FULL-PAGE AD

Our Europe tours

Your ticket to discovery

Experience total freedom with our Solo Collection

Short on time? Can’t pick a place? Want to see it all? Bucket listers rejoice, because we’ve got just the thing.

Our European tours fit in the icons—from idyllic islands and majestic mountains to ancient ruins and historic monuments.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

and an afternoon at the Dead Sea. The keynote will be delivered by G Adventures’ founder and CEO, Bruce Poon Tip.

“I DON’T THINK THE BUBBLE OF POST-COVID IS GONE”

This year’s conference, however, was all about breaking barriers, and as travel rebounds, TTAND has hired more staff, added new suppliers and is paying more commission to its agent partners, with a 66% increase in sales from 2019. TTAND is also onboarding, on average, 43 agents per month.

While the travel sector is booming, there’s some concern about an inflationary environment that’s creating higher prices for everything from transportation to accommodation.

“So do I worry about it?” said Flemming Friisdahl, TTAND’s founder and CEO, in an interview with Travelweek. “I would if we weren’t selling anything. I don’t think the bubble of post-COVID is gone.”

He also points to TTAND’s support model and high ratio of staff to agents (approximately one staff member to every 10 agents). And while TTAND is adding new agents, he wants to be careful not to add too many agents, focusing on quality rather than quantity, and maintaining a two-year onboarding process with mentoring opportunities. He also points to additional investments in education, training and marketing.

“I think that we’re in a comfortable position without being too comfortable,” he said. “I am not worried about sales coming down. I’m worried about making sure we have the right services for our partners.”

FREE ONE-WEEK STAY WITH MAJESTIC

While the audience of travel agents was already buzzing from the news about Jordan, it was abuzz again during the gala awards and dinner, when Majestic Resorts, which hosted this year’s conference, announced that all travel agents at the conference would receive a free one-week stay at their Majestic resort of choice.

TTAND also raised money for Pencils for Kids, which has been its charity of choice since 2016. Pencils for Kids partners with communities in Niger, West Africa, to create sustainable educational programs for children and income-generating opportunities for women. This year, agents and suppliers raised a total of $58,865 through a silent auction, 50/50 draw and donations, which TTAND topped up to $60,000.

Other highlights included a keynote speech from Tareq Hadhad, the CEO of Peace by Chocolate, who spoke about his family’s remarkable journey from Syria to Canada; a superhero-themed party at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa, hosted by Air Canada Vacations; and a contemporary Mexican-themed party at Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort hosted by Transat.

Rocky Mountaineer’s 2023 season underway, 2024 packages now on sale

VANCOUVER — Rocky Mountaineer’s 2023 season has officially launched with four unforgettable routes and a brand new promotion.

The company’s glass-domed trains travel through Western Canada and the American Southwest, offering all-daylight journeys that showcase some of North America’s most spectacular scenery.

To celebrate the season’s launch, Rocky Mountaineer has unveiled the ‘Travel Again’ promotion. Returning guests receive $500 per couple on the Canadian routes, or US$400 per couple on the ‘Rockies to the Red Rocks’ in the U.S. The offer is valid on any Rocky Mountaineer package when travelling with the company in 2023 or 2024, and is bookable through the Sales Centre.

Rocky Mountaineer has also refreshed its culinary program with regionally-sourced ingredients. Canadian routes include Alberta beef short rib, sweet corn and kale gnocchi, and Lois Lake steelhead salad, with new lemon lavender posset and Earl Grey macaron for dessert. On the ‘Rockies to the Red Rocks,’ guests will enjoy local braised short rib with New Mexico fire-roasted green chile demi-glace, lemon and herb roasted chicken breast with peach demi-glace, and peach strata bake. Each morning will begin with a pastry from Sweet Coloradough Bakery.

With 2023 now officially underway, Rocky Mountaineer is also looking ahead to next year’s season, announcing that 2024 packages are now on sale at its site as well as on the Agent Portal and the Sales Centre.