TravelOnly honours advisor excellence and supplier partnerships at 2026 TADA Awards

In an industry that has weathered geopolitical upheaval, labour disruptions, economic uncertainty, and rapid technological change, one thing was clear at the 2026 TravelOnly Advisor Distinguished Achievement (TADA) Awards: resilience, relationships and human connection remain the backbone of Canadian travel.

Held at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York in the palatial Imperial Room on Jan. 31, this year’s TADA Awards brought together 140 TravelOnly advisors, supplier partners, media, and industry leaders for an evening that celebrated not just sales performance, but vision, courage and community. 

“Tonight is all about you,” said Ann Luciani, TravelOnly’s co-founder, in her opening remarks.

 “Our travel associates are truly our greatest asset. The service you provide is unparalleled in today’s travel industry, and your dedication, professionalism and commitment to excellence have played a vital role in our success.”

Luciani emphasized that the TADA Awards represent more than recognition. “They are a testament to your passion, drive and the pride you take in your accomplishments,” she said.

“You consistently go above and beyond for your clients, ensuring journeys are not only seamless, but unforgettable.” 

Selling dreams, a family business

That sense of family carried through the evening, including remarks from Greg Luciani, TravelOnly’s president, who framed the company’s success as part of a larger industry evolution.

“TravelOnly isn’t just a company — it’s a family, and it’s a movement,” he told attendees. “We’re not just celebrating numbers or sales. We’re celebrating vision, passion and courage.”

He also referenced the words of his late father, Patrick Luciani, a foundational figure in the company’s history. 

“My dad always said, ‘We’re not selling travel, we’re selling dreams.’ And that still defines who we are.” 

In an era where technology has made travel increasingly transactional, Luciani stressed that advisors remain indispensable. 

“You’ve proven that people still crave connection, expertise and trust,” he said. “You’re building bridges across cultures, and that’s bigger than any of us.”

Honouring a lasting legacy

One of the most emotional moments of the evening came with the presentation of the Patrick Luciani Memorial Award, created to honour individuals who lead with kindness, inclusion and service.

“This award reflects who Patrick was,” said Gregory Luciani. 

“He made people feel seen, valued and appreciated. He approached life without bias, creating an environment of belonging.” 

This year’s recipient, Jennifer Arsenault, was recognized for embodying those values through her compassion, community leadership and commitment to others, qualities that remain central to TravelOnly’s culture. 

Longstanding partnerships

Supplier partnerships were another recurring theme, with speakers pointing to collaboration as a key part of navigating an unpredictable travel landscape.

Michael Sette, business development officer at TravelBrands, highlighted the longevity of the relationship between the two organizations. 

“TravelBrands is celebrating 70 years in the industry, and TravelOnly 52,” he said. “We’ve worked together for decades, built on trust, collaboration and mutual growth.” 

Sette detailed how agent feedback has shaped TravelBrands’ offerings, citing changes ranging from reduced air fees and enhanced loyalty programs to “white-glove booking,” “Tip & Toast TravelOnly community webinars,” expanded NDC fares, new booking efficiencies with Exoticca through Access Plus, and updates to loyalty redemption and tiering.

“We don’t just transact — we collaborate,” he said. “From the first conversation with a client to the moment they return home, that alignment is what makes this partnership work.”

‘TravelOnly took me under their wing’

Few speakers captured the personal side of partnership more directly than Erminia Gallina, director of sales at Air Canada Vacations (ACV), who credited TravelOnly with shaping her career. 

“When I started as a sales rep, the Luciani family took me under their wing,” Gallina said. “TravelOnly is one of the two accounts I can credit directly to my success in this industry.”

She described decades of shared growth, from early training initiatives to milestone events and supplier-advisor collaboration, and framed TravelOnly as extended family.

“Just one great partnership with the right person can have an incredible impact on your business,” she said. “TravelOnly was that partner for me, and we want ACV to be that partner for you.” 

Andrea Arkell, key account manager at ACV reinforced that message, emphasizing advisor-driven change, flexible support and shared empathy. 

“We’ve been in your shoes. We work odd hours, we’ve thrown stuff at our computers like you. And we listen, we adapt, and we’re here when things go wrong and when they go right.”

Thriving through change

Despite what Luciani described as an “insane” year marked by global disruption, TravelOnly closed 2025 with its strongest performance to date.

“We didn’t just survive — we thrived,” he said, crediting the network’s home-based, mobile model and its ability to stay deeply connected to clients. 

Technology, including TravelOnly’s proprietary AI-powered Lead Hive platform, has played a growing role, but always in service of people, not in place of them.

“AI is powerful,” Luciani said. “But without human connection, it’s nothing. We believe we’ve found the balance and we’re doubling down in 2026.”

With nearly 800 advisors and a measured growth strategy focused on quality over scale, TravelOnly is investing heavily in technology, marketing, human resources and global expansion.

“We’re building a network where advisors don’t just compete, they lead. The home-based market was nonexistent 25 years ago, and look at us today.”

“Our vision is bold,” Luciani said. “We want to be the most advisor-centric network in the country and beyond. Stay tuned for a big announcement on the human resources front as we bring in some heavy hitters to scale us up into a new stratosphere. The world is our oyster and we have global expansion ambitions.”

Looking ahead

As glasses were raised in celebration, the message was clear: the future of travel belongs to those who combine innovation, empathy, technology, and trust.

“Every advisor in this room has the power to transform lives. Their clients’, their communities’, and their own,” Luciani said. 

“And the best part is knowing our brightest days are still ahead.”

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