TORONTO — One of the best-known and well-respected brands in the Canadian travel industry, Uniglobe has been going from strength to strength in this market as Uniglobe Travel (Canada).

Travelweek connected with Dean Dacko, Uniglobe Regional President, to find out the essentials of Uniglobeʻs success, what its members are advising clients about travel in 2025, and strategies for the future. Read on for this Q&A …

Q. Itʻs been two years since you acquired Uniglobe West to create Uniglobe Travel Canada. How has it worked out?

Dacko: “The creation of Uniglobe Travel {Canada) has been an incredible success! The joining of Uniglobe East with Uniglobe West brought together the strengths of both individual organizations to present Uniglobe Travel (Canada) as the largest and most successful franchise travel agency network in Canada. Our national presence and identity allows us to contract with all of our suppliers on a national basis to deliver a higher level of sales efficiency, and much greater value for all of our participating agencies.

“All of our resources and support programs are deployed nationally which provides consistency that amplifies our brand from coast to coast.  We are proudly the only 100% Canadian owned global travel agency network of our size.”

Q. What has attracted so many new agencies to join Uniglobe?

Dacko: “Uniglobe Travel (Canada) has developed a unique ʻvalue propositionʻ that has attracted agencies of all sizes and character to join our network from locations all across the country. Our support programs are designed and delivered to allow our member agencies the ability to increase their revenues from their existing business, but importantly provides the resources (technology and marketing) to expand while mitigating operational costs that makes them more competitive and profitable. Since the pandemic we have more than tripled the size of our network.”

Q. What are you hearing from travel advisors as 2025 travel bookings get an unpredictable start, and what advice is Uniglobe giving its members?

Dacko: “The travel market continues to evolve as suppliers, primarily airlines look to reshape the historic distribution platforms to promote their unique brand value, while controlling their costs.

“Geopolitical events internationally, and recently in the U.S. have affected consumer consideration of certain destinations, but as yet has not dramatically altered demand for travel in general. These are the two main issues that our agencies are currently facing.

“We provide all of our agencies with the travel distribution technology options and tools, training, and support to adapt to the changing transaction environment, while leveraging our significant inventory of commercially attractive product options to attract and satisfy our customers.”

Q. Uniglobe has been in business for an incredible 44 years, with no doubt many more to come. What is the secret to the companyʻs longevity?

Dacko: “For over 44 years the Uniglobe Travel brand has represented exceptional quality, value, flexibility, and trust. We continue to live by these propositions each and every day!

“The products and services that we promote and sell are of the highest quality available in the market. The value proposition we provide to our agencies is unrivalled, supported by the flexibility to maintain the individual agency identity, and their own operational independence.

“Finally, and most importantly our success has been anchored by the trust we have developed with our members by operating transparently and ethically to deliver the value our members expect and earn.”

Q. What is your strategy for continued success in the future?

Dacko: “Our objective is to continue to grow and expand our footprint in Canada by attracting more and more agencies to join and prosper with us. We continue to broaden the structure of our organization by adding new products, resources, and support team beyond our traditional corporate travel base. We recently launched our national ʻCruise Deskʻ to support the growth of cruise product sales by all of our agencies in Canada.

“Cruises are the fastest growing, and highest revenue generating travel products in the market, and through our cruise desk we provide all of the resources to promote and secure revenues at the highest ROI in the market.

“The success of our organization is driven by the achievements of our members. By fostering the growth and prosperity of our members, we directly enhance the overall success of Uniglobe Travel (Canada).”

More information about Uniglobe Travel (Canada) can be found at Uniglobe.ca