Exclusive InfosTourisme. At Convenc'Tour 2026, some participants were already very familiar with Cediv Travel. Others came to discover the network with a fresh perspective. Alain, manager of Voyages 18, was one of them.
His written answers, sent to InfosTourisme, shed light on a key question for many independent agencies: how to benefit from the strength of a collective without losing one's identity, freedom of decision and direct relationship with clients?
Summary
A Convenc'Tour focused on balance
The Cediv Travel Convenc'Tour 2026 was held aboard the Club Med 2, focusing on the theme "Finding balance in a world in disequilibrium." This edition brought together nearly 200 professionals and highlighted the topics of resilience, mutual support, collective action, and agency support.
In this context, Alain's testimony is interesting because it doesn't come from a member already settled into their routine. It comes from an agency manager who observes, asks questions, and seeks to understand what a network can concretely bring to his company.
Understanding what a network can concretely bring
You came to Convenc'Tour to discover Cediv Travel from the inside. What are you primarily looking to understand before considering joining a network?
“I came to Convenc'Tour to better understand how the Cediv Travel network operates, its day-to-day support, and the concrete advantages it offers its members. In particular, I want to know how the network helps agencies grow their business, increase their visibility, and remain competitive in a constantly evolving market. I would also like to discover the network's values, the spirit of collaboration among its members, and the services available to support the success of each agency.”.
In my consideration of joining a network, I am primarily seeking to understand what it can concretely offer me: the support provided, the strength of the collective, the tools made available, the partnerships negotiated, and the development opportunities for my business.
I also want to explore how to interact with members to get real-world feedback on the benefits of the network in their daily lives. I found answers to my questions during this Convenc'Tour 😊”
The response immediately sets the tone. Alain isn't just looking for belonging. He's looking for evidence: support, tools, partnerships, visibility, feedback, and development opportunities.
The most sensitive imbalance: obligations towards customers
The theme of this edition is “Finding balance in a world of imbalance”. In your daily life as an agency manager, where do you feel the most imbalance today: clients, margins, suppliers, production, groups, or workload?
For me, the biggest imbalance lies between the obligations of agencies towards their clients.
The formula is short, but it says a lot. The agency often remains the client's first point of contact when the trip becomes complicated, even when the solution depends on a supplier, a company, a destination management company or an external context.
This imbalance between perceived responsibility and actual scope for action explains why the support of a network can become strategic for an independent agency.
When compared to other factors, the human element remains the real difference
Voyages 18 places great emphasis on human values, rigor, efficiency, and on-the-ground knowledge. How do you maintain this core identity in a market where everything moves faster and customers compare more frequently?
“In a market where everything moves faster and customers have access to a wealth of information, I believe that the difference lies more than ever in the human element. We remain attentive to our customers, we take the time to meet with them and understand their expectations, and we draw on our experience and local knowledge to provide them with personalized advice when planning their travel projects. For me, rigor, efficiency, transparency, and trust are the most important elements in our relationship with our customers. Comparison sites allow you to find a price; our role is to add value, ensure a secure trip, and offer experiences tailored to each customer. It is this close relationship, combined with our professionalism, that allows us to maintain our core values while evolving with the times.”
The message is clear: price is no longer the only issue. Customers can compare, but they cannot always measure the value of advice, attentive listening, travel safety measures, and support during sensitive moments.
For an agency like Voyages 18, the human element remains a commercial marker as much as a professional commitment.
A network to support, not to decide in place of the agency
When running an independent agency, you often have to find the right balance between entrepreneurial freedom and the need for collective support. What can a network like Cediv offer you to help you achieve this balance?
“For me, the value of a network lies precisely in allowing an agency to maintain its identity, its close relationship with its clients, and its freedom of decision-making, while benefiting from the strength of a collective. I don't expect a network to make decisions for me, but rather to provide me with tools, opportunities, solid partnerships, market intelligence, and support when I need it. I also expect a network to support me when things get difficult.
The ideal balance would be to maintain control of my strategy and client relationships while benefiting from shared experiences, mutual support among members, and the strength of a recognized network. A network like Cediv should be a catalyst for growth and a source of daily support, all while respecting the independence that makes each agency unique.“
This is one of the strengths of this interview. Alain does not describe a network as a structure that absorbs the agency, but as a support capable of strengthening its autonomy.
The key word is "accelerator." For an independent agency, the goal isn't to disappear into a collective. It's to remain in control of its strategy while benefiting from stronger tools, monitoring, mutual support, and partners.
The atmosphere on board, the first indicator of the collective
Since you joined, what has impressed you the most: the atmosphere among members, the topics discussed, the relationship with partners, or the way the network supports its agencies?
“What strikes me most since I arrived on board is above all the atmosphere among the members. From the very beginning, we felt a genuine spirit of sharing, kindness, and mutual support. As new participants, we were particularly touched by the welcome we received and by the ease of the interactions.”.
I also appreciate the quality of the topics covered and the close relationships with partners, but what stands out most to me is the human dimension of the network. There's a genuine desire to support agencies, share experiences, and help everyone grow collaboratively. It's a mindset you don't find everywhere, and it makes you want to get more involved.“
At a professional convention, the atmosphere is never a minor detail. It often reveals the true measure of a group. The presentations structure the message, but the informal exchanges reveal the quality of the relationships between members.
For a manager discovering Cediv Travel from the inside, this human dimension can weigh as much as the tools or commercial agreements.
Set off again with confidence for Voyages 18
If you had to leave the Convenc'Tour with a conviction about your future or about that of Voyages 18, which would you like to have in mind?
If I were to leave Convenc'Tour with one strong conviction, it would be that I've found a network capable of sustainably supporting the development of Voyages 18 while respecting our identity and values. I would like to be certain that it's possible to remain an independent agency, close to its clients, while benefiting from the strength of a committed and supportive collective.
Beyond the tools and partnerships, I wanted to leave with the conviction that we share the same vision of the profession: placing people, advice and quality of service at the heart of our business.
This conviction was confirmed with this Convenc'Tour 2026, so I can look to the future of Voyages 18 with confidence and peace of mind… Thank you CEDIV 😊
This passage aptly summarizes what many independent agencies expect from a network today. They are not simply looking for better business terms. They are looking for a professional environment that respects their identity, supports their growth, and strengthens their way of working.
What this interview reveals about the agency profession
Alain's comments reveal a broader reality. Independent agencies want to remain free, but they know they can no longer move forward alone in the face of market complexity.
The collective then becomes a possible answer, provided that we do not erase what makes each agency valuable: its customer proximity, its field knowledge, its rigor, its personality and its ability to create trust.
This exclusive testimony also shows that choosing a network isn't just about numbers. It's about a shared culture, an atmosphere, a capacity for listening, and a very concrete promise: to help the agency remain true to itself, but better equipped.
Sources
https://infostourisme.com/convenctour-2026
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