By Michael Baginski/ I went to a travel presentation and a dance party broke out. But that was sort of the point, Viva by Wyndham Resorts VP of sales and marketing Amanda Santana told close to 125 travel advisors at the Sunwing Vacations-organized lunch event north of Toronto on Friday. “I’m not here to give a big presentation, you have to dance,” she laughed.
That’s because Viva is known for its lively atmosphere and entertainment – the Viva Vibe – Santana explained, before scores of agents joined a dozen or so dancers and the one-man band to shake their booties to the Macarena and other Soca and Mexican mariachi classics like La Cucaracha.
The Dominican-based VP, who said she actually welcomed Toronto’s cold and the prospect of snow – “you get tired of the heat too,” she tried to lie – did take time to thank “life-long partners” Sunwing, plus reps from the Bahamas Tourist Office who were on hand, but mostly Canadian travel agents, whom she said were most responsible for the all-inclusive chain’s success in in this country.
With nine resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico – six in the Dominican Republic, plus two in Mexico and one on Grand Bahama island – Santana flagged the resort chain’s now year-old “baby,” Viva Miches in the Dominican Republic, and Viva Fortuna Beach, the only all-inclusive on Grand Bahama, to which Sunwing offers the only direct flights from Canada.
The other properties include, in the D.R.: Viva Dominicus Beach and Viva Dominicus Palace in Bayahibe, La Romana; adults-only Viva V Samana, Las Terrenas, Samana; Viva Heavens, Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata; Viva Tangerine, Cabarete, Puerto Plata. And in Mexico, Viva Maya and Viva Azteca in Playacar, Riviera Maya.
Altogether, the properties cater to clients who want an affordable, all-inclusive Caribbean or Latin American vacation with VIP perks, diverse activities, and personalized service. And, of course, the Viva Vibe!
If this article was shared with you by a friend or colleague, you may enjoy receiving your own copy of Travel Industry Today with the latest travel news and reviews each weekday morning. It’s absolutely free – just CLICK HERE.