One Brand To Rule Them All

Transat is making it simple for agents and their clients, announcing that as of June 1, 2016, it will be dropping the TMR Holidays and Nolitours brands and going to market as Transat.

It’s a move that Denise Heffron, vice-president national sales & commercial for Transat, said is one that has been the subject of a lot of discussion within the company, but it’s one that makes her “really happy.”

Heffron revealed the details of the changes during a VIP reception in Toronto that unveiled Transat’s 2016-2017 Sun & Fun Collection; it’s revamped Cruise program; and its Winter Europe offerings to a select group of the operator’s top agents.

“It’s all Transat,” Heffron told the Toronto gathering, observing that the “consolidation leads to greater inspiration and makes product selection and booking simpler and more efficient.”

The move was well-received by those on hand, with company officials noting that based on their research, the Transat brand was the most readily recognizable, and has built a reputation as an “industry leader” with both agents and consumers during the course of the past 30 years.

But there’s more.

With its newly launched cruise program, Heffron announced that Transat is “exiting the FIT cruise market” and will only be selling ITC cruise packages.

Again she noted that this is a “decision that has been a long time in the making” and it’s one that Heffron said “differentiates us” from the competition and “provides an alternative for agents.”

As for its 2016-2017 South Collection, Nicole Bursey, the operator’s commercial director, said that Transat has dramatically expanded its program, offering 34 sun destinations from 22 Canadian gateways and featuring 565 hotels and resorts – with 50 of those exclusive to Transat.

It’s cruise program features sailings with 13 ocean and river cruise lines, with those packages including roundtrip flights, transfers and the cruise. Plus travellers have the option to add both pre- and post-cruise packages as well as a number of other options.

Annick Guérard, president and general manager of Transat Tours Canada, said of the changes: “For nearly 30 years, Transat has been meeting Canadian travellers’ desires to escape winter. Be it down south or in Europe, on land, in the sky or at sea, our teams are committed to providing the best vacation experience for clients, from their travel inspiration to their actual holiday.”

Guérard continued: “To ensure continued improvement, and inspired by the success and appeal of all-inclusive packages, we decided to revamp our cruise program. By designing it as a one-stop formula that includes Air Transat flights, transfers and the cruise, we are making this travel option easier and more accessible than ever.”

For more, check out http://www.transat.com .