travel agent appreciation - TravelPress

april 29, 2019 | travelcourier.ca 1

April 29, 2019

TRAVEL AGENTAPPRECIATION

travelcourier.ca

COURIER TRAVEL

®

Krista Pask

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2 travelcourier.ca | april 29, 2019

The initial idea for Travel Agent Day struck Colleen Lorenzen, operations manager at Uniglobe

Carefree Travel in Saskatoon, after staff in her office received carnations in honour of Secretary s̓ Day.

“I thought if there can be a Secretary s̓ Day then there can be a Travel Agent Day,” she recalls.

Nearly nine years later, the first Wednesday in May has morphed into a widespread celebration of the trade by suppliers and agencies alike.

With Travel Agent Day taking place on May 1, Canadian Travel Press & Travel Courier teamed up on a special Travel Agent Appreciation Edition, and sat down with Lorenzen to find out more about the annual event.

1. Let s̓ go back in time. What led you to start Travel Agent Day?We had a supplier in one day, and she was giving out flowers to us for Secretary s̓ Day, so I thought why canʼt we have a Travel Agent Day. It just grew from there. In our office, we are always looking for ways to show our agents that we appreciate all they do, so Travel Agent Day (TAD) was a natural fit for us.

2. How has the day grown since then?It started with just our office, and then I told a couple of agencies and they asked if they could take part, and it just grew from there. Every year, it seems that more and more suppliers are coming on board, and we also feature TAD in our social media and get a great response from our clients.

How Travel Agent Day came to be

3. What are some of the most notable things agencies or suppliers have done over the years to show their appreciation for the agent community? We have had some great support from suppliers, but it s̓ not what they do it s̓ that they are acknowledging what Travel Agents do for their businesses every day.

4. If people want to participate, but donʼt know where to start, what are some of the things they can do? Just start with a plan. How do you want to acknowledge your agents on May 1. It can be anything from flowers to a lunch on TAD. Think about how you want to market to your clients to let them know about TAD. I think anything is appreciated. Without our front-line agents, we would not have the businesses that we have today. It can be just an email blast on May 1 with a “thank you” or it could be a banner on your online sites for that day. I hope that every supplier will take the time to do something, as these are the agents that sell your products every day.

5. Do you have anything to add? I read an article once from the head of a large consortium saying that they appreciate their agents every day, so I would take that to mean they are not doing anything for TAD. If you value your staff, you are going to take the one day a year to show your appreciation and do something nice for them.

Colleen LorenzenOperations Manager at

Uniglobe Carefree TravelFounder, Travel Agent Day

T A D 2 0 1 9

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Agent Appreciation is published by Baxter Media and distributed to subscribers of Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier – April 29, 2019

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The dream makersBuilding relationships and turning bucket lists into reality one trip at a timeBY ANN RUPPENSTEIN


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These days, travellers are looking for more from their vacations than simply seeing the sights. They want to be authentically immersed in the destination through experiences and local interactions. At the core, it s̓ the people they encounter along the way who help shape their trip.

In the same way, cultivating personal relationships is also key to the success of travel agents. Rather than a business transaction, it s̓ about getting to know clients and being part of milestone moments like honeymoons and birthday celebrations or plans for a much-needed break from their day-to-day lives.

For this special Travel Agent Appreciation Edition of Canadian Travel Press & Travel Courier, we reached out to business development managers and trade sales teams across the country for nominations of notable travel agents to feature. It quickly became apparent that it wasnʼt just the agents with the highest sales that were fueling the nominations, but rather, it came down to strong connections built over years of working together.

Read on to find out more about some of the remarkable agents who are making bucket lists come true and making a difference in their clientsʼ lives, one trip at a time.



Why did you decide to become a travel agent?The main inspiration to step into the travel world as an agent, was my grandmother. I was always in awe of her stories, pictures and souvenirs when she returned from her travels. I always dreamt of learning about places she was able to experience, and hopefully one day go myself. She always had the utmost respect and trust in her agent, and I wanted people to have that same feeling with me.

What's the best part of the job?The best part of my job is youʼre always learning. Every day is a diff erent day from the research, the bookings and especially the people you meet. I love having the opportunity to make clients into clients for life and build friendships.

Ian Kivell Sales & Business Development Manager of Contiki Canada

“Krista is an amazing supporter of Contiki, and her offi ce has supported Contiki for many years. She 100% believes in the product and feels truly rewarded when people experience Contiki. Sadly, Krista was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has had to take time off of work. This is her second battle with the disease, her fi rst being when she was 16. Krista has created a blog about her journey which is eye-opening and inspirational. Her blog can be found here: https://paskkrista.wixsite.com/thatgirlsgotmoxie/home.”

What's your favourite destination and why?This is such a hard question to answer, I have so many! Really, all destinations I've had the pleasure of visiting become my favourite; from the culture, the people, the food and the experiences, every destination tops the list! But if I had to choose my top three, they would be Peru, India and Israel, thus far.

What's the funniest thing that's happened on the job?In our offi ce, there is a Cristel and a Krista, it never fails that clients always get us mixed up. There have been numerous times when a client swears theyʼve booked with each one of us – we arenʼt able to recollect the client or the booking. It s̓ not until we are in panic mode the client then remembers it wasnʼt you, but the other agent! It s̓ a heart attack at the time, but always a good laugh aft er.

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Krista Pask Transat Travel

Sarnia, Ont.

ʼagents appreciation2019.indd 6agents appreciation2019.indd 6 2019-04-25 5:07:42 PM2019-04-25 5:07:42 PM

https://paskkrista.wixsite.com/thatgirlsgotmoxie/home



Have you had any memorable requests from clients?The most recent was a request that the resort/beach be completely clean; no left over cups or room service in the halls or around the resort, straws in the sand, cigarette butts, no garbage of any sorts.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?In Peru, I tried their local delicacy alpaca and guinea pig. In Finland, I tried reindeer. Both a very mind over matter experience. The most fun experience was “sand surfi ng” in Australia and completing a 30-day cruise with my dad up the West Coast of Africa.

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many?I have a map that I “fl ag” everywhere Iʼve been, so far Iʼve visited 30+ destinations.

Where do you want to go next?Next on my bucket list is South Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I became a travel curator because I feel most alive when I travel and am passionate about cultivating meaningful and enrich-ing experiences. I was at a crossroads in my life looking for an entrepreneurial career that combined my strongest skills and passions into one glorious package. I feel overwhelmingly blessed every day to have found the perfect mix in curating meaningful travel experiences abroad for the inspiring and spirited globetrotters who are my clients.

What's the best part of the job?Seeing the look on clients' faces and the sparkle in their eyes when they talk about the foreign lands they have explored, the travel experiences they have shared with loved ones, and the destinations that they are dreaming of visiting next. If one could just bottle and share this particular brand of cheer, the world would be a much more joyous place. It is precisely this magic that compels me to go above and beyond time aft er time for my clients.

Erin Buttler Global Purpose Specialist, BC, the Yukon, NWT + Nunavut, G Adventures

“As a relative new-comer to the travel industry, Katie has infused her personal brand of Folklore Travel with design and style. Her newsletter offers 'a little ray of travel sunshine’ and that’s exactly what she delivers to her clients. Katie comes to the table with fresh and creative ideas to inspire travel, and is always the fi rst one to put up her hand to help out, as demonstrated over the recent Vancouver Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show weekend. Katie will be joining our spring Best of Northern Spain agent FAM this year, and we can’t wait to share her little ray of travel sunshine with the world. Our world deserves more Katie.”

What's your favorite destination and why?My favorite destination is hands down Mexico, for countless reasons. Aft er stu-dying Spanish at university, I moved to a small village in Mexico to more deeply ex-perience the culture and lock in linguistic fl uency. I fell deeply in love with the incre-dible tapestry that is the folklore, gastro-nomy, art, music, dance, and celebratory culture of Mexico. I return yearly to further explore the many cultural heartlands and have made one of the focuses of my busi-ness to expand upon the public perception of what Mexico has to off er as a travel destination, beyond the all-inclusive beach holiday realm.

