 Dear CRTA Members, I hope the summertime is a pleasant one as many of us are enjoying this get-together season with families and loved ones. Our vacation industry assures prime vacations to millions as we continue to stay strong in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Your support for CRTA, our Industry Trade Association, permits us to work and advocate on your behalf to ensure the growth of Vacation Ownership. CRTA, which works alongside leaders of other Associations such as ARDA, AMDETUR and ACOTUR, continues to provide representation to all aspects of the Vacation Ownership Industry. Continuing our work in advocacy and legislative issues that arise, CRTA depends on loyal members like you. Our ongoing B2B efforts continue throughout the year but it is at our annual conference that really makes an impact. CRTA continues to promote its members as they have agreed to abide by our Code of Ethics, the Industry’s highest standards. We encourage you to display your personalized page that is on our website at https://canadianrta.org/crta-members/ Our next annual conference will be September 3rd, 4th and 5th in Canada’s national capital, Ottawa, at the iconic Fairmont Le Château Laurier. I know many of you have already committed since members get a special rate. For those of you that have yet to register, its important that you do attend as the real value is in the networking. We promise another epic event with great speakers, our favored Board Room session, an opportunity to hear from all attendees on their business and of course, unparalled entertainment. This is a short video of our last event in Quebec City, September 2023 https://canadianrta.org/crta-news/gnex-crta-2023-conference-highlights-video/ I look forward to seeing you and discuss new opportunities and developments. Information on registration and memberships can be found at https://gnexcanada.com See you soon! Gaetan Babin RRP President & CEO |
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| Canadian Resort & Travel Association |
Our President and CEO, Gaetan Babin attended, and was a speaker at the AMDETUR Conference held June 4-5 at the wonderful Nuevo Nayarit VIDANTA in Mexico.
This is one of the biggest timeshare conferences held each year, featuring representatives from all over the North American timeshare industry. This is a chance to network with some of the biggest industry players, and discuss industry challenges and work towards an even brighter future. As Gaetan commented "When The USA, Mexico and Canada join forces to better the state of the Vacation Ownership Industry, great synergies and discussions happen!"
For more information about AMDETUR - visit their website at amdetur.org.mx
HGVC in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
By Gaetan Babin, President and CEO/CRTA
A visit to the newly branded Hilton Grand Vacations Club Tremblant, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada is an experience beyond expectations. Upon arrival, I met with Andree Morrisette, General Manager, and felt the warm welcome to one of Canada’s premier destinations.
Located just one hour north of Montreal, you will discover a landscape that is truly magical. Especially if you happen to go in the fall when all the maple trees are in full colors.
Mont-Tremblant is a true four-season resort destination. With some of the most majestic ski hills in Quebec, winter season offers guests every activity from skiing, snowshoes through breathtaking vistas, snowmobiling, skating. In the summer months, with all the lakes and trails within easy access, you will experience an area full of life. We even rented a couple of E-bikes and explored kilometers (or miles) of trails.
The Mont-Tremblant village, which is comparable to the world’s best mountain resort villages such as Aspen, Colorado, Blue Mountain in Ontario, or Whistler, BC, offers every amenity, restaurants, shopping that one could fantasize. It is simply breathtaking.
I had the pleasure of being a guest of HGV and met with their sales team. Under the leadership of Piero Santini, all agents impressed me with their commitment to professionalism and transparency. We had a chance to have a quick meeting and even got to know each representative on a one-to-one basis. A real dream team with the pride of representing one of the best Vacation Ownership in the industry.
Thank you Kelly Vincent, Canada’s Director of Sales and Marketing for your kind hospitality.
Hilton Grand Vacations is a proud member of CRTA
Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA) Names Warren Smith as Chairman of the Board
KELOWNA BC, CANADA-- (May 2, 2024) Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA), the industry trade association dedicated to promoting ethical practices in vacation ownership in Canada and throughout the world, is proud to announce the appointment of Warren Smith as its Chairman of the Board. He will serve in this capacity for the next 24 months.
