Travel Agent Month roundup: discounts, prizes, contests & more!
The travel industry is giving travel advisors around the world a collective applause today (May 3) to mark Travel Agent Day, an annual day of recognition that takes place on the first Wednesday of May.
Travel Agent Day was founded by Colleen Lorenzen of Uniglobe Carefree Travel in Saskatoon, Sask, in 2011. (Click here to join the official Facebook page).
Since then, the day has evolved into a globally-recognized event, lasting an entire month, bringing together travel pros from all corners of the industry.
Travel advisors and agencies, throughout time, and especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, have proven themselves to be a resilient and resourceful force.
Here’s how suppliers and tourism boards are celebrating the travel trade this month.
Air Canada
Each week Air Canada’s travel advisor partners 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. See aircanada.com/taam for more details.
Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations is launching a month-long event, You Mean the World To Us #ACVDreammakers, which aims to honour our Travel Agent Community with amazing prize giveaways and offers.
Until May 31, 2023, book any package for your clients with Air Canada Vacations and get 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 Air Canada Vacations serves.
The winners will be announced on June 15, 2023. The more you book, the better your chances!
Every package booking made between May 3-31, 2023 for travel between May 3, 2023, and December 31, 2024, will be considered as one entry.
The travel agent appreciation celebration continues with 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, 2023, to December 18, 2023.
The Air Canada Vacations’ 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 the Travel Agent Community is available to view on the Facebook Inner Circle.
Agents can join the closed Facebook here.
African Travel, Inc.
Starting May 1, 2023, advisors will earn a booking incentive for each new custom safari (excluding specials, Classic Safari Vacation Packages, and groups) booked May 1, 2023-December 15, 2024, payable the month of their client’s travel. Plus, advisors will receive up to 15% commission on land safaris.
Also, 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.
African Travel is also encouraging advisors to sign up to their African Travel Specialist program.
Upon signing up, advisors have access to marketing and event support, educational trips, new client amenities, the Agent Academy, and the new ATI summer webinar series.
To receive the travel discount advisors must be registered for the program and complete the Academy courses before travel.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is celebrating travel advisors in 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.
And, all travel advisors attending Webinar Wednesdays throughout the month 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.
Whether new to the travel industry or a veteran travel advisor, the May Webinar Wednesdays, held each week at 10:30am Pacific / 1:30pm Eastern, will provide attendees with tools to grow their river cruise sales with AmaWaterways.
Travel partners can register for the special sessions via the links below or visit AmaWaterways Travel Advisor Portal:
- May 3 : Travel Advisor Appreciation Month: Tips and Tools You Can Use
- May 10 : Ten Themed Group to Grow Your Group Business
- May 17 : The AmaWaterways Difference
- May 24 : Exclusive Experiences With AmaWaterways
- May 31 : Getting the Most from our Website and Your TA Portal
Canada Jetlines
This month, Canada Jetlines, in collaboration with PAX, will be giving away two return tickets for a travel agent and a guest on Canada Jetlines’ network. Stay tuned for details!
CIE Tours
This May, CIE Tours has promotions featuring savings for travel advisors and their clients on a variety of tours to Ireland and beyond.
To celebrate Travel Advisor 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. 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 between August 1-December 31, 2023.
From May 6-10, 2023, travellers can aksi save up to $900 per couple on all 2023 Ireland guided vacations. Guests can choose from 17 different Ireland itineraries ranging from seven days to two weeks and explore iconic sights such as the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, and Blarney Castle. For more information, click here. https://www.cietours.com/offers/magical-ireland.
Celebrity Cruises
Honouring the essential role of travel advisors, Celebrity is offering exclusive incentives and up to $70,000 in cash prizes.
The 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 $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 favourite 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 $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, click here.
Collette
Throughout travel agent month, Collette will be giving away trips and other prizes to advisors.
Each advisor who secures at least two bookings from May 1, 2023 to June 30, 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%.
Jamaica Tourist Board & Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA)
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is investing in the success of Canada’s hard-working retail travel community.
Destination Jamaica has partnered with the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) to offer a free Business Building Workshop series for travel agents from May 9 to 11, with special daily prize giveaways from Royalton Negril Resort, DeCameron Club Caribbean and Secrets St. James Resort.
