Pictured above: Nicole Mazza, Chief Marketing Officer
Travelsavers
Currently, we see four categories of disruptors that are affecting our industry today and in the year ahead.
Risk & Uncertainty
Natural disasters, geopolitical effects, threats, regulations are disruptors we can’t foresee or predict. Travel advisors have been able to assist clients more than any other distribution...
Pictured above: Nathalie Boyer, General Manager
Transat Distribution Canada
Because the travel industry is comprised of so many moving parts and can be subject to so many different factors, you could argue that disruption in travel is almost a given.
Our industry and our business is challenged frequently by many unpredictable events and influences such as extreme weather, political...
Pictured above: Flemming Friisdahl, Founder
The Travel Agent Next Door
I think that most of us who have worked in the travel industry know for certain that there will always be disruptors. My mom and dad started in travel back in 1975 – so a few years ago – and even back then, there were many disruptors.
One of the major disruptors to their business was the hijacking of a cruise...
Pictured above: Virgilio Russi, Senior Director Sales, Canada
Air Canada
More airlines, hotels, cruise companies and a myriad of other travel suppliers will be offering ever more destinations, products, fare bundles and ancillaries, with the intent to meet the customers’ very diverse expectations.
Air Canada expanded its branded fares offer in 2018 with the introduction of Basic and...
Pictured above: Lindsay Pearlman, Co-President
Ensemble Travel Group
I’ll start by saying that “disruption” in the marketplace is good. At first glance, stability may appear to be the easier path, but it ends up causing a commoditization of product, which results in margin pressure as the only difference – and that’s not good for anyone in travel.
So for Ensemble Travel...
Pictured above: Jane Clementino, Director, Agency Sales
WestJet
Since WestJet’s first flight in 1996, we have been disruptors in the Canadian airline industry. 2018 was a big year, even by WestJet standards – and we thank our travel partners for being along for the ride.
The evolution of WestJet – like updating our fare class structure, debuting our 787-9 Dreamliners with our...
Pictured above: Jeff Element, President
The Travel Corporation Canada
The Experience Economy
As a trend that has emerged in recent years, especially with the rise of Instagram and millennial travellers “doing it for Instagram,” we see consumers buying fewer objects, instead replacing them with experiences.
Previously, it was all about the status symbol of having “stuff,” now...
Pictured above: Brett Walker, General Manager, Canada
Collette Vacations
A Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said “the only thing that doesn’t change is change itself.” Today, as with every day, is marked by change and new beginnings. People change, governments change, norms change, products and services change. Our industry is certainly changing and so too are the innumerable...
IAN STALKER
Pictured above: Infotur’s Luis Viamontes Borras sits next to one of the numerous sculptures seen in Camaguey.
Camaguey, Cuba, has an artistic bent.
Luis Viamontes Borras of Infotur says the city is home to many theatrical companies and many artists, who frequently display their creations in local galleries.
“The local government has been smart enough to promote...
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
Pictured above: Sunwing’s COO Andrew Dawson (second from left) and Reg Mendes (right), vice president of USA and cruises, took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony at Daytona Beach International Airport.
Ahead of launching service to Daytona Beach, Sunwing brought 120 travel agents from the Toronto area to Florida’s Atlantic coast for a one-day FAM trip to get a taste of...
