Happy Travel Agent Appreciation Month from Industry Suppliers

News / Happy Travel Agent Appreciation Month from Industry Suppliers

"There has never been a greater need to celebrate agents”

May 7 - Here is what tour operators, tourism boards, airlines and hoteliers have prepared for you, travel agents, as part of the Travel Agent Appreciation Month!

The Travel Corporation

Along with the entire TTC team, Jeff Element, President of The Travel Corporation Canada is taking the time to salute travel agents not only on May 6, but every day.

“We would like to express a very sincere thank you to our valued and loyal travel agents across the country,” he says. “Despite these unpredictable times, our industry is incredibly resilient and we will come out of this much stronger together. Our TTC team members are 100% here to support you and are working hard to stay connected whether online or over the phone so we can serve you each business day.”

Trafalgar and Costsaver Canada will be celebrating #AgentsFirst for the entire month of May in support of Travel Agent Day. From May 1-31, agents are invited to join weekly trivia games for the chance to win “some out of this world” prizes, including the grand prize of a $1,000 future travel credit with Trafalgar. More details can be found on the Trafalgar Tribe CA Facebook group.

Contiki will be hosting four online giveaways on the Contiki Canada Travel Agents Facebook group starting at 12 p.m. EST and every hour thereafter until 4 p.m. EST on May 6. To enter, agents must answer the question being asked each hour; if answered correctly, they will be eligible to win travel gift cards for future travel.

Another TTC brand, African Travel, which recently launched the new ‘Living Room Safari’, will be hosting live events from the bush. The first event took place the morning of April 30 featuring Adine Roode, owner of Jabulani safari lodge and the first elephant orphanage in South Africa. The brand is also encouraging agents to continue their education through its advisor resource center featuring newsletters, the Agent Academy and an educational webinar series. The next webinar, ‘We Know Botswana’, is set for May 7.

Goway

To reward agents for their efforts, Goway has extended its ‘Golden Ticket’ incentive until Oct. 31, 2020 whereby agents have the chance to win one of 14 gold bars. To be eligible, agents must make a booking with any of Goway’s destinations to Asia, Africa, Central & South America, Downunder, Europe and Idyllic Islands Jan. 1-Oct. 31, 2020. All group bookings deposited during this time will also be entered. A spot on Goway’s Golden Mega Fam to Australia this October is also up for grabs.

“We are intertwined and co-dependant, such that every piece of the supply chain is needed to ensure we delight customers,” says John Feenaghty, Goway’s Chief Operating Officer. “Travel advisors are the centre of this universe and we at Goway appreciate the challenges they have been through in recent months. The value though, when all this clears, is that every customer who has been helped by a travel advisor will truly appreciate the difference between DIY and using a skilled agent who ‘has their back’ when things go wrong.”

Goway

Ron Lonsdale, Vice President, wishes to thank agents first and foremost for all of their efforts these last few weeks. “We know that the travel market will soon return and there will be an enormous demand for people to see the world. Your clients will play a vital role in fuelling the rebound.”

A brand new video message from Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President of Collette, can be seen here. Collette is also inviting agents to head to the travel agent network on Facebook to join in on all of Collette’s Travel Agent Day celebrations.

Travel Brands

In addition to being “very appreciative” of travel agents’ patience, understanding and flexibility, CEO Frank DeMarinis offers some valuable advice during this difficult time.

“Stay on top of products, attend training workshops, e-universities from suppliers and more,” he says. “Begin to gently reach out to your clients and offer them to research their next vacation so that they are ready when things get back to normal. More importantly, stay healthy, strong and focused.”

Intrepid Travel

On behalf of the entire Intrepid team, Shayna Zand, Head of Business Development for North America, is extending a sincere thank you to agents for Travel Agent Day. “Your clients and those who may have never even booked with an agent before are now, more than ever, really understanding the value of using a travel advisor who not only handles all logistics of their adventure, but also advocates for them when needed.” Intrepid’s Travel Agent Day letter to agents can be seen here.