The Business Building Workshop series comprises three hour-long virtual professional development sessions hosted by travel industry expert and TV host Sandra McLemore.
As the founder and CEO of Travel Marketing Media Inc., McLemore is an experienced business coach who has helped more than 42,000 travel industry professionals succeed in their careers.
Hosted on May 9, 10 and 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT, each unique workshop session is designed to provide advisors with actionable tactics to implement in their business right away.
Retail agents will gain valuable knowledge on how to streamline their business operations, attract new clients and increase revenue.
Agents participating in the workshops will also be invited to enter a special daily prize giveaway for a chance to experience Jamaica in person at one of the island’s top resorts.
Following each educational seminar, one winning attendee will receive an all-inclusive, three-night stay for two from one of three prize partners: Royalton Negril Resort, DeCameron Club Caribbean and Secrets St. James Resort.
Click here for more info. Agents can also register for Jamaica’s Business Building Workshop series and prize giveaway here.
Globus Family of Brands
Globus family of brands has launched a special booking incentive: in addition to the company’s discount and incentive offerings, to recognize agents, Globus began gifting advisors a $150 gift card for every Globus or Avalon Waterways booking made between mid-April and May 17, 2023.”
In addition to enjoying this limited-time incentive for new bookings made for Globus and Avalon Waterways, travel advisors are also privy to sell more, earn more and travel more with the Globus family of brands’ Travel Advisor Discount Program.
And, for those advisors riding the river cruise wave by becoming an Avalon Waterways Specialist, the company offers access to Suite Rewards – a program that provides them the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary FAM to enjoy Cruising Elevated, first-hand, while unlocking the secrets to small-ship cruising and sales success.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts
Karisma Hotels & Resorts is introducing of a travel agent advisory board, weekly scavenger hunts with prizes, incentives for new bookings, and seminars taking place throughout the month.
The new board, known as the Compass Committee, will provide insight on key initiatives to help shape business decisions.
The hand-selected committee will be 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 opened 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 here.
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 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 between May 15 to 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.
Playa Hotels & Resorts
Agents can receive double the points for new registered bookings made May 1 – May 5, 2023.
Porter Airlines
Porter still has discounted airfare for approved travel advisors and one guest.
The special fares are $75 (for PorterClassic) and $100 (for PorterReserve) for all markets to and from Toronto Pearson airport (YYZ) on board the airline’s new Embraer E195. (Prices do not include taxes and fees).
Travel and sale dates are from now until June 28 and there are four blackout dates: Easter (April 6 and 11), Victoria Day (May 19 and 23).
The offer is not applicable on itineraries that include a partner airline flight segment.
Agents that are interested in booking can email here.
Royal Irish Tours
Royal Irish Tours is giving away gift cards for all bookings made during the week of May 1 – 5, 2023.
For every new booking made, agents will receive a very Canadian gift – a $10 Tim Horton’s card!
On top of this, all advisors who make a booking in the month of May will be added to a draw to win the grand prize of an eight-day familiarization trip to Ireland or Scotland in 2023/24.
If you have multiple bookings in the month, you will have multiple entries into the draw.
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
Sandals & Beaches Resorts has enhanced its limited-time bonus incentive with a chance for agents to earn up to US$200 in cold hard cash!
For any new bookings of six nights or longer made directly with Unique Vacations Inc. between May 4 – May 31, 2023 (for travel now through December 26, 2023), travel advisors will be eligible for an additional CASH incentive.
Agent can contact their local Sandals BDM or visit the Sandals Travel Advisor Portal for more details.
- US$75 Bonus on Luxury/Deluxe Rooms
- US$100 Bonus on Club/Concierge Rooms
- US$150 Bonus on Butler/Love Nest Butler Suites
- PLUS an additional US$50 cash bonus on all bookings
Scenic Group Canada
Scenic Group Canada is celebrating with CAD $100 and $200 gift cards and giveaways of free luxury river and ocean cruises.
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 each line 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 guest will be able to 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 on March 13, 2024.
