With Eastern Europe, river cruising and authentic travel trending strongly for 2024, TRAVELSAVERS’ top 50 advisors experienced it all during their recent Elite Retreat.

The advisors cruised the Danube from Budapest to Vienna on the Avalon Impression from November 29 to December 5 in recognition of their sales success. Although planned well in advance, the trip hit on a number of current trends.

In a new TRAVELSAVERS Canada survey, advisors named Eastern Europe among the top rising destinations for next year and river cruising as one of the most popular travel styles. River cruise sales are up by an impressive 114% in Canada. Personalized experiences and authentic travel also placed on the top-five list of emerging trends, and both came to life for the Elite advisors as they immersed themselves in the region’s unique history and culture.

In every port, a winter wonderland awaited TRAVELSAVERS consultants. They visited the region’s celebrated Christmas markets and sampled sweet treats of the season.

In Budapest, advisors visited a factory creating glass ornaments by hand using traditional techniques and decorated their own art. In Bratislava, the group learned creative techniques in a painting workshop. In Vienna, they attended a Champagne reception and an exclusive evening tour of the magnificent Baroque Belvedere Palace.

“The TRAVELSAVERS Elite Retreat is our chance to celebrate our outstanding advisors and their sales achievements,” said Jane Clementino, SVP and General Manager of TRAVELSAVERS Canada. “During the event, consultants gain firsthand knowledge of these destinations and travel styles, helping them continue to deliver next-level travel experiences for their clients. Our top advisors are dedicated to providing the same distinctive experiences they enjoyed on this reward trip.”

Networking was also a vital component of the event, as the TRAVELSAVERS Canada community members built new relationships and rekindled old ones. During one-on-one meetings, advisors learned about the latest product and trend developments from preferred suppliers. The company says that informal connections forged during tours, hands-on experiences and evening events were equally valuable.