Travel Agent Day 2015
On Travel Agent Day, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) released a consumer facing website bookwithatravelagent.ca as part of ACTA's marketing toolkit initiative to promote the value of booking with a Travel Agent. Those who visit this website will learn why "Without a Travel Agent...You're on Your own!" Bookwithatravelagent.ca offers a contest, good advice, helpful travel tips and fun stories for travellers planning or embarking on their next vacation. Across Canada ACTA celebrated Travel Agent Day with their members. Thank you to all travel agents for their extraordinary work and professionalism.
In Quebec...
We visited ACTA member agencies by visiting and wishing them a great day. Those who received a visit were offered treats that were personally delivered by Manon Martel Regional Manager and ACTA Executive Board Member, Monique Audet.
Following the visits, Manon Martel invited ACTA members to finish the day at the Auberge l ’Oasis in Saint-Eustache for a cocktail party that included wine tasting and was followed by a presentation by ACTA, and a tour of Hôtellerie Champêtre. Many draws were presented to the participants and guests were invited to use the spa and outdoor bath, free of charge. For those who wanted to spend the night, the Auberge Oasis offered a special rate for the agents present at the Travel Agent Day event.
In Alberta..
Coordinated by Barbara Sutherland, Regional Manager, ACTA had council and memebrs (15 in total) hit the streets on Travel Agents Day to work together to say "Thank You" to agents across the Province. Over 100 agencies were covered including agencies in: Edson, Olds, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Nanton, Vulcan, Okotoks, Ponoka, Lacombe, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail and of course Edmonton and Calgary. About 400 agents were visited in an effort to make their day special. Goodies and a card were left to let them know how much we appreciate the work they do. Special thanks to our fantastic team.
(ACTA )Anthony Tonkinson-Chair of the ACTA Alberta Council | Barbara Sutherland | Dave Heron | Dawn Gremm | Joel Hollingsworth (Arrow Limousine) Paul Richard (Chateau Lacombe) Joel Hollingsworth (Contiki) Sheena Rosentreter (Manulife) Greg Duhaime | Sharon Kramer | Robin Thompson (Paul Gauguin) Vicky Lubyk (Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort) Sharon Wilson (Sandals) Tanya Idzan (Trafalgar Tours) Jordan Rachey (Varscona Hotel) Pat Smth
In Ontario...
Travel Agent Day in Ontario was marked with visits to ACTA member agencies in Kingston, Belleville, and Toronto. ACTA Regional Manager Ontario, Fiona Bowen visited a total of 14 agencies over a couple of days and she promoted the ACTA member toolkit and delivered boxes of chocolates to celebrate the special day! The 4th Annual Travel Agent Day was a great success and we look forward to next year’s event!
Left: Maritime Travel, Kingston – Heather McDonald CTC, Anne Routhier, Josie Baker, and Donna Richardson
Left: Merit Travel, Kingston – Lise Coughlan
Right: Carlson Wagonlit Travel Head office, Toronto – David McCaig, Elizabeth Ardito, Fiona Bowen
In BC...
Marlene Brown, Regional manager picked the downtown Vancouver area to visit about 5-7 agencies. Marlene went in armed with treats and ACTA toolkit items for all the staff.
In Manitoba...
Region Manager Shelley Morris visited Visited over 10 agencies on Travel Agent Day Travel Agent Day. Below, Irene Neustaedter (ACTA MB Council member) and Brigitta Voth from Around the World in 80 Ways with the agency’s official greeter (DOG – Director of Greetings) (with the flowers that Brigitta received for being the “Best Travel Agent” – OK, they were from her husband, but that still counts)
In Saskatchewan...
Region Manager Shelley Morris visited Uniglobe Carefree Travel and talked to Colleen Lorenzen about Travel Agent Day. Colleen came up with the idea and launched it four years ago and it’s amazing to see how one person’s initiative has caught on. Each year, more and more suppliers get on board and take the opportunity to recognize their travel agency partners. Colleen is the manpower behind the Travel Agent Day Facebook page which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/TravelAgentDay. Add your Travel Agent Day stories to the site!
Right: Jamie Milton (owner and ACTA SK Council member), ACTA Region Manager Shelley Morris and Colleen Lorenzen (founder of Travel Agent Day)
In Atlantic Canada...
Lorie Cohen-Hackett, Regional manager made member visits. Lorie went in armed with treats and ACTA toolkit items for all the staff.