Travel Agent Month roundup: prizes, contests, discounts & more!

The travel industry will be giving travel advisors a collective applause this month to mark Travel Agent Day, an annual celebration that takes place on the first Wednesday of May (and throughout the rest of the month).

Travel Agent Day, which officially takes place on May 7 this year, was founded by Colleen Lorenzen of Uniglobe Carefree Travel in Saskatoon, Sask, in 2011. (Click here to join the official Facebook page).

Since then, the day has evolved into a globally-recognized event, lasting an entire month, bringing together travel pros from all corners of the industry.

Suppliers will be celebrating the trade with special contests, prizes, new tools and promotions all month long. Here's a roundup of what's available (so far).

Air Canada & ACV

Air Canada says it is taking travel agent appreciation “to new heights” by partnering with Air Canada Vacations on a contest specifically for advisors as a way to say thank you for their year-round support.

"They help travellers discover the best of Canada and the world, now it’s they’re turn,” wrote Air Canada in a release. “In honour of Air Canada Vacations’ 50th anniversary and Travel Agent Appreciation Month, we’re giving away 50 prizes!”

Agents have a chance to win exciting prizes like a pair of Economy Class tickets to any Canadian destination Air Canada flies, ACV&ME points, future travel vouchers and more (terms and conditions apply, check out the contest page for full details).

Each week, there’s a new chance to win and ten winners will be selected. To get started, Canadian travel agents can enter this week and every week by visiting here. 

AmaWaterways 

Throughout May, AmaWaterways is thanking its travel advisor partners with special offers, including enhanced booking rewards, reduced deposits on 2025 sailings, and the opportunity to win a complimentary river cruise.

Travel advisors who have completed all five courses in the company’s AmaAcademy program will have the chance to enter weekly drawings for a complimentary European river cruise for two by attending the line’s popular Webinar Wednesday sessions throughout the month.

One grand prize winner—who attends all four webinars and has created a co-branded AmaWaterways website—will receive a seven-night river cruise on the Magdalena River for two, a journey through Colombia.

Whether new to the travel industry or a veteran travel advisor, Webinar Wednesdays, held each week at 10:30am Pacific / 1:30pm Eastern, provide travel partners with up-to-date product information, promotion details and the best marketing tools to grow their river cruise sales with AmaWaterways.

For a chance to win a Europe or Colombia river cruise for two, travel partners are invited to register for the special May sessions on the Travel Advisor Portal.

• Wednesday, May 21: What's New: The Douro River
• Wednesday, May 28: Ask Me Anything with AmaWaterways' Co-Founders

AmaWaterways is also rewarding new business generated during the month of May with digital gift cards.

For every new booking on a 2025 departure, advisors will receive a C$100 gift card, while those who book one of the company’s Hot 100 Dates will receive a C$200 total gift card.

In addition, to make it easier for clients to plan ahead, reduced deposits are available on all 2025 sailings, excluding Africa. Deposits are now C$250 per person for Europe, Colombia and Mekong itineraries, and C$750 per person for Egypt.

Collette 

• Social Media Marketing via Rallio: Collette recently joined the Rallio platform, offering dozens of social posts to advisors with their call to action.  
• Collette Connection: Advisors can order Collette brochures and send them directly to their clients with a letter personalized with their call to action — for free. The new Italy and British Isles brochures join the growing offering. 
• Travel Advisor Network (TAN): Daily giveaways, events, etc. This is the main place where everything is happening for the month and where we reveal “insider” info throughout the year. 
• Travel Advisor Portal: Enhanced resources and tools available on the Collette advisor portal. 
• Business Development Managers: Personalized support from Business Development Managers who are focused on helping advisors to grow their business. 
• Collette University: Access to quick comprehensive learning modules aimed at empowering advisors. 
• Marketing Resources: A suite of marketing materials designed to help advisors promote their services effectively. 
• Just-for-Advisors Virtual Events & Flash Chats: Interactive virtual events and flash chats tailored specifically for travel advisors; including a Travel Advisor Chat on May 29th!  
• 50% off Air Sale Offer Extension: Access to the current Air Sale Offer, being extended through May 30.  

Check out Collette’s Travel Advisor Portal and Travel Advisor Network throughout the month for more.

Couples Resorts

Couples Resorts is showing gratitude to the trade with two specials offers.

On bookings made directly with Couples enjoy 18% commission and two free nights for every seven nights booked.

Or, for bookings made through tour operator partners, enjoy two free nights on all travel operator bookings.

Booking period May 1 – 31, 2025; Travel period: May 1 – Dec 15, 2025. More info here.

Hurtigruten

To celebrate travel advisors, Hurtigruten is giving away a cruise package for two, including flights, to Norway.

All advisors part of Hurtigruten’s travel advisory Facebook page are automatically included in the draw. Advisors who are not registered can easily join and thereby be eligible to win as well.

The prize, which is worth more than $12,000 in total, includes flights to Norway, where the lucky winner can choose which Northbound or Southbound Hurtigruten experience they would like.

They can either enjoy the Original Coastal Express that the company has been operating since 1893, or one of the recently launched premium, all-inclusive Signature voyages: The North Cape Line and the Svalbard Line. Travel has to be concluded by May 31, 2026, and booked at least 60 days in advance.

The prize also includes a $300 OBC and one dinner in the ship’s fine-dining restaurant, Kysten on the Coastal Express ships or Røst on MS Trollfjord, which operates the Signature sailings.

Before the meal, they will get a taste of the unique Bubbles of the Sea concept, Hurtigruten’s sparkling wine (a Classic Cuvee, 2018 vintage), which is the only wine matured deep in the Arctic Sea as we submerge it in craters 112 feet/34 meters into the Arctic Sea for 12 months under both the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun. Last month, the prestigious Food & Wine magazine named Hurtigruten one of its 2025 Global Taste Makers, for a second year in a row.

Additionally, Hurtigruten offers advisors 5% commissions on excursions, exclusive agent pricing, popular ‘Sell Three, Sail Free’ campaign, and no non-commissionable fees.

The direct link to the Hurtigruten Travel Partners, Americas Facebook page is here. An additional resource is Hurtigruten’s trade portal, agentportal.hurtigruten.com.

Terms and conditions for Hurtigruten’s Travel Advisor Appreciation Giveaway can be found here. 

Unregistered advisors must join the Facebook page by May 31. The winner will be drawn on June 2, 2025, and notified that day.

Royal Irish Tours

In celebration of Travel Agent Day on May 7, RIT Vacations has announced a new FAM trip for travel agents, offering a firsthand experience of Ireland’s most iconic sights, hidden gems and legendary hospitality.

The 2025 Ireland FAM Trip will take place November 9–15 ($999 per person sharing, land only) and includes a carefully curated itinerary designed to showcase the very best of RIT’s guided touring experience. Click here for details. 

Scenic Group

Throughout May and June 2025, a series of incentives and opportunities will be offered to all travel advisors across Canada from Scenic Group, including: 

1. Gift Cards  
   • Canadian travel advisors can earn a Mastercard® prepaid gift card with every Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Yacht Cruises booking made until May 31, 2025.  
     • $100 prepaid gift card for every qualifying 2025 Scenic River cruise booking.  
     • $100 prepaid gift card for every qualifying Emerald Yacht Cruise 2025-2026 booking. 
     • $250 for every qualifying Scenic Eclipse 2025 and 2026 ocean cruise booking.   
     • Once the booking is made and deposited, enter the details into the form here (deadline: 5pm PST on June 6, 2025).  

• For full details, download the flyer and start booking today.   

2. Bonus Commission   
   • Canadian travel advisors can earn an additional 2% Bonus Commission on: 
     • Scenic and Emerald River Cruises 2026 Europe River Cruise bookings (excludes Portugal) made until June 30, 2025. Full details can be found here. 

Silversea 

All travel advisors who book their clients on a classic or expedition Silversea voyage in the month of May will be entered into the sweepstakes, with a chance to win one of the following cruises:

• For travel advisors in the Americas, Canada, and LATAM, travel advisors who make a booking with Silversea in the month of May will be entered for the chance to win a Caribbean Cruise.
   
• Travel advisors in the UK & Europe who make a booking with Silversea in the month of May will be entered for the chance to win a European Cruise.

To further support travel advisors, Silversea is now offering a new technology tool in collaboration with “Approach Guides,” a platform that will provide additional support and resources to help travel partners in the U.S. and Canada grow their business with Silversea. 

For more information, please visit: Grateful for You – Silversea Events

Sunwing Vacations

Sunwing Vacations is dialling up the celebratory energy with Sunwing’s 31 Days of Giveaways. 

Throughout the month of May, the tour operator will be giving away a prize a day, for a total of 31 prizes, plus up to 8X STAR Points when advisors book their clients at 50+ resorts. 

Prizes include several 7-night hotel stays at properties in popular sun destinations, including Mexico, Jamaica and more, plus gift cards ranging from Indigo to President’s Choice, Petro Canada and The Keg. For every eligible booking advisors secure by May 31, 2025, they will be entered into the prize draw. 

Each Monday, the winners from the previous week will be announced on the Sunwing Vacations Group – Travel Advisors Facebook page

“I’d like to sincerely thank our community of trusted travel advisors for all their hard work and support,” said Deana Murphy, VP of sales and business development at Sunwing Vacations Group. “We appreciate all that you do to take care of our mutual clients each day, all year round. We’re thrilled to make Travel Agent Appreciation Month this year extra special with additional perks to show our deep gratitude.”

Tourism Cares

Tourism Cares is celebrating advisors' role in creating experiences that connect travellers with people, places, and purpose.

The organization is offering exclusive tools and resources to advisors you make their clients’ trips even more impactful—from complimentary sustainability consultations to free downloadable guides and planning materials. Check out the special offers here. 

Uniworld 

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is celebrating with an incentive for travel advisors. For every new 2025 Uniworld booking made between May 1–31, registered Canadian travel advisors will receive a CAD$50 e-Gift Card. 

Advisors can still help their clients experience Uniworld’s signature all-inclusive luxury in 2025, with various savings currently available for repeat guests. 

Use the promo code “TAI2501-C” in Canada. To help advisors make the most of this limited-time offer, Uniworld is offering exclusive savings for returning guests. 

River Heritage Club is Uniworld’s loyalty program for past guests, offering exclusive perks and benefits on future cruises. 

These include a limited-time CAD$1,500 per person Past Guest Bonus on select itineraries and departure dates, and up to CAD$700 per person in savings for River Heritage Club members on all 2025 sailings. 

Additionally, River Heritage Club members can enjoy Double Referral Program Credits and receive CAD$150 off their next booking when they refer friends or family who are new to Uniworld by June 30, 2025. 

The Travel Advisor Appreciation Month offer joins a series of recent initiatives for Uniworld Advisors, including complimentary access to social media marketing tool Rallio and comprehensive Travel Advisor Toolkits, which were announced in February. 

Rallio, a social media management platform, is designed to help travel advisors streamline their marketing efforts, and the toolkits provide Advisors with everything needed to stay up-to-date on all things Uniworld. 

Uniworld also offers Uniworld University, an online education program where participating Advisors receive exclusive Travel Advisor rates with savings of up to 60 per cent on select cruises, points towards CLIA’s Certification Program, a Preferred Specialist listing on the Uniworld website and a Uniworld Preferred Specialist badge for their e-mail signature.

WestJet

WestJet is also celebrating with a month-long contest and new learning portal.

The airline is running a Travel Advisor Appreciation Month contest throughout May – giving advisors a chance to win prizes while being recognized for all they do.

 “As a proudly Canadian airline, WestJet knows how rewarding it is to explore everything Canada has to offer,” the airline wrote in a press release.

This year’s prizes are Canadian inspired, including:

• A Discover Halifax prize package, including round-trip airfare, accommodations, gift certificates, tours and more;
• $300 WestJet gift card + 2 Extended Comfort vouchers; and
• A $150 Skip gift card.

In addition to the contest, WestJet is celebrating with the launch of its new learning portal designed specifically for travel advisors. Travel advisors can register now to access curated interactive learning modules, helpful resources to support them in their day-day-work, and exciting future opportunities to win prizes and experiences.

