Destination Canada has moved to clear up “confusion” around the future of its Canada Specialist Program for agents, whose web portal has gone offline “for the remainder of 2019 and 2020”.
Agents were surprised to open up the UK section of the programme to find the message “Destination Canada is currently reviewing the Canadian Specialist Program to look at how we can improve it”.
Adam Hanmer, Destination Canada travel trade manager, told TTG: “Destination Canada has been running an agent training programme in various forms for over 30 years.
“We have continually striven to support and train agents in selling Canada in the best possible manner, evolving our CSP programme accordingly.
“We are reviewing our current training model and will be working towards a new revised programme launch in 2020/21.”
He continued that during 2020 Destination Canada would be “focusing efforts on getting out on the road to see agents the length and breadth of the UK”.
There will be 10 Canada Roadshows across the year with tour operator partners.
“Our Elite Canadian Specialist Program goes from strength to strength with exclusive event invites and some bespoke fam trips at the end of the year.”
Meanwhile, Hanmer clarified that Roger Harris would continue to be working with it on a freelance basis “to support our agent outreach”, and that CSP agents “should expect to continue to see him at events representing Destination Canada”.
Agents who “would like to continue their education” are advised to contact their travel trade manager or visit its website.