Goway shows agents the other side of Mexico

“We won’t be talking about resorts, beaches and buffets tonight,” Don Forster, product and marketing manager, Latin America for Goway Travel, told agents last night at Frida Restaurant & Bar in Toronto.

“We’re going to be looking at a place that’s cultural, authentic - and away from the beach.”

Such was the purpose of the Goway gathering, which was co-hosted by the Mexico Tourism Board to showcase the company’s recent addition of the destination to its 2016 Central & South America program.

Agents mingled over Mexican hors d’oeuvres and cocktails before settling in for a comprehensive overview of Mexico’s diverse cultural and historical offerings; the focal point of Goway’s new product line.

“Mexico is a really good beach destination with a lot to offer, but there’s more to it than that,” Ben Stasiuk, general manager, Central & South American and polar regions for Goway Travel told PAX. “Goway is interested in promoting and providing in-depth, different and unexpected experiences.”

The collection, which offers a range of itineraries throughout areas such as Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Merida, Tulum, Tequila and Guadalajara, centers around four main themes: Mexico City Stopover; Mayan Mexico; Colonial Mexico and Discover the Yucatan. Air-conditioned transportation, visits to archaeological sites, first class accommodation and meals are typically included, and additional excursions and experiences – such as hot air ballooning in the holy city of Teotihuacan – are being added and adjusted daily, as Goway strives to meet travellers’ evolving demands.

According to Stasiuk, the decision to include Mexico in its Latin America collection was actually made in response to a high number of special requests for more meaningful travel options to the destination.

“We offer tours to places that aren’t otherwise in our brochures or on our websites, and over the past couple of years, we’ve experienced increasing demand from travellers for tours to inner Mexico – even without us marketing it as an option,” he said.

It’s no surprise the destination is catching on outside of its beaches; the Mexico Tourism Board has been working more and more to promote the country as a place for cultural discovery to Canadians, and according to Susana Moreno, the organization’s business development and marketing manager, the idea is really catching on.

“People are now more aware of what the destination has to offer,” she told PAX, referring to its UNESCO World Heritage sites, its pre-colonial architecture and its abundant culinary offerings, “and so they’re asking questions about the things that they’re seeing, and they want to experience it for themselves.”

Stasiuk said the market for Goway’s Mexico Magic is mainly travellers aged 50+, who have the time, budget and desire to explore Mexico with a little more depth.

“Somebody who has perhaps already seen Mexico as a beach destination and is now looking to discover more about the culture,” he explained of the ideal client.

With that in mind, Forster made a point of telling event guests that Goway is in no way trying to compete with all-inclusive tour operators who cater to the destination; in fact, although Goway does provide beachfront experiences in its itineraries, it does not offer accommodation in resorts.

Instead, the hotels in Goway’s repertoire are mainly four- and five-star properties, with an emphasis on boutique-style ‘haciendas’ that fall into line with the company’s aim to provide an all-around authentic experience.

Mexico Magic is now available for 2016 travel, and agents who book between Dec. 1 and Mar. 31 will receive $50 on their Goway Rewards card.

To order a copy of the Central and South America Travel Planner, call 1-888-469 2955, email info@goway.com or visit www.goway.com.

PHOTO: From left: Don Forster, product and marketing manager, Latin America, Goway Travel; Kajal Gadhia, Latin America expert, Goway Travel; Ben Stasiuk, general manager, Latin America, Goway Travel; Alejandra Rincon, Latin America expert, Goway Travel; Susana Moreno, business development and marketing marketing manager, Mexico Tourism Board; Ellen Lainez, Latin America expert, Goway Travel; Sam Cottar, business development manager, Eastern Canada, Goway Travel; Maria Kozachuk, Latin America expert, Goway Travel & Aubrey Schmidt, business development manager, Eastern Canada, Goway Travel.