Canada for St. Vincent and The Grenadines.

Many in attendance asked about making financial contributions. One Caribbean Canada has created a page on their website (https://onecaribbeancanada.ca/insider-info) of approved and registered charities or approved government disaster relief funds to aid those countries most impacted by Beryl. Global Medic is recognized as a preferred charity where Canadians can either volunteer in person or make financial contributions.

Virtuoso

Virtuoso recently hosted four ‘Cruise Ship Tours’ events in Canada in partnership with Viking, Silversea, Seabourn and Cunard, with plans to continue the program throughout 2024 and beyond. Designed exclusively for the network’s Canadian advisors, the Cruise Ship Tours provide a first-hand look at preferred partner cruise lines, which is then passed along to their clients as prospective passengers. The private tours have taken place in Vancouver, with future events slated around Canada’s various ports, including Halifax, Toronto, Montréal and Quebec City.

“Experiencing a luxury cruise line firsthand provides a deeper understanding than one can get from a brochure or online,” said Virtuoso General Manager, Canada Úna O’Leary.  “By offering Virtuoso advisors exclusive access to our preferred cruise lines, they can learn, explore and gather invaluable information that can then be shared with their clients.”

This past May, 20 Virtuoso advisors met with Kim Tobias, Viking’s sales director for Western Canada, aboard the Viking Orion ship, while in June another 23 Virtuoso advisors, agency owners and managers were joined by Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch and Sr. VP Cory Hagopian aboard the Silversea Silver Nova, along with Jose Santiago, Silversea’s senior manager of national accounts.

This month, advisors stepped foot aboard the Cunard Queen Elizabeth and Seabourn Odyssey ships.

Jessyca Georgison of Renshaw Travel commented, “These opportunities to view the ships firsthand is an invaluable experience for us as advisors. To be able to share with clients that we have seen the ship in person, our own photos, small details about the cabins and amenities, as well as our experience with dining, really helps set us apart. It also ensures our clients know we are able to confidently recommend a cruise line in a way we wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”

Virtuoso will continue to offer Ship Tours exclusively for the networks Canadian advisors in Eastern Canada over the course of the next few months.