TORONTO — Special incentives, promotions and prize giveaways are everywhere today – and in some cases all this month – in celebration of Travel Agent Day.
Here’s a roundup of more than a dozen Travel Agent Day offers and special messages from airlines, tour operators, cruise lines and more.
ACTA
ACTA is commemorating Travel Agent Day this year with a series of events that will help travel advisors de-stress and recover from the pressures of the pandemic.
Noting how many advisors have had to put personal finances on the line and work overtime over the past three years, the organization will be hosting a Health & Wellness session on Travel Agent Day.
Led by ACTA and Dr. Erin Watson, a trained trauma expert and educators with over 20 years of experience developing and leading psycho-educational programs, the online session will teach advisors how to work through the collective trauma of the pandemic, how to practice sustainable self-care without feeling selfish of compromising work, and how to re-engage with a job they love and find fulfillment and joy again.
The session takes place Wed. May 3, from 3 – 4 p.m. To register click here.
Travel advisors who register and participate in the health and wellness session will be eligible for the Travel Agent Day grand prize, which includes air for two courtesy of Air Canada and a four-night stay for two at the new Sandals Dunn’s River Resort, Jamaica, courtesy of Sandals Resorts.
In addition, on May 9, 10 and 11, ACTA, in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board, will be offering three 1-hour online sessions with travel industry expert and TV host Sandra McLemore who will share sustainable business practices. These ‘Business Building Workshops’ will highlight how to declutter your business space and make room for revenue-generating activities, as well as smart prospecting and client retention strategies that will lead to productive lead generation.
Those who register for and participate in the Business Building Workshops will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and a $250 VIA Rail travel voucher.
To register for the workshops click here.
All travel advisors are welcome to attend these sessions as part of Travel Agent Day celebrations, however, non-ACTA members are asked to consider joining ACTA or make a contribution to ACTA’s advocacy fund. To join ACTA go to https://www.acta.ca/membership. To make a contribution go to https://www.acta.ca/advocacy-fund.
AFRICAN TRAVEL INC.
Travel advisors who book with African Travel Inc., part of The Travel Corporation (TTC), can earn a booking incentive for each new custom safari (excluding specials, Classic Safari Vacation Packages, and groups). The incentive applies to bookings May 1, 2023 – Dec. 15, 2024, payable the month of their client’s travel. Plus, advisors will receive up to 15% commission on land safaris.
Also, travel advisors can travel to Africa and receive savings of up to 30% for themselves and a travel companion. When they have five plus bookings, advisors can travel with three guests.
“This National Travel Advisor Day, we celebrate our valued advisors and appreciate their expertise and hard work. We want to thank those advisors who book with us and join our African Travel Specialist program with great booking incentives and effective selling tools to help make 2023 a roaring success,” says Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel, Inc. “Africa is in demand and we look forward to warmly welcoming our advisor community members to experience Africa either by visiting the continent or exploring in our new Summer Webinar Series,” he adds.
For more details visit www.africantravelinc.com/advisor
AIR CANADA
Each week Air Canada’s travel advisor partners will have a chance to win prizes. “Successfully complete some fun trivia questions and you will be entered for a chance to win!” says the airline. Check out aircanada.com/taam for more details.
AIR CANADA VACATIONS
In celebration of Travel Agent Day, ACV is launching a month-long event, You Mean the World To Us #ACVDreammakers, featuring prize giveaways and offers.
“The You Mean the World To Us campaign is an idea that was created as a team,” said Ana Paula De Souza, ACV’s Director of Sales. “I am so passionate about this as it summarizes exactly how we feel about our travel agents. Throughout the years, travel agents have showed their resiliency and it’s time for us to give back. Their success truly is our success, and we are dedicated to showing our commitment to our travel advisors.”
Until May 31, 2023, agents who book any package with ACV have a chance to win a trip for two to anywhere Air Canada flies. The prize includes roundtrip economy tickets for one agent plus a companion and includes a $2,000 accommodation voucher to anywhere that ACV serves. The winners will be announced on June 15, 2023. The more bookings, the better the chances of winning. Every package booking made May 3 – 31, 2023 for travel May 3, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2024, will be considered one entry.
“Our travel agents really do mean the world to us,” said Elish Tait, Area Sales Manager. “They are our biggest advocates and we wanted to offer a prize that really honours their commitment to the industry and their support of Air Canada Vacations. I’m super excited that we are running this prize giveaway to show our appreciation through the entire month of May!”
