Air Canada Vacations has announced a significant restructuring of its sales team, aimed at enhancing support for travel partners and expanding its market footprint across Canada. This strategic move echoes the company’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships within the travel community.
Ana Paula De Souza, Director of Sales at Air Canada Vacations, expressed enthusiasm over the new appointments. "I’m happy to welcome Clementina, Bruce, Anna, and Suzanne to Air Canada Vacations. These appointments underscore our dedication to building strong partnerships, providing unparalleled support, and driving growth opportunities for the travel community and our travel partners."
New Leadership Roles
One of the key appointments is Elish Tait, who has stepped into the role of Manager of National Accounts. With extensive experience in the travel industry, Tait will be instrumental in supporting national partners and enhancing Air Canada Vacations’ market presence from coast to coast. Her previous position as the Area Sales Manager for regions including Toronto North and Northern Ontario equipped her with critical insights into partner support at the travel counsellor level. Prior to joining Air Canada Vacations, she held a significant role at The Travel Agent Next Door, where she contributed to agency support and special projects for seven years.
Expansion of Area Sales Managers
The company has added four new Area Sales Managers to bolster its regional teams:
- Clementina Iannuzzi will cover Southwestern Ontario, joining from Travel Experts where she excelled as Business Development Manager.
- Bruce Parkinson, bringing over 13 years of experience from Flight Centre, will strengthen the team further in an Area Sales Manager role. They will report to Erminia Gallina, General Manager for Ontario and Atlantic Canada, joining existing team members Dianne Pedroso, Judy Munden, and Krista Rothfuchs.
In Western Canada, Anna Teglasi has taken on responsibilities for the Burnaby, Tri-Cities, Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and Northern BC regions, bringing valuable international experience from the luxury cruise sector. Suzanne Morgan, tasked with overseeing Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, has a rich background as a travel advisor with over 15 years of expertise. both will report to Marigold Frontuna, General Manager for Western Canada, alongside Rose Siu.
New Initiatives and Team Structure
Tina Kensett has been appointed as the Area Sales Manager for the ACV@Home program in Western Canada, showcasing Air Canada Vacations’ adaptability to the evolving travel landscape. Additionally, Krista Rothfuchs has been promoted to Independent Advisors Manager, reinforcing her role in supporting Ontario and Eastern Canada.
The Quebec team remains robust, led by Marco Gagnon, General Manager, and includes Area Sales Manager Helena Inacio Silva, alongside Nicolas Thériault and Jean-Luc Tremblay. The Sales Support team operates under the leadership of Christine Faulkner, Manager of Sales Operations & Planning. Notably, Barbara Mengué Mbo has recently been promoted to Sales Operations and Trade Communications Manager, contributing to a growing team that also includes Erin Craft, Sabiha Guzel, Christina Hipolito, Claudia Jamett, Kathryn D’Mello, and Diana Gerardi, all serving important roles as Sales Operations Coordinators.
“The welcoming of these talented individuals to our team is a testament to our dedication to building strong partnerships and delivering exceptional service,” remarked Ana Paula De Souza.
This revamp of the Air Canada Vacations sales team illustrates the company’s proactive approach to supporting travel agents and partners, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic market. With an expanded team and a focus on collaboration, Air Canada Vacations is set to enhance its offerings and solidify its position as a leader in the travel industry.