Have you had any memorable requests from clients?I recently had a very adventurous couple ask me to book them a camping babymoon in Hawaii. More traditional agents may have turned this type of request down as there was little room to make a commis-sion on camping trip components. I instead off ered to charge my adventurers an hourly trip planning fee to put together a compre-

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Katie Webster Personal Travel Management, Ensemble Group

Burnaby, [email protected]

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hensive map and guide to camping on the island, including a list of pristine hidden beaches, local hikes, and other well--kept secrets that I had picked up in my time exploring the area. The end result was a once-in-a-lifetime trip fi lled with adventure, shared local moments, and memories that will last a lifetime... and may even get passed along to their grandchildren.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?One of my most memorable travel experiences was had while I was exploring the Highlands of Chiapas where ancient Mayan ritual meets Catholic mysticism. My husband and I befriended a local textile merchant who took us deep into the mountains to meet weavers in remote Tzotzil villages, many of which were still cut off in many ways from modern life. We had the oppor-tunity to witness their religious rituals, drink ceremonial Pox (sugar cane alcohol) with them, hear their stories, and support their artisanal craft by purchasing hand-woven textiles from them directly. It was an incredible experience that I will hold in my heart always.

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many?I lost count years ago... Iʼd say I am securely in the “much more than some and many less than others” realm.

Where do you want to go next?My next trip will be a FAM to Spain with G Adventures in May. I feel incredibly honoured to have been chosen to participate in this amazing experience and for the opportunity to travel with my amazing GPS Erin Buttler. Spain is a destination that has been alluding me since my very fi rst attempt was foiled in 1999 due to a missed train and an impending return fl ight. My second attempt in 2001 was canceled due to the 9/11 attacks oc-curring days before my anticipated departure. Needless to say, I am a strong believer in “third time s̓ a charm” and am confi -dent that the powers that be will see me united with Spain this year at long last.

Is there anything you want to share or add?I can not speak highly enough of my incredible team at PTM and the Ensemble consortia. I recently had the pleasure of attending the 50th-anniversary Ensemble conference in Nas-sau with 16 fellow members of the PTM family. Witnessing the connection, passion, and generosity of this group of world--class travel professionals has been both an inspiration and a guiding light in my journey as a travel curator. Though I am somewhat new to the industry, the support and mentoring that PTM has provided me has made my transition eff ortless and has supported me in achieving monumental successes early in my career.

A dizzying double exposure shot akin to the experience inside this rustic church in San Juan Chamula, one of Mexico’s most fiercely insular Tzotzil towns.

Iglesia de San Servacio, Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico

The daily dance of the jungle trying to take back the ruins of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico



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Why did you decide to become a travel agent? A friend encouraged me to. I began by volunteering to get experience and under-stand the industry over 25 years ago.

What's the best part of the job? Helping to create a memorable experience for clients, and sharing how travel impacts you. Travel expands minds and creates an awareness that is hard to explain. Tolerance, understanding.

What's your favourite destination and why? My passion has been Australia aft er winning two tickets anywhere Air Canada fl ew. There was no turning back. I had to focus and un-derstand why anyone would fl y so far. The diversity in the country is what sets it apart and the people, so similar to Canadians.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road? For me, it was a fear of heights that made

Aubrey Schmidt Business Development Manager, Goway Travel

“Colette is one of the most proactive agents I know. She's a Premier Aussie Specialist, but she along with her staff sell the globe. Have a look at her website to see a photo of her wrapped truck. She's always trying new and different marketing initiatives. She has an awesome rapport with tourist boards from all destinations and BDMs from all companies. Colette doesn't just sit idle hoping the business comes to her. Her brain never stops thinking of ideas to grow her business. And she's not afraid to invest a lot of her own money to increase sales. As a BDM, I really respect that!”

me jump out of a plane. I fi gured I was in Australia and why wouldnʼt I take this once in-a-lifetime opportunity. My experience in travel shows me that I will probably do some-thing that I would not normally do at home. Pushing the boundaries!

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many? No, not really, sometimes I just have to look at my passport to see where I have been.

Where do you want to go next? South Africa

Is there anything you want to share or add? For anyone trying to fi nd their “way” in the industry, all I can do is recommend they fi nd their niche. Explore, study, travel, and be passionate about what you do. This will pro-vide you with a unique opportunity to stand out amongst the general travel population. Also, you must have good people around to support you and give you the opportunities.

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Colette Trabucco CWT Creative TravelStoney Creek, Ont.

[email protected]





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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I helped a friend open a Cruise Travel Agency and when that did not work out, I decided to go back to school and take my Travel Course. I was 35 years old and the oldest in the class. When I was a child growing up, I had a map on my wall, and I dreamed of the many places to see in the world.

What's the best part of the job? I love being my own boss. However, the best part is working with my clients. You build a relationship with them over the years and a lot of them are not just clients to me, but friends as well. They make my work rewarding and memorable.

What do you off er that clients can't fi nd booking online?I book groups and have built a niche for my business.

What's your favourite destination and why? In 2003, I put a group of Second World War

Ken Nickerson Sales Manager, Atlantic Canada Trafalgar/Costsaver,

"Wendy and I have been working as business partners for almost ten years. When she opened her own agency, she decided to focus more on a niche market and Trafalgar was to be a part of the plan. During this time, Wendy and I have worked together crafting custom trips for her groups. It started with a World War History Trip and has since travelled to France, Ireland, UK, Spain, and the Southern USA. Her sales have climbed over the years, and she strives to sell more. She is loyal to her clients and always works to ensure they have the best vacation possible. We have a wonderful partnership and it is one I treasure.”

Veterans and their families together for the opening of the Juno Beach Center in Normandy, France. This tour was very close to my heart. I believe that is why I am here, because of those who fought for us. I have since taken another group on a War History tour as well to keep the memory alive and to take clients over to fi nd family members who are buried overseas and didnʼt make it home during the First and Second World War.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?There are so many things, but I think going to China and standing on the Great Wall was very exciting for me. I loved China and loved the people, they were so very nice.

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many?Over 20.

Where do you want to go next?The next country I am visiting is Portugal.

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Wendy Dunham Wendy Dunham Travel

Dartmouth, [email protected]





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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I always enjoyed travelling myself, and I felt being an agent would allow me to show others the world the way I have seen it.

What's the best part of the job? I make people's dreams come true, and that is pretty special. It brings me great joy when I have played an important role in creating a once-in-a-lifetime memory for a client.

What's your favourite destination and why? This is a tough one! They all hold a special place in my heart, but for diff erent reasons. If I had to choose one, then it would have to be Antarctica. This place is just so unique and unbelievably stunning. It is also one of the few places on this planet where you feel like you are the only one there.

What's the funniest thing that's happened on the job? It's funny now, but not so much at the time. I had a client out for a hike, while he was in Iceland, and he got lost. He had his cell phone, but only could remember my phone number, so he called me, in Canada asking

Tony PerdomoBusiness Development Manager, Central Canada & US, Exodus Travels

"After being a top seller for someone else, Jill took the leap of faith and founded Custom Adventures back in 2017, and she has excelled beyond her own expectations. She is one of our top agents who has built an extensive client and fan base due to her knowledge, passion and integrity. She truly has a heart for adventure travel, and she’s applying this to her tailor-made travel business which keeps her super productive and young. She will need to get away once in a while, so look for her to be escaping to Spain this summer on our self-guided walking tour.”

for help to fi nd his way out and back to the ho-tel. Don't worry, it was a happy ending, and he was back with a drink in hand before too long.

Have you had any memorable requests from clients? More recently, I was asked to create an itin-erary for a Holocaust survivor. They wanted to go back to say their fi nal goodbye to those who were lost.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road? I spent seven weeks backpacking through the Middle East. We pulled over to the side of a country road for lunch while we were in Turkey, and a family from a nearby farm came over to say hello. They ended up eating lunch with us (on the side of the road) and then invited us over to their farm to show us around and how they lived.

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many? I have been to 38 myself.

Where do you want to go next? Heading off to Spain next.

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Jill Fost Custom Adventures

Burlington, [email protected]

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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?When I moved to Canada in 1987, I missed my family so much, so as soon as I landed in Vancouver, I wanted to become a travel agent to visit my hometown as much as possible. As time went on, I discovered how passionate I became with travelling as it allows me to explore and seek new cities and cultures. Every time I go somewhere, it allows me to refl ect on how diff erent other places are compared to Vancouver. And, of course, travelling is defi nitely keeping me feeling young.

