TORONTO — The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) has wrapped up its biggest roadshow series yet, connecting with more than 700 agent partners across 17 Canadian cities.
The 10-day tour, which travelled from Moncton to Victoria, was hosted by TTAND founder and CEO Flemming Friisdahl, COO Jeff Element and Director of Marketing Christine Ufniak.
“I am so happy to have been able to do the across Canada road shows, hitting 17 of our larger populated agent cities and having the chance to meet new agents personally, as well as seeing old friends,” said Friisdahl. “Jeff and I had the pleasure to do all this over a 10-day period, ensuring we get to spend time with our partner agents one on one.”
Friisdahl also noted that this year’s road shows saw a 40% increase from previous years. “They are an amazing opportunity for our agent partners to meet their fellow TTAND agents,” he added.
NEW TECH COMING
During the roadshows, Friisdahl and Element provided agents with an update on a new program that TTAND plans to launch early next year, ahead of the company’s conference in April.
According to TTAND, the new technology is designed to change how a host agency operates by providing a single-system solution that includes a fully customizable website, from the base bar through to individual sections, including images and videos.
TTAND will also offer eight booking engines through the new system, including the ITC booking engine.
The company has also developed a system of integrated forms designed to streamline the booking process, allowing agents to collect information and documents including client passport, Nexus and visa details, as well as supplier forms.
PHENIX PROGRAM
TTAND also used the roadshows to demonstrate its new Phenix program, which is being introduced in Canada through its partnership with UK-based Travel Counsellors.
Travel Counsellors has sales of more than $2 billion, with $1 billion in sales booked through Phenix, according to TTAND.
“Phenix is a dynamic packaging program that will allow TTAND agent partners to have access to Airline TOUR NETS, making TTAND the only host agency with access to Tour Nets with AC, Porter, Transat, Air France, Delta, Virgina Atlantic and KLM,” said Friisdahl. “No other Canadian host agency has these contracts – and this will allow TTAND agents to increase their margins significantly.”
Lead image caption (back row, l-r): Don Forster, Trade Training & Engagement Manager, Goway Travel; Andrea Arkell, Key Accounts Manager for Independent Advisors, Air Canada Vacations; Christopher Taylor, Strategic Account Manager, Goway Travel; Jordana Botting, Sales Director, Crystal and & Canada; Eric St-Pierre, Manager, Canadian National Accounts, Royal Caribbean; Ernie Balint Strategic Account Manager Eastern Canada, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Front row, l-r: Jeff Element, TTAND COO; Christine Ufniak, TTAND Marketing Director; and Flemming Friisdahl, TTAND CEO.
