TRAVELSAVERS Canada rides wave of success
Ilona Kauremszky
TRAVELSAVERS Canada is riding high on a wave of growth and innovation, according to Jane Clementino, senior vice president and general manager. In an interview with Travel Courier that took place at TRAVELSAVERS Canada’s Dine and Discover event held earlier this month in Toronto, Clementino shared insights into the company’s performance, partnerships, technological advancements, and how it is empowering travel advisors to thrive in an ever-evolving travel landscape.
“We’ve seen growth in two ways,” Clementino reports. “We’ve had new agencies join our organization, and we’ve also experienced organic growth within our current agencies.” She attributes this success to fostering travel agencies to bring in more independent contractors (ICs).
While TRAVELSAVERS does not operate its own host agency, the company actively supports its member agencies in expanding their IC networks, a strategy that is clearly paying off.
Cruise sales surge, ITC steady
The rebound in cruise travel is a testament to the resilience of the industry. “Compared to 2023, our cruise sales are up double digits,” Clementino shares, pointing to the increasing availability of new ships and greater capacity as key factors driving this growth.
On the other hand, inclusive tour charters (ITCs) have shown steady single-digit growth. Canadians appear to be returning to pre-pandemic booking behaviours, favouring advance cruise reservations to secure preferred itineraries and staterooms.
Luxury and FIT travel on the rise
Clementino highlighted the rise in demand for luxury and flexible independent travel (FIT). The company’s Affluent Traveler Collection has grown by 21% this year, fuelled by a desire for unique, aspirational experiences from clients. Multi-generational trips and group travel, including destination weddings, remain popular, though Clementino expects group bookings to moderate slightly by 2025.
“People still want those authentic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” she notes as she anticipates a slight moderation in group travel bookings next year. Luxury travel and FITs, however, are to remain strong pillars of the market.
New partners and opportunities
TRAVELSAVERS Canada has welcomed notable new partners, including Sandals, Club Med, and Airnets. While the pace of new partnerships has slowed, Clementino believes these additions strengthen the company’s portfolio, allowing travel advisors to offer even more options to clients.
Investing in technology and engagement
Clementino stresses the company’s commitment to being “tech forward.” A proprietary AI-powered platform known as AI Connect is at the forefront of these efforts, integrating marketing tools and offering agents efficiencies that TRAVELSAVERS anticipates will become valuable time savers.
“Our tool (AI Connect) is more than just ChatGPT,” she explains. “It’s a combination of assets fire-walled for privacy, and designed to think in travel language. Agents can pull marketing materials directly, customize them, and use them for social media or consumer outreach — all within seconds.”
TRAVELSAVERS also unveiled enhancements to its TripExpress booking platform, introducing a B2C interface that enables consumers to explore options that ultimately redirect bookings to their trusted advisors.
Addressing challenges
The travel industry continues to face hurdles, from economic concerns to suppliers competing directly with agents for consumer attention. Clementino identified the lack of advisors in the market as a top challenge but remains optimistic.
“Bringing new people into the industry is critical,” she says, pointing to the success of TRAVELSAVERS’ KORE training program. The digitalized course, Clementino points out, is helping to bridge this gap through mentorship and internship opportunities to attract and ultimately prepare the next generation of advisors.
The company reports that KORE is the only travel advisor education program to offer mentorship with an agency owner or manager, as well as a placement service to connect candidates with top agencies that are hiring.
Looking ahead
As TRAVELSAVERS transitions from the “recovery year” of 2023 into a period of steady demand, the focus remains on equipping advisors with the tools they need to succeed. Clementino underscored the importance of creating efficiencies and fostering deeper consumer engagement.
“If you can increase engagement with just 10% of your database, imagine the impact on your bottom line,” she says.
At the heart of TRAVELSAVERS’ strategy is a focus on collaboration and innovation. “We always want to add value and do something different in the market,” Clementino affirms.
With its robust training programs, cutting-edge technology, and commitment to supporting travel advisors, TRAVELSAVERS Canada is well-positioned to empower its member advisors and redefine success in the travel trade industry.
