'Picture yourself here': Transat Holidays, Nolitours sun academies underway

It was a full house for Transat Holidays and Nolitours' Sun training academy in Toronto last night, with more than 300 travel agents on-hand for the trade show and dinner presentation.

Transat teams across the country have been hosting similar events, which continue into the following weeks, educating partners on new and evolving product. More than 5,300 agents across Canada are expected to attend the shows.

Last night's theme was 'Picture Yourself Here,' meant to highlight the tour operators' various Collections available to suit specific needs of different travellers.

Nicole Bursey, ‎commercial director, Ontario & Atlantic Canada at Transat Tours Canada, enlightened attendees to the options, some of which are returning from past years with a bit of a twist in order to be "more user-friendly." For example, a slight redesign of the Family Collection has it divided into five sections – For the little ones, Waves of fun (properties with waterparks), Cool for teens, Big fun for big families, and Kid's promotions.

Also new this year is Sun Savvy with Transat Holidays, featuring 22 four-star hotels exclusive to Transat in 13 destinations meant for travellers seeking guaranteed value.

"We found that our Distinction Collection and Luxury Collection were speaking more to the higher-end customer and we wanted to make sure we had something for others," Bursey said, noting Sun Savvy is not listed in the brochure.

The R & R Collection is another of the latest additions, catering to adults only, with options for rest and relaxation at resorts in very luxurious settings with tropical atmospheres.

Bursey also took time to highlight the cruise program, set to come online in September, plus the award-winning Air Transat, which was recently named North America's number one leisure carrier by SkyTrax.

As for groups, travel agents can look forward to an Automated Group Quotes system to roll-out in mid-September, meant to make the process "better, easier, and faster," according to Joe Couto, director of group sales, Ontario & Atlantic Canada. With a simplified layout, this will allow users to request group quotes for ITC south packages, air and land only as well as select Europe product in only five steps via Agent Direct. Couto said training and webinars will be available to introduce the new tool.

Photo - Of Transat Tours Canada: Joe Couto, group sales director, Ontario & Atlantic Canada; Nicole Bursey, commercial director, Ontario & Atlantic Canada; Susan Kooiman, business development, Eastern Ontario; Charlotte Antill, area sales manager; Denisa Stancikova, business development, GTA North & West; Maria Gibson, cruise; & Chad Burnett, business development