13 minute read
Exodus’ new loyalty program for agents
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. 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.
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
agents receive all the same benefits as Globetrotters, plus: • A discount of 70% for themselves and 30% off for one companion on Exodus’ small group adventures to 100+ countries around the world • Priority access to FAM trips • A discretionary discount voucher for 10% off once a year to apply against any client booking, to help with
‘tricky-to-close’ bookings, says Exodus • Plus, once a year, Exodus will make a donation in the agent’s name to the
Exodus Foundation Project of their choice
Says Sasha Andrews, Exodus’ Director of Industry Sales: “Travel agents are a crucial part of the Exodus Travels family, and now more than ever we want to show how much we appreciate them. The past 2 years have been an incredibly difficult time for the entire industry, and from the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank our loyal agent partners who have been there with us throughout the pandemic and beyond. We are thrilled to introduce this new loyalty initiative to celebrate our loyal travel agents and our shared love of adventure travel.”
Exodus offers 600+ small group and self-guided cultural, walking + trekking, responsible wildlife and cycling tours in 100+ countries.
New 2023 deployments for Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Summit
MIAMI — Celebrity Cruises has announced two new deployments for 2023 including the cruise line’s return to South America in December.
Celebrity Eclipse will spend four months (December 2023 – April 2024) visiting 16 destinations offering a 14-night Antarctica cruise and a 12-night Argentina and Patagonia sailing.
“The power of travel expands our horizons, introduces us to other cultures, and opens us up to truly fulfilling experiences. Celebrity takes its guests to far reaching corners of the globe, while enjoying unrivalled luxury travel adventures,” says Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity will also offer 16-day sailings from Los Angeles to Chile which include overnight stays in Lima, Peru, where guests will get the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu.
The cruise line has also announced new itineraries and destinations for Celebrity Summit.
In summer 2023 Celebrity Summit will start off with seven, nine and 10-night itineraries sailing to Bermuda and Martha’s Vineyard. Following its sailing to Bermuda, Celebrity Summit will then offer two 12-night sailings to Iceland and Greenland.
And in fall 2023, from August through October 2023, Celebrity Summit will embark on 11-night itineraries cruising up the Eastern Coastline, visiting Maine and Canada as the seasons change.
Riviera River Cruises launches groups offer for December
FORT LAUDERDALE — Riviera River Cruises has a new group booking incentive for the month of December.
All new group bookings for its European river cruises departing during the 2022 holiday season or in 2023 made in December will receive a free tour conductor bed after seven guests are booked (instead of after 10 guests booked).
The offer applies to new group bookings only made between Dec. 1-31, 2021. Deposits must be made within eight weeks of the contract being issued. The offer can be combined with other discounts like Riviera’s published savings of up to US$2,500 per cabin, but it not available for solo cruises or cabins with no single supplement.
“Our European river cruises for 2022 and 2023 are now on sale and groups are always welcome aboard our ships – in fact, we’re making it even easier to earn a free cabin when you book a group in December,” said Marilyn Conroy, Riviera River Cruises’ Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing North America.
“Book just seven guests instead of 10 and you’ll earn a free tour conductor bed, in addition to receiving our usual group perks like cocktail parties and in-cabin amenities. Whether you’re booking members of an organized club, a society or a group of friends, we hope you’ll join us as we explore Europe’s waterways, relaxing in the comfort of a floating boutique hotel and immersing yourself in local culture and history,” added Conroy.
Riviera River Cruises offers 20 itineraries on 10 rivers and waterways, including exclusive departures for solo travellers with no single supplement and holiday season cruises. Its fleet of 12 ships is one of the youngest in Europe and features spacious cabins and suites, four-course dinners and expert-led excursions. There are no hidden surcharges or fees; gratuities or drinks are never automatically included.
For more information call 1-888-8388820 or visit www.rivierarivercruises.com.
Klint and Associates now representing Hyatt Place Kelowna in Canada
TORONTO — Hyatt Place Kelowna has named Klint and Associates (KAI) as its new in-market representative.
Led by senior industry executives Annika Klint and Sana Keller, KAI is a Canadian-owned, full-service marketing, travel trade and public relations agency representing global hotels, destinations and hospitality brands.
In representing Hyatt Place Kelowna, KAI will increase brand awareness and ensure that the new property is prominently positioned within the travel trade and key distribution media channels across Canada. This will include developing and implementing a trade, marketing and communications program, and maximizing media opportunities.
“We know people are excited to travel again and our team looks forward to working closely with our travel trade and media partners across Canada to attract and increase numbers of Canadian business and leisure travellers to Hyatt Place Kelowna,” said Klint and Keller. “With new routes starting up and Air Canada offering the only nonstop service between Montreal and Kelowna, this is a great opportunity for more Canadians to discover the splendours of the Okanagan region.”
