“It’s a step forward for me”: Rod Hanna joins Majestic Resorts as BDM for Canada

Rod Hanna has joined Majestic Resorts as the brand's new business development manager for Canada, according to a company statement that was shared with partners on Tuesday (June 14).

Majestic is continuing to grow its sales team in the United States and Canada as part of a commitment to the travel agent community – which is where Hanna comes in.

Starting June 15, Hanna will help enhance and establish Majestic Resorts' positioning – both its Mexico and Dominican Republic locations – through strategic partnerships, special events, trade shows, and by increasing brand awareness among tour operators and consortiums, as well as the luxury, meetings and incentives and destination weddings segments.

He will report to Lucien Echavarria, director of sales and strategic partnerships for the United States and Canada, under the direction of Ricardo Espinosa, VP of sales and marketing.

With 17 years of travel industry experience, Hanna was most recently as the director of branding, independent programs and related projects at H.I.S. Red Label Vacations Inc.

He was also the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority's director of sales for Canada for three years.

A well-known and well-liked professional and personality in the Canadian travel industry, Hanna has a large following and an active social media presence.

“It was a no-brainer for me join a brand like Majestic,” Hanna told PAX in a voice message sent from Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres in Mexico, where Hanna is stationed this week as he meets the team.

“It’s a step forward for me. It’s something different,” he said. “I’ve been with tour operators and tourism boards. This was the notch on my belt that was missing. Learning and understanding the [hotel] side of the business is something I am really looking forward to.”

Spa-like Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres, a 570-room, all-inclusive beachfront resort with adults-only and family sections and swim-up suites, opened in 2019 – and it’s already made a splash in travel advisor circles.

The hotel was the site for Travel Professionals International’s (Trevello’s) 2022 conference in May and it will host The Travel Agent Next Door’s national conference in April of 2023.  

Seeing the luxurious resort for himself, Hanna said he can see “why agents love it so much,” noting the property’s repeat clientele and high-quality service.  

“Agents trust and have confidence in the brand, which reassures the decision I made [to join],” Hanna said.

Majestic Resorts also operates Colonial, Elegance and Mirage-branded properties in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

(“Dominican Republic and Mexico are two of my favourite destinations,” Hanna also noted).  

The lush plot of land Majestic owns in Costa Mujeres – a secluded region about 25 minutes north of Cancun – will see the addition of more Majestic-branded hotels in the coming years, creating space for new clientele and business opportunities.

Rod Hanna can be reached at rod.hanna@majestic-resorts.com.

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