Brad Ford

"Tourism is no longer just about attracting visitors; it’s about attracting revenue and investment. We want the right travellers, not just more of them." https://lnkd.in/edsBWMQ5 David F. Goldstein, CEO at Travel Alberta, joined us to explore how he and his team are charting a path for sustainable growth by shifting to a new model of tourism that focuses on destination management over destination marketing. Read the full interview to discover how Travel Alberta is working differently, the challenges they've overcome along the way, and how they're benchmarking the impact this pivot is having on the region: https://lnkd.in/edsBWMQ5 #tourism #destinationmarketing #destinationmanagement #travel

66

2 Comments

Amid a highly competitive short-term rental market, having a guest avatar or persona can help you better target your marketing efforts and secure more bookings. 🔎 Discover the power of guest avatars and more marketing hacks inside the RR Network: https://lnkd.in/guET2WdG Insights from Jenn Barbee and Touch Stay #VacationRentalSuccess #GuestAvatars #Personalization

2

Business Travel is a balance, of cost effectiveness, quality support and a service second to none, or so I think....:) When I chat with businesses about their travel, one of the things they ask is....how can we save them on their travel costs? There are many ways to answer that question, but to answering accurately, I need to know HOW they travel - fares they purchase, how often they have to change, destination cities frequented, who is travelling, Sales, Exec, or Tech? What I love about the Travel Management team that surrounds myself and my team, is the knowledge and passion they have for travel, and their constant pulse in this industry. It's news like this that can affect your strategic goals. Reach out and let's chat about how your business can have an all-star team like Travel Edge help you manage your travel expense, and better support your travellers, one interaction at a time...:)

2

If you’ve heard the term “bleisure” you won’t be surprised to learn that business events drive Canada's tourism economy, representing 40% of all tourism spending. Learn how TIAC and Meetings Mean Business Canada are supporting Canada's business events sector: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gQJqRVD5 #TourismWeekCanada2024 #Bleisure #MeetingsMeanBusiness

10

Travellers are paying more to fly within #Canada during peak times compared to last year, according to a new data from #FlightCentre Travel Group. #traveltrends #aviation #aviationnews #travelindustry #travelindustrynews

1

1 Comment

According to insights from the GBTA | Global Business Travel Association's 2024 Canada Conference, business travel is poised for a strong year across Canada, with travel spend reaching $25.9 billion—an annual growth of 13.5%—and business travel predicted to return to 2019 levels. Read more details from this report and the GBTA Conference at bit.ly/3Qm2xo3. 

17

A great discussion with Brian D. Robertson, GLP, GTP and key strategic partner of Farenexus about the travel industry - Direct Travel is a innovative thought leading organization with a global footprint Enjoy the interview I sure did Direct Travel Farenexus #travel #travelagents #tourism #airlines #hotels #airports #traveladvisors #planes #traveltechnology

8

Air Ticket Pro: Leading the Way in Cost-Effective Travel Solutions Across the Canada and US In the ever-changing world of travel, finding a reliable and cost-effective travel solution can often be quite a task. However, Air Ticket Pro has emerged as a hope for travelers, providing exceptional service and unbeatable prices. The company's commitment to excellence has not only helped thousands of customers achieve their travel dreams but has also earned them an impressive reputation. Unmatched Affordability and Convenience Air Ticket Pro offers some of the most competitive prices in the travel industry. By leveraging strong partnerships with major airlines and using advanced technology, the company can offer discounts that are hard to find elsewhere. Whether it's a last-minute business trip, a spontaneous weekend getaway, or a long-awaited family vacation, Air Ticket Pro ensures that you get the best deals. Personalized Customer Service One of the standout features highlighted in numerous Air Ticket Pro reviews is the exceptional customer service. The company prides itself on its dedicated team of travel experts who are available 24/7 to assist customers with their travel needs. Whether it's finding the best route, handling last-minute changes, or offering travel advice, the customer service team goes above and beyond to ensure a smooth experience. The personal touch extends to their follow-up services as well. After booking, customers often receive updates and tips to enhance their travel experience. This attention to detail and genuine care for customer satisfaction sets Air Ticket Pro apart from other travel agencies. Positive Customer Feedback The high-quality service provided by Air Ticket Pro has not gone unnoticed. Air Ticket Pro reviews are consistently positive, with customers praising the company for its reliability, affordability, and excellent customer support. Many reviews highlight specific instances where the company has gone the extra mile to resolve issues, find better deals, or provide timely assistance during travel emergencies. One review mentioned how Air Ticket Pro helped rebook a flight at no extra cost when the customer’s original flight was canceled due to bad weather. Another customer shared their experience of receiving a substantial discount on a last-minute booking, thanks to the diligent efforts of the Air Ticket Pro team. Commitment to Sustainability In an era where sustainable travel is becoming increasingly important, Air Ticket Pro is committed to promoting eco-friendly travel options. The company provides information on airlines that operate with a lower carbon footprint and encourages customers to make environmentally conscious travel choices.

