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PLAYA SHINES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Canadian team celebrates first new-builds launching Nov. 1

ANN RUPPENSTEIN

Pictured above: Meet the Playa Hotels & Resorts team in Canada: Freddie Marsh, BDM Western Canada; Amanda Morris, BDM Ontario; Rose Cosentino, Vice President, Sales – Canada; and Christian Roussin, BDM for Quebec & Atlantic Canada.

Less than five years ago, Playa Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio consisted of seven hotels. Today that figure has jumped to 20 properties across Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic – and continues to increase.

During a recent Toronto event to kick off the company’s first-ever Canadian roadshow with stops in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver, Rose Cosentino, vice-president, Sales – Canada for Playa Hotels & Resorts, said they’ve become a major player in the all-inclusive resorts industry.

One of the most anticipated openings is that of the Hyatt Ziva (family friendly) and Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana (adults only). Launching on Nov. 1, the twin properties mark the first complete new builds for Playa Hotels & Resorts.

“Here we are literally building from the ground up creating this resort complex, and we’ve never done that before, so for us it is exciting because it’s something new; all the things we could have, should have, done in other places you’ve got limitations, here there are no restrictions,” Cosentino said. “It’s the best of the best of the resorts we could have come up with.”

Among the standout features of the 375-suite resorts are an industrial-style rugged fitness facility, a massive spa made from Larimar (a rare blue gemstone unique to the destination), extra large rooms beginning at 600-sq.-ft., a water park with slides and a lazy river, and an Indian restaurant designed to conjure up the atmosphere of a train journey through India.

Playa is also fresh off a $44-million expansion and transformation at its Sanctuary Cap Cana property and has newly renovated the Hilton La Romana, formerly a Dreams property. The adult-only section is already open and the family-friendly section will open in December.

“We put a lot of investment into our resorts to give a product that is above the norm,” she said. “We’re essentially creating two hotels, a family and an adults-only side. All the rooms are being redone down to the floor. It’s getting more than just a face-lift. When we take something on, we don’t just change a flag.”

Although the Dominican Republic has had some negative publicity recently, she said Canadians are very resilient.

“We did see a slowdown in bookings, but, in the last three weeks, we’ve actually seen them come back, so that confidence is getting regained,” she said.

If clients still have some reservations, Amanda Morris, BDM for Ontario, pointed out that the soon-to-open Hyatt properties and Sanctuary Cap Cana are located in a gated community, which Cosentino described as “the Beverly Hills of the region.”

For travel agents, Playa Hotels & Resorts is also offering double the points across all five resorts in the DR through the agent loyalty program AgentCash Plus for bookings made and registered by Dec. 15 for a travel period through Dec. 20, 2020.

The trade can redeem points for cash or free nights at Playa resorts. By registering the bookings, clients will receive a complimentary in-room amenity like chocolate-dipped strawberries or a cheese platter with a card on behalf of the agent. Registering bookings is also how agents can secure an invite to the annual Spotlight Awards celebrating travel agents, happening on Jan. 9, 2020 at Hyatt Ziva/Zilara Cap Cana.

And, while its brands vary, from Hyatt Ziva and Zilara to Panama Jack Resorts, Cosentino said the level of service remains consistent across all properties.

“It’s all about service,” she enthused. “I can show you what the room looks like, and your dinner, and the beach, but it’s hard to show service and how you’ll feel [at our resorts]. I think we’ve nailed it, and I’m proud of that because that’s one of the hardest things to make guests feel not just special, but like they’re being looked after, that they’re being cared for.”

AC OPENS BISTRO-STYLE COFFEE SHOP AT PEARSON

Air Canada’s premium customers flying domestically have a new outlet for food and drink at Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 1 with the opening of the Air Canada Café.

Conveniently located in the domestic gate area, the café offers customers a wide selection of specialty beverages and snacks that can be taken with them and consumed later or enjoyed in the relaxed, bistro-type setting, which also offers free WiFi.

“This is a brand new concept for us,” said Mats Winter, director, Product Design – Airports and Inflight, for Air Canada. “It’s the first time in North America that an airline has opened up a coffee shop.”

He added that the focus of the nicely designed café is all about speed and convenience with customers encouraged to “grab and go,” if they so choose.

