Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com/canada
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
Menu
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

TRAVELSAVERS Owners Focus Retreat Forges Closer Bonds Among Canadian & U.S. Members

by Bruce Parkinson  May 07, 2025
TRAVELSAVERS Owners Focus Retreat Forges Closer Bonds Among Canadian & U.S. Members

Attendees at the 2025 TRAVELSAVERS Owners Focus Retreat.

More than 120 TRAVELSAVERS owners and managers from Canada and the U.S., along with suppliers and staff, attended the Owners Focus Retreat April 23-26 at Chateau Elan in Braselton, Georgia.  

Amidst industry headwinds and political tensions between Canada and the U.S., attendees forged closer bonds and shared best practices and fresh business ideas.

“Owners Focus Retreat offered participants the perfect setting to step away from distractions and reflect on their business,” said TRAVELSAVERS Chief Sales Officer Kathryn Mazza-Burney. 

“We reshaped the event as a rare opportunity for motivation, connection, and innovation. Attendees loved sharing best practices, perspectives, and strategies as a base for their future growth.”

Owners Focus Retreat aims to facilitate meaningful connections among owners and partners in a relaxed ambience. Attendees took part in interactive programs with inspiring speakers, lively networking and leisure pursuits. 

Travel Market Report Canada spoke to Jane Clementino, Senior Vice President and General Manager for TRAVELSAVERS Canada, while she attended the event, along with 25 Canadian owners and managers. She was pleased with the Canadian turnout, despite some concerns among members about travelling to the U.S. in the current climate. 

She reported that Canadian members were welcomed warmly and any tensions were soon forgotten as attendees worked together to make the most of a tumultuous time when financial uncertainty and geopolitical machinations are impacting both travel confidence and destination choice.

TRAVELSAVERS Canada SVP and General Manager Jane Clementino.

“Everything goes right now,” Clementino told Travel Market Report Canada. “We need to ask different questions, stop doing things that aren’t working, focus on acquisition of new clients and make sure we’re there for them, even for small trips.”

Despite the uncertainty, TRAVELSAVERS advisors attending the event are posting sales increases even on top of 2024’s strong numbers, with cruising leading the way. Premium ocean cruising is up 21%, followed by river cruises at 15% and contemporary ocean cruising at 13%. Luxury cruising is up five percent. Guided vacations have increased by 11%, sun vacations have grown by five percent and FIT travel is up four percent. 

“I am super bullish on this business and believe 2025 is going to end strongly,” said TRAVELSAVERS Chief Marketing Officer Nicole Mazza. “Travellers are booking for the festive season and into next year. 2026 is already off the charts with double-digit growth.”

Clementino said it has just been in the past few weeks that TRAVELSAVERS Canada members have seen a dip in demand. In fact, in the first quarter of the year, sales were up 9% in terms of revenue, mostly reflecting higher prices, but still a solid performance.

Groups built Lego creations that symbolized their professional challenges and triumphs.

Echoing Mazza, Clementino noted that TRAVELSAVERS Canada customers are “incredibly committed to 2026” travel, with both cruise and ITC bookings way up. Bookings for the second half of this year are not as strong, which Clementino said could present some opportunities if the economic climate eases and consumer confidence recovers.

“This is a pivotal moment. Canadians are looking for knowledgeable professionals to help guide their travel decisions, and we’re here to support our advisors every step of the way.”

Mazza encouraged attendees to collaborate to continue their trajectory of success. “After 55 years, we’re not strangers to industry challenges,” she said. “We excel at turning them into opportunities. Whether it’s repositioning marketing to resonate with travellers, negotiating supplier agreements for today’s realities, or introducing technology to help advisors work more efficiently, this is the moment to reframe the narrative and win new business.”

News highlights from the TRAVELSAVERS Owners Focus Retreat included:

  • TRAVELSAVERS has expanded its partner collection, bringing more choice and advantages to clients and more sales, commissions and profit-sharing to advisors. The network has also enhanced its VIP program for cruises and tours, offering more departure dates and benefits. 
  • Enhanced advisor profiles on TRAVELSAVERS.com now allow consumers to reach out to a match of their choice. The Travel Club program provides travellers with exclusive discounts and amenities, also driving prospects to network agencies.  
  • TRAVELSAVERS is investing in technology enhancements to increase effectiveness and sales. Its tripXpress platform for researching and booking travel now features unique deep-linking technology. With it, advisors can include links in marketing collateral that take travellers directly into the booking process. 
  • The TRAVELSAVERS AI Connect tool is helping advisors work more efficiently to drive bookings, allowing them to regain time in their day to sell. 

