There's no shortage of tour operators competing for agents' attention in Canada, so when a new name enters the conversation, the natural question is: what's different this time? With Maplelux Holidays, the answer comes pretty quickly — and we at Global Agents are beyond excited to be among the first to introduce them to our community.

A Company Built on Experience, Not Just Ambition

Maplelux Holidays is a Toronto-based tour operator and part of the Ali Travel Group, built from the ground up to serve the Canadian retail travel trade. The company holds full industry credentials — IATA accreditation, TICO registration, and memberships with both ACTA and CLIA — so agents can work with them knowing the fundamentals are solid.

What gives Maplelux its backbone, though, is the team behind it. The company is led by Hugo Rocha and Gabby Avalos, two figures who, between them, carry over 50 years of hands-on travel industry experience. These aren't newcomers figuring things out as they go — they've spent careers building supplier relationships, understanding what agents need, and learning what makes a tour product actually sell. That depth shows in how Maplelux has been structured from day one.

As Hugo puts it: “Our dedicated and professional team strives to provide exceptional service while fostering long-term partnerships with travel retailers across Canada.”

Hugo Rocha, General Manager at Maplelux Holidays

What Maplelux Offers

Maplelux describes itself as a 100% dedicated tour operator, and its product range reflects that focus. Itineraries run from 3 to 15 nights and span a genuinely broad spectrum — from solid, quality moderate options to premium and luxury experiences — which means agents aren't locked into a single market segment.

The portfolio is organized around real travel motivations rather than just geography:

• History & Heritage — Egypt, Peru, Morocco
• Cultural Discovery — China, Turkey, Portugal
• Art & Architecture — Italy, Japan, Paris
• Nature & Scenery — Banff, Yellowstone, the Sahara

Beyond the destinations themselves, the full-service lineup covers international and domestic flights, escorted and independent tours, cruises, rail journeys, hotel accommodations, and car rentals. Itineraries are tailor-made, which is a meaningful differentiator — agents aren't working from a rigid, take-it-or-leave-it brochure.

Gabby Avalos, Sales Director at Maplelux Holidays, is clear about why this matters: “We focus on delivering complete, well-curated travel solutions — combining the right product, tailored to each client's needs and expectations, with competitive pricing and a consistently high level of service. Agents can come to us knowing we'll help them build something their clients will actually remember.”

Gabby Avalos, Sales Director at Maplelux Holidays

We also asked Hugo and Gabby what new destinations and products agents can look forward to. Japan and Vietnam are both getting more depth, with new tour options in the works to meet the growing demand from agents. The Philippines is another market Maplelux is actively developing, with fresh products that blend leisure, culture, and local experiences. And perhaps most exciting — Jordan is joining the portfolio, a destination that offers a rich mix of history, ancient landscapes, and experiences that feel genuinely off the beaten path.

The Partnership Model: More Than Commission

One of the things that stood out in our conversations with Hugo is how clearly Maplelux understands what agents actually need from a supplier relationship. Yes, pricing matters — it always does. But Maplelux's pitch to agents goes further than rate sheets.

"While pricing remains an important factor, our approach goes beyond simply offering the lowest rate," Hugo explains. “Our edge lies in our flexibility, responsiveness, and partnership mindset. Ultimately, agents choose Maplelux because we help them deliver better value, build stronger client relationships, and grow with confidence — not just compete on price alone.”

The company’s network of exclusive DMC and supplier partners across key destinations gives them real purchasing power and, more importantly, on-the-ground reliability. When something needs to be adjusted — an itinerary adjustment, a last-minute change — those relationships are what make it possible. Agents know that the quality they promise their clients is the quality that gets delivered.

Hugo frames it this way: “We combine the reach and advantages of a larger player with the agility, responsiveness, and personal attention that today's agents expect. It's about giving our partners the best of both worlds.”

The model is also built around flexibility and responsiveness. Customized itineraries, fast turnaround on quotes, strong back-end support — these are the day-to-day details that determine whether an agent keeps going back to a supplier or quietly starts looking elsewhere.

Two China FAMs This Fall — and They're Worth Paying Attention To

Perhaps the clearest signal of where Maplelux is heading comes from their fall FAM program. They're not launching one China trip. They're launching two — and the design of each says a lot about how they think about product.

"China represents a significant growth opportunity, and we see strong demand from both travellers and travel agents looking for well-structured, high-quality programs," says Hugo. “For us, it's the right time to invest and position Maplelux as a credible and competitive player by showcasing the destination in a meaningful way.”

FAM Amazing China (9 days / 8 nights) is structured around key cities with optional excursions built in, giving agents flexibility to explore what interests them most. It's a practical, well-rounded introduction to what Maplelux does in this market. Read more. 

Mystical China (12 days / 11 nights) takes a very different approach. Positioned as an ultra-luxury experience, the itinerary moves through modern and historic cities, takes in dramatic natural landscapes, and includes local flights, extensive excursions, and most meals — the kind of program that sells itself when agents have actually experienced it. Read more.

Both FAMs depart from Toronto with round-trip international airfare included, and in a move that's genuinely uncommon in the industry, agents are able to bring a companion along.

Hugo is candid about the intention behind that detail: “We wanted to differentiate ourselves from the outset by offering FAM trips that deliver real value. Allowing agents to bring a companion — something that's rarely offered — adds to the overall appeal and shows how seriously we take these partnerships.”

He's equally direct about what these trips are really for: “These FAMs are about more than just the destination. They're an opportunity for agents to experience firsthand the range, quality, and flexibility that Maplelux offers — and a foundation for building long-term partnerships and growing business together.”

Why We're Excited at Global Agents

We don't introduce new suppliers lightly. When we bring a new partner to our community, it's because we believe there's real value for the agents who work with us.

With Maplelux, the case is clear. You have experienced leadership that knows the Canadian market, a product range with genuine breadth, a partnership-first operating philosophy, and a team that's already investing in the trade through FAMs, webinars, and agent training. They're also committed to competitive commissions and incentive programs that give agents tangible reasons to put Maplelux products in front of their clients.

This is a company that's entered the market with something to prove — and the credentials and infrastructure to back it up.

Get to Know Maplelux

A dedicated webinar and digital training session for Canadian travel agents is coming up in the weeks ahead. It's a practical opportunity to hear directly from Hugo, Gabby, and the Maplelux team — ask questions, get a closer look at current promotions, and find out how to get on the FAM list.

In the meantime, you can explore the full Maplelux portfolio at www.mapleluxholidays.com and find their resources right here on the Global Agents platform.

We're looking forward to what's ahead — and we think you will be too.

By Kateryna Ivchenko