Hey, it's
Sarah Smith!
Regional Director of Business Development, AIC Hotel Group
How have you been coping during the last eight months and how have you been keeping busy?
Like most Canadians, especially those of us in the travel industry, COVID-19 completely derailed the plans I had for 2020.
I’ve tried my best to find the silver lining, stay positive and embrace the slower pace. Spending more time with family and going for daily walks and discovering new parks and beaches in Ontario with my dog ChiChi has helped keep me sane. She’s so happy to have me home all the time! I’ve tackled some projects around the house that I never seemed to have time for previously including creating a gallery wall with some of my favourite travel photos. I’ve also enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking and have attempted to recreate dishes from some of my favourite restaurants.
Professionally — Social media, webinars and platforms like SpoiledAgent have helped us to stay connected during this time. At AIC we have weekly calls to stay connected and our Canadian team is now all based in Toronto which has allowed us to enjoy socially distanced activities like walks and picnics together. As a team, we’ve worked to brainstorm creative ways to stay engaged including hosting fun virtual parties for Canada Day / 4th of July “Red, White & Groove” and Cinco de Mayo with DJ Huggies. We also enjoyed a socially distanced Thanksgiving walk with agents in High Park in Toronto last month. Our Eastern Canada BDM Jasmine Grant hosted a group of Canadian agents for a FAM to Unico and Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya to experience our new Safe + Sound protocols earlier in the summer and is hosting MasterClass Mondays open to all agents who are interested in enhancing their marketing and social media skills. Agents who are interested in staying up to date with the latest from AIC can join us on our private Facebook group “Amped Agents Canada.”
“I am optimistic that the industry will rebound and the advisors and suppliers who are able to weather the storm will emerge stronger and more resilient! Canadians want to travel and I believe once restrictions are lifted we will see an influx of bookings. I also believe that consumers who booked online pre-COVID and waited for hours on hold with tour operators trying to get refunds or answers now understand the immense value that booking with a travel professional brings.”
Sarah Smith
AIC Hotel Group
What do you miss most about travelling?
I haven’t been on a plane since the end of January when I was in New York for our new Wedding Inspirations launch event. I miss seeing my colleagues and friends in destination while I’m travelling for business. I miss the excitement of exploring a new destination — a change of scenery always helps me re charge and find inspiration. There is something so magical about watching the sun rise or set from 30,000 ft. I had a trip planned to Croatia this year which I was looking forward to but of course with Covid I had to cancel it. I look forward to the days when we can freely travel again as there are still so many places left on my bucket list!
If you could pick just one, which AIC property do you want to visit next and why?
This is the first year in nine years that I haven’t visited Mexico and I am missing my home away from home.
UNICO 20º87º Hotel Riviera Maya embraces all things modern Mexico from the culinary offerings, artwork and on and off site activities. I can’t wait to return to spend a day at the spa, lounge by the pool, enjoy a mixology class, dance the night away at Palmera lounge and end the evening with some late night tacos and churros from the in room dining menu.
Agents who are not familiar with our brand may not realize how accessible our team is. From our BDM’s, Wedding, PR and Marketing teams to our VP Ash Tembe and Director of sales Carilis Felipe. We are a tight knit team who work together to support travel agents and always welcome feedback from the agent community to enhance our programs.
Is there anything a guest shouldn’t leave a UNICO or Hard Rock property without tasting or experiencing?
Guests should be sure to take advantage of the UNICO 20º87º Hotel Riviera Maya Inclusions or Limitless Resort Credit at Hard Rock which provide access to unlimited spa and beauty salon treatments, rounds of golf and select excursions with a 25% service fee. This is a huge value add and great way to enhance your vacation and experience the destination.
Sound Of Your Stay – is a program unique to Hard Rock Hotels. The Picks program provides guests the opportunity to take a Fender guitar from the front desk to their guest room to enjoy. Guitar lessons are available on the tv’s in each guestroom. Make sure to take a Rockstar worthy Instagram shot – don’t be shy!
UNICO 20º87º Hotel Riviera Maya – 4 handed massage – ultimate relaxation and guests pay only 25% of the total cost as spa treatments are included at Unico. Be sure to arrive early to enjoy the guided hydrotherapy circuit prior to your treatment. The carrot cake at Cafe Inez is a must have as well – trust me!
Say hello to ChiChi!
Is there anything else you want to share with travel agents?
I’d like to express our gratitude to the travel agents who have continued to show their support of AIC Hotel Group during this extremely difficult time through attending our webinars and events, joining our Amped Agents Canada Facebook group or just reaching out to check in!
Our BDM Team is empowered and skilled in assisting with creation of marketing and social media plans tailored to your specific business. We want to help you grow your business so please reach out to us. Take advantage of Masterclass Mondays to emerge from this crazy time with an enhanced skill set and well defined business plan. If you’ve missed the first few weeks, they have been recorded and we are happy to share them with you.
RNR Extension – RNR nights earned in 2020 are extended until the end of 2021, RNR nights earned in 2019 expiring after March 2020 have been extended for use until the end of 2020. We’ve also extended Amped Status and benefits earned in 2019 until the end of 2021. More details about our travel agent incentive programs may be found on allinagents.com.
The Hard Rock SAFE + SOUND enhanced sanitization and safety protocols are in place at all of our all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels. Clients can travel with confidence knowing that these properties meet highest levels of sanitization, and follow world renowned industry standards in order to keep everyone safe.
There’s been a lot of talk about the industry coming out better on the other side of COVID-19. What are your hopes?
I am optimistic that the industry will rebound and the advisors and suppliers who are able to weather the storm will emerge stronger and more resilient! Canadians want to travel and I believe once restrictions are lifted we will see an influx of bookings. I also believe that consumers who booked online pre-COVID and waited for hours on hold with tour operators trying to get refunds or answers now understand the immense value that booking with a travel professional brings. I encourage advisors to stay connected with their clients and focus on building their databases during this time. There are numerous webinars and educational opportunities available which are also a great way to enhance your skills. This is a great time to review your business and set goals and create a well defined business plan for 2021.