  0
  0
Related Articles
TRAVELSAVERS Canada Celebrates Top Agencies and Partners at Travel Market 2025
TRAVELSAVERS Celebrates Milestones at 2025 Travel Market Conference
New TRAVELSAVERS Canada Agencies Boost Preferred Partner Sales By $18 Million
TRAVELSAVERS Canada Says Now is the Time for Advisors to Show Their Worth
TRAVELSAVERS Hosts Dine & Discover Event Near HQ in New York
Serving Those Who Served: How Vacations for Heroes Found Success Selling Travel to Service Members
Bucket-list Trips & Personalized Journeys Top TRAVELSAVERS Canada’s 2025 Travel Trends
Headquarter Happenings: AMG Celebrates Member Growth, New AI Program
TRAVELSAVERS Canada Survey Names Direct Bookings and Staffing Shortage as Top Challenges

MOST VIEWED

  1. Air Passenger Rights Group Says ‘Unconstitutional’ Rules Muzzle Travellers
  2. Los Cabos is Finally Attracting Eastern Canadians & the Outlook is Strong
  3. Travel Women We Love: TTAND’s Rhonda Stanley
  4. VIDEO: TLN’s New President Pearlman Proud to Bring A Canadian Perspective
  5. ACTA: Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Canada’s Travel Industry Will Be Worse Than Pandemic
  6. Lindsay Pearlman to Lead TLN as John Lovell Departs for Virgin Voyages


  1. The Summer of Staying Close to Home: A TRAVELSAVERS Canada Survey
  2. VIDEO: Air Canada Celebrates Pride, Gets Some Pushback with 1st All-2SLGBTQIA+ Flight
  3. Where the Wild Things Are: Advisors Reflect on G Adventures Galapagos Fam
  4. Air Canada Joins Other Airlines in Suspending Dubai Flights
  5. Reviving U.S. Travel: Brand USA Unveils America the Beautiful Campaign
  6. Marlin Travel Brantford Taps Julie Curcio-Birch, Director of Sales and Development
Top Stories
TICO Adds Three “Highly Requested Resources” to Registrant Toolkit
TICO Adds Three “Highly Requested Resources” to Registrant Toolkit

The new resources new resources make it easier for travel professionals to highlight the benefits of booking with a TICO registered business to current and prospective clients.

Transat Distribution Canada Gathers Owners, Managers & Suppliers In Spain
Transat Distribution Canada Gathers Owners, Managers & Suppliers In Spain

The conference brought together owners and managers of franchised and affiliated agencies in the TDC network, the managers of Transat Travel/Voyages Transat agencies, members of the TDC leadership team and preferred partners.

Amex GBT Report: Gen Z Embraces Business Travel – But Needs More Support
Amex GBT Report: Gen Z Embraces Business Travel – But Needs More Support

Younger business travellers are more likely to feel stressed, experience disruption, and lack clarity on the support their employer provides.

TMR Canada on Scene: Highlights of Germany on a TTC Tour Week Trafalgar Fam
TMR Canada on Scene: Highlights of Germany on a TTC Tour Week Trafalgar Fam

TravelPulse Canada is on a Trafalgar familiarization tour with about 30 travel advisors from key TTC Tour Brands source markets.

Our Writer’s Instagram Got Hacked – Here’s What to Do If This Happens to You
Our Writer’s Instagram Got Hacked – Here’s What to Do If This Happens to You

As travel professionals, we use social media platforms as part of our marketing and sales strategy. We don’t always realize how important our pages are…until they are gone.

Trevello Creates New U.S. Division, Appoints Erwing Hernandez as President
Trevello Creates New U.S. Division, Appoints Erwing Hernandez as President

The U.S. division, which will operate as a standalone host agency will launch on May 1, 2025.

TMR Subscription

Don’t miss out! Sign up for our free daily newsletter and get the latest Canadian travel industry news and event coverage delivered straight to your inbox. No spam — just what matters.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
industry spotlight
https://img.youtube.com/vi/F3tnroIkhTQ/0.jpg
Mitsui Ocean Cruises, Beautiful Encounters with Japan
Advertiser's Voice
The Collette Premium Experience
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
Editor@travelmarketreport.ca
Give Us a Call
647 255 8990
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report Canada Inc.
3080 Yonge St. Suite 6060 Toronto, ON M4N 3N1
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences