Accolades galore. Not to mention bonuses, prizes and incentives.

Travel Agent Day is like Christmas in May for travel advisors, and this year is a great example. Tourism and travel operators sent out tons of great messages to Canadian agents for Travel Agent Day on Wednesday.

Here’s a look at some of the terrific news you definitely want to watch for.

AIR CANADA VACATIONS

In celebration of Travel Agent Day, Air Canada Vacations is offering you the opportunity to EARN 3X ACV&ME points when you book a package or a group on ALL PRODUCT LINES for travel from May 1 until July 31, 2019. This offer is valid on NEW bookings made between May 1 and 8, 2019.

3X 600 points per room for flightinclusive packages of 7 nights or more

3X 400 points per room for flightinclusive packages of 3 to 6 nights

3X 300 points for every passenger of a group

In addition, Air Canada Vacations has launched an Agent Appreciation Day contest exclusively for travel agents.

When agents book Flights and Hotel packages to Wynn Las Vegas in May for travel at any time, they will automatically be entered to win a 2-night stay at Wynn Las Vegas, plus airfare to Las Vegas for 2, and 2 comped tickets to Le Rêve for travel at any time.

Contest ends May 31, 2019. The winner will be draw on June 4, 2019.

“Our trade partners are vital to our business, growth and success.” said Dana Gain, Senior Director of Sales, Groups & Partnerships at Air Canada Vacations. “We value our partnerships and focus on celebrating and honouring agents throughout the year.”

For more details and full terms and conditions, please consult your ACV&ME loyalty program.

AIC HOTEL GROUP

G ADVENTURES

Leading small-group adventure tour operator, G Adventures, announces a Travel Agent Day contest. The top-selling Canadian agent during the month of May will win a G Adventures tour valued at $2,000.

“At G Adventures, every day is Travel Agent Day and we try to show our love and appreciation of the community throughout the year,” says Aizaz Sheikh, G Adventures’ Canadian Marketing Director. “To mark this year’s TAD, we’re giving away a trip to the agent who sells the most tours throughout the month of May. From the entire team at G Adventures, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Our world deserves more you!”

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

To celebrate National Travel Advisor Day, Carnival Cruise Line is launching a search for the best of the best in a new contest that supports the yearlong “Why Use a Travel Advisor” (WUATA) program dedicated to promoting the value of travel agents. With the launch of Carnival’s “Most Trusted Travel Advisor” contest, consumers can brag why their travel advisor is the best in the business in the quest for the title.

Not only will the winning advisor be named Carnival’s “Most Trusted Advisor,” the agent and their client nominator will be awarded a cruise on Mardi Gras — debuting in August 2020 — and roundtrip airfare, and the agent also will receive $1,000 bonus and the commission from their client’s Mardi Gras cruise.

To nominate a travel advisor, clients can visit www.wuatacontest.com and submit a short story on why their travel advisor deserves the title by recalling a time when they saved the day, made them feel extra special or went above and beyond the call of duty. The contest is open from May 1 through Oct. 29, 2019, and the winner will be announced at CruiseWorld in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nov. 13, 2019.

EXODUS TRAVELS

In honour of Travel Agent Appreciation Day, leading adventure tour operator Exodus Travels is working with women’s health organization The Freedom Kit Bag Project to bring eco-friendly sanitary wear to underserved communities across Nepal – and donating a Freedom Kit Bag for every booking made in the US and Canada throughout May 2019.

In rural Nepal, a lack of education regarding reproduction cycles and standing cultural practices such as chhaupadi (which labels menstruating females as “untouchable”) means that many Nepalese women are prevented from going to school or work and interacting with their communities during their period. In many regions throughout Nepal, sanitary wear is considered non-essential, and a lack of hygienic protection often leads to dangerous infections which cause infertility. Exodus has been working with The Freedom Kit Bag Project since 2016 to create opportunities for women to lead fuller, more empowered lives in their communities.

“Exodus has donated over 4500 Freedom Kit Bags to date and in May, with the help of travel experts across North America, we plan to do even more,” says Sasha Andrews, Director of Industry Relations for Exodus. “We know our travel agent partners value Exodus’ social initiatives as much as their clients do, so donating Freedom Kit Bags for every new booking in May is our way of celebrating Travel Agent Day.”

A Freedom Kit Bag includes washable pads for daily use, pad-holders, panties, a carrying purse, a waterproof bag for used pads, soap, a washing line and a colourful bag made from recycled saris. The kit bags are made locally and distributed to villages and schools by the Freedom Kit Project.

TRANSAT

“Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is proud to have more than 3,000 travel professionals in its extensive network who work with enthusiasm and dedication every day to provide their customers with the best possible services and advice in order for their vacation to be an excellent experience,” company officials said. “On this Travel Agent Day (which we prefer to call Travel Professionals Day), we would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of our travel professionals and thank everyone for their commitment.”

“We are proud to have travel professionals in all of our agencies who demonstrate outstanding professionalism and make our large network shine,” says Nathalie Boyer, General Manager, TDC. “It’s thanks to you that TDC continues to grow and can develop the next generation of talent in such a positive way.”