What's the best part of the job?The best part of being a travel agent is incor-porating myself in the destinations̓ culture. I like to travel not as a tourist, but I enjoy immersing myself in the city s̓ lifestyle and try to actually live there, even if Iʼm there for a few days or a few weeks. The Familiariza-tion Tours organized by suppliers, tour operators, hoteliers, and tourism boards really allow me to enjoy this part of my work.

Paula RizosBusiness Development Manager BC & Yukon for Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold

“I would like to nominate Oshelia Hong as one of Insight Vacations' outstanding travel agent partners. She is an inspiring leader and an excellent partner. She always makes time to spend with me, discussing our partnership and how we can better work together to increase our mutual sales. She initiates trainings for her team, ensuring they are all up to date on our journeys, current incentives and offers. She collaborates with me to launch creative marketing ideas and incentives such as consumer shows and internal staff incentives. Oshelia continues to be one of Insight Vacations' top selling agents, and I wish her continued success!”

What's your favourite destination and why?Iceland is my favorite destination. The capi-tal, Reykjavik, is such a sleepless city and the nights do not start until midnight; bars and clubs will still be packed at 4:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. There is so much hustle and bustle in this city which makes it fun. Then, outside Reykjavik, you can experience the well-known geothermal spa – Blue Lagoon. I am a city girl and when I travel to this naturally beautiful place, I get to have so many outdoor activities like the Glacier Hike, I am so proud of myself that I did it.

What's the funniest thing that's happened on the job?The funniest thing I have come across was my client has the same last name and fi rst name; or a client has just the last name and no fi rst name.

Have you had any memorable requests from clients?I have a corporate client and he travels to

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Oshelia HongTransat TravelRichmond, BC

[email protected]





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many remote cites on busi-ness trips and he always wan-ts me to fi nd him a country or cities where he hasnʼt been, and he plans to visit for one to two nights enroute to his destination. He tra-vels to unique places like Madagascar quite oft en, and sometimes via Pacifi c or sometimes via Atlantic. Therefore, I always need a map to fi gure out his itinera-ries. It s̓ been quite enjoyable to suggest various cities that even I havenʼt thought about travelling to.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?The most interesting thing I have done was when I was in Japan. We went to the Soba Noodle Making Class in Mat-sumoto, Nagano. Soba noodle is a popular noodle dish in Japan and is made from bu-ckwheat fl our and is similar to ramen. We had a Master Chef demonstrate by creating the dough, rolling it out and slicing it into thin noodle strips using a special soba knife. Aft er all my hard work, I also got to eat my very own

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For details and to participate, visit agent.raileurope.ca/SwissSuperStar

handmade tasty soba noodles and become a soba chef for the day.

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many?Yes, I have a map of the globe and once I visited a country, I pencil it in red: 50+.

Where do you want to go next?I would like to go to the Heritage Wellness Resort Centre at Ayurvedagram in India. It is in the outskirts of Bangalore city, and it is one of Indias̓ premier Ayurveda and Yoga resorts which brings together healing with a soul, as I am a big Yogi fan.



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Why did you decide to become a travel agent? To be truthful, it was the one career I had no desire to step into. I went to college right out of high school and took an Adventure Tourism course. Aft er no luck fi nding my calling, my aunt who is a travel agent got me an interview. Almost 15 years later, here I am with the same agency.

What's the best part of the job? The travelling! I have had the opportunity to explore places on this Earth that may not have come to fruition if I was not in this line of work. I also love when clients come back and tell me stories of their favourite mo-ments. What could be better than hearing they made lifelong memories and I was a part of that.

What's your favourite destination and why?This is a hard one. I have yet to travel to a destination that I would not return to. But if I truly had to pick, it would be Thailand. I had the privilege of taking a G Adventures

Karly CookGlobal Purpose Specialist, Southern BC & The Island, G Adventures

“Lindsay is a huge lover and supporter of G Adventures, and shares our passion for changing lives through travel. She joined one of our FAMs in Fall 2017 and has since helped change 63 lives by booking them on G Adventures trips. She is in the running for G-Normous and Change Makers. When I asked her how she is making all these bookings, she told me that she literally thinks everyone should go on a G Adventures trip, and she tells all her clients that! She is awesome to work with – incredibly determined, focused and enthusiastic.”

National Geographic trip there in October 2017. I cannot put into words how life chang-ing it was. I came home with such a sense of peace in my life that I was on the right path with my career, as well as my family. It defi nitely captured a piece of my heart.

What's the funniest thing that's happened on the job? I am not sure about funny, but I did have a panic attack at the top of a mountain in Thailand. I love zip-lining and the heights do not seem to bother me too much, but we got to this one section of the course that was more like a roller coaster. Fear took control! I was crying and freaking out. The poor guides didn't know what to do. So everyone else in my group carried on, while I got a personal escort on seven more zip-lines through the jungle. It was a blast. Ha ha, so in the end, it turned out great.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road? This is a long list. From swimming with sea

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Lindsay Schile CM Travel

Chilliwack, [email protected]




lions in the Galapagos Islands, to attending a wedding in Northern Philippines, to spend-ing six weeks in Hare Krishna communities in India. There is not one thing that stands out, as every experience has been amazing.

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many? Of course. I am at 27 currently, but within the next year, I will be adding eight more. The goal is 40 by 40, but I am sure I won't stop there.

Where do you want to go next? I am actually escorting three private groups to Croatia & The Balkans, Peru & Belize in the next year or so. Egypt/Jordan have been a dream of mine since I was about seven. So those will be next.

Is there anything you want to share or add?I have had the pleasure of travelling with friends from diff erent backgrounds and cultures and to be fully immersed within those cultures for a time has given me a new perspective on how I see the world. I wish more people could travel. It honest-ly does open one s̓ eyes and hopefully brings more tolerance, understanding and awareness. If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be to challenge yourself in every new destination you travel to. Step out of your comfort zone, meet the locals, try the food, but most of all, go into it with an open mind.





Why did you decide to become a travel agent?In February 2012, I was a professional photographer running a photo tour in Peru. My group and I sat with our local guide, Andres, and I cried, overwhelmed with the beauty and healing energy of Machu Picchu. As we sat, watching the fog roll in and out around the mountains, I realized that I wasnʼt living the life I wanted and I needed to change my path. I returned home to Nova Scotia aft er that trip on a mission to make changes, but fi rst I needed to decide how. I spent the summer in Sosua, Dominican Republic learning Spanish and soul-searching. While I was there, I began investigating the idea of becoming a travel agent and leaving my photography career behind. By the time I returned home from my Spanish-learning, soul-searching trip, I knew that it was time for a change in career and my passion for travel had been ignited. I landed a job in a travel offi ce where I worked for a couple of years and then my entrepreneurial spirit pulled me toward TPI, where I could return to running my own business.

What is the best part of your job?Bar none, the best parts of my job are helping people fi nd interesting local expe-riences and educating clients on how to be responsible travellers. I also love the travel opportunities and sharing my personal tra-vel lessons and experiences with clients.

What s̓ your favourite destination and why?In all of the places in the world Iʼve been, I donʼt even hesitate to say my favourite coun-try in the world is Turkey and my favourite city is Istanbul. Iʼve visited three times, including living there for a couple of mon-ths. Some places in the world fi ll your soul, and for me, Istanbul is that place. The locals that I met were warm, caring, kind and welcoming in a country where many expect diff erently. The food is bursting with fl avour, and eating is an experience to be enjoyed with loved ones. I loved eating outdoors covered in a blanket or grabbing a Turkish tea at a small café and playing backgammon with the locals. The mixture of old and new, history and present day is intertwined beau-tifully. I donʼt think you could ever see all of Istanbul because it is such a vast city. There s̓ always something new to discover.

Kazundra Brownpartnership growth manager in Canada, Intrepid Travel

“She's creative in the industry, making her name known as an independent agent. She fi nds the right fi t for her clients and is understanding of all needs. Is a big cheerleader and loves to share her experiences with her clients and on social media.”

