MONTREAL — Annick Guérard, President and General Manager of Transat Tours Canada, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Transat A.T., effective Nov. 1.

In her new role, Guérard will head all of Transat’s travel operations, including the Air Transat business unit. Development of Transat’s future hotel company will continue to be overseen directly by Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Guérard first joined the Transat team in 2002, serving several senior management posts involving operations, customer service, marketing, e-commerce and product development.

“Annick Guérard’s appointment to this new position marks a major step forward for the company. This is a new generation that is finally getting ready to take over the controls,” said Eustache. “During her 15 years at Transat, Annick has acquired in-depth knowledge of the workings of the company and of the tourism and airline industries. Her past five years heading our tour operating and distribution activities have prepared her well for her new duties. In her new role, Annick will use her vision and leadership qualities, as well as her passion for customer service and operational efficiency to build Transat’s successful future over the years to come.”

In other Transat news, the company’s Surprise Dates contest is back with its penultimate edition. Every booking of a Transat product made today by midnight automatically earns travel agents a chance to win one of the three monthly trips that will be drawn at random in these three regions: Quebec-Ottawa, Ontario-Atlantic and Western Canada.

The three winners will each enjoy a package for two, including Air Transat flights in Economy class and a one-week, all-inclusive stay at one of the following IBEROSTAR resorts: IBEROSTAR Punta Cana in the D.R., IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Beach in Jamaica, and IBEROSTAR Paraíso Beach in the Mayan Riviera.

In addition, two other travel agents per region who have booked a Transat product today will be selected at random to earn $30 in Bonbon rewards. The names of the winners will be announced in the coming days.

No need to register, contest is automatic as soon as agents sell a Transat flight, package or cruise during the day.

Transat’s Surprise Dates contest commemorates the company’s 30th anniversary on dates that are significant to its history. On Oct. 11, 2016, Transat launched its newest advertising campaign and slogan, ‘Vacation is Calling’ across a variety of media.