Toronto, Canada (June 16, 2008) — Vacation.com® – North America’s leading travel services marketing organization – has named Christine James Country Manager, Canada, a new position designed to recognize the individual needs of the Canadian agencies within the Vacation.com network.
James, who has worked the past nine years in Canada for Vacation.com, assumes the total responsibility for all aspects of the Canadian marketplace including industry relations, membership renewal, and Canadian Business Development Managers Sue Urie in the Western Region and Elvis Fernandes in the Eastern Region. She will report directly to Steve Tracas, president and CEO of Vacation.com.
"Several years ago, Vacation.com brought its Canada operation under one single North American organization based in the Alexandria, VA headquarters which enabled us to provide expanded services to Canadian member agencies," said Steve Tracas.
"Adding these new oversight responsibilities to Christine James will allow the Canadian staff to focus more on the individual Canadian members’ needs while allowing us to streamline the reporting structure directly to me," he added.
With over 30 years of travel industry experience, Christine has been involved in several aspects of the business including industry relations, marketing, business development, sales and operations. In the past, she has held key positions with well-known organizations such as American Express, Travel Trust International, Chimo Hotels and Travel Resources.
Prior to joining Vacation.com, Christine operated her own consulting service representing niche suppliers. Since joining Vacation.com in 1999, Christine held the position of Director of National Sales, Canada and most recently was Senior Director of Industry Relations.
Vacation.com in Canada continues on its aggressive path to grow member agencies, according to Tracas. This is reflected in both the addition of new programs, preferred suppliers and the record number of Canadian agency members attending the 10th Annual International Conference & Trade Show in Las Vegas.
"This year we have over a quarter or our Canadian members joining us at conference, reflecting the overall broad support of our Canadian membership," Tracas said.
Growth in Canada for Vacation.com includes:
- New suppliers for the Canadian market recently announced:
- WestJet Vacations
- Tour East in an exclusive agreement with Vacation.com.
- Vacation.com preferred supplier revenue produced by Canadian members has more than tripled over the past year.
- CanadaNet, the desktop communications portal, has been updated for ease of use
- Fall Regional training sessions will once again be held in Canada as well as owner/manager "mixers" coordinated by the local Business Development Managers with suppliers and members.
- The Vacation.com Mobile Training Unit will travel to Canada in support of member agencies.
- The SIREV booking platform now displays Vacation.com preferred suppliers and provides Canada member agencies with a top-notch online tool.
- The partnership with Uniglobe in Canada has significantly strengthened the Vacation.com network. Uniglobe Canada agencies can take advantage of Vacation.com leisure tools such as the "award-winning" Engagement direct marketing program, while Vacation.com members can participate in Uniglobe’s industry leading air incentive programs.
"This is a good time to be a member of Vacation.com in Canada as so much is happening to improve the outlook and opportunities for our members to earn greater revenues with the various Vacation.com programs and tools," said Christine James. "I’m very pleased that my new role will allow the Canadian team to be more focused and collaborative while targeting new opportunities within the Canadian marketplace," she added.
Vacation.com
Vacation.com is a travel services marketing organization currently serving more than 5,100 travel agency locations across the U.S. and Canada. Vacation.com facilitates "The Power of the Partnership" between a network of quality preferred suppliers and member agencies who earn higher profits from disciplined marketing, training, and booking tools. Focused on leisure travel distribution and - "Powered By Real Travel Agents" - Vacation.com is North America's largest vacation selling network.
Interested in maximizing your agency’s profit potential? Visit JoinVacation.com to learn why Vacation.com is the right choice for your agency.
Vacation.com is a subsidiary of Amadeus IT Group, SA, and maintains its headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
For further information, contact Vacation.com at 1650 King Street, Suite 450, Alexandria, VA 22314; tel: 800-843-0733.
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