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Shari Tucker Shari Tucker Travel & AdventuresTravel Professionals International

Halifax, [email protected]





What s̓ the funniest thing that s̓ happe-ned on the job?While hosting a group of photographers in Kruger National Park in September 2018, we had the opportunity to sleep out in a treehouse in the middle of the wild for a night. That night, around 8:30 p.m., myself and two other ladies headed out to the treehouse with our ranger to settle in for the night. Our ranger checked the treehouse for baboons before we entered and made sure to leave us with a spotlight, solar-powered nightlight and radio to call if we needed assistance.—We spent a bit of time scanning our surroundings with the spotlight, chan-ged into our pajamas, used the com-posting toilet, brushed our teeth and then tucked ourselves in under the mosquito netting. Not long aft er, an elephant visited the watering hole almost directly underneath us. Aft er the excitement of having an elephant so close, we settled back in for a restful night s̓ sleep. A couple of hours later, at about 11 p.m., we were all awakened by strong winds that had dislodged our mosquito netting which was now cons-tantly hitting us in the face. We tucked it back in under the mattress, but to no avail, the winds were simply too strong and the mosquito nets were like sails catching the wind. As we came out of our sleepy-stuper, one of the ladies I was with went looking for her clothes, as she was cold. As she stumbled around by the faint light of the nightli-ght, she realized that she hadnʼt packed

them safely away when she changed into her pajamas, and the wind had scattered them around the tree house. She was able to fi nd some of the items, but her bra was missing. In the middle of the night, in the wild, we were freezing and a bra was MIA. We all laughed, but I was inconsolable, laughing myself to tears, wondering if weʼd fi nd a baboon sporting a bra the next morning.

What s̓ the most interesting thing youʼve seen, done or eaten on the road?One of the most interesting things Iʼve done during my travels was on my second visit to Istanbul. I stayed in an off -the-beaten-track area of the city called Balat. One of the locals I met asked me if I would like to visit the local Turkish bath. Knowing nothing about the etiquette of a Turkish bath, I wasnʼt sure what I was signing up for, but I knew that I had to take the opportunity. My local friend walked me through the winding narrow streets to an ancient building and motioned for me to go inside, but he could not come with me as it was for women only. Once inside, I was greeted by two women, neither of whom spoke any English and I spoke no Turkish. I was shown where to change, covered in a towel and went into the steamy-hot, circular bath room where a large naked woman washed and scrubbed my skin nearly raw, while I laid vulnerable on a large marble slab. Iʼm well aware that this experience sou-nds horrifying to many North Ameri-can women, but in fact, it was one of

the most incredible experiences of my travels. It was a lesson in checking expectations at the door, being com-fortable in your own skin, trusting that people are good, experiencing some-thing local, and coming out squeaky clean! When I returned to Istanbul the third time, I made a point to return to this local Turkish bath to be scrubbed down by the same burly woman, and I would do it again tomorrow. Youʼll never be as clean as you are aft er an authentic Turkish bath experience.

Do you keep track of how many coun-tries youʼve been to? If so, how many?As of April 2019, I have visited or lived in 43 diff erent countries, most of them within the past 10 years.

Where do you want to go next?The next few months are fi lled with amazing travel experiences for me. I will be spending three weeks in April/May 2019 exploring sustainable, eco-lodges in Zambia and Zimbabwe with Wilderness Safaris and then giving back to commu-nities in the Masai Mara on a volunteer trip with Me to We. What is especially exciting about this entire itinerary is that it is all about conservation and making a diff erence while travelling. —In November, I am hosting a group of retirees who are checking off bucket list items by visiting Egypt. Weʼll be visiting many historic sites, including the Giza Pyramids, Karnak Temple, Abu Simbel and taking a relaxing four-day Nile river cruise.

Is there anything you want to add or share?In September 2014, I sold everything I owned, including a one-and-a-half-year-old SUV, my condo and most of my possessions and went off to explore the world. I lived in Turkey, Argentina, Panama, Portugal and travelled around Southeast Asia and South America. My offi ce was completely mobile, and I was able to sustain myself on the road for nearly three years before becoming tired of nomadic life and settling back down in Halifax, Nova Scotia. While I have no plans for long-term, digital nomad life again any time soon, I do love that Iʼve built my business around this passion and could do so again at any time!




Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I was working in hi-tech business development for 20 years; and while I loved the organizational aspects and the personal interactions, I was looking for a change in career. I loved planning our family vacations, and enjoyed all aspec-ts of travel. A friend of mine said, why donʼt you get into the Travel Business, and that s̓ when it all started.

What's the best part of the job?My two favourite parts of the job. Firstly, creating and then delivering the fi nal proposal to my clients and getting the response. “Iʼm squealing with excite-ment,” that brings me joy. And then the feedback from my clients upon their return. Hearing the excitement in their voices, post trip, it s̓ very rewarding.

What's your favourite destination and why?From the Yukon, Croatia, Budapest,

Jonathan SargeantSales Manager, Royal Irish Tours

“Emma always goes above and beyond for her clients, working tirelessly to plan their dream vacations. She is extremely knowledgeable about the product she sells. Her client base is growing, and for good reason. She offers a wonderful service, is friendly and a pleasure to work with.”

Italy… they are all so diff erent and are favourites for diff erent reasons. Whether it is the clean air and majestic mountains, crystal blue waters, history/culture or fantastic food… they are all favourites.

What's the funniest thing that's happened on the job?Going to a Health and Wellness Spa in Budapest and experiencing some of the treatments that took me way out of my comfort zone. Let s̓ leave it at that.

Have you had any memorable requests from clients?Planning a fi ve-day trip in Whistler, BC for Corporate Sales Executives was quite me-morable. It was an action-packed adventure itinerary and went off without a hitch. For some clients, it was their fi rst time to Can-ada, and I think a trip they won̓t forget.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?Helping my cousins in Wales herd 200

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Emma Moxley Travel By Emma TPI

Pakenham, [email protected]

sheep on Snowden Mountain with about half a dozen Border Collies. That was an experience I will never forget!

Do you keep track of how many coun-tries you've been to? If so, how many?I have a map on my offi ce wall with pins in it marking all the countries I have been to. So far, the count is 24 countries.

Where do you want to go next?Either somewhere in Asia or Africa, I canʼt decide.

Is there anything you want to share or add?Loving to travel and loving the travel business are two very diff erent things. I have come to realize that this business is about learning and enjoying working with people. Providing value to people s̓ vacations gives me great joy in planning the trip of their dreams.




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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I decided that I loved to travel when I was young; at 16, I wanted to become a fl ight attendant to have something to do with the travel industry due to my experience of coming from a small town in Newfound-land to Guelph, Ontario. I fi rst travelled by bus, then by boat and by train and seeing the diff erent landscapes, scenery and mee-ting amazing people of all cultures gave me the bug, and I was hooked from then on, even though I did not start my travel career till later in life, I did travel even before I became an agent.

What's the best part of the job?The best part of my job is my clientsʼ happi-ness and joy from them having a memorable trip that I help them plan, and the apprecia-tion that they give me when they have that experience. Getting that from them shows that I am doing my job right and putting the client fi rst. Also having a great company to work for and the team you work with helps to make sure the client is serviced in the way that I want them to be.

Ryan DeSouzaBDM for Southwest Ontario, Collette Travel

“Claudia has been an avid supporter of Collette for many years. In the past year, she has worked with Collette in putting together a Church group on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. During this time, Claudia has managed to keep sales going strong and ensured that the group leader, Fr. David, was given the best service in a timely and professional manner, while he transitioned to a new Parish during the promotion of the tour. Claudia is an agent who constantly checks in to ensure she has the latest promotions, which she immediately displays at her storefront and cascades through her network, and is an advocate for agent training in her offi ce.”

What's your favourite destination and why?Favorite destination, well, I have many of them, but Cuba does hold a special place in my heart, the beautiful beaches, culture, history and, of course, the people as they are the most friendly people that I have met. In Cuba, they still drive around in old-fashioned cars from the ʼ50s and ʼ60s, and they are proud of their country and not afraid to show it off , and allow people from all races to experience it, so what s̓ not to love.

