Agents party at TTAND's 2020 Vision conference

“It’s always a privilege to be face-to-face with agents, so this is a thank-you,” said Brian Joseph, business development representative, key accounts, at Transat, last night (April 25) at a dinner and dance party for travel agents and suppliers attending The Travel Agent Next Door’s “2020 Vision” conference in Varadero, Cuba.

The beach bash, hosted by Transat, unfolded at the Ocean Vista Azul hotel, a chic new property decorated in light white and blue colours that has a mesmerizing infinity pool overlooking the gulf just steps beyond the lobby.

The 65 agents in attendance were led on a site inspection of the art deco-inspired resort, with many remarking how it was “so beautiful” and “so Miami.”

A small group of suppliers and media stayed behind to watch the sun go down from the hotel’s elevated waterfront pool deck – arguably the best place in Varadero to watch a sunset. 

Later, guests dined on chicken, beef and lobster to the sounds of a live Cuban band before duking it out for a chance to win a seven-night stay at the Ocean Vista Azul including air fare courtesy of Transat.

After an intense napkin-passing game whereby guests randomly eliminated themselves in the style of “heads or tails,” the prize was claimed by Carol Baldwin, co-owner of Magical Family Adventures, from Oshawa, ON.

“Tonight, I want everyone to remember that travel is fun,” Joseph told PAX, which has been covering The Travel Agent Next Door’s annual conference this week at the Iberostar Laguna Azul, the conference’s host hotel in Varadero.

The fun and informative week, which was sponsored by Air Canada Vacations, has so-far featured a line-up of supplier presentations, workshops, off-site celebrations and guest speakers, including “do it afraid” traveller Robin Mednick, networking expert Cheryl Gregory, social media maven Emily Baillie and business builder Coralie Belman.

Travel media in attendance were also taken on a one-day press trip to Havana, where they had the opportunity to see the city’s famous monuments, historic hotels and colourful classic cars. 

Cuba, which is on the cusp of major touristic change as the country improves relations with the U.S., was an ideal spot to host the conference due to its “diversity” of products, said Flemming Friisdahl, founder of The Travel Agent Next Door.

“We chose to come here because Cuba is all about the people, and the pride people take in where they live,” Friisdahl told PAX in a previous interview at the conference.

Stay tuned as PAX brings you more coverage from The Travel Agent Next Door’s 2020 Vision conference in Varadero, Cuba. You can also follow us on Twitter (@pax_news) and Instagram (paxnews) for on location updates.

PHOTO: Natalie Simmons, travel agent support, TTAND; Shean Carmichael, marketing coordinator, TTAND; Elizabeth Grundon, business analyst, Travelsavers Canada; Penny Martin, vice president, Travel Agent Experience, TTAND; Flemming Friisdahl, founder, TTAND; Marisa Booth, training and development coordinator, TTAND; Brian Joseph, business development representative, key accounts, Transat; Rhonda Stanley, vice president, talent development, TTAND; Lindsay Caven, supplier and new agent manager, TTAND.