TRAVELSAVERS has partnered with Trees4Travel and there were some very exclusive accolades for several Canadian cruise agents from Direct Travel in this week’s Retail Round-up.

TRAVELSAVERS Canada

In a first for North American consortia, TRAVELSAVERS CANADA is compensating for the emissions created by its events through partnering with award-winning environmental organization Trees4Travel. TRAVELSAVERS says it will rebalance the impact of travel from agencies, suppliers, speakers, and staff attending its events through a multi-year commitment.

TRAVELSAVERS estimates it will save 341 tons of carbon emissions and fund the planting of over 2,000 trees to rebalance the effect of 13 company events by the end of 2024. The trees will be planted in developing countries such as Kenya and Nepal, improving a community’s economic situation, restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, and creating forests for future generations.

“Sustainable travel is not a trend. It is a necessary move to protect our planet and to satisfy the needs of our environmentally conscious customers,” says Jane Clementino, Sr. VP. and GM of TRAVELSAVERS CANADA. “We know that 83% of global travellers think sustainable travel is now vital, with 69% committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their trip or paying to offset this whenever possible. Tree planting is a climate-positive action, and we’re excited to make this part of our corporate responsibility and mission.”

Trees4Travel takes an extra step by backing up each tree planted with investments in renewable energy projects such as wind and solar power. It does this with certified emissions reduction carbon credits approved by the United Nations. In this way, the organization both reduces the carbon emitted today and helps with future carbon removal.

TRAVELSAVERS is promoting the progress of its Trees4Travel partnership to agency affiliates through a customized dashboard with updates on tree-growing and reduced emissions. Photos, video footage, satellite imagery, and maps help TRAVELSAVERS track its carbon emissions via monthly email reports and a powerful online reporting tool.

Direct Travel

Direct Travel (formerly Vision Travel) reports that four of its Canadian travel advisors have been named to the prestigious Virtuoso Cruise Icons list.

The list comprises advisors who have, within the previous year, sold at least $1 million of Virtuoso’s preferred partner cruise portfolio. This year’s complete list totals some 78 travel advisors across North America, including just six in Canada, four of which are Direct Travel advisors. There are over 20,000 Virtuoso travel advisors across the world.

The Canadian honourees are Direct Travel’s Alan Szeto and Shawn Kilner of Victoria, BC, Magda Newman of Toronto, and Sandra Keeso-Hall of Georgetown, Ont.

“We are so proud of these outstanding travel advisors. They are consummate professionals who understand the value of working with our strategic cruise partners while going the extra mile to exceed client expectations,” said Direct Travel Sr. VP of leisure strategy & marketing for Direct Travel.

The awards will be presented at the annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas next month.