Have you had any memorable requests from clients?I have had one memorable request that stands out to me, since I do destination weddings; I had one groom want to plan a romantic dinner on the beach for his future bride on the second night they were in destination. I contacted the resort and made all the arrange-ments for him and helped him plan the menu, fl owers and location as a surprise for her, and it was magical. She had no idea and was to-tally shocked by it and very much appreciated

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Claudia Biegus Transat Travel Kitchener, Ont.

[email protected]





that he did it on his own for her. Thingslike that make my job rewarding.

Do you keep track of how many coun-tries you've been to? If so, how many?I do keep track of the countries that I visit and even the same areas within that coun-try. I collect charms from the places I visit that represent that country or something of value from that area and have them on a necklace that I wear. So far, I have visited eight countries and still counting, but have visited many diff erent cities and parts of the same country as well.

Where do you want to go next?My next trip is to explore Europe, I want to see the culture, history and meet the people that make the countries special, as well as to experience their food.

Is there anything you want to share or add?The travel industry is not for everyone, if you love to travel and share memorable experience with clients or guests than

this job and industry is amazing, but it s̓ not a Monday to Friday job or even a mo-ney maker, but the outcome of knowing how your knowledge and experiences infl uenced or impacted the people who

you help travel and achieve their ideal dream vacation is worth it. My mentor always said if you love your job that you would do it for free, then you were meant to do that work.

Happy Travel Agent Day!Thank you for your dedication and support!

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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I did an exchange in Dusseldorf, Germany, and it opened my eyes to the diff erent cultu-res and the big world out there. I wanted to see it all! I fi gured the travel industry would be my best bet. I studied Business Tourism at university, took three months off to back-pack Europe, one month to teach English in Vietnam, and have been working in the travel industry ever since.

What's the best part of the job?The best part is that I get to talk about travel all day long. Story telling, story listening, fi nding really good deals, travel agent incen-tives, and hearing about client adventures, so that I can live vicariously through them. I also love that I am always learning about somewhere or something new, and always adding to my bucket list.

In your opinion, what do you off er that clients can't fi nd booking online?Personalized service, hot tips, 24-hour assis-tance, a friendly smile, and a welcome home call. How many online service providers ask you how your trip was?

Melissa MosesBusiness Development Manager of Busabout Canada

“Marlee Hawkins has been a great supporter of Busabout for as long as we have had a presence in Canada. Over the past few years, Marlee has recommended our trips to her clients confi dently and has continued to increase her sales. This year, Marlee is on track to win a spot in our All Stars Fam, we will be taking agents to Italy and Ibiza, as a thank you for all of their hard work and support. Marlee is a great example of how hard work pays off! We thank her for everything she has done and appreciate all the work she continues to put in.”

What's your favourite destination and why?I canʼt possibly choose one! I have fi ve, in no particular order. Iceland – one of the most beautiful countries in the world, you can drive and literally stop every kilometre for a new piece of everchanging beauty. It is like a fairy tale. Utah – the National Parks here are so unique. The geology of the parks is very interesting and the trails are very accessible as well… just try to avoid summer. Vietnam – rich in culture and diverse in landscapes, you can fi nd anything from beaches, rivers, bustling cities, hiking trails, etc. It is cheap and the food is also amazing. Halong Bay is truly breathtaking – pictures donʼt do it justice. Bugaboo Provincial Park – Purcell Mountains in BC, just outside of Golden. These mountains are stunning and best accessed through Canadian Mountain Holi-days, Heli Hiking or Heli Skiing trip, but can also be accessed independently. There is also a cool Alpine Hut of Canada up there.—Black Rock City – a thriving temporary city erected for a week, dedicated to art, commu-nity, anti-consumerism and self-expression. The scale of this place is mind-blowing, you need to bike everywhere you go. They say

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Marlee Hawkins Flight Centre Westbank

Kelowna, [email protected]





that you really have to go to truly unders-tand what it s̓ all about, and I agree.

What's the funniest thing that's hap-pened on the job?I had a client who was planning a fi shing trip for her husbands̓ 50th. I called her with some new information and got her husband. In a panic, not knowing if it was a surprise or not, I lied and said I was calling about a hair appointment. He said, “but the caller ID says Flight Centre.” To which I replied, “I know it does.” He said, “Why are you calling from Flight Cen-tre?” I had nothing to say, and replied “I have to go now.”—It turned out he did know about the trip, but was messing with me because he could tell I was fl ustered. Hilarious.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?Seen: Wrestlemania in New Orleans. Done: raft ed and camped through the Grand Canyon for three weeks in winter. And eaten: crickets in Laos.

Do you keep track of how many coun-tries you've been to? If so, how many?45 and counting...

Where do you want to go next?This year, I have West Coast Trail booked, Havasu Falls (Arizona), and hopefully will make it to South America in the fall.

Is there anything you want to share or add?Travel is the only thing you buy that

makes you richer… travel when you can and while you are young. The money will come later and the time wonʼt.—A client once said to me: “Marlee, travel is a gift and when we come back it feels like we have learned a whole new world about ourselves. We take the dice and roll it whenever we decide to travel, you never know what experiences you will come out with on the other side.”—Loved it and will never forget it.

From our team to yours, thank you for your continuous commitment, support and partnership.

Gracias!

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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I stumbled across it by accident. I was working for Target Canada during its brief stint, and a month or so before they announced bankruptcy, I was looking to move on. I was searching for a similar role, and somehow an ad for my agency came up in my search. I thought about how much I loved travel and wanted to do so much more. How much I enjoyed planning trips and helping family and friends, and I thou-ght what the heck!

What's the best part of the job?When you can be a part of something special for someone. I had one client that I helped them plan their engagement. They went to Vegas and did a helicopter ride down into the Grand Canyon where he popped the question. I planned the whole day with him, from the time they got up to where they went that night. It was such a great experience, and eventually I got to plan their honeymoon. I feel so fortunate to be a part of some of the most important parts of peoplesʼ lives.

Miles WalkerBDM – Western Canada & Pacifi c Northwest USA, Blue-Roads Touring Co. and Topdeck Travel

“There aren’t many males in this female dominated industry, and Heath is one that really stands out. He has managed several agencies since he started in travel, and you couldn’t fi nd a nicer, more genuine person than him. He is super comfortable selling fl ights and all-inclusives, as he is selling tours or cruises. If you want to meet one of the nicest, caring, most genuine travel agents and people, then look no further than Heath Colliar. A true gentleman!”

What's your favourite destination and why?

I havenʼt travelled nearly as far and wide as Iʼd like, so that s̓ likely to change by the year, but so far, I would say Vietnam. The funny thing is, I went for a work trip, and when I fi rst found out we were going, I wasnʼt that excited. Donʼt get me wrong, I want to go everywhere; however, Vietnam just wasnʼt near the top of my list. Being there, I was stunned. The people were so kind, so joyful and sincere. The food was fantastic – fresh, light, fl avourful. We spent a night in Halong Bay, with a full moon and a blanket of stars, hardly anyone around. Four of us were on the top deck all night, struck dumb by the peace, the beauty, the space and scope of the world around us. It was unforgettable.

What's the funniest thing that's happened on the job?Iʼve had so many wonderfully silly and fun interactions with my clients, but nothing stands out as being truly funny – embarras-sing maybe, but that s̓ a diff erent story. Iʼd say the funniest thing that s̓ happened in my job is completely separate from travel. I love the

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Heath Colliar Flight Centre Metrotown

Burnaby, BC [email protected]





culture in my company, and weʼve had some great social events. Two years ago, we had a karaoke night. Before then, most other agents probably would have described me as a little funny, quirky, but mostly straight-laced. A bit of a Carl-ton-esque character for you Fresh Prince fans. That s̓ when I busted out my trailer trash gear and rapped Dr. Dre s̓ “Forgot about Dre,” no lyrics required. Iʼve never seen so many confused and surprised faces in my life.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?When it comes to eating, youʼre barking up the wrong tree. Iʼm the guy who lived off rice for most of my time in China. I was really tempted by the roasted dog s̓ head I found in a Beijing market though. Or the balut in Vietnam. Feel free to imagine gagging sounds at any point now.

Do you keep track of how many coun-tries you've been to? If so, how many?Yes, and the number needs to go up.

