Travel advisors continued to learn, expand, dine, discover, and, of course, sell, in this week’s round-up of Canada’s retail scene.
TRAVELSAVERS
TRAVELSAVERS CANADA continued its Spring Dine & Discover series this week with an event in Toronto, following an inaugural event in Laval, Que. The events
provided affiliates with insights on TRAVELSAVERS products, tools, and trends, as well as the opportunity for advisors, managers, owners, and supplier partners to experience to network with supplier partners.
ENSEMBLE
In keeping with a promise to refocus efforts on training and development, Ensemble has launched a new training program for members. The Ensemble Training Academy (ETA) will be paired with existing partner training programs with new e-learning modules designed to help new-to-industry advisors establish a pipeline of customers; overcome objections; and learn about ways to increase their close rate.
Over the past several months, Ensemble has launched numerous new programs including a new FAM program, ‘Further Your World,’ created to educate advisors by offering training sessions and gaining in-destination experience with current and in-demand product offerings.
TL NETWORK
TL Network (TLN), reports that it delivered over 12,000 leads to its members in 2022, representing 224% growth from 2021 and a 145% growth from the pre-pandemic high of 2019. The leads represented $20 million in sales with preferred supplier partners and $2.5 million in commission earned by members.
As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, TLN members had received 97,000 leads since January 1, 2023, putting lead generation numbers on the path to surpass 2022 by 54%.
In the past year, TLN introduced the “Super Agent” designation, where heavy users of Agent Profiler can earn a badge that will bring them to the top of searches, making it easy for advisors to be noticed and travellers to zero in on experts. Users are expected to have complete profiles, making use of all of Agent Profiler’s features, as well as a certain level of expertise and client reviews.
FIRST IN SERVICE (F1S)
First in Service Travel Ltd. (F1S) – one of North America’s largest independent travel agencies – has announced expansion of its operations in its three primary markets: New York City, where it is headquartered; Toronto, hub for F1S Canada; and Miami, which serves as its gateway to Latin America.
While the centerpiece of the expansion will be the new F1S headquarters at 444 Madison Ave., the company recently opened its new Canadian home office in Toronto at 1200 Bay St., and will soon open new space in Miami.
Additionally, First in Service is also expanding its virtual operations in other markets, including Vancouver and Montreal, as well as in Mexico City, to provide increased support for F1S advisors located in or near each.
“As we further sharpen our ability to continually exceed our illustrious clientele’s travel expectations, we are redoubling our support for our travel advisors who provide each traveler with our signature service,” noted Fernando Gonzalez, CEO of First in Service. “One essential way to achieve that is to ensure those in New York, Toronto and Miami have offices they can be proud to call their professional home and that are consistent with the white glove service their clients expect and deserve. Equally important is continually fortifying our already powerful sense of community among our advisors.”
Toronto: F1S Canada Hub
Located in the heart of Toronto’s fashionable Yorkville neighbourhood, the new F1S Canada Hub on the building’s 9th floor provides approximately 325 square metres of space. After opening in December with six travel advisors, it is already home to 40, and the office offers additional room for further expansion.
“Our office is our business card, so we have designed a space that reflects who we are: creative, playful, edgy, welcoming and travel obsessed,” explained Willa Griffin, who leads the F1S Canada operations. “Considering the three key travel sectors we serve – luxury/premium leisure, corporate, and entertainment travel – trendy Yorkville is the perfect fit for First in Service Canada. It dovetails with the F1S aesthetic and vibe.”
According to Griffin, the Toronto Hub, which was formally announced last year, has grown to serve more than 40 advisors. “We look forward to accelerating that growth by expanding into both the Vancouver and Montreal markets,” Griffin added.