DON'T MISS WHAT WHAT AIR CANADA AND AIR CANADA VACATIONS EXECS HAD TO SAY TO OPEN JAW READERS AT ACVDREAMMAKERS:
Montreal took centre-stage as Air Canada Vacations, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge didn't just orchestrate a season launch party 20SEP; they prepared the re-launch of a dream everyone in travel has been waiting for for the past two years, to feel that we work in the most wonderful industry in the world.
The Centre Mont-Royal, where the launch party took place, was like a beehive of activity and energy as Air Canada Vacations’ first in-person event since the pandemic got underway. The ACV-AC family was joined by dozens of suppliers, hundreds of guests and 1500 web-spectators who watched the bilingual event live streamed online.
The evening began with the distribution of mojitos, Aeroplan points and information about promotions. The hundreds of media, consultants and agency representatives in attendance were then invited to meet with dozens of suppliers in attendance at a travel trade show that took place two floors up.
Cuba, Norwegian Cruise Line, Sandals and Beaches, Jamaica, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, AMR Collection, Royal Caribbean International, Hawaii and others were among the many suppliers and representatives present. It was a night to see and be seen. Even rival Transat had a joyful presence at the high-energy event.
Marco Gagnon, Director of Sales for Quebec and Atlantic for Air Canada Vacations, acted as master of ceremonies and distributor of good news for the presentation, which was live-streamed across the country.
"We are very happy to bring our industry together this great evening. We are hosting close to 500 advisors tonight, and close to 80 supplier representatives. We wanted to mark the launch of our season in a beautiful way," said Marco Gagnon to Open Jaw before taking the stage.
Executives from ACV and AC took turns providing their predictions and tips for the upcoming sun season of travel, under the slogan "make your dreams travel".
"Many of you will be joining us tonight, and from one end of Canada to the other. Along with our supplier partners, we hope to show you how Air Canada Vacations continues to rebuild our travel industry. We have done a phenomenal job and our goal is simple: to make travellers' dreams come true," said Nino Montagnese, Vice President of ACV.
"The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the travel industry. We have all shown determination and resolve and we couldn't be more excited and pleased to have the opportunity to look forward to brighter skies as we aim to go further, higher than ever in partnership with all of you," said Lucie Guillemette, Air Canada's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, during her remarks.
"Over the past year, we at Air Canada have been focused on preparing for this recovery. And Air Canada Vacations has worked hard to create programs, promotions and plans to support you, our valued partners, as we work together to make travel experiences memorable.
"We are also committed to the transformation path to continue to improve our self-service tools to enhance the experience with our call center.
We've done a lot to make sure you have all the tools you need to do your job," continued Guillemette.
"Also, we are seeing significant progress in flight delays and baggage handling, and we will continue to do so.
"Thank you for all you do, every day. And we wish you tremendous success for the winter season and beyond."
A pandemic... of prizes!
The evening ended with the distribution of gifts. A trip here, a stay there, and why not plane tickets with all that!
Air Canada Vacations and Air Canada had thought of everything. Two, four, five gift trips? Don't ask us how many. We lost count of all the people-pleasing treats and incentives that Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations provided to rev up the trade’s excitement for the first, post-pandemic sun season that everyone is hoping and expecting will finally turn over a new page for the travel industry.
Highlights of Air Canada Vacations’ #ACVDreamMakers Winter Product Launch
- Over 75 preferred partners
- 600 resorts
- 38 destinations
- Hundreds of cruise itineraries
- The return of ski trips
- Sunshine in the South (Sunshine Dreams digital brochure), mountains in Canada, seas against a backdrop of ocean liners, itineraries in Europe
- Groups: protection program allowing cancellation with full refund
- Weddings: addition of a private transfer for groups of 20 pax and more
- Car rentals in Europe: 13% commission
- Flights from 51 Canadian cities starting at $55
- Cruises: to support its cruise portfolio, ACV/AC is adding two new non-stop routes: Vancouver-Miami (3 flights per week starting 17DEC) and Montreal-New Orleans (4 flights per week starting 13FEB, 2023)
- Aeroplan: Until 30OCT, ACV is offering travellers an Aeroplan Bonus, allowing them to earn 10,000 Aeroplan points per couple when booking select flight and cruise packages to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.