Only 11 so far, Iʼm in Turkey right now and will be in France for the fi rst time next month. As much as I want to see everything and go everywhere, Iʼm not really the type to plan a trip just to check off as many boxes as I can. Iʼd rather spend two weeks in one country and really get to know it as much as I can than skip around spending a day in each country.

Where do you want to go next?I oft en point to a map with my clients and tell them I want to go there. There s̓ no end to the places I want to go. I would say my top fi ve trips Iʼd like to take right now would be New Zealand, Cambodia, Italy/Greece, Egypt/Jordan, and Peru (possibly doing Ecuador and/or Bolivia at the same time).

Is there anything you want to share or add?That when it came to being a travel con-sultant, I was hooked from the start. Iʼll never forget my fi rst booking on my fi rst

day. A client came in to my shop and wanted to book a woman, her daughter, and grandson on a one-way ticket from Manila to Vancouver. When I asked why, he told me it was for his wife and her family, that heʼd been working for years to bring them all to Canada, and theyʼd fi nally been approved. He was so happy, and I got to be a part of reuniting a family. He told me heʼd bring them in to meet me when they arrived. I remember going to the dollar store, I got a Canadian fl ag and some other silly Canadiana and gave it to them when they showed up. It was such a moving experience, and it was only my fi rst booking. Since then, Iʼve shared so much with my clients, been so fortunate with my own travel, and met and befriended so many amazing agents. I couldnʼt be more grateful for this opportunity.

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Why did you decide to become a travel agent?I decided to become a travel agent as many of my friends were always asking me to arrange trips for them. My husband and I have always travelled extensively all over the world and really wanted to arrange adven-ture travel groups for people who wanted a small group of like-minded travellers where they could still be active. My friend who owns a travel agency had been asking me to work for her for years, so I decided to bite the bullet and go for it.

What's the best part of the job?The best part of my job is helping people realize their travel dreams and experience things they never thought they would see.

What's your favourite destination and why?My favourite destination… that is a tough one, however, I do love off -the-beaten-trackplaces, Turkey, Peru, Egypt, Cambodia. Any location I can learn about new cultures and traditions is exciting to me. I also love to learn diff erent languages, so anywhere I can't speak the language before I go gives me an excuse to learn.

Kazundra BrownPartnership Growth Manager of Eastern Canada, Intrepid Travel

“She’s so fun and bubbly, which has created a great following of clients for her and PGM. I always look forward to our interactions – every time. She understands our way of travel and is always looking for that adventurous authentic experience”

What's the funniest thing that's happened on the job?Funniest thing on the job: while visiting Peru, a few of us ate something that did not agree with us. Even though we were sick, we all made up funny bathroom songs and had a good laugh. I am so fortunate to have such a great group of people.

What's the most interesting thing you've seen, done or eaten on the road?My husband breeds exotic reptiles for a living, snakes specifi cally, so when in Cam-bodia we joined a family for a snake BBQ. Not our favourite, but you can't be disrespectful when someone who has nothing invites you to dinner. I am always blown away by people who have nothing, but can be so generous and happy.

Do you keep track of how many countries you've been to? If so, how many?I have lost count of how many countries I have visited.

Where do you want to go next?Next on my list is Sri Lanka.

N O M I N A T O R :

The agent: Jayne MandicMarlin Travel Peterborough

Peterborough, Ont. [email protected]




april 29, 2019 | travelcourier.ca 37©2019 NCL CORPORATION LTD. SHIPS’ REGISTRY: BAHAMAS AND USA 39524 4/19

YOU ARE ALWAYSFIRST WITH US.

At Norwegian Cruise Line, our corporate philosophy is to put our travel partners first. We are committed to your success and strive to exceed your clients’ expectations on every cruise with Norwegian. Before our guests even step aboard our ships, they are your clients – people who rely on your expertise to help them plan unforgettable vacations. Thank you for all your hard work in transforming their dreams into new memories. We sincerely appreciate all you do and value our partnership.

NORWEGIAN BLISS


http://www.norwegiancentral.com


AIR CANADA VACATIONSAir Canada Vacations is off ering agents 3X ACV&ME points on all bookings made between May 1-8. The off er is good for all product lines, for departures May 1 to July 31, and applicable to groups packages.

CLUB MEDClub Med started TAD celebrations early, honouring the dedication and professionalism of its agency partners with a month-long event.

Throughout April, agents were invited to visit Club Meds̓ Travel Advisor Calendar, a dedicated web site with daily targets to hit for a chance to win a range of prizes, including a grand prize that would allow the winner to attend the opening event of the new Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda in the Domini-can Republic, set to open in December.

“We are very proud and grateful to be represented by talented, loyal and motivated travel professionals,” says Jacinda Lowry, national director of sales for Club Med. “The Travel Advisor Calendar is an extended celebration of these dedicated indivi-duals and Club Meds̓ way of thanking our travel partners for their daily contributions to the brands̓ success.”

https://en.clubmedagents.ca/training-tools-benefi ts/travel--advisor-calendar

It’s all about you

T R A V E L

A G E N T D A Y

2 0 1 9

May 1 is Travel Agent Day (TAD), and travel companies across Canada are celebrating their close ties with their agent partners with special incentive offers. Suppliers – listed in alphabetical order – offering TAD incentives include:

agents appreciation2019 _38-47.indd 38agents appreciation2019 _38-47.indd 38 4/25/2019 4:18:13 PM4/25/2019 4:18:13 PM

https://en.clubmedagents.ca/training-tools-benefits/travel-advisor-calendar


https://en.clubmedagents.ca/training-tools-benefits/travel-advisor-calendar

https://en.clubmedagents.ca/training-tools-benefits/travel-advisor-calendar/


Travel does the heart good and our travel agents don’t skip a beat!

We salute you, our very special travel agents, for your unwavering support of Jamaica.

We appreciate and value your partnership and contribution.

CUNARD Agents certainly have a friend in Cunard.

To mark Travel Agent Day, the cruise company is off er agents its “Friends and Family” rates on select voyages with starting fares as low at $399 per person, based on double occupancy.

The off er is valid from May 1 to May 7, based on availability and includes the following:

Transatlantic Crossings, starting fares at $399 pp• The fourth annual Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing

(M922) on Queen Mary 2, July 28 - August 4, 2019. Featuring a line-up of industry professionals including Stuart Weitz-man and Stephen Jones.

• Dance the Atlantic (M924) from August 11 - 18, 2019, whenthe renowned English National Ballet will join a Transatlan-tic Crossing on Queen Mary 2.

• Additional Transatlantic Crossings in 2019 depart on May24 (M914), May 31 (M915), June 7 (M916), August 18 (M925), November 1 (M935) and November 19 (M938).

Canada/New England, starting fares at $399 pp, including Queen Mary 2 s̓ fi ve seven-night voyages to the ports of Hali-fax, Quebec and Saguenay

• Voyage M919, departing on June 30, 2019 fromNew York City.

• Voyage M927, departing on September 1, 2019 fromNew York City.

• Voyage M928, departing on September 8, 2019 fromQuebec City.

• Voyage M931, departing on October 4, 2019 fromNew York City.

• Voyage M932, departing on October 11, 2019 fromQuebec City.

Select cruises such as Iceland, Greenland and North Cape. Starting fares at $798 pp• Iceland/Greenland, voyage M921, departing on July 14, 2019

from Southampton.• Iceland, voyage V919, departing on July 28, 2019 from Sou-

thampton.• Iceland, voyage Q925, departing on September 6, 2019 from

Southampton.• North Cape, voyage 927, departing on November 16, 2019

from Southampton.Travel Advisors can book by calling Cunard toll free at 1-800-

528-6273 and using the promotional code YTF.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINEHolland America Line (HAL) is raising awareness for its latest promotions with a “HAL of a Deal” event that supports Early Booking Bonus and Pack These Values.

During HAL of a Deal, which runs through May 15, the cruise line s̓ sales team will connect with travel advisors to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to successfully book




their clients with these promotions.The promotion features weekly webinars, bonus information

in the PartnerSHIPS eNewsletter, promotional items and a HAL of a Deal Sweepstakes that will award a total of $15,000 in gift cards.

