MISSISSAUGA, ON — Collette is reinforcing its commitment to travel advisors with a major global investment in its people, products and partnerships, highlighted by a recent immersive sales conference in Australia.
Earlier this month, the guided tour operator brought together more than 100 Business Development Managers (BDMs) from Canada, the United States and Australia for its 2026 Global Sales Conference. The initiative was designed to deepen destination knowledge and strengthen strategies to better support travel advisor partners.
Rather than a traditional boardroom setting, the conference focused on firsthand experience, allowing participants to explore key destinations and gain a deeper understanding of the product they sell.
“This kind of investment, especially during a challenging time for the industry, reflects who we are as a company,” said Christian Leibl-Cote, Executive Vice President of Global Sales at Collette. “We know that the best way to support our travel advisor partners is to ensure our teams have deep, authentic knowledge of our destinations. When our people experience traveling the way our guests do, it can really open the lines of communication.”
Immersive learning in key destinations
The program took Collette’s international sales team to some of Australia and New Zealand’s most iconic locations, including the Great Barrier Reef and Queenstown. Alongside on-the-ground experiences, attendees also participated in strategic discussions focused on future growth and collaboration across global markets.
Karen Deveson, Managing Director, Collette Australia, highlighted the significance of the investment.
“I’m incredibly grateful to work for a company that truly invests in its people and products. This is about experiencing a destination. At Collette, we don’t just sell travel; we believe in it. And how can we inspire clients to explore the world if we haven’t explored it ourselves? We are travellers too.”
For Collette, the conference underscores its belief that effective advisor support begins with education and real-world experience. By equipping its sales teams with deeper insights, the company aims to enhance collaboration with travel advisors and improve the overall client experience.
“We are proud to showcase Australia to our international team,” added Deveson. “This country has so much to offer, and there is no substitute for experiencing it firsthand.”
As the company looks ahead to the remainder of 2026, initiatives like the Global Sales Conference are expected to play a key role in strengthening partnerships across the travel trade.
Collette says the investment reflects its long-standing philosophy that travel is transformational – and that those who experience it firsthand are best positioned to inspire others to explore the world.
For more information about Collette, go to www.gocollette.com.
