ACV offers a taste of the Greek life as Europe bookings soar: “Booking early is key”

TORONTO — Heading into one of the busiest summers in years for Europe travel, Air Canada Vacations is keen for travel advisors to know that one of its top destinations, Greece, still has some space for fall 2023, and is also starting to book up for summer 2024.

One best-seller in particular, the 10day Best of Greece, “is doing very well for us,” said ACV’s Matthew Djorsev, ACV’s Manager, National Accounts. In the summer months ACV has no fewer than 28 tour packages in Greece, plus there are two packages available in the winter months as well.

Whether it’s Greece or any other European destination in ACV’s portfolio, “booking early is key,” said Djorsev. “Europe for ACV is doing very, very well this year.”

ACV picked the perfect spot to showcase its Greece product to trade and consumer media recently: Christina’s on the Danforth in Toronto, in the heart of Greektown.

With four flights of food, one for each destination in another of ACV’s top sellers - the 13-day Cycladic Explorer itinerary - participants got a taste of the Greek life while Djorsev along with ACV’s Melissa Iantosca and Veronica Grimaldi offered an overview of the 13-day Cycladic Explorer.

First up was Athens, home to so many of Greece’s treasures, from the ancient Acropolis, to the bustling Plaka with its many tavernas and restaurants. The Cycladic Explorer itinerary includes a good amount of time in Athens (days 2, 3 and 12) before heading on to Santorini (days 4 - 6). This beautiful island is quintessential Greece for so many travellers, and one of the country’s top destinations. Next up: Ios, home to vibrant nightlife and serene beaches. Days 7 and 8 are in Ios, and then it’s on to Paros for days 9, 10 and 11, “for the perfect blend of relaxation and culture,” says Iantosca.

The Cycladic Explorer, just like ACV’s other packages in Greece, offers an authentic experience personally curated by the ACV team. This is no cookie-cutter package, says Djorsev. ACV’s Europe offering is also the perfect mix of inclusions and independence. Packages come with roundtrip flights, hotel, transfers, island-to-island transport and ‘More Moments’ select activities and excursions.

ACV’s goal is to make it as easy

People

as possible for travellers - and their travel advisors - to plan and book a trip. As Iantosca puts it, pulling together a European vacation without help “is almost like a full-time job. It’s very time-consuming. Our European tours remove all the guesswork.” And there’s no scheduled touring, she adds. “These tours are fully autonomous. Travellers can explore the destinations at their own pace.”

Flight & Hotel, and Flight & Cruise packages are available in Greece as well, plus a Fly & Drive option.

ACV’s 2023 Europe program got off to a strong start in February with the launch of the tour operator’s new ‘Travel Agent Toolkit for Europe’.

All in all ACV’s Europe lineup includes 120+ tours in more than 15

Sophie Raymond returns to Velas Resorts as Director of Sales-Canada

Velas Resorts has welcomed back Sophie Raymond as Director of Sales for the Canadian market.

Raymond previously headed up sales in Canada for Velas Resorts before leaving the company to pursue other endeavours, most recently at Ultimate Jet Vacations. She also held previous roles at Air Canada Vacations and Royal Vacances during her 30-year career.

“Returning to Velas Resorts is like coming home,” said Raymond. “The company’s commitment to excellence, attention to detail and warm, inclusive Mexican culture have always resonated deeply with me. I am thrilled to be part of this remarkable team again and to continue our journey to exceed the expectations of our mutual Canadian customers.” countries. ACV’s travel styles in Europe include Classic Europe, Off the Beaten Path, Island Hopping, Luxury Travel and Seaside and Winter Escapes. ACV’s connector program includes 50+ Canadian cities, and Air Canada’s network to Europe offers frequency and flexibility. Clients can also take advantage of ACV’s Carefree and Careflex programs for the ultimate in flexibility.

As Director of Sales, Raymond will be responsible for driving the growth of Velas Resorts in the Canadian market. She can be reached at sophie. raymond@velasresorts.com.

Inclusive Collection launches Confidant Rewards for travel advisors

NEWTON SQUARE, PA — Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, has launched a new travel advisor loyalty rewards program.

Called Confidant Rewards, the program is integrated within Confidant Collective, which launched last month. With Confidant Rewards, travel advisors can register and redeem bookings at brands including Impression by Secrets, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas.

With its tiered benefits, travel advisors have the chance to earn additional points the more they book. Points are earned based on hotel bookings, and can be redeemed on VIP travel advisor benefits, personal charitable contributions and new redemption items such as gift cards and merchandise that has been carefully curated.

To keep travel advisors connected at all times, an updated, more agile dashboard has been created and is now available via the mobile application, while the ability to earn additional points the more they book is now available via Confidant Rewards.

“We are proud to expand the Confidant Collective program to now include Confidant Rewards,” said Delia McCrimon, Associate Vice President of Sales and Distribution, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt. “With loyal travel advisors being the heart of the industry, we are proud of the enhanced and evolved rewards system meant to bring best-in-class benefits to support and celebrate their growth and loyalty to the Inclusive Collection portfolio.”

Confidant Collective serves as a resource to allow travel advisors to become experts on the Inclusive Collection brand portfolio. The new website and learning program features up-todate information on the portfolio, extensive content including new video capabilities and opportunities to feature sales, promotions, incentives and offers. Also available through the program is Confidant Learning, a new interactive online educational platform that encompasses the 10 all-inclusive brands in the Inclusive Collection located throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Europe. Additional supplemental courses and annual recertification to allow travel advisors to maintain their Confidant Colelctive advisor status are also available.

For more information go to https:// confidant.amrcollection.com/en/.

AQV won’t return to the Great Lakes next season; Ocean Navigator, Ocean Voyager vessels up for sale

FORT LAUDERDALE — American

Queen Voyages has announced a series of deployment changes and updates set to take effect in early 2024, and extend into 2025.

As part of its new focus, AQV will not return to the Great Lakes next season and as a result has announced its intent to sell its Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager vessels.

All current published voyages on Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager will continue to operate as planned through November 2023.

AQV, part of Hornblower Group, says the moves are part of a strategic decision to refocus its business on its river cruises. AQV acquired Victory Cruise Lines in early 2019, and announced the renaming of the M/V Victory I and M/V Victory II to Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator in 2021.

New routes are now open for early bookings with early savings available on key dates.

“Our primary commitment is to deliver a best-in-class cruise vacation with a focus on immersive culinary and destination experiences,” said Cindy D’Aoust, President of American Queen Voyages. “Our customers consistently tell us our U.S. River itineraries are exceptional and demonstrate this by returning again and again. All of our focus is being put into updating and enhancing our popular river product with strategic partnerships and an elevated culinary program, which we know have been very well received.”

Revised 2024 itineraries include …

• Lower Mississippi: AQV will begin the season with its popular Lower Mississippi voyages through the cities and historic port towns of the

South on the 417-guest American Queen, the largest steamboat ever built. Based on guest requests, AQV will offer new three- and four-day cruises for time-pressed travellers.

• Upper Mississippi: Back by popular demand, AQV will be traversing the Mississippi from its headwaters in Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. This epic, 16-day journey combines wildlife and intricate locks and dams, with Southern charms and the birthplaces of jazz and country music.

• America’s Heartland: The 245-guest, paddle wheeler American Countess cruises the Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers. New Experiential Voyages include a bourbon-themed voyage with noted food and spirits experts, including Dickie Brennan, chef-owner of the legendary Bourbon House in New Orleans.

• Snake & Columbia Rivers: Travellers can discover the Pacific Northwest aboard the 221-guest American Empress, including new wine-themed cruises.

• Alaska & B.C.: AQV will return to Alaska for its third season. Aboard the environmentally friendly, 186-guest Ocean Victory, guests enjoy expeditions via Zodiac exploration boats and kayak excursions led by a team of naturalists and field guides in cooperation with California Polytechnic State University.