ACV is also offering a Travel Agent Personal Travel Discount, an exclusive 20% discount for agents to use for their personal travel. The agent discount will be applicable to packages to Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe throughout the month of May with a travel window of May 3 – Dec. 18, 2023. ACV’s Sales team will be hitting the road throughout the month of May to promote its event and give continued thanks to partners for their support. The personal message showing their appreciation and love to ACV’s Travel Agent Community is available to view on their Facebook Inner Circle. Agents can join the closed Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2340931489528715
AMAWATERWAYS
AmaWaterways is celebrating Travel Advisor Appreciation throughout the month of May by announcing seven new Seminar on the River cruises hosted by Business Development Managers as well as an early opening of 20 FAM cruises on dates extending until November.
As a special thank you, all travel advisors attending AmaWaterways’ Webinar Wednesdays throughout the month of May will be entered into a weekly draw to win a European or Mekong river cruise for two.
In addition, on June 7, a balcony stateroom will be given away to one travel advisor who attended all five sessions. Travel partners will also benefit from a special Sell Three Sail Free incentive, giving them the opportunity to earn a free cruise to travel this year after making three new FIT reservations on any 2023 sailing
Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president of AmaWaterways and Alex Pinelo, senior vice president of sales, shared details about this year’s rewards and incentives in an exclusive video, available here.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity Cruises is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week on May 7 – 13, 2023 by turning the national holiday into Travel Advisor Appreciation Month.
Honoring the essential role of travel advisors, Celebrity is offering exclusive incentives and up to $70,000 in cash prizes.
These exclusive incentives include …
- 2X Europe $60K Giveaway Entries: Earn double entries for Celebrity’s $60,000 cash giveaway for each 2023 Celebrity Europe booking made through May 13, 2023.
- Double Reward Points: Earn double rewards points for bookings made between May 2-13, 2023, on any Celebrity sailing through April 30, 2025.
- Engage & Win Giveaway – $1,000 Gift Card: Engage with Celebrity Cruises across various channels for their chance to win one of five US$1,000 gift cards. Fill out a survey to be automatically registered to win. Advisors will receive additional entries for each channel that they are already signed up for or choose to newly sign up for. These include Celebrity Rewards, CruisingPower.com and Celebrity Learning.
- You’re the Celebrity Contest – $500 Gift Card: Now through May 23, 2023, advisors can share their favorite Celebrity Cruises moment and tag both their Sales Manager and the new travel advisor Facebook page (@TheCelebrityCommitment) for a chance at being one of ten winners of a US$500 gift card. Call 1-800-327-2056 or visit the ‘Contact Us’ page once logged in to www.CruisingPower.com to identify your Sales Manager.
For full Terms & Conditions on the Travel Appreciation Month offers, visit https://www.thecelebritycommitment.com/terms-conditions/.
CIE TOURS
CIE Tours is offering three promotions featuring savings for travel advisors and their clients on a variety of tours to Ireland and beyond. To celebrate Travel Agent Day on May 3, CIE Tours is launching 50% off the land portion of any Ireland-only guided vacation for travel advisors, plus 30% off for a companion sharing the same room. The deal is available May 3 – 17, 2023. Travel advisors must submit booking requests via CIE Tours’ Travel Agent Appreciation Request Form. The promotion is valid on travel departures Aug. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. CIE also has savings for travellers – check out https://www.cietours.com/offers/magical-ireland – as well as a special offer for current and retired military, law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), teachers and nurses – see https://www.cietours.com/offers/those-who-serve.
COLLETTE
Collette will be giving away trips and other prizes to advisors for Travel Advisor Appreciation Month this May.
Each advisor who secures at least two Collette bookings from May 1 – June 30, 2023, for departures through 2023, will earn a $50 incentive.
Plus, the three advisors who secure the most bookings in the month of May will earn even more. The top booking advisor will win a free Spotlight tour of their choosing. Second and third place will win $2,000 and $1,000 travel vouchers respectively.
The winners will be announced on May 31, 2023.
Though May marks the official month for celebration, Collette thanks its advisors year-round. Each advisors receives a 50% discount on tours, with companions receiving 25%.
“Our advisors are so important to us at Collette,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, president and chief customer experience officer at Collette. “We’re happy to give back to them, not only throughout May but also year-round, with some fantastic perks.”