Intrepid recently launched its new community engagement initiative called #BeTogether to help travellers and travel agents feel connected during this time of isolation. It’s asking agents and their clients to contribute letters to someone who made their travel experience special, which will be shared in the Intrepid Group Agent Insiders Facebook group for Travel Agent Day. Intrepid also plans to host a fun agent trivia evening – virtual, of course – during which agents can win prizes that will help support B-Corp certified companies and local businesses where they live.

Jamaica Tourist Board

The first 300 Canadian agents who register at visitjamaica.com/canada/contest will receive a $10 gift card via email from the JTB. “We treasure the remarkable relationship with our travel specialists who continue to play an important part in our success as a sought-after vacation destination,” said Donnie Dawson, Deputy Director of Tourism, Sales, Jamaica Tourist Board. “This initiative is just one tangible way in which we can express our gratitude to our agents especially during what has been a most challenging period for the global travel industry.”

In addition to the Travel Agent Day giveaway, the JTB has been providing support to keep agents engaged and updated on the product during this period of uncertainty, including hosting a number of webinars and sponsored training sessions, virtual sales calls and weekly scavenger-hunt inspired trivia games.

Sandals Resorts

Sandals says it has made significant changes to its Travel Advisor programs to extend their gratitude and say a a heartfelt “thank you” to their agent partners amid COVID-19.

“Travel advisors have been unsung heroes during this pandemic spending countless hours taking care of clients. They were right in the middle of it, helping travellers rebook and most of all, assisting with the postponement of travel versus cancellations. Now more than ever, the team at Sandals and Beaches Resorts wants to showcase our love to our most valuable partners,” says Gary Sadler, Senior Vice President of Sales at Unique Vacations, Inc.

To lend its support, Sandals has adjusted the impacted specialized Travel Advisor programs to extend the following:

• Certified Sandals Specialist Status (CSS) – Current CSS status is extended through the end of 2021
• Preferred Sandals Agency Status (PSA) – Current PSA Status is extended through the end of 2021
• Chairman’s Royal Club Status – Chairman’s Royal Club members maintain their membership through 2021
• Points 2 Paradise (P2P) – Points 2 Paradise 2019 and 2020 points are now extended until December 31, 2021

“Travel Advisors have been a part of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts family for nearly four decades and have been the lifeblood of the sales force. Our specialized programs were designed to help them stand out in the marketplace, and we will do whatever is necessary to ensure the program remains beneficial to all advisors,” says Sadler. “The team supports advisors today on National Travel Advisor Day and every single day – as they are fundamental to the success of the brand.”

Contact your local Sandals BDM or visit the Sandals Travel Agent Portal (taportal.sandals.com) to learn more.

Air Canada Vacations

In celebration of Travel Agent Day, ACV is offering agents the opportunity to earn 2X ACV&ME points when booking a package or a group on all product lines for travel May 6, 2020 – April 30, 2021. ACV says the offer is valid on new bookings made May 6 – 31, 2020.

Points will be awarded as follows: 2X 500 points per room for flight-inclusive packages of 7 nights or more; 2X 500 points per room for flight-inclusive packages of 3 to 6 nights; 2X 500 points per 7 nights or more cruise and flight packages; 2X 200 points on every 3 to 7 night land or cruise-only booking; and 2X 300 points for every passenger of a group.

“I want to take a moment to thank our travel agent community for the trust they continue to put in us, and this is just a small token of our appreciation for their continued support during these unprecedented times,” said ACV’s Managing Director, Nino Montagnese.

Agents can consult their ACV&ME loyalty program account for more details and full terms and conditions. ACV&ME loyalty points can be redeemed for Aeroplan Miles, travel vouchers or Visa and instant gift cards.

Club Med

“In this particular context, it is vitally important for us to thank and support the travel advisors. We take all opportunities to stay connected with our community of valued travel partners – even if only digitally, as we have had to adapt to the current reality – for the Travel Advisor Appreciation Month. We have always worked hand in hand and will continue to do so more than ever.” explains Jacinda Lowry, National Sales Director.