Advisors can enter the contest by registering for WestJet’s new learning portal, then submitting an entry form. Full details are available here. 

“WestJet’s initiatives for Travel Advisor Appreciation Month reflect a commitment to supporting and celebrating the travel advisor community—not just in May, but year-round. The new learning portal and giveaways are just the beginning,” the airline said.

WestJet Vacations 

WestJet Vacations is showing its appreciation for advisors by launching Get in it to Win it Bingo. 

This offers advisors the opportunity to win one of 25 prizes, ranging from all inclusive getaways on board WestJet with round-trip airport transfers to Monos carry-ons and WestJet gift cards.

All month long, advisors are invited to play Get in it to Win it Bingo, which is similar to the classic Bingo game, but with a twist. 

To participate, advisors are encouraged to download the Bingo card from the Travel Agent Resource site, book their clients on qualifying vacations and mark the booking number in the corresponding square to make up a line of their choosing. 

Once a line has been completed, the Bingo card should be uploaded through the submission link to be verified. The first five advisors to complete a validated line will win one of the weekly prizes.

“Our travel advisor community is fundamental to WestJet Vacations’ continued success, and we’re thrilled to launch our Get in it to Win it Bingo as a way of showing our appreciation to our valued advisors that go above and beyond each day,” said Shannon Cunningham, manager, leisure sales at WestJet Vacations. “While we recognize advisor contributions throughout the year, Travel Agent Appreciation Month provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude and aids in strengthening our partnerships for years to come.  We wish all advisors participating in Bingo the best of luck.”

Advisors can visit the Travel Agent Resource site to download their Bingo cards and to start playing.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises is offering incentives for new 2025 cruise bookings, including a chance to win a Dreams of Tahiti cruise for two, choice of an Amazon gift card or a bonus commission, and reduced deposits for clients.

Win a seven-night “Dreams of Tahiti” cruise for two aboard the intimate 312-guest Star Breeze yacht. The voyage visits the scenic Society Islands of Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora, and Tahiti.

This ultimate escape includes airfare for two in economy class, courtesy of Air Tahiti Nui, round trip from Los Angeles or Seattle to Papeete, Tahiti. Eligible advisors can enter by making new 2025 cruise bookings during May with one lucky winner drawn at random. Find out more details here or see note on terms below.

Travel advisors will also earn their choice of either a $100 USD or CAD bonus commission or a $100 Amazon gift card for every new 2025 booking made throughout May.

Gift cards will be sent digitally 30 days prior to cruise departure. Every confirmed booking earns advisors one grand prize entry and one gift card or bonus commission, reinforcing Windstar’s commitment to supporting its advisor partners.

To help travel advisors close sales on 2025 cruises, Windstar is offering reduced cruise deposits of only $50 per person to lock in a 2025 cruise departure.

The reduced deposits begin in May and run through June 30, 2025 and are valid for cruise departures 90 days out from confirmation. The offer is combinable with Pick Your perk which has been extended through June 30.

Windstar’s popular Pick Your Perk offer - another tool to help travel advisors close sales – has been extended through June 30, 2025.

The offer is available on sailings departing through June of 2026. Pick Your Perk options include: one free hotel night (which can be used pre- or post-cruise) or up to $1,000 shipboard credit, which can be used for Windstar’s award-winning shore excursions, spa services, or even special celebratory cocktails.

Premium suite guests are afforded a third option - an upgrade to the All-Inclusive Fare ($99/day value) which includes select alcohol, Wi-Fi, and all gratuities.

Travel advisors who have group space with Windstar can use the new reduced deposit offer and Pick your Perk to close sales and fill their group – while earning bonus commissions and the chance to win a Tahiti cruise.

Advisors who want to book a new group can review group dates and pick either a Star Group sailing (a 5% fare savings and a tour conductor credit of 1:9 guests) or a Star Advantage Group sailing (a 10% fare savings plus best available offer and a tour conductor credit of 1:7 guests) and use current offers to quickly fill their space. 

Clients receive a $100 shipboard credit. Log into Windstar’s Travel Advisor Hub for information.

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