“We currently have two exceptional off ers that support upcoming bookings and future cruises, and we want to con-nect with our travel advisors to make sure they recognize the potential with these promotions and can eff ectively communi-cate the perks to their clients,” said Eva Jenner, vice-president of sales for Holland America Line.

To demonstrate to agents how they can maximize the latest promotions to provide added value for their clients, HAL of a Deal webinars will be held April 30, May 7 and May 13. Agents must register for each webinar at GoHAL.com or via the PartnerSHIPS Facebook page.

A highlight of HAL of a Deal is a sweepstakes that will give away $15,000 in gift cards. Each week, the gift card prizes will increase in value by $1,000, starting at $1,000 for week one and working up to the grand prize of $5,000 aft er week four. Agents can register for the HAL of a Deal Sweepstakes at GoHAL.com/HALofaDeal.

INSIGHT VACATIONS, LUXURY GOLDInsight Vacations and Luxury Gold are off ering travel advisors a bonus $100 cash gift card for every new booking made (for travel by Dec. 31) from May 1 to 3 as a way to thank them for their years of support and friendship.

GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDSIn honour of Travel Agent Day, the Globus family of brands has launched a new contest.

Any agent booking and depositing any of the company s̓ four brands – Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways or Monograms – will have his or her name entered in a contest to win one of its European Avalon Active & Discovery cruises for two. Every booking results in one entry.

“We rely on the travel agents every day to help us promote and sell our product,” says Kim Clarke, director of sales for the Globus family of brands in Canada. “We hope they are as exci-ted as we are about this contest, and wish everyone the best of luck.” www.agentlingo.ca

RAIL EUROPERail Europe, in partnership with Switzerland Tourism and the Swiss Travel System, is inviting travel agents in Canada to in-crease their sales of Swiss travel products, including the Swiss Travel Pass, by improving and testing their knowledge.

Agents simply register to participate, learn and sell, for a chance to win an all-expense paid fam trip to Switzerland, as well as other prizes.

The more participating Swiss products agents sell, the more points they earn toward the trip. This is the fi rst year for the Swiss Travel Pass Superstar Agent Incentive to run in Canada. Registration is open, and the program runs from May 1 throu-gh July 31.

Each month, three top scorers from among those that score at least an 80%, or have 16 correct answers, win either a First Prize of one Bucherer watch, a Second Prize of one Fondue set and a Fondue cookbook, or a Third Prize of one Bamboo Cheese board.

Agents who want to be considered for the fam will need to take all three monthly quizzes, and every month of the pro-gram submit their ticket sales of participating Swiss Travel System products for validation.

For further details, visit agent.raileurope.ca/SwissSuperStar.

SANDALSSandals has extended the redemption period on its popular travel agent reward program “Points to Paradise.”

Agents can now redeem their 2018 points until Dec. 31 – instead of the original deadline of July 31 – giving agents more time to redeem the rewards theyʼve accumulated.

Overview of “Points to Paradise” program – with every net room dollar booked, agents earn one corresponding point that they can redeem for a Sandals or Beaches vacation of their own. All commissionable room bookings are eligible whether an agent books a couple, family or social group. And, all points earned by an agent are completely theirs to use, meaning points can follow an agent should they change agencies.


http://www.agentlingo.ca



http://www.GoHAL.com/HALofaDeal

http://www.GoHAL.com/HALofaDeal

http://www.GoHAL.com


SUNWINGFor Travel Agent Day, Sunwing is giving agents 2X STAR Reward Points.

The tour operator is also hosting the “Vacation Better Tour” across Canada, with the fi rst show kicking off on in London, Ont., on April 30. Sunwing is expecting more than 600 travel agents to attend the show in Woodbridge (Toronto), which takes place the following evening (May 1).

Twelve other shows will be taking place across the country including Stoney Creek, Gatineau, Winnipeg, Regina, Saska-toon, Langley, Edmonton, St. Johns̓, Halifax, and Moncton.

“Weʼre looking forward to the opportunity this series of na-tional events give us to personally thank our travel agents and recognize the important role they play in the Sunwing success story,” says Deana Murphy, vice-president of Sales.

“Throughout the year, our team of regional BDMs helps edu-cate agents on Sunwing products through webinars and fam trips. Our sunwingagents.ca website also provides them with useful resources.”

With the release of Sunwing s̓ latest Groups Guide, the tour operator is also off ering agents the chance to win big in 2019.

The STARMillionaire program is returning for another year, giving agents the opportunity to win one million STAR Agent Reward Points that convert to cash (a cash value of $1,800). Agents have the chance to win when they book a group of 10 adults or more by Aug. 27. The more group bookings agents make, the more chances they have to win.

TRAFALGAR AND COSTSAVERAs a thank you to its travel agent partners for their continued partnership and support, Trafalgar and Costsaver Canada are celebrating #AgentsFirst all month long.

For every booking made between April 1 and April 31, agents will receive a fortune cookie scratch card. Every card is a winner, giving agents a chance to win a $4,500 prize pack that consists of a $2,500 Visa Gift Card, $1,500 travel voucher, a

Google Home, and more.For further details, contact your local sales manager.

TRANSATTransat has launched a “Europe for the World” contest off ering agents a chance to win two seats to anywhere the airline fl ies. Book a European package or European cruise package by April 30 and be entered into the Travel Agent Day draw to win.

Three winners will be announced, one for the West, one for Ontario/Atlantic, and one for Quebec. Each winner will receive a pair of Air Transat tickets to the destination of their choice.

TRAVELBRANDSTravelBrands has successfully concluded its interactive series of shows across Canada. Entitled “Agent Appreciation Events,” shows were hosted in Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

“I want to thank the travel community for their continued support and participation in these record-breaking shows,” said Frank DeMarinis, president & CEO, TravelBrands. “We had one of our most successful years yet with tremendous growth. I believe our latest solutions will help everyone work smarter, not harder.”

To celebrate, TravelBrands is hosting an exclusive contest for travel agents. One lucky travel agent can win $10,000 for them-selves plus $10,000 for their agency. To qualify, agents must book at least two TravelGenie packages in the GDS between April 1 and June 30. Every additional booking serves as an additional entry.

Agents can learn more by visiting www.travelbrandsac-cess.com.

Editor’s note: These were the agent incentives available at press time for Travel Agent Day, but more are likely to come available. Keep an eye on Press Today (www.travelpress.com) for more.




http://www.travelpress.com



By Ian Stalker

Suppliers have high praise for agents

Best Partners Ever!

Tourist boards and tour operators alike are sin-ging the praises of this country s̓ travel agents, saying the work they do is nothing less than invaluable.

With May 1 Travel Agent Day looming, agentsʼ travel industry counterparts are eager to show their appre-ciation for those who direct clients their way on a daily basis.

“Travel agents are uniquely positioned to articulate to consumers what Autentica Cuba is all about,” says Eloy Govea, director of the Cuba Tourist Board s̓ English – Canada offi ce. “Autentica Cuba is not just about in-ventories and cold facts, it s̓ about passion and energy;and we feel very thankful for travel agents because theycapture and embrace that Cuba spirit and transmit itlike no one else and nothing else could.

“At the same time, travel agents provide incredi-bly valuable feedback that helps us keep moving forward and in the right path.

ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL“They are the keystone of this industry and we want to be as close to them as possible, providing the information and tools necessary to support their work.”

Pascal Prinz, Canadian director for Switzerland Tourism, agrees that agents are indispensable.

“The travel trade is crucial for us. Thank you for selling Switzerland,” he says noting Canadian visitations to his homeland are on the upswing and crediting agents for much of the 9.4% increase in Canadian overnights Switzerland saw in 2018.

Switzerland has numerous incentives for agents,

among them the Swiss Travel Pass Superstar Program, which it s̓ partnering with Rail Europe on and which Prinz labels a “wonderful fam trip learning and sales incentive program.

Another off ering from Switzerland Tourism is the Switzerland Travel Academy, which enables an agent to “become a Switzerland expert. “You get certifi ed but the best is you get a Swiss Travel Pass to experience our scenic trains on your own,” Prinz points out.

Switzerland Tourism also hosts webinars and fam trips.

