Transat's Winter Launch Lunch

with Nina Slawek

The Transat Holidays and Nolitours winter launch lunch was a mouthful. As with each new season, the operator invites senior trade partners to dine at a special Toronto foodie venue. This winter’s kick off took place at the elegant Rosewater Supper Club with a delicious 3 course luncheon.

Denise Heffron, V.P. National Sales & Commercial, set the tone for this week’s upcoming Transat results by underscoring that last year was a year of transition. Transat introduced new marketing initiatives, capacity systems and a new onboard product. “Now it’s time to leverage those changes into a profitable season with the support of our best partners,” she said.

Annick Guérard, G.M. for Transat Tours Canada, attended from Montreal and talked honestly about challenges on southern routes, and the operator’s analysis of all areas of business. “We took a look at ourselves. How we can differentiate ourselves. How we can be more creative and more professional. And investing in understanding the consumer so we can better meet their needs.”

“One result of the research is the Escapade Collection. Consumers have indicated they have little opportunity to taste the local flavour in destination. They want to connect with the country. Create memories. So we are offering that option,” Guérard added.

Another product innovation Guérard outlined is to align themselves more closely with the resorts and create relationships that go beyond rate negotiations. For instance, with Bahia Principe, the operator runs surveys on customer satisfaction and develops areas of product improvement.

Behind the scenes is always Transat’s strong commitment to sustainable tourism. They have taken a lead in this important segment and consider the footprint of all their actions.

When asked about FIT offerings and dynamic packaging developments in the Canadian market, Guérard indicated that Transat is looking at a hybrid proposition. “We are aware of the trend and looking at adopting it. In order to address changing consumer behaviour, we have to adapt. However, we need to ensure we have the systems in place."

In between courses, Nicole Bursey, Director, Sales, Ontario & Atlantic Canada, reviewed new destinations, EBB’s and their tremendous growth in group bookings (50% of which are weddings).

Demonstrating their determination to listen to their customers, Transat opened the floor to questions and comments from all in attendance and gave direct answers to even the stickiest of issues of late booking price matching and competitive product developments.

With all the kissing and hugging between Transat team members and their retail partners as we took our leave, it’s clear they struck a chord and have created some very strong relationships with the trade.