Team Transat Holidays: Meghan Miller, Vicki Hughes,Ingrid Lopez, Susan Kooiman, Nicole Bursey, Allana Haines
John Coletta, Travel Away Inc.
Nicholas Hourdakis, Alderam Resorts
Michael Haner, Autobus Incoming (Switzerland)
Juan Carlos Munoz Sanchez, Embassy of Spain Tourism Section
The show room at Liberty Grand
Team Transat Holidays was in top form last week hosting its annual Europe Caravan at Toronto's Liberty Grand. Playing up the World Cup theme, members of the sales team, groups department, customer care centre and Transat Discoveries all sported Euro jerseys and were ready for action.
An estimated 250 agents came out to meet with 50 of Transat’s European supplier partners, including hotels, cruise lines, car rental companies and tourist boards. "We want to give the agents a chance to not only hear what we have to say, but to mingle with European suppliers that they might not have access to," said Nicole Bursey Directory of Sales, Ontario & Atlantic Canada.
This event was also an opportunity for agents to learn about the various promotions and product offerings that Transat Holidays provides. “We want to get more agents into selling land”, added Bursey. “They already support us very much with air… we now want them to be familiar with coach tours, cruises and hotel packages.”
According to some very interesting statistics mentioned by Bursey during the formal presentation portion of the evening, Europe travel is indeed important business to go after. “57% [of Canadian travellers] go back more than once in 3 years… and 35% stay for 7-13 days. This is no longer a once in a lifetime trip and can be as mainstream as the Caribbean.”
Top destinations for Canadians in 2013 were France, the U.K., Italy, Greece and Spain. “There were 300,000 Canadian visitors in 2013”, said Juan Carlos Munoz Sanchez, Embassy of Spain Tourism Section. “They come for culture, gastronomy, climate, everything!” New to the Transat Holidays European portfolio in 2014 is Prague in the Czech Republic.
Along with the reps from the above mentioned popular destinations, lesser knowns were not to be missed. From Swizerland, was Michael Haner with Autobus-Incoming, a coach touring company offering city and special interest tours, group packages, full day excursions and more. Nicholas Hourdakis from Alderam Resorts in Greece said, “Canada is a growing market. It’s not as big as Europe because of proximity, but we want to see more Canadians.”
When making bookings, Bursey wants agents to take note that the sale should not end at the flight. “33% of travellers book accommodations, 38% book hotels, 11% book excursions and 32% rent a car. If we don’t provide these options, they [clients] will go elsewhere.” Agents must keep in touch so they are the 1st point of contact when clients are looking to add these components to their trip.
Transat Holidays recognizes the value of travel agents. Armed with expertise, personalized service and trust, Transat Holidays believes in itself to be a great match for agents, providing a variety of destinations and product choices. John Coletta of Travel Away Inc. would agree. “They’re helpful and flexible. They’ve always got great information and put on a good show.”
