A smash hit.

Air Canada Vacations on Thursday hosted the 2021 #ACVDreamMakers Event virtually. Travel professionals from across the country joined in to celebrate the launch of the 2021/2022 Collection.

The event allowed advisors to interact and gather information from more than 100 industry supplier partners, in both English and French. Throughout the day, agents were able to chat directly with suppliers, including the event’s title sponsors, Sandals and Beaches Resorts and Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts.

There were video fams from top resorts and destinations, including Las Vegas, Curacao, Sandals South Coast, Fairmont Hotels Hawaii and others. Advisors also watched training videos to learn about new products and were able to download the most recent brochures and materials into their own virtual briefcase.

Agents were able to interact with Sales General Managers and Area Sales Managers, while getting the chance to win fabulous prizes through the event’s giveaways. Prizes included a seven night stay for two at the Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo, including air fare from Air Canada Vacations, and a four-night stay for two at Sandals or Beaches, including air fare to Jamaica provided by Air Canada Vacations. Other prizes included stays from the Be Live Collection and Karisma Hotels and Resorts.

One of the highlights was a special, behind the scenes chat with top ACV execs Vice President, Nino Montagnese, Senior Director of Marketing and E-Commerce, Selma Filali, Vice President of Product, Dina Bertolo and Vice President of Operations, Lucy Sabella. The round table talk gave agents a chance to see how Air Canada Vacations learned to navigate the travel industry’s rapidly changing environment, including their free COVID-19 Coverage and Assistance Plan from Allianz Global Assistance. Advisors also got a sneak peek at what’s coming next.

“We have a great new lineup of products,” Montagnese said. “It’s all about being inspired, and we all need a little more of that right now.”

“We know the pent-up demand is out there,” he said. “We know that we’ve got amazing product across all our product lines. We offer product everywhere Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge operates, and what I see is opportunity for our trade partners. I see a huge opportunity, not to just sell any vacation but to upsell, to give people maybe the luxury vacation that they wanted, that they always dreamed of.”

“There is demand; there is excitement,” Sabella said.

Bertolo said ACV has noticed a “significant increase” in high-end bookings, group bookings and weddings. She also pointed out Air Canada Vacations’ new “green collection,” which highlights properties that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, and that work to help local communities. ACV also is highlighting LGBTQ-friendly hotels and resorts.

Yet another benefit is that Aeroplan members can get special perks when they buy ACV products, which is a good reason for agents to get their clients enrolled in Aeroplan.

Bertolo said the future of travel “looks bright and beautiful."

“We have an exciting lineup of destinations and hotels that suit any of our customers’ needs. We are expanding our Canada program with great packages. We also have expanded our US destinations, such as Florida, Las Vegas, Hawaii and California.

“We’re really focussing on those areas because we have a huge demand there,” she said. “And let’s not forget about cruise, which has just been on a roll.”

Bertolo said cruise holidays are now a “cornerstone” of Air Canada Vacations. But they still love to sell core products such as Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica.

Bertolo also announced that, in collaboration with Sandals and Beaches, they’re re-introducing Great Exuma Bahamas. Sandals next year will open a resort on Curacao, she added.

Filali said travel today can be complicated, which means travel advisors are more important than ever.

“We’re rebuilding,” Montagnese said. “But we can’t do it without you.”