Air Transat Imposes New Fees
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunquest promotion means clients can travel tax-freeREVISED Baggage Fees

Effective December 15, excess baggage fees will be revised as follows:
• Sun Destinations C$15 per kg (Without Kiloflex) C$10 per kg (With Kiloflex)
•Europe Destinations C$20 per kg (Without Kiloflex) C$13 per kg (With Kiloflex)

Special Equipment

Effective December 15, a fixed charge of C$100 per flight segment will apply to the transportation of surfboards.

Animal Transportation

Cats and dogs are the only animals accepted for carriage in the cargo hold. Effective April 1, 2012, animal transportation fees will be revised as follows:
• Sun Destinations C$150 per flight segment
• Europe Destinations C$275 per flight segment

Online Check-in
Effective December 15, 2011, online check-in will be available from Montego Bay and Cancun. Passengers are able to check-in online at www.airtransat.ca between 24 and two hours prior to the departure of their flights. Luggage can then be deposited at the airport’s baggage drop-off counter.
This service is already available for Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Punta Cana and Rome departures.

NEW seating category

EFFECTIVE December 15, a new seating category will be introduced “Two-By-Two Seats Over The Wing (A330-300) or Standard Seat With A View (A330-200 – 300)”.

The cost for these seats via seat selection are:

• Sun Destinations and Florida – C$20
• Europe excluding United Kingdom – C$25
• United Kingdom - C$25

The cost for these seats via Options Plus are:

• Sun Destinations and Florida – C$89 (roundtrip) – C$49.50 per segment
• Europe excluding United Kingdom – C$109 (roundtrip) – C$64.50 per segment
• United Kingdom - C$109 (roundtrip) – C$64.50 per segment

Also effective December 15, some rates for existing seating categories will change go to www.airtransat.ca to view these changes.

Visit www.airtransat.ca for more information.
10 Reasons to Sail Celebrity Cruises
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Click here to find out why YOU should be cruising on Celebrity Cruise Lines.

More Info: http://https://c.na1.content.force.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00P30000009PFJh
Cruise ships and hurricanes
Thursday, August 25, 2011
If being on a cruise ship during the hurricane season (June 1 to December 1) worries you, here are some important facts that will help you feel better:
 
  • Today's cruise ships feature the most technologically advanced weather forecasting systems and equipment available, allowing officers and company officials to plan voyages to avoid weather-related disturbances in advance.  Today's cruise ships are completely mobile and able to alter, cancel, shorten, or extend ship itineraries to provide the maximim comfort in instances of threatening weather.
  • Ships are able to work around port closures caused by severe weather conditions.  In the event that ports of embarkation and debarkation are closed, cruise lines can use nearby alternative ports.  In these cases, cruise lines coordinate provisioning of the ship as well as transporting guests to and from the original port.
  • Cruise lines notify guests of all itinerary changes right up until the ship's sailing date.  Travelers should monitor cruise-line web sites for itinerary changes prior to finalizing travel arrangements.
  • While cruise companies are in the business of selling vacations, the safety and security of guests and crew members is their primary concern.  In all circumstances, cruise lines take extraordinatry efforts to provide a safe and fulfilling vacation experience.
  • While today's cruise guests purchase air transportation in a variety of ways, travelers who buy cruise-line air transportation receive premium protection and service in comparison with travelers who purchase air separately.  Cruise-line air departments invariably stand by guests, working on their behalf to make all arrangements, efficiently reschedule flights, and route guests to their ship in instances of travel disruptions cause by extraordinary weather.
  • The purchase of travel insurance, always an important element of any cruise vacation, assumes additional significance in instances of severe weather.  Airline flight delays, which are covered in policies available from several providers, are most often the critical factor when guests experience problems reaching their ship.  Guests can purchase insurance to cover these situations and related experiences.
  • In the rare instance a cruise is cancelled due to weather-related circumstances, cruise lines, on a company-by-company basis, traditionally offer various solutions that extend to guests the opportunity to enjoy a future cruise vacation within a reasonable time period and with the guest's convenience in mind.

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)

Oceania returns to Canada, New England
Friday, August 19, 2011
OCEANIA Cruises has confirmed that it will offer Canada and New England voyages beginning with its 2012 fall season.

The cruises have been introduced in place of previously-scheduled Mediterranean voyages. The lines has changed nine itineraries in total.

Commenting on the announcement Bruce J. Himelstein, president for Oceania Cruises said that the line’s 2011 Fall Foliage cruises have been well received by trade partners and their clients and for this reason it has decided to redeploy the Regatta from Europe to Canada and New England.

