NEWS
Couples Resorts launches new travel agent booking tool JAMAICA — Booking Couples Resorts just got a lot easier for travel agents thanks to a new booking engine tool designed to streamline client reservations. In addition to the new travel agent portal for making and managing reservations, a separate CRM tool called TAConnect was also launched. This component allows members to check their rewards and communicate with the resorts’ BDMs. Canadian agents can easily register to become a Preferred Travel Agent and participate in the Couples Resorts Rewards program via Couples.com. To celebrate the debut of the new booking engine and TAConnect, Couples is offering a special incentive to agents who sign up and make bookings via the new portal. Agents earn rewards of $10 per reported room night after the booking is confirmed. However, the current promotional period doubles that reward for all new bookings made directly with Couples Resorts through Oct. 5 via the new platform, bringing it up to $20 per room night. Additionally, for every seven confirmed room nights, travel agents earn a free room night for their own use. “This new portal is an example of our dedication to provide the best possible service and experience for both agents and their clients, said Abraham Issa, president of sales & marketing at Couples Resorts. “We are confident this, combined with our strong reviews and high ratings online, will make Couples Resorts an easy sell for travel specialists and allow them to book comfortably with us.” Issa added: “We are looking to expand our loyal travel agent community by enhancing the experience already offered to agents participating in our programs. These tools offer a safe, convenient and rewarding way to make and manage bookings for our resorts. We want to make it easy for agents to book their clients’ vacations and earn incentives for themselves. Our goal is to continue to improve all of our technologies and rewards for repeat guests and travel partners.” For more details go to couples.com/ for-travel-agents. 18 | TRAVELWEEK | July 29, 2021
Rocky Mountaineer
Q&A with Rocky Mountaineer: Restart, recovery and what passengers can expect onboard KAMLOOPS — The atmosphere onboard the Rocky Mountaineer earlier this month was more festive than usual – and for good reason. The journey from Kamloops marked the iconic rail company’s first since the start of the global pandemic. Speaking exclusively with Travelweek, Nicole Ford, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations at Rocky Mountaineer says the day was exciting for everyone, with “so many smiles and photos being taken as guests climbed onboard the train.” The two-day ‘First Passage to the West departed Kamloops on July 5 for Banff, with 85 passengers and company founder Peter Armstrong onboard to officially launch the 2021 season. And though the active wildfires in B.C. impacted the first leg of the journey, forcing guests to board a host-guided motorcoach to Kamloops where they boarded the train to Banff, Ford says nothing could have dampened the spirit of the day. “I was there to wave-off the train with several other team members and we stood on the platform watching the train until it was out of sight,” she says. “It was simply heartwarming to see guests departing on the train for the first time in 21 months.” Like many travel companies, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Rocky Mountaineer to suspend all operations in 2020. And since the company operates on a seasonal schedule, it hasn’t
embarked on a rail journey since the end of its 2019 season – until now. “The past year has been extremely challenging for tourism as a whole and for Rocky Mountaineer,” added Ford. “Our team is excited to be back doing what we do best, which is hosting guests on our trains to experience some of the most compelling scenery in Western Canada. Seeing the train departing Kamloops was an emotional moment for everyone involved and we can’t wait to welcome more guests onboard this summer. Here’s more of our interview with Ford: Travelweek: What new safety protocols have been implemented, and do you think Rocky Mountaineer will one day have a vaccination mandate for passengers? Ford: “We looked at every aspect of our operations to consider what we needed to modify to meet the regulations, guidelines and recommendations associated with COVID-19. Every guest and team member travelling on the train will undergo daily health screening and a rapid COVID-19 screening test before the start of the train journey. We have thorough sanitization and disinfection procedures in place. Our train cars are equipped with high-end air filtration systems that remove 99.9% of airborne viruses and bacteria, and ensure a steady intake and circulation of fresh air. We also adjusted our operations to ensure more space between travel groups and added glass barriers between tables in the dining room. We do not require guests to be vaccinated to travel with us; however, all guests must adhere to our screening and health and safety procedures. These are some of the modifications we have made – and there are
