TDC's Campus Training Program Sets Sail Aboard the Sun Princess

Transat Distribution Canada (TDC), Canada's largest network of travel professionals entirely Canadian-owned, brought together nearly 120 travel professionals, aboard the Sun Princess, Princess Cruises' newest ship, for a week of professional development focused on sales. The event, which took place from November 30 to December 7, brought together travel advisors from across the TDC network, numerous preferred suppliers, including cruise and land partners, expert sales trainers, and several members of the TDC team.

Immersive and hands-on training

For Sandra Wesson, Director of Products and Industry Relations at TDC, "The Sales Academy at Sea, an in-person version of TDC's exclusive training program, Campus, is unique. It is all three things at once: an intensive learning event, a one-stop shop for quality training, and a product immersion. Because there is no better way to sell a ship than to have experienced it yourself." She continues. "Participants receive highly practical sales training while experiencing the ship and life on board, which allows them to better guide their customers toward the right products. Of course, the days are busy. But since fun is important at TDC, we always set aside a little time for entertainment. It's truly the best of both worlds!"

Each day began with a custom sales training session, followed by partner presentations and hands-on workshops to apply the techniques discussed. Participants also had the opportunity to visit several popular ports of call, promoting networking and business development.

The premium and luxury market continues to grow

The 2025 edition of Campus's Sales Academy at sea also highlighted the strong growth of the premium and luxury segment in the cruise industry. According to Sandra Wesson, "the push that began a few years ago continues. She adds that "at TDC, the premium and luxury market occupies an important place, which is reflected in the number of preferred partners with whom we have agreements. River cruises still occupy a large share of sales at TDC, while in terms of destinations, we continue to see the strongest growth in Europe and the Mediterrannean."

Continuing education: a fundamental pillar at TDC

At TDC, commitment to continuing education is paramount. "In an industry as dynamic as travel, it is essential for a network to be at the forefront, offering its members a wide range of training options, and that's what we do through Campus," says Karine Gagnon, General Manager of TDC. "Whether it's online or in-person training — such as this Sales Academy—, for beginners, seasoned advisors, or aspiring managers, Campus ticks all the boxes and more. We know that continuous development is one of the most important factors in staff retention, which is why TDC invests in Campus every year. In fact, ten hours were added in 2025, for a total of 65 hours." She concludes that "immersive events like this Sales Academy at sea allow our advisors to develop their skills while creating valuable connections with our partners and their peers."