Jeff Element, President, The Travel Corporation (Canada) with Edward Hollo, SkyTeam Manager, Specialty & Agency Sales
The marquee on the Castlefield Event Theatre
Ray Surette, New Wave Travel; Vicky Zaltsman, YYZ Travel; Joyce Hanney & Norm Feferman, New Wave Travel
The sultry tango performance
The 20 members of the SkyTeam Alliance invited their top agency friends and supporters to celebrate their partnership this week at a reception at North Toronto’s Castlefield Event Theatre.
The theatre’s beautiful central bar is often the magnet for such a gathering. Although the libations were flowing freely, guests gravitated toward the large reception area to hear what the alliance’s members have been co-ordinating to enhance their shared passengers’ overall customer experience.
Schiphol-based Edward Hollo, Manager, Specialty & Agency Sales for SkyTeam, hosted the evening and invited guests to enjoy the geographically themed buffet stations featuring Asian, European and North American food stylings. Edward admitted it was a bit of a challenge to decide on what to feature for the North American offerings... sliders and hot dogs seemed to do the trick though.
Streamlining and organizing increased value for passengers whose travels intersect with the services of 20 different carriers is no mean feat, but SkyTeam is proud of the effort they have put into such an unwieldy task... as well as with the results.
In addition to the expected shared frequent flyer program benefits and SkyPriority service for baggage, transfers and boarding , wherever possible the alliance is also offering streamlined security and passport handling, as well as access to dedicated or co-branded lounges. SkyPriority enhancements are available to Elite Plus, First & Business class passengers.
Edward also outlined SkyTeam’s offerings to help international travellers save on round the world journeys as well as regional rtw rates including special multi-segment options within Asia. They are also ready and willing to set up contracts for special fares to help agents with corporate accounts that organize large-scale international meetings.
And to drive home the wide ranging international nature of the SkyTeam members, we were all treated to dance performances from a Masai warriors performance courtesy of KQ to a very sultry Tango lesson on behalf of UX and AR.
