AAVQ crowns the 2024 champions of the Uni-Vers

It was quite a party Wednesday night (October 30) at the Studio-Cabaret de l'Espace St-Denis in Montreal, where the AAVQ (the Association of Quebec Travel Agents) brought together some 350 members of the travel industry to celebrate the 10th edition of its Uni-Vers Trophies Gala.

As soon as they arrived on the red carpet, well-dressed guests flashed big smiles for PAX’s camera (Pax Nouvelles was one of the night’s sponsors).

From start to end, the evening was bathed in the same good humour, punctuated by the emotion of the night’s winners.

Acting as mistress of ceremonies, the general director of the AAVQ, Aurore Bonvalot, expressed her satisfaction with crowd’s participation in the event, thanking sponsors and partners.

She then invited the president of the Association, Moscow Côté, to come on stage, revealing that he was celebrating his 63rd birthday that evening. The crowd sang a warm “happy birthday” to him.

“In an industry with 12,000 workers and around a hundred suppliers, just being nominated in your respective category is already a great achievement. So, congratulations to all the nominees and may the best one win!” said Mr. Côté, launching the awards ceremony.

A dozen Uni-Vers trophies were awarded during the evening.

• Winner in the Travel Agency category: Voyages Arc-en-Ciel
• In the Travel Agency category, Voyages Arc-en-Ciel took top honors
• Winner in the Travel Advisor category: Kim Leduc (Aquamonde)
• For the title of Travel Advisor, Kim Leduc of Voyages et Croisières Aquamonde
• Winner in the ITC Package Tour category: Vacances Transat
• Winner in the specialized tour operator category: Tours Chanteclerc
• Winner in the Representative category: Mathieu Robert (Celebrity)
• Winner in the Airline category: Air Transat
• Winner in the Hotel Chains category: RIU Hotels & Resorts
• Winner in the Destinations category: Mexico
• Winner in the Cruise Lines category: Norwegian Cruise Line
• April Fortier College Student Prize and La Relève Prize: Sylvie Richard and Cinthia Lauzière
• Danielle Durocher inducted into Transat’s Hall of Fame.

Transat Hall of Fame

One of the more moving moments of the evening was the induction of Danielle Durocher into Transat’s Hall of Fame.

Transat’s Joe Adamo introduced the Franco-Ontarian from Hawkesbury. He recounted his long career which began at Libman Travel in 1982 and which continued within several agency groups: Travelaide, Uniglobe, Avantage, CWT and eventually TDC.

He also praised her crucial involvement in the industry, recalling in particular that Danielle Durocher was president of ACTA at the time of the September 2001 attacks. He mentioned her role in the implementation of service fees by travel agencies.

Durocher, who received a standing ovation. thanked the guests for this beautiful “retirement party” – specifying that her real retirement party, in May 2021, took place on Zoom due to the pandemic.

Ms. Durocher praised the camaraderie and resilience of the travel industry: “No matter the disaster or the situation, you keep your head up, your composure, and you are always ready to bounce back.”

Closing her speech, she expressed her admiration for the ability of industry players to navigate this complex sector, before wishing the guests many adventures since “travelling is one of the greatest privileges that we have.”

Addressing the guests at the start of the evening, the new president of Quebec’s Consumer Protection Office (OPC), Denis Marsolais, made his first public address to travel agents – his “first flight,” he joked.

Appointed last February, Mr. Marsolais expressed his desire to work in collaboration with the Office's approximately 600 permit holders and 11,500 certificate holders.

During his speech, he also highlighted the efforts of the OPC to promote the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents (FICAV), presented as a unique advantage offered by travel agents.