Highlights will include cruising the Bay of Fundy, Saguenay Fjord and St. Lawrence River. Optional excursions enhance the destination experience and include a horse-drawn carriage tour of Quebec City; visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg fishing village; and a lobster lunch at Dalvay by the Sea, the 19th-century summer home built by then Standard Oil chief Alexander MacDonald. Outdoor pursuits include cycling Acadia National Park and Prince Edward Island and kayaking coves in Maine and Nova Scotia.
The Value of a Passport
Thursday, October 27, 2011
There has been a LOT of mention in the news over the last couple years about the value of having a passport and the importance of keeping it up to date.  Most countries now require that passports be valid at least until 6 months after the scheduled return to Canada.  This hit home for some travellers of a colleague just recently:
 
The daughter of a family of 4 on their way to their Spring vacation was denied boarding the plane because her passort would expire 5 days short of the required expiry date.  A $6,000+ trip was lost because they did not pay attention to that detail.
 
Any time you book a trip out of the country, check your passport's expiry date.  If it expires within 6 months of your return, get a new one.  You will rather have spent the $85 for a new passport than lose your holiday!
 
Business Links
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I am a proud member of BNI's "Orleans Business Links" chapter.  Click on the link to see what other companies are part of the chapter.  I would not hesitate to recommend anyone of these people for the businesses they provide.  Say I sent you!  :-)

More Info: http://www.johnandwendy.ca/en/Business_Links_63.html
TPI Takes 34 to Bali to Celebrate
Monday, November 07, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, celebrated the success of its top producing consultants by taking 34 associates, associates' guests, preferred partners, and TPI staff to the Aston Bali Resort, Bali, Indonesia, 14-21 October 2011, as part of the company’s annual Club Velocity trip for its top independent travel consultants.

Visiting Bali and surrounding areas for seven days, attendees enjoyed leisure, networking, and education components while celebrating their success alongside a handful of TPI staff, David Boigne, VP Specialty Brands, Thomas Cook Canada, and Morris Chia, TPI Chairman and CEO.

“We had an amazing time exploring the island, its warm people, interesting culture, temples, local villages, shopping, and relaxing on the beach and pool side,” exclaimed Carl Henderson, a Diamond-level TPI associate from Toronto, Ontario.

Exclusive to TPI Associates, the Velocity rewards program is designed to encourage consultants to gain industry designations, participate in TPI and preferred partner functions, and build their businesses through increased sales – all the while rewarding them with incentives such as the annual Club Velocity trip for TPI’s top-producing associates and their guests.

“The annual TPI Velocity trip is such a great reward from TPI and always so much fun with the other TPI Associates from across the country and head office staff,” said Henderson.

TPI’s 2011 Club Velocity trip was generously sponsored by, TPI preferred partners, Exotik Tours, Sunquest Vacations, Royal Caribbean International/Azamara Cruises, and RBC Insurance.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

TPI Holds Successful 2011 Fall Summit Series
Monday, October 24, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, has concluded its cross-country fall training series, entitled TPI 2011 Summit, attended by over 300 of the company’s travel consultants.

TPI 2011 Summit visited seven cities across Canada throughout September and October, bringing Associates in-person training from invited speakers, members of TPI’s management team, and preferred partners on need-to-know trends affecting the industry, new TPI program offerings, and best practices for business success. In addition, TPI offered an optional training add-on day for Associates to take part in one-on-one marketing workshops with TPI Training and Development Managers.

Keynote speaking at the TPI 2011 Summit was Terry Knox, a motivational speaker with clients throughout North America and Dubai, who spoke with TPI travel consultants about tools to enhance their personal and professional lives.

TPI 2011 Summit events were held in Dartmouth, NS; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC; Toronto, ON; Regina, SK; and Winnipeg, MB.

Preferred partners supporting the events included Thomas Cook Canada, Transat Holidays/Nolitours, Royal Caribbean International/Azamara, and Princess Cruises, as well as RBC Insurance, Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations, Trafalgar Tours, and many more.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

TPI Announces 2011 Fall Summit Series
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, announces the details of its 2011 Regional Summit training and networking events taking place in major centres across Canada throughout September and October.

Attracting hundreds of TPI travel consultants each year, the TPI Regional Summit brings Associates in-person training from invited speakers, members of TPI’s management team, and preferred partners on need-to-know trends affecting the industry, new TPI program offerings, and best practices for business success. In addition, TPI offers an optional add-on day to interested Associates who wish to take part in additional training on various topics related to the success of their business.

Keynote speaking at the 2011 series is Terri Knox, a motivational speaker with clients throughout North America and Dubai, who will be speaking with TPI travel consultants about tools that will enhance their personal and professional lives.