Collette’s incentives will be calculated and paid within 30 days after the booking period for the incentive ends. A booking is defined as a minimum of two full-paying passengers in a double room or a single passenger in a single room. In order to qualify for the $50 agent incentive, a minimum of two active and deposited bookings must be secured for travel in 2023. In order to qualify for the Trip giveaway, $2000 or $1,000 incentives, a minimum of three active and deposited bookings must be secured for travel in 2023.
Qualified bookings must be active and under deposit at time of calculation and all payments are payable per agent. Bookings cannot be combined with other agency bookings. Not applicable on group bookings. Not valid on existing bookings. Other restrictions may apply. Agents are asked to call Collette for details.
Collette also notes that advanced commission payments are valid on new retail bookings and are not applicable for group bookings. The advanced commission payment will be made the month following deposit. Commission advancement amount will be deducted from remaining commissions due following travel.
EXODUS TRAVELS
In honour of Travel Agent Appreciation Month, Exodus Travels is celebrating the positive impact of tourism by trading ‘Books for Bookings’ in support of the Ou River Book Boat. Based in Nong Kiaw, Laos, the Book Boat serves 44 villages along the Ou River by delivering a regular supply of books, school supplies, educational games, and basic hygiene provisions such as soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes to rural villages that are mostly inaccessible by road.
For every booking made in the month of May, Exodus will make a donation in each booking agent’s name to Baraka Community Partnerships to fund this incredible initiative.
“Here at Exodus, we believe in the transformative power of travel, and our partners in the agent community play a large role in helping us succeed,” says Sasha Andrews, Director of Industry Sales at Exodus Travels.
For anyone interested in making a further, tax deductible contribution towards this cause, or to find out other ways to help, click here (Baraka is a registered charity in Canada). For more information on Exodus’ partnership with Baraka in a variety of communities, including Laos, Zambia, and Morocco, click here.
GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS
The Globus family of brands has launched a special booking incentive that rewards agents with $150 gift cards.
For every Globus or Avalon Waterways bookings made between mid-April and May 17, 2023, travel agents will earn a $150 gift card in recognition of all their hard work throughout the pandemic.
“Travel’s comeback is well underway and we have our travel advisor partners to thank for it,” said Carla Brake, director of sales for the Globus family of brands. “To show our gratitude and to celebrate the advisor community across Canada and all they’ve done to bring travellers back to the world, we added a booking bonus to our already robust incentive program. These bonus gift cards are a small gesture to encourage – and toast – big bookings for 2023 and 2024.”
In addition to this limited-time incentive, travel agents can sell more, earn more and travel more with the company’s Travel Advisor Discount Program. And for those who become an Avalon Waterways Specialist, the company also offers access to Suite Rewards, a program that provides the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary fam. For more information go to www.agentlingo.ca.
KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS
May is Travel Agent Appreciation Month, and Karisma Hotels & Resorts is celebrating all month long with the introduction of a travel agent advisory board, weekly scavenger hunts with prizes, incentives for new bookings, and seminars taking place throughout the month.
In an effort to elevate the voices of the agent community, Karisma’s travel agent advisory board, known as the Compass Committee, will provide valuable insight on key initiatives to help shape business decisions.
This hand-selected committee, composed of agents, agency owners, and key executives, will receive first-hand looks at new product development and innovation across the portfolio and participate in quarterly online meetings and annual on-site events.
Applications open May 3 and a maximum of 15 people will be selected to serve on this year’s board. Full-time accredited Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants (GIVC) and Gourmet Inclusive (GI) Rewards agents and agency owners are invited to apply using this link, www.taadvisoryboard.com. To be considered, agents must be enrolled and active in Karisma’s Gourmet Inclusive travel agent programs – GIVC or GI Rewards. Entries will close on May 30, 2023, and the committee selections will be announced on June 15, 2023.
Virtual scavenger hunts will also occur each week, and participating agents can win a $250 gift card. The scavenger hunt questionnaire will be distributed weekly via email, closing each Friday at midnight. Each questionnaire will focus on different brands within the Karisma Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Those who complete all four scavenger hunts will also be entered to win a $1000 gift card grand prize.
As an added incentive, new bookings made for Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts and the Margaritaville brand between May 1 – July 31 for travel May 15 – Dec. 15, 2023, will receive Double Gourmet Inclusive points when registered by the agent in their account via Karisma’s travel agent portal.
