“Access to the world”: TravelBrands Agent Appreciation occasion unpacks tech, instruments & revenue recommendations

“Our good results has been many thanks to your exceptional assistance,” stated Nathalie Tanious, president and CEO of TravelBrands, an H.I.S.-Red Label Vacations enterprise.  “Through thick and slim, you’ve got been with us, you’ve supported us, and you’ve got grown with us. We want to guarantee we constantly give you excellence”

That information established the tone for the Toronto quit of TravelBrands’ Agent Appreciation celebration series, which welcomed additional than 550 journey advisors and 91 suppliers Tuesday night (April 9) at Paramount EventSpace in Vaughan, ON.

The go-go-go gathering – one of two totally-booked events going on this 7 days, the second edition unfolds tonight (April 10) in Montreal – featured a shoulder-to-shoulder trade present, travel giveaways, education opportunities and corporation updates.

Tying it all together is TravelBrands’ promise to enhance shopper company for the trade by way of new technological know-how and equipment.

“I love to say that we have all the solutions in the environment, but if we really don’t provide you the customer support you have earned, [then] we have practically nothing,” stated Tanious, standing on a phase, addressing a ballroom comprehensive of travel professionals – some of whom travelled good distances to go to.

Go through More: “We’re in a fantastic put”: TravelBrands’ Nathalie Tanious talks tech, developments & good strategies

Every thing TravelBrands is accomplishing (and programs to do) is linked to the overarching theme of offering journey advisors “Entry To The World” (all those really phrases appeared on stage past night time in glowing letters).

TravelBrands sells a variety travel solutions, such as flights, inns, cruises, attractions, rail passes, auto rentals and a lot more.

“We know some of you only feel of us for air, some of you imagine of us for cruise or Fit offers, but the reality is, we are that company that can be your 1-stop shop,” explained Bruce Lidberg, director of income for Western Canada and Ontario, addressing the room. “No make any difference what variety of customer you have, or variety of vacation they’re searching for, we can do it for you.”

Lidberg, alongside Lina Côté, director of profits for Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Ontario, reviewed some of the new services TravelBrands is rolling out – some of which have now been implemented.

Obtain favourable fares on GiGi

For starters, upgrades have been manufactured to TravelBrands’ air consolidation system, GiGi, which now involves a calculator that agents can use to increase up airfare costs and screen variations.

In addition to calculating favourable fares for shoppers, agents can use GiGi to electronic mail documents and itineraries. It also assists purchasers when they have to have assist.

To get the place throughout, TravelBrands set up a “GiGi room” very last night exactly where developers were on hand to walk agents through the method and solution inquiries.

GiGi aims to simplify an agents’ workflow, so “definitely use it as a selling function,” Côté informed the audience.

“It’s peace of thoughts for you when providing, and for your customers, figuring out that it gives aid all throughout a family vacation,” she explained.

GiGi, which comfortable released last yr, is just one particular product on TravelBrands’ checklist of tech updates.

Past yr, the company launched a new and enhanced Entry+ platform, which debuted enhancements such as a lodge lookup widget, dynamic fly and drive deals, the integration of loyalty points, river cruise reserving selections, and a redesigned dashboard.

Access+ now has a “fly and drive” attribute that lets agents to book air and vehicle in a single transaction, and TravelBrands is including getaway rentals – a merchandise that is “gaining in level of popularity,” Lidberg observed.

To enhance its toolbox, TravelBrands is also reintroducing 24/7 services so brokers can transform to a crew if something in their bookings go awry.

Fraud avoidance

Lidberg reviewed a new fraud prevention tool that agents can uncover on Access+.

A pink “Fraud Check” button has been additional to the “My Bookings” web page that will prompt a display requesting information (these as credit rating card and consumer information and facts) about a particular file.

The device will then display screen a score, outlining the likelihood of fraud developing, Lidberg reported.

“No instrument is foolproof, but this is just anything added to aid you,” he stated.

Cruise is “booming”

When it came to time to communicate about TravelBrands Encore Cruises, a extensive-time wholesaler in Canada, Lidberg disclosed that cruise gross sales are up 27 for each cent this 12 months.

“If you happen to be not marketing cruises, you have obtained to start out executing it since it is booming out there,” Lidberg explained to the viewers.

A single development TravelBrands is observing with its cruise sales is more bookings with air bundled, which Lidberg credited to the company’s air-sea defense system.

This is a ensure to customers that should they encounter a flight cancellation, delay or disruption, and they simply cannot get to their cruise, that TravelBrands will stage in and get them there (or at least to their next port).  

“The very best factor is, there is no extra charge for that. It’s all involved,” Lidberg reported.

The organization is introducing far more “cheat sheets,” rate charts and PDFs to its cruise system to support agents.

But what’s making a splash at Encore ideal now, Lidberg shared, are the distinctive provides. “These are what you need to have to be examining out,” he explained.

Every Monday, TravelBrands’ cruise tab is up-to-date with two to three pages of unique presents “that you’re only heading to get if you book through Encore,” Lidberg reported.

The provides can be just about anything from discounted fares and onboard credits to upgrades and commission incentives, he mentioned.

Lidberg also spilled a “little secret” – Encore Cruises has added close friends and household, and vacation agent costs.

“Check it out,” Lidberg told the home. “You’re likely to uncover 50, 60 to 70 per cent in price savings. These are all cruises and cabins that we blocked a long, extended time back. If you assess it to pricing in the current market ideal now, you could be saving your clients 50 for every cent.”

“Tremendous growth” at Exotik Journeys

One more TravelBrands merchandise that’s succeeding is Exotik Journeys, which models tailor made holiday vacation encounters in locations all over the planet.

“We’re seeing incredible expansion nationally, [including] right here in Ontario,” Côté explained.

The method, which has included a new perform for exceptional departures, performs right with vacation advisors on itineraries from commence to complete, Côté spelled out.

Even now lively is Exotik Journeys’ Choose a Journey PERK marketing campaign, which presents vacation benefits solely for individuals booking pick Exotik products as a result of their travel agency of decision.

On now right until April 30, 2024, the campaign makes it possible for travellers to enhance their vacation with freebies, these as Quality Lounge passes, room upgrades, and even cooking classes in find destinations.

The race is on

Capping off the night was the launch of TravelBrands’ “Amazing Agent Race” promo, an incentive aimed at recognizing and satisfying prime performers.

The organization claims its top-offering agent through the month of April (right up until April 26, 2024) will acquire a grand prize of one million Loyalty Benefits points (which has a price of $10,000, Côté shared).

The next-area winner will safe roundtrip airfare with Air Canada, while the 3rd-place winner will acquire a $500 long run vacation voucher.

The winners will be declared on May possibly 1, 2024, in celebration of Travel Agent Day. 

“We believe that this initiative will not only incentivize excellence but also foster a sense of pleasure and celebration inside of the vacation agent group,” said Tanious previously.

“Launching ‘The Amazing Agent Race’ through our Agent Appreciation Occasions was a strategic final decision aimed at harnessing the newfound momentum amid attendees, more solidifying our motivation to their achievements.”

TravelBrands’ second Agent Appreciation Celebration requires location tonight (April 10) in Montreal at Plaza Centre-Ville.

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