The travel industry has certainly changed since the onset of COVID-19. Now, more than ever, travellers must remain cautious before they embark on any domestic or international travel. Planning and proper research are recommended before making final purchases on vacation or holiday destinations, and travel related add-ons such as flights, accommodations, and even car rentals.

Travel guidance for CAA Members and travellers has now improved significantly, thanks to the Trusted Travel Professional program developed by CAA.

The program is exclusive to CAA travel consultants who have undergone special training to understand the intricacies of travelling in a world impacted by a pandemic, such as top current consular issues, and health and safety policies of more than 25 of CAA’s top travel partners.

According to recent CAA polling over three quarters (76%) of Canadians said that health and safety was their top concern for travelling these days. CAA Trusted Travel Professionals have undergone a multi-week, three-level accreditation process which responds to these concerns by equipping them with best practices to advise Members and customers on travelling safely.

Background on the CAA Trusted Travel Professional Program:

• As of September 2021, 440 CAA travel consultants from across Canada were enrolled in the CAA Trusted Travel Professional program.
• In Saskatchewan, 90% of the CAA Travel Consultants have completed the program, with a minimum of one accredited CAA Trusted Travel Professional at each of the 12 CAA Saskatchewan locations serving Members and clients.
• Upon completion of all three levels, travel consultants earned the CAA National designation of CAA Trusted Travel Professional.
• There are three levels in the multi-week program:
• The travel industry and government partners working with CAA for the Trusted Travel Professional program include: AMA Waterways, Best Western Hotels, Marriott International, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Brendan Vacations, Transat Holidays, Extraordinary Explorations, Rocky Mountaineer, CAA Member Choice Vacations, WestWorld Tours, Luxury Gold, Trafalgar Tours, Disney Destinations, Universal Orlando Resorts, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruise Lines, Enterprise Car Rental, G Adventures, Via Rail, CanaDream RV, Air Canada, WestJet, AMResorts, African Travel and Globus Family of Brands, and Global Affairs Canada. The content and resources are continually updated to ensure the most current information possible.
  • Level 1 – Government and Industry association policies. The purpose of this level is to provide associates with a base line of information of the changes to the travel industry in all segments of travel, including critical links to government and travel suppliers.
  • Level 2 – Partner Health and Safety policies. Approximately 25 partners, which includes at least one partner in each travel segment, were asked to create individual modules about their company’s health and safety policies.
  • Level 3 – Global Affairs Canada – Crisis Training. The content in this level of training is to learn from Global Affairs Canada about the top consular issues Canadians may confront abroad including what to do when there is a loss of travel documents, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks, as well as what Canadians can expect from their Consular representatives abroad.

The travel industry and government partners working with CAA for the Trusted Travel Professional program include: AMA Waterways, Best Western Hotels, Marriott International, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Brendan Vacations, Transat Holidays, Extraordinary Explorations, Rocky Mountaineer, CAA Member Choice Vacations, WestWorld Tours, Luxury Gold, Trafalgar Tours, Disney Destinations, Universal Orlando Resorts, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruise Lines, Enterprise Car Rental, G Adventures, Via Rail, CanaDream RV, Air Canada, WestJet, AMResorts, African Travel and Globus Family of Brands, and Global Affairs Canada. The content and resources are continually updated to ensure the most current information possible.

As Canada’s most trusted brand, Members and travellers alike come to CAA for reliable information.

Terry Kaszas CAA Travel
200 Albert St.
Regina, SK. S4R 2N4
306-791-4444
terry.kaszas@caask.ca
caask.ca/travel