Carla Brake, Cris David and
David Unrath
Claire-Jayne Seller
Jeff Element, President, The Travel Corporation
Agents and guests listening to the presentations
Insight Vacations is currently in the home stretch of a cross Canada Travel Showcase, which by the end, will have visited 18 cities spanning Moncton to Victoria. The event is an opportunity for reps and travel partners to share their own insights on how to make your clients’ next vacation a trip of a lifetime, as well as touch on some highlights for the upcoming 2014 season.
Open Jaw caught up with the show during its Toronto stop, which took place at the Old Mill Inn, where 100+ agents and their preferred clients were invited to enjoy some refreshments and apps during the informative presentations.
Although their escorted journeys through Africa, Asia and North America are not to be overlooked, Insight's focus and specialty is Europe where tours cover a lot of ground - 45 of 46 countries!
Scotland and Ireland were the # 1 destinations for Canadians in 2013 and promise to be popular again next year. One of the biggest draws for Canadians to Scotland according to Claire-Jayne Seller, Marketing Manager for Visit Scotland, is ancestral tourism. Interesting to note is that 25% of Canadians can trace Scottish roots, and for those inclined to do the research, the country has the oldest preserved records of birth, marriage and death, dating back 700 years. For those wanting to partake in a bit of culture and entertainment, Scotland will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and Homecoming, and will celebrate the 700 year anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.
Insight Vacations prides itself on being a premier luxury operator. One doesn't gain such stature without first knowing what the main ingredients are in providing high quality vacations. The audience listened intently as Cris David, Insight’s President, Canada outlined these key points, which include picking the right destination, staying in the right place, choosing the right journey and participating in programs that include "story moments", such as learning to make wine with the locals. Last but not least, David reminded the audience that all this, after all, is a vacation. Clients shouldn't have to worry about reservations or transfers or luggage. "Insight is with you all the way" to take care of the details.
Quality service isn't possible without quality people, and those that Insight employs are definitely impassioned. Paris based Tour Director Michael Unrath, who was participating in the Eastern leg of the Showcase asked the audience, "Who here wakes up every morning saying, 'I love my job!' He went on to answer, “Well, I do!" Having the opportunity to share his passion for travel and to lead groups through some of the most historic and beautiful regions in Europe… it's really no wonder. Unrath did warn, however, that his 14 day Italian Escapade tour which includes a trip to the Italian Lakes won't guarantee a glimpse of George Clooney at his Lake Como home, but on the upside, does guarantee instant access to The Vatican. Impressive!