PRIMARY CHANNELJeff Element, president of The Travel Corporation Ca-nadas̓ operation, labels travel agents “very important” to his company. “They are our primary channel to share our message and their expertise never fails to connect

clients to their dream vacation.”“We consider advisors to be our No.1 ambassador,

whether sharing news and updates about our family of brands or singing our praise to everyone. Approxima-tely 87% of our business comes through travel advisors, so we cannot emphasize how much we at The Travel Corporation appreciate their support and, most impor-tantly, friendship!”

The Travel Corporation Canada has about 20 people whose sole job is to drive around every day to meet with travel advisors, both long-time partners and those

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Adventure Canada is known primarily for its Arctic programs.


https://www.travelpress.com/digital_posts/the-dream-makers/


new to the industry, Element reportsHe cites other ways The Travel Corporation reaches

out to agents, among them the TTC Agent Academy, which has training modules for advisors, some produc-t-based and others being “general skills for selling as an advisor and basic advisor training tools, and most of TTC s̓ individual brands have brand-specifi c advisor academies as well.”

Element points out that The Travel Corporation also provides “discounted travel on our products [for agen-ts], so it s̓ easier for them to have the authentic expe-rience which they can portray to their clients.

“We at TTC strive to be the best partner possible for travel advisors in every way so their experience working with us is always seamless,” he adds.

AGENTS OF CHANGEShayna Zand, business development manager for

Intrepid Travel in the Americas, says that company s̓ appreciation for agents is never-ending.

“Today and every day we celebrate the important role travel agents play in Intrepid s̓ growth and our genuine appreciation for the work they do every day to help us sell a style of travel that ʻChanges the Way People See the World,̓ ” Zand states.

“Personally, I have the pleasure of working with many travel agents in North America who have been brand advocates and educated their clients on Intre-

pid s̓ products. Thank you to all the travel agents. I speak for the entire team when I say we are appreciative and thankful for you and the work you do.”

Richard Zarkin, spokesman for the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau, says that tourist board is always grateful to agents.

“Much of our success in positioning Rivie-ra Nayarit as a favorite within the Mexican Pacifi c is due to the hard work of our many collaborators, including travel agents from across the globe. For the Riviera Nayarit CVB, travel agents are an extension of our team. We pay particular attention into building and continuously strengthening our relationship with them and want to ensure they have all the necessary resources to be successful in selling what we have to off er on the travel market.”

“In addition to participating in major travel agent forums and off ering fam trips that help increase know-ledge on Riviera Nayarit s̓ off erings, we provide them with training, workshops and seminars to help them stay abreast of the latest destination news. Our website is also uniquely designed to serve as the perfect tool for agents to access travel deals, experiences, events and much more at any given time.”

Matthew James Bradley-Swan, Adventure Canada's business development director, says that company appreciates travel agent expertise.

“At Adventure Canada, weʼre so grateful for the work travel agents do to bring our product to life for so many of their clients, allowing them to take an unforgettable expedition with us. Through their expertise and expe-rience, travel agents oft en give their clients that piece of mind they crave when booking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure – aft er all, a travel agent is always someone you want in your corner!

“Weʼre continuously working to make booking with us a seamless and straightforward experience for agen-ts, particularly through our redesigned Partner Portal that allows access to digital versions of our promo-tional materials, pricing plans, deck plans, and regis-tration forms. We look forward to continued success working with travel agents, and we thank them for all they do for Adventure Canada and our guests.”

“We consider advisors to be our No. 1 ambassador, whether

sharing news and updates about our family of brands or singing

our praise to everyone.”

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Old Havana is always popular with visitors.

Swiss tourism officials say it's very easy to explore Switzerland by train.



C L E A R S A I L I N G A T

C R U I S E 3 6 0

The cruise industry gathered in Fort Lauderdale recently for the annu-al Cruise360 conference that offers a host of professional development opportunities, no end of networking events, ship inspections and an in-depth view of current cruise and travel industry trends. One of the high-lights of the annual conference is the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards which recognizes individuals and organizations whose efforts and accomplishments represent a signifi cant contribution to the cruise industry. In 2020, Cruise360 will be held in Vancouver. Here's a look at

some of the industry’s top cruise professionals:

Seen here, from l to r, are Norwegian Cruise Linesʼ Jason Krimmel, Camille Olivere, and Dinah Marzullo.

Cunard Lineʼs Josh Leibowitz and Holland America Lineʼs Eva Jenner.

44 travelcourier.ca | pril 29, 2019



Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was well-represented by Galen Mathews and Vicki Freed.

Dondra Ritzenthaler and Michelle Homoky of Celebrity Cruises.

Virgin Voyagesʼ Sabrina Newman, Gemma Smith, Kristy Giragosian, Stacy Shaw and SJ Walker.

Celebrity Cruisesʼ president and CEO, Lisa Lutoff -Perlo is presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards gala.





For travel agents looking for a new niche, it might be wor-thwhile to consider some new

research from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

In it, ATTA found that 87% of tour operators working in the adventure travel industry currently work with travel agents noting that agents off er a “new sales channel,” yet only a small subset of travel advisors specialize in the adventure tourism sector.

Research in the Travel Leaders Compa-nion Survey Digest also discovered that, while less than 30% of sales come through agents, 63% of tour operators have expe-rienced growth through the agent channel.Data for the report was collected from

ATTA tour operators about their experiences of working with travel agents in the winter of 2018. An earlier companion survey, Travel Leaders Survey of Travel Agents, was given to travel agents about their experiences working wi-thin the adventure travel industry in spring 2018. That survey was conduc-ted by Travel Leaders, a travel agency network in the United States.

Together, the Travel Leaders Survey of Travel Agents and the Travel Leaders Companion Survey Digest indicate that, though tour operators are interested in booking through travel agents, there is still a continued need for mutual education and understanding to address the complexity of these transactions.

Russell Walters, ATTA̓s regional director

for North America, commented: “There is clearly a demand from adventure tour ope-rators to work with specialist travel advi-sors. The fi ndings in the report demonstra-te areas where operators and travel agents can work together to develop relationships, leading to long-term business opportunities in this growing market segment.”

While adventure operators said the pri-me motivation for working with agents was because they off er a new sales channel, the research also found that the relationship of-fers distribution through a trusted network, access to new clients in desired markets, and a personal touch to close the deal.

Nearly 70% of tour operators stated they d̓ be interested in training on working with travel agents, indicating an opportuni-ty for the two tourism arms to partner more closely in the future.

The research report was compiled based on an online survey sent to more than 1,000 adventure tour operators, with 170 respon-dents from all continents except Antarctica.

The Travel Leaders Companion Survey Digest asked tour operators for information on partnerships with travel agents, 2018 sa-les using travel agents, profi les of adventure travellers booking through travel agents, and recommendations for improving adventure trip sales through travel agent partners.Go to https://www.adventuretravel.biz/research/ for more.

“Th e fi ndings in the report demonstrate areas where operators and travel agents can work together to develop relationships, leading to long-term business opportunities in this growing market segment.”

CLIMBING TO NEW HEIGHTSAdventure operators see the

benefi t of working with agents


https://www.adventuretravel.biz/research/


https://www.adventuretravel.biz/research/


We’re rolling out the emerald carpet

PRESENTED BY:

COCKTAIL RECEPTIONsponsored by

DINNERcatered by

DRINKS ARE ON US! sponsored by

ENTERTAINMENTBack by popular demand

AFTERPARTYsponsored by

AWARDSMaster of Ceremonies

Oliver & Bonacini

NOVA SOUNDS TIM LAWsponsored by

Partner at Heifetz, Crozier, Law

Join us at the Canadian travel industry's signature event of the year! The annual Agents' Choice Awards Gala celebratestwenty years of your favourites.

ARCADIAN COURT401 Bay Street, Simpson Tower, 8th Floor, Toronto

RESERVETable of 10 - $3400Individual tickets - [email protected] #agentschoice2Oth

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 | 5:30PM



Thanks to your oustanding work and remarkablepartnership, we connect Canada to the Azores, one of

the coolest places to visit in 2019, where you canexperience many exciting nature activities including

scuba diving, hiking, whale watching,birding, surfing and more.

You are the Best! Let’s fly!

Lagoa do Fogo in S. Miguel island . Azores


http://www.azoresairlines.pt

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