The dates and locations of the TPI 2011 Regional Summit are:

10 September – Travelodge Hotel Dixon, Toronto, ON
12 September – Ramada Park Place Hotel, Dartmouth, NS
18 September – River Rock Resort and Casino, Vancouver, BC
21 September – Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton West, Edmonton, AB
24 September – Holiday Inn Macleod South, Calgary, AB
1 October – Ramada, Regina, SK
4 October – McPhillips Station Casino, Winnipeg, MB


__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

TPI Holds Manitoba Summer BBQ
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its annual TPI Manitoba summer barbeque in Winnipeg, Monday, 18 July 2011, at the home of David Wass, TPI Business Development Manager. Attendees included 33 associates, staff, and their guests along with Maurizio Mazzola, Trafalgar Sales Manager Ontario GTA Region and Key Accounts, who flew in from Toronto to join the festivities on behalf of the barbeque’s sponsor, Trafalgar.

Throughout the summer months, TPI holds various events across the country for its associates to network and enjoy the warm weather.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

TPI Holds Ontario Summer BBQ
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its annual TPI Ontario summer barbeque in Toronto, Thursday, 16 June 2011, at the Mimico Cruising Club on Lake Ontario.

Guests included 68 associates and their guests. Sponsored by Trafalgar, Doug Patterson, Trafalgar President, joined in the festivities along with members of Trafalgar’s Toronto team.

Throughout the summer months, TPI is holding events across the country for its associates to network with their peers and enjoy food and fun in the great outdoors.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

TPI Raises $10k for Charity
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, is proud to announce that its staff, associates, and travel industry partners raised CAD10,000.00 between April and May 2011 for the City of Joy Foundation, Mexico.

The City of Joy Foundation offers assistance to many social programs in Mexico including but not limited to food, shelter, and education. The money raised by TPI will be used for a number of these initiatives, including education where it will specifically assist the Mano Amiga School in providing high quality education for over 1,000 pupils from economically sensitive backgrounds.

“We are honoured that TPI chose to support our charity and the money raised will immediately be put to good use in helping those who need it most. We are truly grateful,” said Anita Gallagher, Director, City of Joy Foundation.

As one component of the two-month fundraising effort, TPI associates (and their guests), staff, and travel industry partners took part in a walk-a-thon aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas during the 2011 TPI Annual Conference.

TPI wishes to thank its staff, associates, and travel industry partners who donated to the campaign, including a special thank you to Thomas Cook Canada, Royal Caribbean International, and Karisma Hotels for their generous donations.

The City of Joy Foundation (Fundación Ciudad de la Alegría) was founded to construct spaces, generate synergies, and strengthen actions in support of institutions which, with love and joy, promote the development and dignity of marginalized individuals and families, thus addressing the most pressing social needs of rapidly growing cities. More information is available at www.cityofjoyfoundation.org.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

Success at Sea for TPI Annual Conference
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its 2011 Annual Conference, “Discover”, aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, 8-15 May 2011.

Attending the conference cruise were 195 guests, including 105 TPI Associates (and their 53 guests), 30 travel industry suppliers and partners, and 7 TPI Head Office staff. Sailing between Fort Lauderdale and Labadee, Jamaica, and Cozumel, conference attendees were invited to discover best practices for meeting the true potential of their businesses through their travel partners, associate peers, and head office support team.

Phil Sproul, TPI President, congratulated the assembled associates on their success and noted that TPI's overall travel sales were up 24% and travel commissions were up 25% for its fiscal year-to-date 2011, with the largest area of growth being cruise vacation sales (up 39%). He noted the continued desire among consumers for FIT and dynamic packaging, and the impact that has had on TPI's segmented travel sales.

Keynote speaker, Lisa Bauer, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean, started off the conference sharing tips on what Royal Caribbean International does to achieve customer service excellence and how every travel consultant can use what Royal Caribbean has learnt in their own businesses in order to achieve this same goal.

Associates took part in further educational sessions throughout the length of the cruise, including but not limited to site visits and breakout sessions hosted by TPI Head Office staff and TPI Associates. In addition to the educational component of the conference, associates took part in team building activities hosted by Thomas Cook Canada (in Labadee) and site inspections hosted by Air Canada Vacations (in Jamaica) and Sunquest (in Cozumel).

Over 85% of post-conference survey respondents said that the 2011 TPI Annual Conference either “Exceeded” (47% of respondents) or “Greatly Exceeded” (38% of respondents) their expectations.