Passengers will be able to visit the Barista Station for freshly squeezed orange juice, a wide selection of Lavazza Coffee, cold brew mocktails, specialty hot drinks or Lavazza Cold Brew. A self-serve station offers Greenhouse Juice products such as kombuchas and a variety of organic, cold-press juices available in individual-size bottles, coffee, tea, flavoured waters, soft drinks, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Other items such as Lindt truffle chocolates, OKA fine cheese and Gouter premium pastries are also offered.

“We are thrilled to unveil this innovative product, one we are sure will create buzz not only for our customers, but the entire industry. Air Canada’s premium clientele will have access to this new café, revolutionizing the coffee shop experience at Toronto Pearson. It will offer a wide selection of beverages and food that can be taken to go,” said Andrew Yiu, vice-president, Product, at Air Canada.

Before 11 a.m., passengers are able to enjoy a selection of breakfast foods such as yogurt, fresh fruits and pastries. After 11 a.m., the café offers an assortment of freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, cheeses, and more. Along with the complimentary WiFi, guests have access to digital newspapers and magazines in partnership with PressReader, which makes the content of more than 7,000 newspapers and magazines in 60 languages available.

Featured in the café is a large mural by Canadian artist Shawn Evans of the places he has lived and travelled.

The Air Canada Café officially opened Sept. 6 and complements existing Maple Leaf Lounges at Toronto Pearson International Airport. It is located at gate D20 and is open all day, seven days a week. It offers comfortable seating for 109 customers, power and USB ports, washrooms and a customer service desk staffed by Premium Agents.

While this is a first for Air Canada, Winter said it’s possible similar cafés could open in Montreal and Vancouver in the future.

A video tour of the new Air Canada Café is available at:

https://vimeo.com/356452863

‘FALL ONLY IN CAYMAN’ AND SAVE

The Cayman Islands is inviting travellers to visit this fall and save with its newly launched “Fall Only in Cayman” campaign, featuring savings of up to 45% on accommodations, attractions, water sports, restaurants and services.

Most bookings must be made by Nov. 15 (however, offer booking dates may vary).

With Air Canada and WestJet offering a total of three non-stop flights between Toronto and Grand Cayman through the end of October, travelling to the Caymans has never been easier. Better yet, the flight schedule increases to five direct flights per week as of Oct. 28.

Packages are available through Air Canada Vacations and WestJet Vacations.

The following are participating properties and attractions. HostedVillas, a Canadian company specializing in personalized luxury travel experiences, carefully selected several deluxe Cay-man villas and is a new addition to this year’s offerings.

Accommodations: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa; The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayma; Grand Cay-man Marriott Beach Resort; Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman; Holiday Inn Resort Grand Cayman; Wyndham Reef Resort Grand Cayman; Westin Grand Cay-man Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa; The Residences at Seafire; Grand Caymanian Resort; Coral Beach Villa; Sunset Cove Condos; Luxury Cayman Villas; Ocean Paradise; The Grandview Condominiums; HostedVillas.

Attractions: Cayman Turtle Centre. Water sports: Brac Scuba Shack; Captain Marvin’s Watersports Ltd.

Restaurants: Vivo; The Brasserie. Services: Dollar/Thrifty Rent-A-Car; Cayman Yoga Club Ltd.; Eclipze Hair Design & Day Spa.

www.visitcaymanislands.ca

COLLETTE RELEASES AGENT GUIDE FOR 2020-2021

Collette has unveiled its Agent Resource & Worldwide Travel Guide for the 2020-2021 season.

The brochure features information on the latest digital resources, tips for finding itinerary highlights, the Travel Agent Network, and even more ways to earn money as a travel professional.

The latest travel guide includes important information on differentiators, familiarization tours, the loyalty program, and more than 20 new tours for guests to explore. For more information on the resource guide, a 30-minute webinar will be held on Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. ET, both for agents and their clients.

To register, go to: gocollette.com/agentresourceguide.

“We are so thankful for the support of our travel agent partners,” said Courtney Iannuccilli, vice-president of marketing. “This guide really gives them the opportunity to be successful at selling and to offer them an available resource right at their fingertips.”