Nelson Gentiletti, Chief Operating Officer of Transat A.T. Inc., Canada’s largest tour operator, is pleased to announce the appointment of Yves Lalumière as President of Transat Distribution Canada (TDC). With its approximately 2,300 travel consultants, 75 wholly-owned agencies and 375 franchisees, this Transat business unit is Canada’s largest network of travel agencies.

“We are very happy to be able to rely on Yves Lalumière’s background and skills in a position that requires an excellent knowledge of the tourism industry, and particularly the retail distribution segment, a key component in Transat’s development,” Mr. Gentiletti said. “Since joining the organization, he has made a major contribution to the growth of our Canadian travel agency network.”

With a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Université du Québec à Montréal, Mr. Lalumière previously served for more than 20 years in management positions with American Express. He joined TDC in 2006 as Vice-President, Operations and Business Development, and was appointed Vice-President, Network, in 2008. In November 2009, he was named Vice-President and General Manager of TDC.

Transat Distribution Canada is Canada’s leading retail distributor of holiday travel, with approximately 450 outlets. The distribution network, which is affiliated with Transat A.T. Inc., includes the Club Voyages, Voyages en Liberté, TravelPlus and Marlin Travel banners.

Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, destination services, accommodation and distribution. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A)