TORONTO — Transat has expanded its travel advisor training initiatives with the launch of its first-ever Group Camp, an immersive educational event designed to help advisors build expertise in the growing group travel market.
Held June 12-19 at Dreams Puerto Morelos Resort & Spa in Cancún, the inaugural event welcomed more than 80 travel advisors specializing in group travel. The program builds on the success of Transat’s Rookie Camp, which has been held over the past two years for advisors newer to the industry.
“Following the success of our Rookie Camp, we wanted to offer an experience of the same caliber to advisors who specialize in group travel,” said Marjorie Larose, Sales Manager at Transat.
“Our goal was to provide them with practical tools, foster meaningful connections with our partners, and give them the opportunity to discover firsthand the many possibilities offered by this growing market segment. The enthusiasm of our participants and the exceptional commitment of our partners exceeded all expectations.”
Fournisseur et équipe Transat
Throughout the week, participants took part in more than 11 hours of specialized group travel training led by Transat and its hotel partners, while also networking with suppliers and experiencing the company’s group travel product firsthand.
The itinerary included three one-on-one meeting sessions with suppliers selected by each advisor, along with three half-day hotel site inspections covering more than 12 resorts across the Riviera Maya, from Costa Mujeres to Puerto Aventuras.
Participants also took part in six themed activities highlighting business opportunities within the group travel segment. Advisors were able to choose between two destination experiences: a visit to Tulum or a catamaran excursion to Isla Mujeres, courtesy of Trafictours.
The inaugural Group Camp was supported by several hotel partners, including Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Bahia Principe, Palladium, Ocean by H10 Hotels, Meliá Hotels International, Barceló Hotel Group, Majestic Resorts, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, Sandos Hotels & Resorts and Viva Resorts by Wyndham.
Participants praised the hands-on learning opportunities and networking provided throughout the week.
“It was a week filled with training, learning opportunities and meaningful exchanges with passionate travel industry professionals. Intensive days pushed us outside our comfort zones but, most importantly, allowed us to return with our minds full of ideas, new strategies and valuable insights to help us move forward,” said Marie-Pier Couture, Travel Advisor at Voyages AZZA. “It was an enriching, inspiring and highly motivating experience!”
Cristina Ushinahua, Travel Advisor at Club Voyages UNIVERSEL, said the experience provided valuable practical knowledge for selling group travel.
“This Groups Camp allowed me to deepen my knowledge of organizing various types of group travel through training sessions, hotel site inspections, events and practical exercises, as well as a wonderful excursion to a Mayan village, the Tulum ruins and a cenote. I also greatly appreciated the interactions with the entire Transat team and the various partners who were present throughout the trip. Their availability, attentiveness and willingness to share their expertise made this experience even more rewarding. I am returning with valuable tools and even greater confidence to support my clients with their group travel projects.”
Transat says it plans to continue investing in initiatives that help advisors strengthen their expertise and grow their group travel business following the success of the inaugural event.
Équipe Transat
