ACV’s fall product launch kicks off in Vancouver
A cross-Canada fall product launch tour by Air Canada Vacations got off to a rousing start in Vancouver last week, with 400 enthusiastic travel advisors from the YVR region attending the first stop of the mission.
The ACV tour then continues to Edmonton on Sept. 12 before paying visits to Halifax and Montreal, and then winding up in Toronto on Sept. 26 for the final show (more details below). In attendance in Vancouver was Ted Davis, western Canada editor for Baxter Media.
The event ballroom at the Delta Hotels Burnaby Conference Centre welcomed the travel advisors with a busy trade show, with about 50 travel product suppliers filling the trade show floor. More destinations have joined the ACV national tour this year, including reps from Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal in the supplier ranks, said the tour operator.
And there is more of a presence by the carrier Air Canada at the ACV gathering this year.
“We aim to have better synergy and alignment between the two sales teams, but most importantly, to enhance engagement with travel advisors and promote both brands,” said Air Canada’s Ana Paula de Souza, the director of sales for Canada and global accounts.
“We offer the globe,” said Nino Montagnese, vice-president of Air Canada Vacations, stopping for a few words before taking the stage with a large team of regional sales reps and ACV/Air Canada executives. He noted that guided tours by ACV are now being sold to far-flung destinations including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai.
ACV & Sandals partnership
But one of his biggest announcements for travel advisors focused on a partnership between ACV and Sandals & Beaches Resorts that will eliminate the cost of connector flights to Toronto from some cities.
Customers who book holidays to Sandals/Beaches properties in the Caribbean from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton or Halifax will get free connecting flights to Toronto.
“That will be a saving of about $400 per person for those bookings,” said Montagnese, raising a big round of applause from the assembled advisors.
Also raising a cheer was ACV’s new BOGO program. It invites clients to buy one select vacation package to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America, or a select flight/hotel package to Hawaii, and then get a second one for up to 50 per cent off. This attractive program will only be available for bookings made between Sept. 3 and Sept. 29, 2024, and is applicable for departures between Jan. 2 and April 30, 2025.
In between product announcements and booking tool previews was a high-voltage performance by a four-person collective of singer-dancers. They kept energy levels high with sun-soaked favourites like “Kokomo” and “Walking on Sunshine,” as well as a humorous skit illustrating the efficiency of travel advisors in the face of indecisive consumers.
New winter collection
During the launch, ACV previewed its new winter travel collection, including a digital sun guide with over 600 warm weather travel options to choose from at: agents.dreamofsun.aircanadavacations.com
Also reviewed were enhanced self-serve tools available to travel agents via the Manage Your Booking page on aircanadavacations.com, allowing travel agents to effectively serve their customers. “Our digital initiatives are built around the evolving needs of our travel agent partners,” says ACV.
One of the most popular is the CareFlex travel protection program, which starts at $79 and provides fully flexible travel options. With it, clients can secure their trip, then change, transfer or cancel their package with a full refund up to 21 days prior to departure – no questions asked.
Also on offer is the CareFree plan, which allows travellers to take advantage of standard seat selections and a price drop guarantee.
CareFree and CareFlex are now available online for ePackages (excluding non-refundable hotels). And now, both CareFree and CareFlex can be added up to 48 hours after the booking date via Tripbook.
The ACV fall product launch tour continues in Edmonton on Sept. 12 at the JW Marriott Edmonton Ice District (350 agents expected); then Halifax on Sept. 17 at the Cedar Event Centre (300 agents coming); then Montreal on Sept. 19 at the Plaza Volare in Saint-Laurent (900 agents on the guest list); and finally in Toronto on Sept. 26 at the Universal Event Space in Vaughan, with 1,000 agents expected to attend.