"Discover" was generously sponsored by TPI Preferred Partners, including Royal Caribbean International, Air Canada Vacations, Thomas Cook Canada, Transat Holidays/Nolitours, Trafalgar/Insight Vacations/Contiki Holidays, WestJet Vacations, Sandals, Celebrity Cruises, RBC Insurance, Intrepid, hotelconnect, Carnival Cruises, AMA Waterways, Exotik/Boomerang Tours, Karisma Hotels, Alio, Tourcan Vacations, Kensington Tours, Collette Vacations, and Sabre Travel Network. Also in attendance were representatives from ACTA and CLIA.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca


TPI Hosts Exclusive Orlando Fam
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, hosted an Orlando, Florida, familiarization trip exclusively for 51 of its consultants and their guests from across Canada, 3-7 May 2011.

As the 4th most visited destination by clients of TPI’s travel consultants, Orlando (and Florida overall, with Fort Lauderdale as the 10th most visited destination) plays an important role in TPI’s current business as well as in its future business with fiscal 2010 year-over-year visits to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale up 9% and 2% respectively.

As part of the familiarization trip, TPI travel consultants sampled some of Orlando’s accommodations, finest cuisine, and main attractions, including but not limited to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Studios Orlando.

The TPI Visit Orlando Fam was generously supported by Visit Orlando (www.visitorlando.com) and was organized and escorted by Christal Bauer, TPI Western Canada Training & Development Manager, and Penny Martin, TPI Ontario Training & Development Manager.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

TPI Releases Results of 2011 Annual Associate Survey
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, has released the results of its 2011 Annual Associate Survey.

As the largest single measure of how TPI services rate year-on-year with its travel consultants, the survey gives important measurable insight into how the performance of TPI's support and program offerings match up with travel consultant expectations.

The voluntary survey was submitted by 320 TPI Associates between 25 March and 9 April 2011, representing a 39% increase over the 230 respondents of the 2010 survey.

Sample general findings from the survey include but are not limited to:

• 96% of respondents (compared to 90% in 2010 and 88% in 2009) either “Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” with the statement, “Overall, I am satisfied and happy to be working with TPI.”

• 95% of respondents either “Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” with the statement, “TPI listens carefully to my inquiries and responds in a caring, knowledgeable, and helpful manner.” This question was not asked in previous surveys and as such has no comparison figure.

• 93% of respondents either “Agreed or “Strongly Agreed” with the statement, “I would recommend becoming a TPI Affiliate to existing travel consultants who are not currently with TPI.” This question was not asked in previous surveys and as such has no comparison figure.

• 54% of respondents have over 5 years of experience as a travel consultant (including 29% with over 10 years of experience as a travel consultant). This question was not asked in previous surveys and as such has no comparison figure.

Following the release of the survey results, individual department managers and their teams are tasked with ensuring that the results of the survey are reviewed and suggestions incorporated into existing services and programs where appropriate.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca) and The Chia Group (www.thechiagroup.com).

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca

TPI's Velocity Rewards Program for Consultants Celebrates 5 Years of Growth
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Celebrating its fifth consecutive year of record-breaking results for its exclusive Velocity consultant rewards program, Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, announces expanded program rewards and the location of its much-anticipated Club Velocity trip for top-producing consultants and their guests.

Highlights of the recently-announced Velocity standings include:

- An increase to 332 participating Associates for the 2011 reward year, up 24% from 268 Associates for the 2010 reward year, and

- The number of Associates in the three highest tier levels of the program (Platinum, Diamond, and Elite) increasing by 14% over the 2010 reward year results, including a 41% increase in the Platinum (highest) level.

Due to the continued growth in the sales of consultants within the program, expanded Platinum level (consultants with more than $90 000 in commission per calendar year) rewards are being introduced, including but not limited to greater access to marketing dollars (up to a $2 000 value per year).

Built as both a motivational and incentive program, TPI Associates gain status in the various Velocity reward tiers through participation in TPI and TPI Preferred Partner functions (such as the TPI Annual Conference, preferred partner trainings, etc.), by receiving certifications and designations (such as those offered by CLIA, CITC, etc.), and by earning points through their yearly commission volumes.

In return for their acceptance into the various Velocity reward levels, Associates have access to such rewards as higher commission levels, complimentary registration in a variety of TPI programs (such as the TPI Annual Conference), and a complimentary land package for the Associate and a guest on the annual ultra-exclusive Club Velocity trip – in 2011 taking Associates and their guests to Bali, Indonesia. Previous reward trips took Associates and their guests to Jamaica, Barbados, and the Mediterranean.

More details on TPI’s exclusive Velocity consultant rewards program can be found at www.tpi.ca.

__________


Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There

TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca

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Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca