ALEXANDRIA, VA — Several Canadian travel advisors and suppliers were honoured at Travel Leaders Network’s EDGE 2024 conference this week.
Taking place from June 8-10, 2024 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor in the greater Washington, DC area, the sold-out conference welcomed over 2,000 members, staff and supplier partners for three days of workshops and general sessions. The three-day conference culminated with the Power of Partnership Awards, during which both travel agencies and suppliers were honoured.
“It is a pleasure to recognize these members with POP Awards,” said Roger E. Block, President, Travel Leaders Network. “POP Awards aren’t easy to get – they take determination, intelligence, hard work and, of course, partnership. These winners are all deeply deserving of their awards and I congratulate them.”
President’s Awards were given to agencies in the small, midsize and large categories:
- Small Agency President’s Award: Cruise Holidays/Be Our Guest
- Midsize Agency President’s Award: Vacations Yorkton
- Large Agency President’s Award: KVI Travel
Kyle Oram of KVI Travel was also given the Most Engaging Member Award.
Travel Leaders Network recognized two of its top Canadian producers with the Chairman’s Elite and Chairman’s Pinnacle Awards. The Chairman’s Elite Award was given to Northstar Travel for the largest percentage in annual growth. The Chairman’s Pinnacle Award was given to the Canadian agency with the largest sales, The Travel Agent Next Door.
Centre Holidays took home the Host Agency of the Year Award in recognition of their sales, agent growth and overall participation in TLN programs. VIP Travel Group was honoured as the New Member of the Year for their promise as a successful new member and embracing TLN’s offerings.
The Member of the Year Award, given each year to a member with superior sales and based on their participation in TLN programs and meetings and overall engagement, went to Travel Best Bets.
“I am very proud to accept this award on behalf of the entire team at Travel Best Bets,” said Claire Newell, Founder and President of Travel Best Bets. “For our entire team to be recognized as the best in Canada is something we are very proud of.”
On the supplier side, members were asked to vote on their experiences in various categories for the 2023 calendar year, based on suppliers’ overall support. The most prestigious POP Award, Pinnacle Partner of the Year, was awarded to Royal Caribbean International.
“Royal Caribbean consistently provides a great cruise experience on innovative ships,” said Block. “Even more than that, they always support travel advisors. Their team are true friends to our members and I am delighted that our advisors recognize that friendship with the Pinnacle Partner of the Year.”
Other Canadian POP Supplier Award winners included:
- Overall Support: WestJet
- Best Sales and Service: TravelBrands
- Mass Market Tour Partner of the Year: Sunwing
- Best Educational Programs: Manulife
- Most Innovative Partner: Air Canada Vacations
- Adventure Tour Partner of the Year: G Adventures
North American POP Supplier Award Winners included:
- Sales Support Partner of the Year: Royal Caribbean International
- Sales Achievement Partner of the Year: Celebrity Cruises
- Innovative Marketing Solutions Partner of the Year: Virgin Voyages
- Contemporary Cruise Partner of the Year: Royal Caribbean International
- Premium Cruise Partner of the Year: Celebrity Cruises
- Luxury Cruise Partner of the Year: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Upper Premium Cruise Partner of the Year: Oceania Cruises
- Expedition Cruise Partner of the Year: Viking Cruises
- River Cruise Partner of the Year: AmaWaterways
- Tour Partner of the Year: Globus family of brands
- Luxury Land Partner of the Year: Tauck
- Car Rental Partner of the Year: Enterprise Mobility
- Airline Partner of the Year: Delta Air Lines
- Destination Partner of the Year: Tourism Australia
- Resort Partner of the Year: Sandals Resorts
- Hotel Partner of the Year: Four Seasons
NOW IN CANADA: SNAP BOOKING TOOL
Travel Leaders Network announced during EDGE 2024 that SNAP, its easy-to-use booking tool, will be made available to Canadian members starting July 2, 2024.
First launched in April 2024, SNAP has seen much success for its graphic interface, which gives non-GDS users the ability to quickly and efficiently book their clients’ travel while at the same time earn greater opportunities. It is exclusive to Travel Leaders Network and is powered by Sabre. Users of the tool need no specialized knowledge on how to use it, making it a great option for those new to the industry, or travel advisors who do not wish to use a GDS. With just a few clicks, advisors can prepare options for their clients with air, car and hotel.
Over 300 agencies and 3,000 advisors are currently live on SNAP, which has generated over $1 million in volume, with an average commission of $185 per air booking.
“SNAP is sophistication wrapped in simplicity,” said Seth Burton, Vice President, Distribution and Advisor Workflow at Internova Travel Group, TLN’s parent company. “With SNAP, travel advisors of all experience and skill levels have the chance to impress their clients and increase their earnings, providing TLN members with a truly competitive advantage.”
The SNAP team continues to refine the tool. In June, SNAP will release support for Traveler Profiles, which will allow advisors to build and store profiles, eliminating the need to type in passenger details for a repeated traveller. Also coming soon is a redesigned Checkout Page and Agent Dashboard.
Beginning July 2, travel advisors in Canada will gain access to SNAP for hotel and car rental bookings, with air capabilities to come in the future.