Hyatt Place Kelowna opened its doors on July 14, 2020 and is located in the center of Kelowna close to the waterfront, golf courses, wineries and Kelowna International Airport. Among its many offerings are: 161 spacious rooms and suites; complimentary week of underground parking; free airport shuttle; an extensive Okanagan wine list, to-go options at The Market; complimentary locally-inspired continental breakfast for World of Hyatt members at the Breakfast Bar; meeting and event space; indoor pool and fitness center; and a rooftop terrace for relaxation.
Go to www.hyattplacekelowna.com for more information.
AIC Hotel Group held one of its very first large-scale travel agent events in Canada last week in support of its Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Held at Toronto’s Barrio Cerveciera and hosted by AIC Hotel Group’s BDM Jasmine Grant, the event saw a high turnout of agents, many reporting few and, in some cases, no cancellations so far due to the omicron variant. All five of Hard Rock Hotels’ all-inclusive properties in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Punta Cana reopened back on July 1, 2020.
Air Canada ready to meet new U.S. testing requirement
MONTREAL — Following the Biden administration’s announcement last week that all travellers must test negative for COVID-19 no later than a day before departure to the U.S., Air Canada is assuring Canadians that it has an ample supply of antigen test kits available for purchase.
Launched earlier in October in partnership with Switch Health, the self-administered antigen test will allow customers to easily meet the United States’ new entry requirements, which come into effect this week. The new update brings down the testing window from three days to just one prior to departure.
The test can be taken from the comfort of one’s home or accommodation within one day prior to their departure to the United States, with results taking approximately 15 minutes to complete. It is conducted under the remote supervision of a telehealth professional from Switch Health and includes an electronic report suitable for travel.
Customers can order the Switch Health Rapid Antigen Test Kit, which includes two tests, at switchhealth.ca/ aeroplan or redeem at aircanada.com/ estore.
Air Canada has updated the Air Canada app and aircanada.com to recognize the Switch Health QR code and proof of vaccination status, enabling customers to securely submit their test results and proof of vaccination in advance of travel. This meets the Government of Canada requirement that all air travellers be fully vaccinated.
Manulife is hiring!
Manulife has two Internal Business Development Manager positions available (Western/Eastern Canada) Do you like working from home? Are you looking for a supportive and collaborative workplace with excellent benefits, great teams and inspiring leaders?
Job Description:
An Internal Business Development Manager is responsible for the management, growth and development of the overall sales for their assigned territory. The role is focused on training and educating travel agents who sell Manulife Travel Insurance products. The objective is to enhance the sales skills of our customer, while remaining professional, flexible, creative and service-oriented. The successful candidate works with multiple clients and products, while successfully supporting our growing travel insurance business. Must have the ability to analyze training needs, deliver, and evaluate large and varied training sessions and initiatives, both technical and non-technical and to work with Travel Agency owners on business growth.
Job Requirements:
• 3–5 years of proven knowledge and experience working with Travel Insurance products • Solid training and development skills, to seek out problems in a complex environment • Ability to handle multiple competing tasks with prioritization • Public speaking and presentation skills, analysis, design, and evaluation skills • Ability to travel as necessary attending industry functions and offsite training • Proven aptitude and success with large group training initiatives, 2+ years’ experience required • Knowledge of adult learning principles
To apply or learn more, go to Manulife.com/careers (click on Work with us)
Manulife is hiring!
Protection Solutions Insurance Advisor Job Description:
Remote Work Option – we are looking for the best candidates regardless of your location within Canada. If you have reliable internet and a work environment conducive to the role there is an opportunity to join ourTeam! As a Protection Solutions Insurance Advisor, you are responsible for selling Health, Dental, Life and Travel Insurance by handling inbound sales calls, as well as some outbound calls directly from internal lead generation and providing information in a professional, effective manner to our clients. We have customers waiting to speak with you and we generate the leads! This is a unique opportunity for those with the right skills to obtain an LLQP license, should you not already have this requirement. Manulife will cover the cost of an accredited education provider for the Harmonized LLQP course, as well as the exam and licensing fees.
Job Requirements:
• Responsible for handling inbound calls and initiating some warm outbound prospect sales calls for travel and health & dental insurance • Providing advice, needs analysis, and completing sales applications • Accurately recording prospect feedback in an online system • Meeting sales and quality measures on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis • Regularly communicating with prospects and clients both orally and in writing • Supporting various marketing/sponsor campaigns • Escalating issues, concerns, and trends to the Manager – Direct Sales
To apply or learn more, go to Manulife.com/careers (click on Work with us)
MONTEGO BAY - JAMAICA
JAMAICA
IT’S EVERYTHING YOU LOVE
Experience the vibrancy and diversity of a world renowned destination at Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa, ideally located between Negril and Montego Bay. Casual and fi ne dining, comfortable rooms & suites, Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness center and excellent entertainment inspire unforgettable moments at our expansive oceanfront resorts in Jamaica. Enjoy your stay with Infi nite Indulgence®. It’s all included.
For more information, please contact your preferred travel partner, visit PALLADIUMHOTELGROUP.COM or call 1.866.685.8524 Travel agents earn cash rewards by joining our partnership program at PALLADIUMCONNECT.COM
