Anderson Vacations has built an integrated portfolio with independent escorted trips and custom trips, so agents can match any client to the right style while still working with a single expert team, says the companyʻs GM, Andres Reinoso, in this edition of Take 5.

1. In one sentence, how should North America advisors describe Anderson Vacations in 2025-26 – and what brand misconceptions or outdated views about your product breadth would you retire for good?

“ʻAnderson Vacations is a Canada- and Alaska-first specialist crafting immersive FIT, rail, self-drive and small-group journeys backed by destination experts, authentic local and Indigenous experiences and 24/7 support with deep bench strength in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.ʻ That’s how I want advisors to describe us today.

“If there’s one misconception to retire, it’s that we’re ʻjust inboundʻ or ʻjust escorted.ʻ We’ve built an integrated portfolio, independent escorted trips and custom trips, so agents can match any client to the right style while still working with a single expert team.

“Our design philosophy pairs smart pacing and quality stays with authentic local experiences, including Indigenous-led learning where appropriate. It turns a scenic trip into a story-rich journey, and clients come home talking about the people and culture they met, not just the photos they took.

“For instance, the Western program, which includes interpretation at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, sits beautifully alongside our Rockies rail and lodge components. It’s a clear point of difference versus mass-market inclusions.”

2. Letʻs talk about Canada & Alaska momentum. Which regions/experiences are selling out first, what booking patterns (lead times, trip length, spend) are you seeing, and how should advisors adapt their sales approach accordingly?

“2025 demand has been exceptional across the Canadian Rockies, often paired with Rail experiences along with Atlantic Canada circuits and remote lodge combinations with Northern Lights viewing in the North. These itineraries blend comfort, nature and culture in a way travellers love, and our capped small-group departures (typically 14–24 guests) mean prime dates go first.

“My advice: bring clients into the conversation earlier, protect space with deposits and look at rail-plus-lodge or rail-plus-self-drive hybrids to unlock both availability and value.

“We’re also seeing longer lead times around peak periods, slightly longer average stays when a rail segment is included, and growing willingness to ʻtrade upʻ for hosted, meaningful experiences. That plays directly to an advisor’s strengths: position the itinerary as easy to enjoy, hard to replicate and let our destination experts and 24/7 support reduce your post-sale workload.”

3. Time to put South Pacific in the spotlight. What makes your Australia and New Zealand program a must-sell right now, and what can you tell us about hero itineraries, seasonal opportunities, rail/self-drive highlights, small-group experiences – and what practical sales tips or booking windows should advisors keep in mind?

“Australia and New Zealand remain brilliant for clients who want icons and hidden gems. We run small-group, independent, rail and self-drive options across both countries, including fully escorted combinations like 15-Day Australia & New Zealand Panorama and rail/coach/cruise blends in New Zealand.

“Tips I give advisors: secure air and marquee components early for peak months, lean into shoulder seasons for space and value and use modular self-drive to personalize without complexity. Our team stitches the pieces together.”

4. For advisors who know the Anderson Vacations name but may not know the 2025-26 lineup, how has your product mix evolved across Small Group Tours, Independent Rail, Self-Drive, and custom trips so agents see your core expertise in Canada & Alaska with a modern lens?

“We’ve sharpened four pillars: Small Group Tours, Independent Rail, Self-Drive, and Custom FIT and group trips so you can mix them in one booking. A client might self-drive through the Rockies, add a Rail segment, and finish with curated local experiences handled by one team with 24/7 support. Canada & Alaska remain our core sandbox, and our Down Under (Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands) bench lets you extend a successful sale without changing partners.”

5. Why is Anderson Vacations a standout partner for travel advisors? Walk us through agent-specific advantages: commission structure, net rates, incentives/bonuses, groups desk support, white-label/custom solutions, training/FAMs and marketing assets.

“We’re built to be easy to work with: destination experts who design the trip and stand behind it with 24/7 support, plus a portfolio that covers escorted, rail, self-drive, and custom trips, so you don’t need multiple suppliers to cover Canada/Alaska and Down Under.

“We also support sell-through with clear region pages, sample itineraries, and straightforward quoting assets you can lift right into proposals.”

For more information about Anderson Vacations see AndersonVacation.com.