The winners will be chosen at random from all the entries–so the more bookings, the more chances.
Applicable bookings include all 2023 and 2024 European river sailings and 2023, 2024 and 2025 (thru May, 2025) Southeast Asia river cruises; and all 2023, 2024 and 2025 ocean sailings – for both brands.
Silversea Cruises
When travel advisors make a new confirmed Silversea booking on any expedition cruise during the months of May and June, they will automatically be entered into a weekly prize draw for a chance to win a gift card. One winner will be selected for each week in May and June.
In addition, with the introduction of kicker commissions in early 2023, Silversea’s travel advisors have even more opportunities to earn.
The cruise line is offering an extra 1% kicker commission on all expedition cruises, an extra 1% kicker commission on all new-to-brand guests, and an extra 1% kicker commission an all new-to-repeat guests (guests who book for a second time with Silversea through the same agency). This gives travel advisors the opportunity to increase their commission by up to two extra commission points.
Concurrent with Travel Partner Appreciation Month, Silversea has a limited-time Suite Upgrades promotion for new bookings made by May 31, 2023.
Available with door-to-door all-Inclusive fares on select voyages departing before May 31, 2024, the offer provides the following:
Up to a two-category suite upgrade on select voyages, for selected suite categories
USD 1,000 shipboard credit per suite
Plus, Silversea’s door-to-door all-inclusive fares feature a refundable, reduced 15% deposit and price guarantee, as well as private executive transfers between home and airport, international flights and Business Class upgrades, and in-country air and hotels when required by the itinerary, as well as airport transfers and luggage handling.
Guests may use their USD 1,000 per suite shipboard credit for spa treatments, specialty restaurants, premium wines and spirits, optional shore excursions—including curated S.A.L.T. experiences to immerse travelers even deeper into each destination and its culture—onboard boutique purchases, laundry services, and more.
Travel partners can find complete details on the incentive campaign—as well as information on Silversea’s Reduced Rate Program for travel advisors, and more—by going here.
Sunwing
Sunwing is offer ingagents 2X STAR Points on all vacation package bookings made on Travel Agent Appreciation Day this year, May 3, 2023 (not combinable with other offers), plus the chance to win a seven-night all inclusive vacation for two at the beautiful, adults only Royalton CHIC Cancun on all new individual client and group bookings made between May 3, 2023 and May 31, 2023!
The contest giveaway includes airfare and transfers for travel between May 4, 2023 and October 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, 2023 and May 31, 2023 for travel by December 15, 2023, as part of Sunwing’s Partner of the Month promotion with Hyatt Inclusive Collection.
Plus, another exciting chance to win a seven-night stay at either Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa or Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya! Their clients also have a chance to win, plus access to reduced rates on their favourite destinations, like Cancun.
Agents can also earn 12% commission on eligible Cayo Largo bookings made between May 2, 2023 and May 31, 2023 when travelling between May 5, 2023 and October 27, 2023.
Samantha Taylor, Sunwing’s chief marketing officer, had the following video message to share:
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
It will be hosting several upcoming educational webinars including:
- Attractions Across the Island of Ireland – May 10, 2023, at 12:00 pm EST
- Flavours of Ireland – June 7, 2023, at 12:00 pm EST
- Explore Northern Ireland – June 28, 2023, at 12:00 pm EST
Sign up for monthly e-zines to receive a registration link for upcoming webinars.
Tourism Ireland recently launched their new brand campaign, featuring celebrities from award winning TV shows ‘Derry Girls’ and ‘Bad Sisters,” and have 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 including The Ireland Specialist Program, IrelandsContentPool.com – Content Library, 45K+ video and images free to use, Ireland Insiders Facebook Group – exclusive to travel agents.
WestJet
On May 1, WestJet launched several offers and promotions including:
- A five-week contest, where each week we’re giving away a different WestJet or WestJet Vacations prize pack;
- A promo code exclusive to travel agents (for their personal use);
- An extension on the travel-by date for our travel agent discount rate (can be used for both WestJet and WestJet Vacations bookings); and
- 2% bonus commission on WestJet Vacations bookings.
All the contest and offer details are available on the travel agent resource site here.
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