Air Canada Vacations kicked off its #ACVDreamMakers Sun Collection product launch tour in Halifax, NS 06SEP to a full house. Open Jaw joined the celebration along with 300 travel advisors from Atlantic Canada and 60 ACV supplier partners.
“As we come together to host our new collection, I’d like to also celebrate the spirit of adventure that lives within each of us.” Ana Paula De Souza, Director Sales at ACV who emceed and opened the event. “Let's take the opportunity to create lasting memories, to build new connections with new cultures."
The evening began with a trade show featuring destination booths from destinations including Barbados, Grenada, Fort Myers, Portugal and Cuba, and title sponsors Sandals and Bahia Principe, as well as World of Hyatt who sponsored the Caribbean inspired catering.
ACV’s latest addition to its cruise offering, MSC, was on hand as well. It's the 13th cruise line offered in the collection. Norwegian Cruise Line provided the opening entertainment for the night, a local dance group that took the audience by surprise as they blended among the agents and stood up from their chairs before dancing their way through the aisles to take the stage.
Air Canada Vacations' senior management team, including Erminia Nigro, GM Sales ACV Ontario & Atlantic Canada and Judy Munden, Area Sales Manager Atlantic Canada, presented the latest ACV product updates and new tools available to travel advisors.
One example is the second edition of the Sun Travel Agent Toolkit, which accompanies the digital e-brochure that can be scanned by QR Code. The toolkit gives advisors an easy-to-follow product list at their fingertips and at-a-glance overview of the benefits of ACV CareFree and CareFlex plans, flight schedules, hotel destinations, cruise itineraries and car rentals.
Beginning JAN 2024, ACV will also launch its first Europe version of the Agent Toolkit.
Looking Forward
Announced at the event was the soon-to-be-launched Groups tool that will allow advisors to instantly quote group packages on the online platform. The self-serve options will generate quotes for up to five different itineraries and three hotels. The new tool allows advisors to set reminders, upload and sign contracts, make payments, and update name changes.
In addition, ACV will introduce a Group Care travel protection plan. Available for CAD $49/passenger, Group Care applies to groups of up to 30 passengers, allowing them to cancel for a full refund or make penalty-free changes up to 60 days prior to departure.
In addition, as of 06SEP, ACV CareFree and CareFlex travel protection plans will now include Sandals & Beaches resorts, although the fine print of the toolkit has not yet been updated to reflect that change yet.
For those who sell winter sports getaways within Canada and Switzerland, ACV has added Ski Vacation packages to its product line and offers a promotion to save $600 per couple when booked before 29OCT.
When it comes to enhanced customer service, ACV has developed a new digital destination service in the form of a QR Code that can be scanned on arrival at destination with essential travel information. The link will act as a centralized hub of information to include local destination manager contacts, emergency contacts, destination information, promotions with local tour operators, and even - timeshare warnings! The service also links the passengers with their return transfer pick up times for a seamless experience.
Expanded Product Offerings
Air Canada Vacations reminded the assembled trade that it is not only sun and beaches. The operator's tagline: “Dream Bigger, See The World” is about celebrating all the destinations they offer, including Europe, Asia, South Pacific, USA and Canada that allow advisors to book vacations for their clients as demand grows for luxury travel and experiences.
Luxury Growth
ACV emphasized the increased demand for luxury travel, including business class air and upgraded hotels and cruise products. Erminia Nigro, GM Ontario & Atlantic Canada explained, “We’re trying to meet with the demand out there. Air Canada Vacations is expanding in Europe in 2024, with a lot more tours, not only in the summer months, but also in the winter, to popular countries like Portugal and Italy.”
The Hali-facts
Starting DEC until the end of APR, AC has added three nonstop flights to PUJ and CUN from YHZ.
YHZ PUJ operates Tues, Thurs, Sat
YHZ CUN operates Wed, Fri, Sun
Air Canada continues to offer multiple USA direct flights to MCO, TPA, BOS, EWR as well as YHZ to Europe: nonstop to FRA (seasonal) and LHR (daily).
Independent Support @Home
As Open Jaw reported earlier this year, ACV@Home was successfully launched with the first ever Masterclass Training program to Independent Advisors, led by Krista Rothfuchs. The program is designed to provide dedicated support, resources, marketing tools and training in English and French to home based advisors.
Product Launches
Additional tour dates and locations are as follows:
- 12SEPT, 2023: Vancouver, British Columbia
- 14SEPT, 2023: Edmonton, Alberta
- 19SEPT, 2023: Montreal, Quebec
- 21SEPT, 2023: Toronto, Ontario
