By Michael Baginski/ For the 11th consecutive year, Sunwing and RIU Hotels & Resorts hosted their annual holiday season partners trade lunch last week, combining a chance to share the latest news from the popular resort chain with an opportunity to enjoy some exquisite (and way too much) food, while schmoozing with colleagues and starting (or furthering) this season’s holiday spirit.
Sunwing’s director of sales for Ontario/Atlantic Dave Wright noted that this year’s event, held as always at the Arlington Estate north of the city, symbolized the strong relationship and great partnership between Sunwing and RIU.
“Canadians love the (RIU) brand and the consistency of the brand,” he said, adding, “Clients know what they’re going to get without surprises.”
Moreover, “It’s an easy sell,” he added to the approximately 50 luncheon attendees, noting that the repeat rate for guests is about 75%
What’s new
Meanwhile, a trio of RIU execs – flown in from the warmer climes they were promoting – manned the presentation remote to show inspiring videos and slides illustrating upcoming developments at the chain of some 40 resorts, including a number of upcoming openings or re-openings: Cancun Riu Ventura this past weekend (Dec. 6), Riu Jalisco in Nuevo Vallarta on Dec. 20; and next year, Riu Palace Peninsula in Cancun, July 25 (closed from April 6), and Riu Palace Mexico in Playa del Carmen, Sept. 5 (closed from May 4). Riu Guanacaste in Costa Rica recently re-opened after renovations Oct. 4.
Meanwhile, agents were advised that most Riu resorts in Jamaica are open to guests again (and in some case never closed, having stayed operational in order accommodate stranded guests – for free) after Hurricane Melissa – “the strongest, most devastating storm ever in Jamaica.” The remaining holdouts, Riu Reggae and Riu Aquarelle will re-open this week and Dec. 15 respectively.
Riu support for staff and the community also continues, noted Niurka Garcia Linton, Riu’s sales director for Jamaica, while urging that best way for Canadians to support recovery efforts is travel again to the island.
Travel trade
Nicole Brown, sr. manager, national marketing, for RIU, meanwhile observed that, “There’s no better time to be a travel agent. In this time of information overload, travellers needs trusted experts who can maximize their investment and save them the thing they can’t get back – time!”
And to help maximize their time, Brown touted RIU’s Travel Agent Handbook as a handy guide to all things RIU – from what’s new to weddings, parties to Elite Club, and reasons to sell to sales support to tools, all at the fingertips. And even more info is available to agents through the RIU app.
8th annual RIU Awards
TTAND (left) and Red Label Vacations award winners
In related RIU news, the company recently celebrated the eighth edition of the RIU Awards, which recognize the work of the most important travel agents from the US and Canada for the chain.
Held this year at the Riu Palace Pacifico hotel in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, close to 90 representatives from the most important agencies in the two main source markets for RIU in the Americas attended a gala event that included RIU updates, awards, activities and just a little bit of partying.
Among the top-producing Canadian honourees in attendance were:
- #1 Host Agency: The Travel Agent Next Door
- #1 Travel Agency: Red Label Vacations
- Host Agency of the Year – Outstanding Growth: The Travel Agent Next Door
- Travel Agency of the Year – Outstanding Growth: Les Voyages Simon Pelletier Inc
The winners of the RIU Awards are chosen from the agents with the highest production throughout the previous year.
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