NEWS
Ensemble Travel Group hosts first in-person event post-pandemic KANANASKIS VILLAGE — Ensemble Travel Group is back in person, having hosted the two-day ‘Executive Connect’ event last month. Marking the company’s first in-person event since the start of the pandemic, Executive Connect welcomed Canadian owners and managers at Alberta’s Kananaskis Mountain Lodge with the theme ‘Leadership in Turbulent Times.’ Key sponsors included Manulife and Sunwing. Said CEO David Harris: “We know these past 20 months have been extraordinarily difficult and challenging for our members, but we have remained focused on ensuring we provide them with the necessary resources as they now face the challenge of restarting and rebuilding their businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible. “While much of what has happened during the pandemic has been out of our control, we have tried to focus on what is within our control, and these member events – which we were thrilled could finally be in person – are yet another example of that.”
Keynote speaker John Casey, Executive Vice President, Director of Corporate Learning for 2Logical, led participants through several work sessions to address the specific challenges faced by business owners. He also provided tangible tactics and techniques to rebuild their businesses and teams. Team building activities were also held, including assembling backpacks for children with books and other items that were donated to a local charity. Executive Connect came a month after ‘Reimagine the Future,’ Ensemble’s virtual symposium that addressed various challenges as travel resumes.
Jamaica Tourist Board brings back ’12 Jammin’ Days of Christmas’ for Canadian agents TORONTO — The Jamaica Tourist Board is wishing Canadian travel agents a very merry holiday season with its popular ’12 Jammin’ Days of Christmas’ giveaway. From Dec. 2-17, agents will have multiple chances to win a variety of special travel-themed gifts each day.
From left-Deana Murphy, Vice President Retail Sales at Sunwing Travel Group; David Harris; Shelley Kopys, National Client Manager, Manulife 18 | TRAVELWEEK | December 9, 2021
A total of 78 prizes are up for grabs, with daily prizes revealed each morning on the Visit Jamaica Canada Travel Agent Facebook page. Agents are invited to submit their official contest entries online at visitjamaica.com/canada/contest. Prize winners will be selected at random and shared in the Facebook group. The JTB Canada team will reach out to each winner directly to arrange for their prizes to be delivered. “We truly value our travel agent partners and this annual holiday contest gives us the opportunity to show them just how much we appreciate their dedication and commitment to Destination Jamaica,” said Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, Jamaica Tourist Board. “Giving back to our agents is important all year long and we are definitely looking forward to spreading some love and Irie vibes throughout the festive season.” For more information about the giveaway and JTB’s ongoing trade initiatives, go to visitjamaica.com/Canada.
Exodus Travels launches new loyalty program for agents TORONTO — Exodus Travels’ new loyalty program for travel advisors - called The Exodus Agent Collective - includes a ‘welcome back bonus’ for travel agent partners. The tour operator says membership in The Exodus Agent Collective gives travel advisors special access to benefits, and the more trips an agent books with Exodus, the more benefits they can access. After the first client booking, agents are enrolled in the Exodus Agent Collective as a ‘Globetrotter’ and receive … • A discount of 50% for themselves and 30% off for one companion on Exodus’ small group adventures to 100+ countries around the world • A 15% discount for themselves and one companion on Exodus’ self-guided tours across Europe • Priority access to Exodus events, exclusive sales contests, incentives, and more After their 30th client booking, agents will be upgraded to ‘Pioneer’ level membership. Pioneer-level
