Travel advisors stayed at Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hilton Playa del Carmen
Playa Hotels & Resorts recently teamed up with Travel Best Bets for an exclusive four-night FAM trip staying at Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hilton Playa del Carmen in Mexico.
“Travel Best Bets is an important partner and as part of our commitment to growing our business, this was an exclusive FAM opportunity for Travel Best Bets,” Freddie Marsh, Business Development Manager for Western Canada & Atlantic Canada at Playa Hotels & Resorts, told Travel Courier.
While on location, the group also expanded their knowledge of the company with site inspections of Wyndham Alltra Cancun, Seadust Cancun Family Resort, Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya and Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen.
“The trip wasn’t all business, and there was plenty of free time to enjoy the resort amenities, including an afternoon at Punta Vista roof-top pool at Hyatt Ziva Cancun that is for exclusive use for guests staying in the 18+ Turquoize Tower,” Marsh added. “The views are outstanding. While in staying at Hilton Playa del Carmen, we enjoyed the ideal location, steps from 5th Avenue for great shopping, cafes and nightlife. The farewell dinner was a truly magical experience called House Senses – Hilton Playa del Carmen newest must-try experience.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Medeiros, Connected Agent Program Coordinator at Travel Best Bets, said the partnership with Playa Resorts is essential to helping the agency deliver the very best to both their agents and their clients.
“This collaboration has also empowered our agents, giving them the confidence and strength to successfully sell Playa Resorts,” Medeiros noted. “At Travel Best Bets, we’re dedicated to empowering our Connected Agents with opportunities to participate in exciting FAM trips. For this journey, we brought together a dynamic group of agents: seasoned professionals who are among our top sellers, and rising stars who are eager to learn, grow, and take their businesses to new heights.”
For travel advisors looking to participate in future FAM trips, Marsh said the best thing to do is to sign up for the AgentCASH+ (www.agentcashplus.com) program and report all booking on the site.
“Travel advisors with reported bookings on the site get priority invitations on FAM trips,” Marsh explained. “It’s important to note that tour operator bookings qualify and travel advisors have up to 60 days post-travel to report bookings.”
Lisa Casey
What were some of the highlights of the FAM?
At the Hyatt Ziva Cancun we got to visit The Den for an amazing cocktail. We also had amazing dinners at Lorenzo’s and Tradewinds Specialty Restaurants. At the Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen, we experienced their Mexican restaurant for dinner, a tequila tasting, beautiful live traditional music/singer. At Hilton Playa del Carmen we had time to relax and enjoy private cabanas at the pool together which was incredible! And then on the final night they had an unbelievable Farewell dinner for us prepared by their executive Chef. There was also a DJ & a mixologist. It gave us a great peek at how our clients might enjoy a special occasion or a wedding here! This night was truly a highlight of the trip for me.
What did you take away from the experience?
As an agent, I took away a wealth of knowledge on all of the Playa Resorts, managed by Freddie Marsh our BDM. It will help me to sell these resorts with firsthand knowledge.
It also allowed me to “talk shop” with my colleagues to learn from them and how they work their businesses. It had been a few years since I had travelled to Mexico and stayed in an all-inclusive resort so it was a great refresher to help me better sell Mexico and AIs in general.
Brittany Martin
What were some of the highlights of the FAM?
The people were, without a doubt, the highlight of the FAM. From upper management to the front desk staff, everyone was warm, welcoming, and genuinely invested in our experience. At every resort, team members would go out of their way to greet us with a smile. Touring both adults-only and family-friendly properties offered valuable insight, and seeing a full range of properties—from budget-conscious to high-end luxury—was incredibly beneficial. Another highlight was being able to experience these properties at a range of occupancy levels.
How do you think this FAM trip will help you now sell Playa Hotels and Resorts?
This FAM has equipped me with the confidence, tools, and firsthand knowledge I need to effectively qualify clients and match them with the right property. Having personally experienced the resorts makes it so much easier to get excited about them! I’ve already started reaching out to clients I know will absolutely love these destinations.
Andrea Cosens
What were some of the highlights of the FAM?
The incredible dinner on our last night at the Hilton – I would recommend that in a heartbeat for weddings, corporate events and how incredibly accommodating they were for dietary restrictions and the level of effort and care that went into making the vegan meals.
How do you think this FAM trip will help you now sell Playa Hotels and Resorts?
It has completely boosted my confidence in promoting and selling. I am very happy to have been selected and able to attend.
Cindy Howatt
What were some of the highlights of the FAM?
Some of the highlights for me on the FAM trip included the incredibly friendly staff at every resort we visited. They truly made us feel welcome and appreciated. The food was also wonderful, with delicious options that gave us a great sense of what clients can expect from each property. I also really enjoyed touring the different room categories. It was very helpful to see the variations in style, size, and amenities across the different resorts. Spending time with other connected agents was a huge for me as well. It was great to network, share insights, and just have fun with others who share the same love for travel. And of course, I loved getting a chance to relax and enjoy the pools at the resorts. Each one had its own vibe, and they were the perfect spots to unwind and soak in the atmosphere along with the other advisors to get to know them better.
How do you think this FAM trip will help you now sell Playa Hotels and Resorts?
This FAM trip gave me firsthand experiences with Playa resorts, which is incredibly valuable when it comes to recommending them to clients. Seeing the properties in person helped me understand the key differences between each one, the level of service, and the overall guest experience. I now feel more confident matching clients to the right resort based on their preferences, whether it be family friendly, a romantic getaway or a luxury adult only escape. Being able to speak from personal experience adds credibility and builds trust which I know will help me sell Playa properties more effectively.