Additionally, live in-person seminars will occur throughout the month of May focusing on updates to the Karisma portfolio, to include Summer of SpongeBob at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts and Summer of Music at Margaritaville Island Reserve Resorts. Each week, Karisma will surprise attending agents in a select city with a three-night trip for two to a Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana, Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun, or Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya, opening on June 1, 2023.
For more information or to sign up for a seminar, agents can visit taadvisoryboard.com/seminars/.
ROYAL IRISH TOURS
Royal Irish Tours (RIT) is celebrating Travel Agent Day this year with gift cards – a lot of them.
The tour operator will be giving away $10 Tim Hortons gift cards for all bookings made the week of May 1-5, 2023 in honour of Travel Agent Day, which this year takes place on May 3.
In addition, all agents who make a booking during the month of May will be added to a draw to win the grand prize of an eight-day FAM trip to Ireland or Scotland in 2023-2024. Multiple bookings in the month means multiple entries into the draw.
“The majority of our business comes from our amazing Canadian travel advisors, and we are so appreciative of all their support since 2001. We are so grateful and thankful for our partnership and this month is a chance to celebrate all their great work!” said Jonathan Sargeant, Director of Sales, RIT.
Royal Irish Tours’ season kicked off on April 18 with its first Ireland coach tour of the year. Scotland, England and Wales tours launch this week.
On the season ahead, Conor Duffy, Vice President, said: “It’s our first full season since 2019 and it is amazing to have so many tours sold out or almost full again. I just want to thank our great partners in Canada – we really appreciate everything you do for your clients, especially those you send to Ireland and the UK with us.”
For more information email info@ritvacations.com or call 1-866-907-8687.
SCENIC GROUP CANADA
Gift cards and cruise giveaways are up for grabs as part of Scenic Group Canada’s Travel Agent Day celebrations.
To reward travel advisors for all their hard work, the company is commemorating Travel Agent Day, which this year takes place on May 3, with $100 and $200 gift cards as well as giveaways of free luxury river and ocean cruises.
New deposited bookings made between May 1-31, 2023 will earn travel advisors a $100 gift card per cabin for river cruises, and $200 for ocean cruises – on top of their commissions.
For every booking, they will also receive one entry in the ‘Win a Free Cruise’ contest for one of four cruise giveaways.
For river bookings, one winner will be chosen for Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises each, so they and their guest can choose to sail on select 2024 Rhine, Main or Danube itineraries.
For ocean bookings, one Emerald Cruises winner and their guest will enjoy the eight-day Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths cruise on the luxury yacht Emerald Azzurra, departing March 30, 2024. The Scenic winner and their guest will board the ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse for the nine-day Uruguay & Brazil Uncovered adventure, departing March 13, 2024. The winners will be chosen at random from all entries. The more bookings, the more chances of winning.
Applicable bookings include all 2023 and 2024 European river sailings; 2023, 2024 and 2025 (through May 2025) Southeast Asia river cruises; and all 2023, 2024 and 2025 ocean sailings – for both brands.
For more information go to www.scenic.ca or www.emeraldcruises.ca, call (866) 689-8611, or email info@scenic.ca.
SUNWING
Sunwing is wishing its trusted travel advisors and the community at large a very Happy Travel Agent Appreciation Day. “We thank them for their ongoing dedication and collaboration in making our mutual customers’ vacation dreams come true!” said the company.
In appreciation and gratitude, Sunwing is offering agents 2X STAR Points on all vacation package bookings made today, May 3, 2023 (not combinable with other offers), plus the chance to win a seven-night all-inclusive vacation for two at the adults-only Royalton CHIC Cancun on all new individual client and group bookings made May 3 – 31, 2023. The contest giveaway includes airfare and transfers for travel May 4 – Oct. 31, 2023, and the winner will be contacted directly.
Travel agents can also take advantage of a number of Sunwing offers this May for themselves and their clients. Agents can earn 5X STAR Points on all eligible bookings at Dreams Resorts & Spas and Secrets Resorts & Spas properties made between May 2 – 31, 2023 for travel by Dec. 15, 2023, as part of Sunwing’s Partner of the Month promotion with Hyatt Inclusive Collection. There’s also a chance to win a seven-night stay at either Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa or Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya.
