Unique Vacations personnel and partners convened in Jamaica earlier this month for the organization’s global sales conference – an annual state of the nation that provided a host of news that will shape Sandals and Beaches this year – and the travel advisors who book them.
The five-day conference celebrated successes, partnerships, and was an immersion into the brands’ refreshed “Sandals 2.0” Caribbean-forward vision, strategy and offerings, unveiling what travel advisors can look forward to in the year ahead to boost productivity and maximize Sandals/Beaches sales.
Notable news included:
WAVE by Sandals and Beaches
Sandals announced it will be launching its new social media advocacy platform, WAVE, for travel advisors selling Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The bespoke app and desktop program is powered by Ambassify software. The invitation-only platform will equip travel advisors with foundational social and content guidance through its dedicated software solution aimed to facilitate and incentivize social media advocacy. Equipped with features like content management, performance tracking, and AI customization and incentivization, WAVE opens the doors to new opportunities in social media marketing – maximizing an advisor’s business impact in this space. WAVE debuts in 2025 to select advisors as a pilot program, with a wider rollout plan to follow.
All New Tools, “Made of Caribbean”
Travel advisors are now able to tap into the power of “Made of Caribbean,” Sandals’ and Beaches’ new global campaign alongside an evolved visual identity that shapes all-new marketing collateral and the on-resort experience. Brochures, car wraps, toolkits and more reflect the compelling branding that mirrors the evolved product, putting the best of the brand directly in the hands of the advisor, allowing them to inspire their clients.
“SEA” it for Yourself, Become a Sandals Elite Advisor
A refreshed travel advisor and agency partner program, Sandals Elite Advisor (S.E.A.), was also announced, designed to recognize the elevated status of advisors and their critical role in trip planning. Sandals Elite Advisors can rely on dedicated support from their Business Development Manager on a local level, specialized call centre support teams to help achieve sales goals, and a dedicated travel advisor portal to help make bookings easy. S.E.A.s can ascend the ranks and receive exclusive benefits through status levels when registering every commissionable travel booking of three nights or longer.
Awards
The week also included an awards ceremony, where sales team members were recognized for their invaluable contributions, including awards for:
- National BDM of the Year, Canada – presented to Winston Chang, BDM, BC, SK & Yukon
- Spirit of Excellence, Canada – presented to Teresa Villanueva, Inside Sales Manager
- Silent Warrior, Canada – presented to Sandra Brousseau, BDM Eastern/Central Quebec & Atlantic Canada
- Outstanding Team Player, Canada – presented to Donne Nixon, HR Coordinator
- Outstanding Sales Achievements, Canada – presented to Richard Todd, Senior Sales Consultant and Winston Chang BDM, BC, SK & Yukon
- Industry Award of Excellence, Global – presented to Lorna Richards, National Training Manager, Canada
- CEO Award for Excellence, Global – presented to Omar Josephs, Senior Manager – Group Sales & Events, Canada
Several members of the Unique Vacations Canada team were also honoured for their various milestones and years of service with the company, including:
- Maureen Barnes-Smith – 30 years
- Grace Larmond – 25 years
- Winston Chang – 20 years
- Robert Smith – 15 years
Ready, Set, Sell contest
Four US and two Canadian travel advisors will win a five-night, all-inclusive stay in a butler suite at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, plus an airfare credit, via a new contest inspiring advisors to reach their sales goals. Those with the highest earnings from 2025 bookings at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through Jan. 31, will soon be on their way to Sandals’ newest resort in the Caribbean.
Additionally, advisors can receive an incentive bonus and earn up to 21% commission plus up to US$85 extra cash bonus for new bookings made at any Sandals or Beaches Resorts when booked with Unique Vacations, Inc. via the TA Portal or the Travel Advisor Reservations Team.
For more information and resources, advisors can visit taportal.sandals.com.
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