TORONTO — This year’s Travel Agent Day is different from past years, to say the least. But that hasn’t stopped tour operators, resorts, tourism boards and more from finding creative ways to say thank you to their valued agent partners.
See below for Travel Agent Day offers from the JTB, Sandals, ACV, Club Med and Windstar. More specials and shout-outs from Tourism Ireland, Royal Irish Tours, Riviera River Cruises, Serenade Punta Cana and more can be seen here.
JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD
The first 300 Canadian agents who register at www.visitjamaica.com/canada/
In addition to the Travel Agent Day giveaway, the JTB has been providing support to keep agents engaged and updated on the product during this period of uncertainty, including hosting a number of webinars and sponsored training sessions, virtual sales calls and weekly scavenger-hunt inspired trivia games.
SANDALS RESORTS
Sandals says it has made significant changes to its Travel Advisor programs to extend their gratitude and say a a heartfelt “thank you” to their agent partners amid COVID-19.
“Travel advisors have been unsung heroes during this pandemic spending countless hours taking care of clients. They were right in the middle of it, helping travellers rebook and most of all, assisting with the postponement of travel versus cancellations. Now more than ever, the team at Sandals and Beaches Resorts wants to showcase our love to our most valuable partners,” says Gary Sadler, Senior Vice President of Sales at Unique Vacations, Inc.
To lend its support, Sandals has adjusted the impacted specialized Travel Advisor programs to extend the following:
- Certified Sandals Specialist Status (CSS) – Current CSS status is extended through the end of 2021.
- Preferred Sandals Agency Status (PSA) – Current PSA Status is extended through the end of 2021.
- Chairman’s Royal Club Status – Chairman’s Royal Club members maintain their membership through 2021.
- Points 2 Paradise (P2P) – Points 2 Paradise 2019 and 2020 points are now extended until December 31, 2021
“Travel Advisors have been a part of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts family for nearly four decades and have been the lifeblood of the sales force. Our specialized programs were designed to help them stand out in the marketplace, and we will do whatever is necessary to ensure the program remains beneficial to all advisors,” says Sadler. “The team supports advisors today on National Travel Advisor Day and every single day – as they are fundamental to the success of the brand.”
Contact your local Sandals BDM or visit the Sandals Travel Agent Portal (https://taportal.sandals.com/
ACV
In celebration of Travel Agent Day, ACV is offering agents the opportunity to earn 2X ACV&ME points when booking a package or a group on all product lines for travel May 6, 2020 – April 30, 2021. ACV says the offer is valid on new bookings made May 6 – 31, 2020.
Points will be awarded as follows: 2X 500 points per room for flight-inclusive packages of 7 nights or more; 2X 500 points per room for flight-inclusive packages of 3 to 6 nights; 2X 500 points per 7 nights or more cruise and flight packages; 2X 200 points on every 3 to 7 night land or cruise-only booking; and 2X 300 points for every passenger of a group.
“I want to take a moment to thank our travel agent community for the trust they continue to put in us, and this is just a small token of our appreciation for their continued support during these unprecedented times,” said ACV’s Managing Director, Nino Montagnese.
Agents can consult their ACV&ME loyalty program account for more details and full terms and conditions. ACV&ME loyalty points can be redeemed for Aeroplan Miles, travel vouchers or Visa and instant gift cards.
CLUB MED
Club Med is celebrating Travel Agent Day with a month-long event, for the fifth year in a row.
Throughout the month of May, travel advisors are invited to join Club Med’s dedicated Facebook group for Canadian travel agents where fun and educational weekly challenges will be posted. Starting today, May 6, a new challenge will be unveiled every Wednesday for four weeks. Agents will have until the following Tuesday to participate and try to win cash rewards of $100. At the end of the four weeks, the advisors that participated in the most challenges will be entered into a draw for the grand prize: a spot at the opening event of the new Club Med Québec Charlevoix, set to open in December 2021.
“In this particular context, it is vitally important for us to thank and support the travel advisors. We take all opportunities to stay connected with our community of valued travel partners – even if only digitally, as we have had to adapt to the current reality – for the Travel Advisor Appreciation Month. We have always worked hand in hand and will continue to do so more than ever.” explains Jacinda Lowry, National Sales Director.
WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar says it is making a major change to its travel agent commission policy as well as announcing the return of a favourite promotion for travel advisors, in honour of Travel Agent Day.
Effective immediately, Windstar is changing its Travel Assurance Booking Policy to pay agent commissions on all future cruise credits, recognizing that far more cruises have been cancelled than in the past. The policy allows clients to cancel their cruise up to 15 days prior to departure and receive a 100% future cruise credit to be used on all sailings through Dec. 31, 2021.
Windstar is also announcing the return of its most popular promotion for travel advisors, the ‘Sell 3, Sail Free’ program, starting May 18. To qualify agents must sell three staterooms, and once fully deposited, the advisor (and a guest) sail for free on a cruise departing by April 30, 2021. Agents will be confirmed 60 days out based on availability and will pay only taxes, fees, and port expenses, plus gratuities. More details are at https://advisorhub.
