WestJet Vacations ramps up travel advisor outreach

WestJet Vacations is showcasing its latest efforts at strengthening ties with Canada’s travel advisor community.

In March, WestJet Vacations partnered with Playa Hotels & Resorts to host more than 40 travel advisors for a “Paint and Sip” event at LuLu Island Winery in Richmond, B.C., where advisors were given an update about what’s new with the tour operator, and provided a detailed overview of the Playa Hotels portfolio.

Cancun was identified as one of WestJet Vacation’s top-selling destinations, one where Playa Hotels also has a large presence, reads a press release.

To meet the increasing demand for Cancun among Canadians, the tour operator announced a new weekly flight departing every Tuesday from Vancouver to its schedule, starting May 2025, as well as additional flight capacity to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Cana.

“This strategic move ensures that their mutual clients have even more opportunities to explore one of Canadians’ most sought-after spots,” said the tour operator.

Advisors were also debriefed on the many significant improvements being made to its beloved WestJet Rewards, the most significant in the program’s 15-year history, which would later come into effect on April 30, 2025 making it easier than ever for members to earn, redeem and achieve status.

For instance, guests can earn and redeem points on inflight extras including cabin upgrades, advanced seat selection and checked bags, and WestJet Vacations package customers can earn 20 per cent of the base package price and that amount would apply towards their tier qualify spend (restrictions apply).

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Hotel Xcaret with Dirty Apron

WestJet Vacations teamed up with Hotel Xcaret this past April to host a private cooking class at Dirty Apron in Vancouver and educate an exclusive group of invited travel advisors on the value of this partnership between both brands.

Advisors in attendance were party to a wine and cocktail reception, followed by a presentation from Hotel Xcaret’s Melissa Fernández, sales executive U.S. and Canada.

Fernández provided an overview of Hotel Xcaret’s properties and valuable offers, including a kids stay free promotion which runs until May 31, 2025.

A four-hour cooking class then commenced, where they explored a blend of Mexican, German and Japanese cuisine, under the guidance of Chef Takashi.

TDC advisors in Mexican Pacific

Transat Distribution’s advisors were recently hosted by WestJet Vacations in Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas to explore the regions’ family friendly and luxury resorts, including Hyatt Zilara Los Cabos, Dreams Los Cabos, Breathless Cabo San Lucas, Sandos Finisterra, Grand Velas and GR Solaris Lighthouse.

To gain a greater understanding of each destination and property’s unique features, ensuring travel advisors are better equipped to match their clients with the resorts that meet their needs, site tours, a variety of off-site excursions including humpback whale sightings during a sunset cruise along the Sea of Cortez, and savoury meals at designated properties were organized.

WestJet Vacations also coordinated numerous networking opportunities between NexusTours.com and Playa Resorts, two trusted partners in destination.

Red Label Vacations FAM experience

Travel advisors from Canada’s east coast also recently boarded new non-stop WestJet flights from Toronto to Tulum, where they enjoyed the experience of greater accessibility in-destination from the airport to the properties they visited between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum.

WestJet Vacations offers nearly 30 partner properties set between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, and advisors had the opportunity to visit a number of them including Hilton Tulum, Hilton Cancun, Bahia Luxury Akumal, Bahia Principe Grand Coba, Principe Grand Tulum, Secrets Tulum, Dreams Tulum, Hotel Xcaret Mexico and Hotel Xcaret Arte; they gained direct insight into each property’s amenities, services and unique features, as well as an appreciation for the convenience and accessible location of Tulum airport in proximity to these hotels.

Several networking opportunities were organized for the group. It also included participation from NexusTours.com and the WestJet Vacations destination experience team.

Over a series of working dinners, advisors had the chance to engage brand representatives and sample resort cuisine.

One experience of note was an agave tasting hosted by the Hilton Tulum team, where a tequila master led the advisors on a journey to uncover and appreciate the spirit’s unique flavours.

"WestJet Vacations thanks its trusted partners for maximizing every experience and memory made during its brand-led initiatives. Travel advisors can look forward to hearing about more exciting events in future quarterly updates," the brand said. 

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