Montreal, June 22, 2021 – Transat Distribution Canada (TDC), the largest full-service travel agency network in the country, is pleased to unveil its new luxury program, which will better equip the many travel professionals in its network who already specialize in selling this type of product, as well as those who wish to develop this new niche. All TDC travel professionals, from franchised and corporate agencies, as well as from its agent@home program, are invited to discover the details of this program between 1 and 7 pm (EST). today, during LuxeXpo, the network's first virtual meeting focused on luxury.
During this virtual event, TDC network travel professionals will learn about the offerings of nearly 60 suppliers from around the globe: Hoteliers such as Ritz Carlton, Fairmont Hotels, Waldorf Astoria Hotels, Red Carnation Hotels; Cruise Lines such as Silversea, Regent Seven, Paul Gauguin and Seabourn; Tour operators specialized in FIT and tours, such as African Travel, Luxury Gold, Collette and Tauck, and finally Destination Management Companies (DMC) such as SIVA Travel for France and Italy, AAT Kings for Australia and New Zealand, Tahiti Nuit Travel for French Polynesia, to name a few.
"The implementation of our luxury expert program is an important step that will allow travel professionals throughout the TDC network to showcase even better their high added value and, above all, allow them to take advantage of the market sector that is expected to have the highest growth rate by 2027," explains Louise Fecteau, General Manager of Transat Distribution Canada. "We are especially pleased to introduce this new program to our members now, as many of them have already noticed that with the gradual recovery in sales observed in recent months, a growing number of customers have begun to enhance their travel experience with more luxurious products. Fecteau adds, "While TDC has many very active travel professionals in the luxury market, we hope that the program will open up new opportunities for as many of our advisors as possible by introducing them to this lucrative market and its almost limitless scope, which goes far beyond the products many are used to selling”.
The TDC Luxury Expert, in detail
The new program is built around three main pillars: a compelling product offering, a dedicated and advanced training program and strong marketing support. "Of the 70 or so preferred partners that TDC currently has, close to 50 offer luxury products either partially or exclusively. New suppliers will be added to this number, many of which are present here today, as the needs of our members evolve, " says Louise Fecteau.
In terms of training, TDC has created an exclusive Master Class in three levels, each focused on a specific aspect that the advisor must develop. Hosted on its online training platform, TDC Campus, the Master Class is based on the following: "What to know" about the luxury market, "How to act" in order to properly sell luxury to clients, and "What to do" to effectively market one's expertise in order to provide a unique experience to the client. At the end of this training, the travel professional will receive his or her certification as an expert luxury consultant.
Finally, development means marketing. "As is always the case at TDC, all the necessary tools will be provided to our advisors to allow them to promote this specialization to their clients: posters, social media support, and so on. And because this luxury certification adds even more value to doing business with a travel professional, we have developed a specific luxury variation of our Value of a travel professional campaign for our new certified advisors," says Louise Fecteau. "There is no shortage of ideas to promote this fascinating market segment and we will continue to work on many other marketing projects in the coming months," she concludes.
About Transat Distribution Canada
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is a full-service travel agency network with some 300 brick-and-mortar travel agencies, websites, a call centre, and independent contractors representing the agent@home program. The network includes the Transat Travel, Marlin Travel, Club Voyages, TravelPlus and Voyages en Liberté brands, as well as other affiliate members. TDC is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company specializing in holiday travel and offering vacation packages, hotel stays and air travel. Transat was awarded Travelife certification in 2018 in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development. Its head office is located in Montreal.
Marie-Annick Lalande, Senior Communications Advisor, Transat Distribution Canada, 514-987-1760, ext. 4076, Marieannick.lalande@transat.com