Members of the boutique travel agency Personal Travel Management, which is made up of independent contractors, have been meeting twice a week virtually via Zoom chats since the suspension of all non-essential travel started to help navigate the widespread cancellations, repatriation of clients abroad, insurance rules, and to encourage a positive solution-focused approach to the ongoing industry changes.

Once all their colleagues and clients were safely back on Canadian soil, the focus of the conversations shifted to how they could continue to provide support — not only for their team but for their community moving forward.

“One of our agents had the idea to do a give away to show our gratitude to the front line medical and emergency first responders staff in Canada,” said Katie Webster, travel curator and personal travel coach, with Personal Travel Management. “We approached fellow Canadian small group tour agency Anderson Vacations to partner with us and they graciously provided a uniquely Canadian and truly magical Aurora Borealis winter experience in the Canadian North. This is an incredible bucket list trip of a lifetime itinerary that we are thrilled to be able to offer for this contest. Vancouver investment management company Strategic Private Wealth Counsel generously came to the table offering to cover the airfare for the lucky winners.”

As it is likely that travel within Canada will be the first to reopen, Webster said they wanted to provide an experience that was exciting, meaningful, and on many people’s bucket lists, but that the winner also didn’t have to wait too long in order to get to use the prize.

Darcie Guarderas, director of business development, at Anderson Vacations, told Travel Courier the tour operator jumped on the opportunity to support one of their top agency partners, Personal Travel Management.

“Without pause, we jumped on board to support essential workers and offer our thanks by acknowledging them with an incredible opportunity to win a once in a lifetime experience under the Northern lights,” she said. “When Personal Travel Management called, I could feel the excitement in their voices and I just knew we needed to be a part of it. The world needs some positive energy during these unprecedented times and what could be better than sending our gratitude to those that go above and beyond every single day.”

Visit www.personaltravel.ca/contest for contest details or to submit your nomination. Photo above courtesy NWT Tourism.