Top TRAVELSAVERS Canada agencies discover South America during Elite Retreat

As South America rises as an in-demand destination, the top TRAVELSAVERS Canada agencies experienced its culture and sights during their recent Elite Retreat.

The agency owners cruised from Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo October 27 to November 3 on board a private charter of the Atlas World Navigator in recognition of their sales success, according to a press release.

The cruise highlighted some of Brazil and Uruguay’s top destinations at a time when traveller interest in South America is growing.

The continent’s tourism market is worth $320 billion and is projected to grow by four per cent a year until 2032, according to Future Market Insights.

As well, ocean cruising continues its unabated popularity among clients of TRAVELSAVERS Canada affiliated agencies, with sales up 14 per cent from 2023.

A TRAVELSAVERS Canada survey found that two of 2024’s top trends are off-the-beaten-path travel to exotic destinations and authentic travel. From cosmopolitan cities to historic towns, the Elite advisors enjoyed immersive experiences throughout Brazil and Uruguay. In the resort town of Buzios, they enjoyed a day at a celebrated beach club, with a local barbecue lunch and high-energy music.

The former gold rush town of Paraty offered colonial charm and lush natural scenery. Ilhabela and Punta del Este are renowned as tropical paradises, which provided opportunities for water sports as well as pure relaxation.

As culinary travel soars in demand as a way to sample the flavour of a destination, the advisors mingled on board with a special guest: Brazil native Luciana Berry, a former Top Chef winner. Berry conducted food tastings and cooking demonstrations that brought alive the exotic flavours and ingredients of Brazilian cuisine with creative flair.

Deeper connections

"We were thrilled to bring our top-performing agencies together for this one-of-a-kind retreat as interest in South America continues to rise," said Jane Clementino, SVP and general manager of TRAVELSAVERS Canada, in a release. "Not only did we celebrate our advisors’ outstanding achievements, but we also offered them firsthand insights into highly sought-after destinations. This retreat allowed advisors to deepen connections with our preferred partners and uncover new ways to enhance the exceptional travel experiences they design for their clients."

TRAVELSAVERS Canada chartered the small-ship yacht exclusively for the event, which was an ideal venue for building all-important bonds between advisors and preferred partners.

During 1:1 meetings, advisors discovered the latest product and trend developments from suppliers.

The itinerary also offered many opportunities for informal networking, including tours, hands-on experiences and evening events, which included a Carnival-themed tropical barbecue party poolside.

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