Happy Travel Agent Day!
Well, it may not be your birthday, but it’s certainly YOUR DAY and suppliers across Canada want the first day of May 2019 to be all about Travel Agents.
Certainly, here at Baxter Media, we know just how important agents are – not to mention have been and will be – to the distribution of travel in this country and around the world.
In fact, this week we’ve just released the first combined issue of Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier and each and every page in that issue is for our travel agent partners – you’ve made us the most trusted Canadian travel trade publication in Canada and we just want to say: Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
And so do your supplier partners and we’ve put together a round-up of some of the 2019 Travel Agent “Thank You” offers that are being released today, so check them out:
SANDALS RESORTS
One Day Only, Missed Bookings Amnesty Offered
There’s absolutely no doubt that Sandals loves and supports travel agents every single day, but in celebration of Travel Agent Day and to show their appreciation of agents’ continuous dedication, Unique Vacations Inc., an affiliate of the worldwide representatives of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts has waived the 30-day policy for registering bookings on their travel agent portal.
For today only — May 1, 2019 — agents have the exclusive opportunity to register all of their missed bookings online at taportal.sandals.com.
This amnesty period ensures that agents have the chance to register any bookings that have passed the standard 30-day deadline, thus maximizing their commissions and benefits as part of the Certified Sandals Specialist program.
In addition to this 24-hour window to register missed bookings, Sandals is also extending the redemption period on their popular travel agent reward program, Points to Paradise.
Agents now have an additional five months — from July 2019 to December 2019 — to redeem their 2018 points.
As part of the industry’s most innovative incentive program, agents earn points for every net room dollar on all commissionable and registered bookings that can be redeemed for a Sandals or Beaches vacation of their very own — making this unique opportunity to register missed bookings even more beneficial to agents.
For more, agents can contact their local Business Development Manager or call Inside Sales at 1-800-545-8283.
WESTJET
Everyday Is Travel Agent Day
WestJet is celebrating its agency partners, but it’s not a one day thing for the airline.
Jane Clementino, director, agency sales for WestJet, observed: “At WestJet, we do not just celebrate a day but rather dedicate the whole month of May to recognizing the hard work and true value of our partners.”
Clementino noted that: “The commitment of our partners to providing remarkable travel experiences for our mutual clients does not go unnoticed. This year we are celebrating with 31 days of giveaways where Travel Agents have a chance to win an exciting array of prizes.”
And she added: “TA Appreciation Month also coincides with our annual spring Travel Trade Expos, giving us the opportunity to meet many agents and thank them personally for their support.”
Travel agents can enter to win prizes throughout the month of May and winners will be announced weekly beginning May 15.
Said Clementino: “On behalf of everyone at WestJet and our Agency Sales team, we want to thank the travel trade community for their continued loyalty and being a part of the new WestJet.”
Go to www.westjet.com for more.
G ADVENTURES
Operator Rewards Agents With New Contest
G Adventures has unveiled a Travel Agent Day Contest, with the top-selling Canadian agent during the month of May winning a G Adventures tour valued at $2,000.
Aizaz Sheikh, Canadian marketing director for G Adventures, said that: “At G Adventures, every day is Travel Agent Day and we try to show our love and appreciation of the community throughout the year.
Sheikh continued: “To mark this year’s TAD, we’re giving away a trip to the agent who sells the most tours throughout the month of May. From the entire team at G Adventures, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Our world deserves more you.”
Go to www.gadventures.com for more.
SUNWING
Operator Offers Double STAR Reward Points
In honour of Travel Agent Day, Sunwing is offering agents double the STAR Agent Reward Points that convert to cash on all new bookings made on May 1 for departures between May 2 and Oct. 31.
Deana Murphy, vice-president of retail sales for Sunwing, commented, “We are pleased to extend our sincere thanks to our travel agent partners with this limited-time offer on Travel Agent Day. We are also looking forward to the opportunity of showing our appreciation in person during our annual series of travel agent presentations that take place in May.”
Sunwing’s Vacation Better Tour of travel agent presentations will take place in 18 locations from coast-to coast throughout the month of May. Sunwing is hosting its biggest trade show ever at the Paramount Event Centre in Vaughan on May 1 (today), with almost 600 travel agents expected to be in attendance.
Other stops on the tour include Stoney Creek, Gatineau, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Langley, Edmonton, St. John’s, Halifax and Moncton.
Go to https://www.sunwingagents.ca for more.
TRANSAT
Launches Europe For World Contest
Transat is saluting travel agents today, which has been declared Travel Agent Day.
“We are grateful for the tremendous support that travel agents have provided us over the past 30-plus years. They have been instrumental in Transat becoming Canadas leader in holiday travel and we firmly believe they will continue to be part of our success going forward,” said Nicole Bursey, commercial director at Transat.
“To show our appreciation for the hardworking men and women of the industry who spend countless hours ensuring that Canadians enjoy their well-deserved vacations, we celebrate Travel Agent Day this year with our Europe for the World contest. Travel agents who have booked a European package or European cruise package between April 22 and April 30 were automatically entered into a draw to win two flight tickets for any Air Transat destination.”
“Throughout the year we support agents by having a committed team of business development representatives whose sole purpose is to serve our retail partners through business planning, training and local initiatives. We also have a team of sales professionals in our inside sales and group sales departments. Everyone is focused on helping travel professionals. At Transat we believe in the retail travel industry and continue to invest in education, relationships, our BonBon reward program and other initiatives.”
Go to www.transat.com
