Members of Vancouver’s travel and tourism community are gathered at Vancouver’s waterfront Westin Bayshore Hotel for a celebratory evening as honoured guests of Air Canada’s Customer Appreciation Event.
Attendees representing travel agencies, community partners, and tourism associations mingle with Air Canada’s senior executives including President and CEO Michael Rousseau, whose presence at the event underlines the importance of the carrier’s pacific gateway.
Vincent Gauthier-Doré, Managing Director Canada and USA and Mexico, says that “tonight is a chance to show our industry partners in Vancouver and British Columbia how important they are to us. It’s a way to demonstrate our appreciation for them and to network with our team.”
As the second largest Trans Pacific gateway to Asia after San Francisco, Vancouver’s importance is reflected in Air Canada’s ongoing commitment to serving customers on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
Existing long-haul routes like Singapore, Tokyo and Bangkok (its longest direct non-stop flight at 16 hours) will be joined by a new route to Manila, Philippines, starting on April 2, 2025. The new Manila service is the third Southeast Asian destination that Air Canada has launched in the last two years. The impetus to grow the company into a truly international airline is supported by recent announcements of Air Canada’s intent to purchase 90 new airplanes over the next five years.
Timothy Liu, Managing Director, Sales Planning and Effectiveness at Air Canada, tells Open Jaw the company is very excited about the new route. For many, the Philippines remains an “undiscovered tourism destination, with an incredible culinary scene, amazing beaches, snorkelling, diving, and a multicultural mix that will excite travellers,” says Liu.
Both Liu and Gauthier-Doré touch on the value of maintaining personal connection with vital local partners, to promote and receive updates about new routes, products and services. “’We’re a 40,000+ employee company, but I find that we're a nimble organization as well,” remarks Gauthier-Doré. The feedback shared by travel agencies and partners flows upwards and “it comes to us and we act upon it.”
The company is constantly looking at bookings and monitoring feedback and changes in traveller behaviour. “Our business is connecting people,” says Liu. “We’ll be where the demand is, it’s as simple as that.”
