In this week’s round-up, we recap Uniglobe Canada’s annual conference, Trevello is going public, Encore Cruises is set to sail with travel advisors at its annual SeaU event, while the Affluent Traveler Collection recognized a host of winners at its recent symposium in Florida.
Uniglobe Canada
Uniglobe Travel (Canada) hosted its annual conference this past weekend at the Westin Harbour Castle in downtown Toronto, gathering an audience of 260 travel agency owners, managers, travel advisors, and preferred supplier partners from across Canada. The theme of the conference was “Navigating the Evolving Travel Industry.”
Breakout sessions featured a variety of topics, including AI in the Travel Industry, Navigating Microsoft Teams in Your Office, Leisure & Airline panels, and GDS presentations from Amadeus and Sabre. A staple of the Uniglobe conferences, the supplier tradeshow, showcased over 60 exhibitors who presented their products to the Uniglobe group.
Dean Dacko, Uniglobe Travel (Canada) President, referenced in his address the 40-plus years of success that Uniglobe has enjoyed in Canada and noting that the network has doubled in size in the past 18 months
He also acknowledged long-time agency partners, led by Uniglobe Sunburst Travel in Dawson Creek, BC, with 44 years, and Uniglobe The Premiere Travel Group in Ottawa and Toronto with 41 years each.
At the Saturday Gala Awards dinner, the Agency of the Year award – presented to the highest-performing Uniglobe Travel Management Company – was presented to Uniglobe Carefree Travel Group, located in Saskatoon, Sask., under the leadership of agency president Jamie Milton.
Trevello
The Trevello host agency, now with approximately 1,000 Independent Travel Provider (ITP) members, is planning a public listing on the TSE Venture exchange as Trevello World Holdings Inc.
The announcement marks “a significant milestone in Trevello’s journey,” Zeina Gedeon, CEO of Trevello said in statement, adding that Trevello (formerly TPI) will transition from a private to a public company by merging with existing public company M3 Capital Corp. – a public company listed on the Toronto Venture Exchange that is not currently operating a business. As a result of the transaction Trevello will become the majority owner of the public entity, continue its business operations as normal and benefit from access to the public markets.
In addition to enhancing its financial capabilities and growth opportunities, “it reinforces our mission to continue to remain the most advisor-centric host agency in the industry,” says Gedeon.
In July Trevello said it would expand into the US, with travel industry veteran Elizabeth Crabill as CEO of Trevello World Holdings’ CEO and Gedeon as COO.
Encore Cruises
More than 240 travel advisors are set to sail with TravelBrands Encore Cruises at the 9th SeaU cruise event, Nov. 3-10. Taking place aboard Carnival Celebration out of Miami, conference is designed to be a week-long conference immersion in the latest travel trends, innovative technologies, and stunning Caribbean destinations, “empowering travel agents with the latest industry insights and cutting-edge tools to master cruise sales, staying ahead during wave season, and driving success year-round.”
Participants will sail from Miami to Amber Cove, then to San Juan and Saint Thomas while experiencing Carnival Celebration, and several excursions, such as a city tour of Puerto Plata and various activities in San Juan, such as a mixology class, a legacy tour, and rum tasting.
Additionally, attendees will gain deeper insights into TravelBrands’ offerings, with a strong focus on cruising, featuring 12 different cruise line suppliers along with a selection of additional TravelBrands products.
“SeaU is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever,” says Nathalie Tanious, President & CEO of H.I.S. Canada Travel Inc., the parent company of TravelBrands. “At TravelBrands, our passion for cruising inspires us to equip travel agents with the expertise and confidence to effectively promote cruise vacations using the latest technology. This fun week offers a unique opportunity for agents to connect, learn, and enjoy an unforgettable experience at sea.”
Affluent Traveler Collection
At its recent symposium the Affluent Traveler Collection, affiliated with TRAVELSAVERS Canada, recognized its finest agencies and preferred partners of the year.
The ATC Chairman Award for exceptional achievement in agency sales was presented to Niche
Travel Group, based in Dartmouth, NS.
And the ATC Chairman’s Award for a preferred partner was given to Silversea Cruises. The honour recognizes a preferred partner who has excelled in building strong relationships,
offering innovative solutions, and delivering exceptional experiences for clients and advisors.
The Partner of the Year Awards were selected by ATC advisors, based on exceptional commitment, outstanding service, and a strong dedication to supporting the advisor community. They include:
• Luxury Cruise Partner of the Year – Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Luxury Specialty Cruise Partner of the Year – AmaWaterways
• Luxury Guided Tour Partner of the Year – Tauck
• Luxury FIT Partner of the Year – Classic Vacations
• Luxury OnLocation Partner of the Year – Travelive
• Luxury Destination Partner of the Year – Greece
• Luxury Hotel Partner of the Year – Marriott STARS & Luminous
• Luxury Resort & Spa Partner of the Year – The Boca Raton
ATC Symposium took place at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort with approximately 270 agency owners, managers and advisors, along with top preferred suppliers and staff in attendance.
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