4

Counting on tech to strengthen travel loyalty initiatives #MegaEvent2024 in Calgary, Canada Travel #loyaltyprograms continue to evolve. Key aspects such as accrual, redemption, award availability, tiers and benefits, partnerships and promotions have changed tremendously. An integral part of this change involves new tech capabilities and systems that have played a key role in shaping up all the aspects, explained Pavel Koutsenko, Director Loyalty Solutions, IBS Software at the #MegaEvent2024. This can be seen today in revenue accounting and APIs for the accrual aspect or facilitating redemption via interfaces with third-party content providers and online marketplaces, he said. A crucial element in the manner in which FFPs have evolved is letting partner businesses offer points accruals and redemptions without the need for system integrations, said Koutsenko, who added that a loyalty platform featuring extensive partner management capabilities and supporting self-service partner portal are a given today. Tech that drives these platforms are configurable, standing out for flexibility and agility. A key pillar is cloud-native architecture. The role of tech should be visible in terms of being in control of how to reward members across different tiers, making redemption simple, the choice of using miles or cash or both, protecting members against fraud and so on.   Being ready for new developments Koutsenko added that the work of tech specialists doesn’t end here. “…evolving trends require new thinking and will drive application of new technologies,” he said, referring to what all can be done with #artificialintelligence (AI), catering to different generations owing to what they deem as value in these programs, environmental concerns, lifestyle trends etc. Koutsenko shared that encouraging and supporting #sustainability and related behaviour is vital today. In order to support a healthy lifestyle, loyalty programs are continuously finding ways to make every day more rewarding. By Ritesh Gupta, Ai Events Marcus Puffer Binay Warrier #airlines #FFP #loyaltymarketing #miles #rewards #airlineloyalty

6

Want to travel light and look sharp?🧳Learn how to pack efficiently without sacrificing your favorite statement pieces in BCD’s latest #HowTo guide. Read the full guide here: https://ow.ly/kLNO50S9tQq #bcdtravel

40

1 Comment

Want to know how to rocket your travel program to the next level? 🚀 Meet BCD at #GBTACanada24 and let’s discuss! Haven’t signed up yet? Register here: https://ow.ly/MkPU30sBwSx #TravelManagement

2

Frontier Lodging Solutions takes its commitment to cost savings seriously and we want to show that to our clients from day one. Frontier won’t charge you to set up the program, we won’t charge you monthly subscription fees, nor will we charge you more for reaching out after 5 pm. But it doesn’t stop there. There are no monthly minimums on the contract, you will not get locked into a term of service, you won’t get charged extra in extenuating circumstances, and you certainly won’t get charged for making changes to your reservation. The last thing we want to do at Frontier Lodging Solutions is take back all the savings we accomplished through our hotel discounts. Enjoy the transparency and freedom from fees that a Frontier Accommodations Program can offer you. Learn more about how you can optimize cost savings with your company’s travel by visiting www.frontierlodging.com #accommodations #transparency #zerocosts #nofees #travelindustry #hotels #hospitalityindustry #energyindustry #renewables #oilandgasindustry #constructionindustry #telecom David Kruschell Andrew Kruschell Aaron Nickel Surjo Abedin Julia Brazier Richard Gardner

12

Do you ever wonder 🤔 Where tourism trends are heading? What are travellers driven by? Our friends at Alphabet® have scoured industry reports, and, using their insights from the 2023 Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Congress, they’ve collated some tourism trends they anticipate for the year ahead. 🚀 Embracing local, sustainable choices aligned with personal values 🚀 Prioritizing travel as a necessary expense 🚀 Connecting with local cultures 🚀 Leveraging social media in 2024 Read the full blog here👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/eUvmy9n3 #tourismtrends #tourismgrowth #tourismdrivestheeconomy

3

✨ Kickstart Your Career in Travel with Nexion Canada! ✨ Ever dreamed of turning your passion for travel into a profession? Learn from our inspiring travel advisors who've made the leap and now craft unforgettable journeys. Discover how Nexion Canada can be your gateway to a rewarding travel career. #TravelCareer #NexionCanada #BecomeATravelAdvisor #NexionTravelGroupCanada

2

Business visitors typically spend 2X more than leisure travellers. Business events like conferences and trade shows fill hotels, convention centres and restaurants year-round. Learn how TIAC and Meetings Mean Business Canada are supporting Canada's business events sector: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gQJqRVD5 #TourismWeekCanada2024 #Bleisure #MeetingsMeanBusiness

4

At Tycoon Events, teamwork is at the core of everything we do. Watch our team in action, where collaboration brings visions to life! #EventMarketing #EventManagement #EventProfs #EventPlannerCanada #EventCoordinator

2

Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Canadian Travel Insights Dashboard, built in collaboration with Destination Canada and powered by Skift, is a new initiative providing regular and timely insights on Canadian travel consumer perceptions, attitudes, behaviours, and motivators. This innovative platform, part of Destination Canada’s new Canadian Tourism Data Collective, is now live! Check it out; 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ebNxE_Uk ✅ TIAO’s Take: This research report reveals promising insights for Ontario tourism operators. Ontario leads Canadian destinations in recent visits, familiarity, and likelihood of visits in the next 2 years. The report also highlights competitive destinations: Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. TIAO advocates for increased national marketing to enhance domestic competition, making this report essential reading for tourism marketers.

15

1 Comment

It's day 2 of National Tourism Week! 🙌 😀 Between April 14-19, Canada is bringing awareness to the way that tourism contributes to the country's prosperity and legacy. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has dedicated today to Business Events to honour just how critical meetings are to the industry. In fact, business events made up 40% of total tourism sector spending pre-pandemic and the business meetings and events sector contributed $27.4 billion in direct GDP in 2019. ✈️ 👏 Meetings Mean Business Canada and TIAC created a factsheet to show the multitude of ways business events drive Canada's economic growth and encourage global innovation. 👉 https://bit.ly/41mgHZO #TourismWeekCanada2024 #GoGreen #MyOttawa #SportsinOttawa #MeetOttawa

34