Canada Celebrates Travel Agent Day, ACTA to Court Consumers
by Andrew Sheivachman /The Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA) today is celebrating Travel Agent Day 2015 with the release of a new set of promotional materials aimed at appealing to Canadian consumers.
With the launch of a consumer website at bookwithatravelagent.ca, ACTA president David McCaig hopes to highlight the services offered by Canada’s passionate travel agency community.
“All my staff are out making calls at agencies, and there’s quite a bit of good networking going on with suppliers in Canada,” McCaig told Travel Market Report about the organization’s efforts to showcase travel agents and get them excited about Travel Agent Day.
Awareness is up
McCaig believes Canadian consumers are beginning to understand that, after a few tough years, agents are once again a force.
“Very recently a major survey announced that the recognition of ACTA has gone up significantly in Canada form five or ten years ago,” he said.
Travel Agent Day, which is celebrated the first Wednesday of every May, is just another opportunity for agents to stress the professionalism they bring to travel selling.
“We’re very pleased that the perception of travel agent professionalism is on the rise; this is what ACTA does,” said McCaig.
“We have many many clients that go to the ACTA website to find if an agent is an ACTA agent, because they only trust ACTA members to book their travel.”
‘Why I use a travel agent’
WestJet is holding a “Why I use a travel agent” contest, encouraging agents to have their clients write in about why they use a travel professional.
The airline is offering a pair of tickets for both agent and client who submit the winning entry to the contest at contest@acta.ca.
“WestJet has a long-standing relationship with travel agent partners across Canada and beyond, and we credit them with fully supporting us through a 19-year history together," Lyell Farquharson, WestJet vice president of sales and business development, said in a news release.
"As part of ACTA's consumer facing website, we can continue to work toward making WestJet a value and experience-based choice for travel professionals in recognition of the important part travel agents play."
Travel agent ethos
In honor of Travel Agent Day, Travel Market Report asked members of the Canadian travel agency community why they are so dedicated to serving their clients.
“I am a travel agent, therefore I am; in other words, there’s a reason that I exist,” said Tony Fragapane, founder of Voyages Concierge Deluxe Travel in Montreal.
“I exist to give peace of mind, to help people plan their vacations or business trips, to advise people of documents required for their trips, how long these documents need to be effective for, what to be aware of during your trip, and—if they encounter problems—who to call to name a few services I provide.
“I provide service by being available at all times, and ensuring a safe return. My knowledge and travel experience has a value that can only be offered if you use my service.”
The cruise angle
At Expedia Cruise Ship Centers in Vancouver, president Matthew Eichhorst said agents are especially important in selling cruises.
"In the cruise industry especially, where new ships, destinations and amenities are being added all the time, travel agents are more important than ever," said Eichhorst.
"The success of our business has been built on our promise to navigate spectacular vacation experiences - and without our incredible Vacation Consultants who guide their customers into the perfect cruise for them, I'm certain those experiences would fall short of spectacular," he added.
Agents as advocates
The rights of the consumer, in a world where companies and crooks try to get the best of them, are also a paramount concern of the Canadian travel agent, according to Norm Payne, a senior travel agent with Custom Travel Solutions in Ottawa.
“One needs to be a tenacious advocate, defender and champion for traveler's rights, because unfortunately there are people who will take your client's money and try to bamboozle them, and you, when things aren't delivered as promised,” Payne said.
“That's when you must show your teeth to good effect for prompt justice and recompense [for your client]”.
Travel: Promoting education and peace
For agents like Payne, the profession of travel agent is also critical to creating a more educated and peaceful planet.
“The more people travel the world, the more they see and experience other cultures and lands, the more open minded and wondrous they become,” said Payne.
“The more other cultures and lands see us the more the effect is multiplied, and the more that happens, justice, peace, love, understanding, acceptance, and prosperity will prevail around the globe.”