Warren Smith, a timeshare industry veteran of 25 years, is currently Executive Vice President of Living Waters Resorts in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.
Gaetan Babin, President and CEO of the Association said, “We are extremely pleased to announce Warren’s new role with CRTA, where he served as a valued Board Member for the past two years. His unquestionable credibility in the Timeshare Industry as a team leader and innovator is well deserved. The success of Canada's top selling resort development, Living Waters, is due in large part to his expert leadership. Warren continues to implement ideas to increase their membership base and add value to all his members.”
The new CRTA Board Chair responded to his appointment saying that he was “humbled and honored to receive this appointment. Hopefully, I can assist in helping CRTA grow to the level we all aspire to see. We are an important organization in the industry. ‘Small, but mighty.’ I am so pleased to work with Gaetan who has been instrumental in getting things on the right path again in Canada.”
The next annual GNEX-CRTA conference will be held in Ottawa, Canada at held the Fairmount Le Chateau Laurier from September 3-5. Last year’s event in Quebec City drew record attendance with attendees from all over North America including Canada, the United States and Mexico.
One of CRTA’s primary priorities is to support the health of the timeshare industry while also advocating for Canadian consumers. More specifically, CRTA executive leadership, along with that of the American Resort Development Association is fighting for the rights of Canadian timeshare owners to enjoy the vacation opportunities at the timeshare resorts they love. Timeshare (also known as vacation ownership) provides affordability and flexibility for consumers looking to enhance their lives with travel, with most properties featuring high-end amenities and consistent quality standards.
CRTA’s membership base consists of resorts, timeshares, vacation clubs, developers, HOAs, exchange companies, management companies, financial servicing companies, resale companies, marketing companies, suppliers, as well as other industry associations and professionals who offer their services within the industry.
The Canadian Resort & Travel Association
CRTA is an industry association that is dedicated to furthering the ownership-based vacation and resort development industry, both at home and abroad. The association was founded in 1980 as “The Resort Timesharing Council of Canada” in response to the public’s demand for more information about vacation ownership. Since then, CRTA has become the preeminent industry association representing all forms of Vacation Ownership in Canada. An elected Board of Directors governs the Association. We regularly host stimulating conferences, symposiums and committee meetings that encourage B-2-B opportunities, networking, education, and problem solving among our members. Member Services can be reached at [email protected]
Media Contact: Georgi Bohrod Gordon 760-803-4522
CRTA Contact: Gaetan Babin 647-613-5464
TORONTO, CANADA-- (December 14, 2023) Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA), the industry trade association dedicated to promoting ethical practices in vacation ownership in Canada and throughout the world, continues to grow its membership base.
Gaetan Babin, President and CEO of the Association said, “CRTA Members provide developers and consumers of vacation ownership products informed advice, sound intelligence and advocacy. Our Board represents professionals from all different sectors of our industry as do our members at large. With this energy we are creating fresh opportunities for our members and Canadian timeshare owners as the industry continues to evolve.”
Some of CRTA’s most recent accomplishments are highlighted by the addition of new resort members, including resorts by Club Wyndham (Canmore-Banff, Whistler-Sundance, and Vancouver), and Hilton Grand Vacations Club (Blue Mountain, Tremblant, Whistler). With major brands on board, CRTA is growing, too. The annual GNEX-CRTA conference held at the Fairmount Le Chateau Frontenac (Quebec) in August drew record attendance with attendees from all over North America including Canada, the United States and Mexico.
One of CRTA’s primary priorities is to support the health of the timeshare industry while also advocating for Canadian consumers. More specifically, CRTA executive leadership, along with that of the American Resort Development Association is fighting for the rights of Canadian timeshare owners to enjoy the vacation opportunities at the timeshare resorts they love. Timeshare (also known as vacation ownership) provides affordability and flexibility for consumers looking to enhance their lives with travel, with most properties featuring high-end amenities and consistent quality standards.
CRTA’s membership base consists of resorts, timeshares, vacation clubs, developers, HOAs, exchange companies, management companies, financial servicing companies, resale companies, marketing companies, suppliers, as well as other industry associations and professionals who offer their services within the industry.
The Canadian Resort & Travel Association
CRTA is an industry association that is dedicated to furthering the ownership-based vacation and resort development industry, both at home and abroad. The association was founded in 1980 as “The Resort Timesharing Council of Canada” in response to the public’s demand for more information about vacation ownership. Since then, CRTA has become the preeminent industry association representing all forms of Vacation Ownership in Canada. The Association is governed by an elected Board of Directors. We regularly host stimulating conferences, symposiums and committee meetings that encourage B-2-B opportunities, networking, education, and problem solving among our members. Member Services can be reached at [email protected]
Earlier this year, CRTA welcomed top executives from Canada , US and Mexico as well as some European representatives to one of our most historical city, Quebec City.
Such a privilege to work with GNEX who facilitated this event for CRTA
Gord Minor, Regional VP of Resort Operations for Wyndham Destinations in Canada, has announced to the Board of Directors his resignation as a Board Member effective immediately. Gord has served on the board of the Canadian Association since 2015. On behalf of CRTA and the current Board Directors, I would like to sincerely thank Gord for his contributions to CRTA over the last 8 years and for his commitment to ongoing support for the years to come.
Resort Trades Magazine has published an article about Gaetan Babin RRP, CRTA Chairperson, President, and CRTA CEO. The article is titled "Gaetan Babin and The Evolution of CRTA" The article gives a great account of the history of CRTA, and Gaetan's biography and his role in shaping the association for the future.
A great article by Marge Lennon, you can check it out here: https://resorttrades.com/gaetan-babin-and-the-evolution-of-crta/
Dear colleagues,
Our Conference in Quebec City this last week of August has proven to be our best yet according to most attendees. The location, the venue, the content, the entertainment and the delegates from all over America all contributed to this successful networking conference. And we cannot understate the value of GNEX who facilitated the entire venue, so a warm heartfelt thank you for Paul, Sharon, and Bridget which sadly could not make the trip due to the Hurricane in western Florida. We sure missed you.
I want to personally thank all the sponsors who help make this important industry event a success. It simply cannot happen without their generous sponsorship. And a huge thank you for all the attendees.
Look forward to meeting all of you at our next Canadian event in Canada’s capitol, Ottawa.
Kindest Regards
Gaetan Babin RRP
President & CEO
Canadian Resort and Travel Association
David Callaghan, VP Sales for SPI Software Named to Board of Canadian Resort & Travel Association
August 17, 2023 – The Canadian Resort and Travel Association (CRTA) has recently announced the appointment of David Callaghan, Vice President of Sales for SPI Software, as a member of its esteemed board. With his extensive vacation ownership experience and industry knowledge, Callaghan brings valuable insights and expertise to the association's mission of promoting and enhancing the Canadian resort and travel sector.
As a leading provider of software solutions for the vacation ownership industry, SPI Software has established itself as a trusted partner for numerous resorts and travel organizations. Callaghan's appointment to the CRTA board further strengthens the association's commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth within the industries it serves.
Upon joining the board, David Callaghan expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the CRTA's objectives. "I am honored to join the board of the Canadian Resort and Travel Association," said Callaghan. "I look forward to working alongside industry leaders and leveraging my experience to support the association's initiatives in promoting the incredible offerings of Canada's vacation industry."
Gaetan Babin RRP, CRTA Chairperson, President, and CEO, warmly welcomed Callaghan to the board, recognizing his expertise and passion for the vacation ownership industry. "We are thrilled to have David Callaghan join our board. His extensive knowledge and decades of resort and exchange experience make him an invaluable addition to our team," said Babin. "We are confident David's contributions will further strengthen our association's efforts to advance the growth of our Canadian resorts."
The Canadian Resort and Travel Association is a prominent industry association dedicated to advancing the interests of the Canadian resort industries both at home and abroad. By bringing together key stakeholders, the CRTA strives to foster collaboration, advocate for industry-related policies, and promote the exceptional experiences offered by Canadian resorts and travel organizations.