Sunwing also notes that agents can earn 12% commission on eligible Cayo Largo bookings made between May 2 – 31, 2023 for travel May 5 – Oct. 27, 2023.
“Happy Travel Agent Appreciation Day, the recognition is well deserved,” says Sunwing.
Sam Taylor, Sunwing’s Chief Marketing Officer, sends Travel Agent Day greetings to travel advisors in this video message.
TICO
TICO is fully aware of just how hard Ontario travel agents have worked throughout the pandemic. Calling their passion and dedication for providing exception service and consumer protection “truly commendable,” the organization is extending its gratitude to agents for all that they do.
To mark Travel Agent Day, TICO is releasing the results of its latest Ontario consumer poll surveying travel intentions and other topics. The report can be viewed here.
Travel advisors can also download shareable resources in TICO’s Registrant Toolkit here.
“It has been a challenging three years for the travel industry, but Ontario’s travel agents have proven their expertise, professionalism and commitment to their clients day after day,” said CEO Richard Smart. “Travel agents are an integral part of Ontario’s travel consumer protection framework and play a vital role in ensuring consumers have added peace of mind as they purchase travel.”
TOURISM IRELAND
Tourism Ireland is celebrating travel agents across Canada for their continued support and partnership in showcasing the island of Ireland to their clients.
“Travel agents are undeniably important in our business, and we would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and express our gratitude to all our partners across the country. Their continued engagement and passion for the Emerald Isle is evident as business is back – thanks largely in part to our travel trade urging travelLers to Fill their Heart with Ireland and book their trip in 2023,” said Sandra Moffatt, Manager, Tourism Ireland, Canada. “We are here to offer the support and resources advisors need to sell the island of Ireland to their clients and look forward to extending our famous warm Irish welcome to travelers to our shores this year.”
Tourism Ireland will be hosting several upcoming educational webinars, including:
- Attractions Across the Island of Ireland – May 10, 2023, at 12 p.m. EST
- Flavours of Ireland – June 7, 2023, at 12 p.m. EST
- Explore Northern Ireland – June 28, 2023, at 12 p.m. EST
Agents can also sign up for monthly e-zines to receive a registration link for upcoming webinars.
Tourism Ireland recently launched its new brand campaign, featuring celebrities from award winning TV shows ‘Derry Girls’ and ‘Bad Sisters’. Tourism Ireland also offers a free toolkit of promotional material available with social media posts, images, videos, e-cards, gifs, and more to assist advisors in the promotion of Ireland to their clients, as well as a wide range of supports.
TOURRADAR
TourRadar has announced a new incentive program to celebrate Travel Advisor Appreciation Month in May. To recognize the hard work of travel agents, TourRadar is giving away organized adventures to Peru, Italy, and any destination provided by Europamundo to three winners.
Throughout the month of May, there are many ways an agent can be entered to win. Among those who qualify:
- Any new agent who registers on TourRadar.com/agents
- A current agent who logs in during the month of May
- Registered agents who attend one of TourRadar’s hosted webinars in May
- Any agent who refers two other agents to register on the TourRadar Agent Portal
- Any new or current agent who follows TourRadar on the TourRadar Agent Facebook page and TourRadar Instagram @TourRadar
- In addition, the first 50 new agents who place their first booking will receive a USD$100 cash bonus.
“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our travel advisors, and we want to show our gratitude by giving them a chance to experience the world on our organized adventures,” said Travis Pittman, CEO and co-founder of TourRadar. “We hope this appreciation month will inspire our agents to continue doing what they love and encourage them to share their passion for travel with others.”
The winners will have the opportunity to explore the wonders of these beautiful countries with expert guides and immerse themselves in the local cultures. Full terms and conditions are available here. Participating in the giveaway are three operators, Europamundo, Trexperience, and Omega Tours who are all trusted partners that sell on the TourRadar platform.
TourRadar offers 50,000+ adventures in more than 160 countries worldwide, and the Adventure Booking Platform’s user-friendly interface and technology allows agents to browse, compare, and book tours for clients while providing access to exclusive deals, insider knowledge, and 24/7 customer support. The company now has 5,000 travel agents on the platform.
To participate in the program, travel agents must be registered with TourRadar and make bookings May 1 – 31, 2023. For more information on the program and to register as a TourRadar travel agent, visit www.tourradar.com/agents.
