Sunwing and Signature make the East Coast sizzle

Though Halifax was still chilly, things were heating up at the Sunwing Vacations and Signature Vacations 2017 trade show at Halifax’s Prince George Hotel last week. Twenty-eight suppliers welcomed more than 150 travel agents, media and partners in an evening that featured a buffet, presentations and prize giveaways.

“These events are huge,” said David Wright, director of sales, Ontario and Atlantic Canada. This annual event, which started in the west of Canada in April, has travelled across the country for 22 shows, with its final event on June 1 in Moncton, New Brunswick. In total, this event will have reached over 5,000 travel professionals Canada-wide, and will have featured more than 85 suppliers.

Nicole Blanchard, who is the new BDM for Atlantic Canada, also helped spearhead this event.

A trade show began the evening, where agents had a chance to speak one-on-one with suppliers about their latest products, and to get a sense of what was unique about what each had to offer. After this, attendees heard presentations about the highlights of the latest in hotels, tours and more in Sunwing/Signature’s 2017-2018 brochures.

Sunwing offers flights and packages to over 40 popular sun destinations, with new destinations and hotels added this year. Presentations highlighted many new deals (all subject to bookings within certain time frames).

“Group travel is so very popular, and it gains in popularity year after year,” said Blanchard. “We want that group business and we want you to think of us first.”

For group travel with Sunwing, winter bookings could feature savings of $400 per couple and extra STAR reward points. With cruises, the 16th adult travels free. Groups Plus travel perks include free extra baggage allowance and discounts on premium package upgrades with Sunwing Airlines.
For pre-booking group excursions with Sunwing, a group of 10 or more could result in a complimentary credit of $100 per couple, the 21st adult booked in a larger group is free, and pre-booking has the added advantage of an extra 8 per cent commission for the agent, as well as the ease of dealing in Canadian currency and avoiding bank fees.

Destination weddings feature numerous deals on packages. Offers include a $500 anniversary future travel voucher, a 10 per cent discount on Sunwing wedding planning services, $100 destination excursion credit, and more. At the Sensatori Azul Beach Resort Mexico, a group of 20 or more with a minimum 7-night stay receive a $1250 Destination Wedding Credit.

Blanchard also discussed “Kidcations,” which feature some of the Caribbean’s best water parks.

And for agents who are members of the Starmillionare program, booking a group of ten or more with Sunwing Vacations could qualify you to win 1,000,000 STAR Agent Reward points that convert to cash.

Signature features seven collections: Riu-topia, the Culinary Collection, the Divine Collection, the Crown Collection, the Emerald Collection, and the Celebrity Collection. New this year is the Elements Collection with Palladium Hotels, with all-ages locations in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico.

Signature features adventure experiences, eco experiences, aquatic experiences, cultural experiences, adrenaline experiences, nightlife experiences, and offers direct flights from over 30 Canadian airports.

Also new is the Sunwing app, which allows clients to call home for free, and offers exclusive deals on local attractions, as well 24/7 one-touch access to a local Sunwing representative.