TORONTO — Direct Travel brought close to 400 attendees together for its annual Direct Access Leisure Conference in Toronto, giving advisors a first look at new technology while celebrating achievements across its leisure network.

Held over three days at the Westin Harbour Castle, the event welcomed more than 200 leisure travel advisors and 85 strategic partners for networking, supplier recognition and the annual GEM Awards.

“Direct Access is an amazing opportunity for our partners and advisors to meet face to face and discuss ways to mutually grow their business,” said Stephen Smith, EVP, Leisure.

Direct Travel, one of the world’s largest retail travel management companies and a leading Virtuoso member, now has 900 leisure advisors across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

AmaWaterways took home two awards at Direct Access 2026

A FIRST LOOK AT ANYWHERE

Among the conference highlights was a live demonstration of Anywhere, Direct Travel’s new end-to-end leisure advisor platform, scheduled to launch in Q2 2027.

Designed specifically for leisure advisors, the platform aims to simplify workflows, improve operational efficiency and commission visibility, and bring advisors’ technology tools together in one connected experience.

“Travel advisors don’t all work the same way, and we shouldn’t expect them to. With Anywhere, we’re creating an experience that adapts to the advisor, rather than asking the advisor to adapt to the technology,” says Rebecca Adams, VP, Data Insights and Strategy.

166 ADVISORS HONOURED

The annual GEM Awards recognized 166 advisors for their achievements, with Joelle Goldman, VP Host Services and Luxury Hotel Programs, and Julie Skinner, SVP, Leisure Sales, presenting the honours.

This year’s recipients included 111 Sapphire, 29 Diamond and 26 Ruby advisors. The highest Ruby tier grew from 17 advisors in 2025 to 26 in 2026, a 53% increase.

Supplier partners were also recognized through the GEM Partner Awards, which celebrate organizations reflecting Direct Travel’s BOLD values.

G Adventures received the Spark Award, Tauck took home the Behind-the-Scenes Hero Award and Globus Family of Brands received the Glue Award. AmaWaterways earned two honours: the Heart of Hospitality Award and Excellence in Partnership Award.

Direct Travel’s Julie Skinner, SVP, Leisure Sales; Stephen Smith, EVP, Leisure; Joelle Goldman, VP Host Services and Luxury Hotel Programs

GIVING BACK THROUGH DIRECT IMPACT

The conference also supported Water First and The Intrepid Foundation through Direct Travel’s annual Direct Impact initiative.

In place of traditional conference gifts, Direct Travel donated $2,500 to Water First and pledged to match attendee contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.

Water First works with Indigenous communities across Canada to address water challenges through education, training and community-led solutions. The Intrepid Foundation supports community development, humanitarian response and environmental initiatives.

“In focusing on water, Direct Travel is recognizing the importance of this essential building block for human existence,” said Rene Schneeberger, SVP Leisure Supplier Relations and Revenue Optimization.

The conference also gave attendees something to look forward to: Direct Access 2027 will take place Oct. 4-6, 2027, at AVA Resort Cancun.

“We have had a year of solid growth despite its turbulence; our advisors continue to shine for their clients,” said Gerard Bellino, President, Leisure. “2027 looks like another strong year in luxury leisure travel and I am so proud to work with an incredible team supporting so many talented travel advisors. I look forward to celebrating them at Direct Access a year from now.”

Lead image caption: Direct Travel’s Gerard Bellino, President, Leisure (left) and Brian Robertson, President, Canada (right)

More than 85 supplier partners took part in Direct Access 2026, including Collette