Travel is amazing, don’t you think? That’s why AAA Travel is thrilled to work with the best travel companies and dedicated AAA travel agents. “AAA Travel and our partners are enthusiastic about helping people explore the world and find the best travel experiences”, said Paula Twidale, Senior VP of AAA Travel.
This year, the AAA Travel conference took place in Austin, TX and celebrated the theme, “Travel to the Beat Within Us” (#AAATravelAustin), to inspire those in the travel industry to celebrate the unique benefits of worldwide travel.
During #AAATravelAustin, attendees heard from speakers on how meaningful relationships and collaboration are to successful messaging. AAA works with top travel suppliers in the industry to bring the world to AAA members’ doorstep. Inspired by unique destinations and unforgettable experiences, members trust AAA Travel to deliver on the brand promise: AAA Travel can help you plan the perfect vacation that fits your needs and budget.
AAA Travel hosts this annual conference to connect industry leaders with AAA travel executives who strategically align on making vacation dreams into vacation reality for members.
Highlights
Keynote Speakers:
AAA Travel invited a diverse group of keynote speakers to share their expertise on sustainable travel, global tourism, and economic impacts in travel on communities worldwide. Attendees participated in a fabulous community service project that aligned with the association’s sustainability goals to elevate the importance of “Be the Change” in travel.
Doc Hendley, founder of the non-profit Wine to Water,shared his journey from bartender to humanitarian and spoke about his organization’s mission to provide clean water worldwide to people in need.
Samantha Brown, host of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love on PBS, shared a personal and up-close view of her travel experience through an authentic lens, as it pertains to unique destinations, generational travel, and sustainable components. Samantha Brown Shares 7 Unexpected Ways to Be a More Sustainable Traveler
Michael Brown, Principal U.S. Economist for Visa, provided insight into the economic forecast for 2024, as well as its impact on travel.
INDUSTRY & PARTNERS
Industry panel discussions included top sustainability priorities for their businesses and the industry. AAA Travel presented its continued sustainability strategy rolled out to all AAA Members. Attendees learned about consumer trends, price sensitivity, AI in travel, product innovation, and the impacts of frequent travel to destinations causing negative environmental, economic, and sociocultural impacts.
Partner Highlights:
💡Royal Caribbean International highlighted its continued commitment to keeping people connected while at sea by offering premium Wi-Fi on every ship.
💡Allianz Partners is implementing ways to further expedite the claims process to help travelers get their vacations back on track when something goes awry.
💡The Travel Corporation shared they are seeing a demand for non-traditional travel and experiences, and are working with travelers to create trips that capture the true essence of a destination.
The two new low-carbon impact itineraries, exclusively for AAA Travel, Flavors of Northern Italy and Icons of Ireland, focus on the natural beauty and resources of Italy and Ireland while respecting the landscape and honoring the culture—things to book: bike tours, nature walks, and sampling local cuisine.
AAA BRAND SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNITY PROJECT STRATEGY
Attendees at #AAATravelAustin collaborated with Wine to Water (WTW), a non-profit aid organization focused on providing clean water to people in need worldwide. Founded by Doc Hendley, one of CNN’s Heroes, WTW was started in 2004 while Hendley was bartending in North Carolina. He raised money and traveled to Sudan to install water systems for victims of government-supported genocide. Hendley provided alternative ways to help communities by educating them on how to create their own water filter system. After Hendley shared his story with conference attendees, they participated in a filter-building community service project, assembling 250 water filters collaboratively! Each filter will last ten years – making a difference in the lives of others.
Conference attendees pledged to “Be the Change” in travel by making a conscious effort to:
♻️ Lighten the footprint of my travels
♻️ Conserve the wild places I explore
♻️ Empower the people and communities I visit
♻️ Respect the wildlife I see while traveling
♻️ Celebrate the culture authentically and respectfully
♻️ Advocate for sustainable tourism
Will you take the pledge with us? 👉 Keep Sustainable Travel in Mind with AAA and Tourism Cares
AAA PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
The Partner of the Year Awards selection process included surveys and evaluations from the association’s club travel agency executives. Superlative Awards are based on agents’ leisure travel productivity and leisure group sales from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Thousands of agents were eligible for the awards, and AAA clubs nominated their top achievers.
“Travel is our passion, and we are proud to work with the best travel companies in the industry,” Twidale added. “We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Partner of the Year Awards to some of the most trusted and prestigious travel brands that offer exceptional value to our members. We’re also proud to recognize top AAA travel agents who work tirelessly to provide quality travel services and ensure memorable vacations.”
AAA Travel Partner of the Year Award Winners:
River Cruise: AmaWaterways River Cruises
Ocean Cruise: Royal Caribbean International
Lodging: Hilton
Guided Tour: AAA Member Choice Vacations
Independent Tour: Pleasant Holidays
AAA Travel Conference Superlative Award Winners:
Highest Association Sales Volume Overall, Highest Association Revenue Produced Overall, and Highest Association Preferred Cruise Sales: Xanthe Ostrowski – AAA Minneapolis
Highest Association Preferred Tour Sales: Beth Rackham – AAA Auto Club Group
See the full list of winners on the AAA Newsroom
Ready to book your next vacation? Browse trip ideas on Trip Canvas, AAA’s free online travel planning tool, or contact a AAA travel agent near you.
