Going Exclusive With Club Med

From villas on stilts in the Maldives to luxury ski chalets in the French Alps, Club Med provided the trade with an overview of its Exclusive Collection last night (Oct. 25) at a launch event for the 2016-2017 season.

Following dates in Montreal and Quebec City, the Toronto function showcased Club Med’s 16 luxury worldwide options and highlighted the company’s growth in the Canadian market.

“The GTA is a very important market for us, it’s a key market and we want to continue to develop Club Med in this market along with our travel partners,” says Carolyne Doyon, senior vice-president, Club Med Canada and Mexico.

Despite the challenges facing the travel industry — including hurricanes and the Zika virus — she said the company saw double-digit growth in Canada for individual sales and a 36% increase in 2016 group activities in Ontario. Meanwhile an overall increase of 21% in sales was noted last winter for its all-inclusive ski resorts in the Alps.

Along with the recently opened Oasis Zen space in Punta Cana, some of the latest news and developments for Club Med include:

• Club Med Opio en Provence is undergoing an overhaul and will be the second resort to open with the Creactive by Cirque du Soleil concept, the circus-inspired playground currently available in Punta Cana.
• Rio Das Pedras will see the first 5 Trident Resort space in Brazil with the opening of Space La Reserve in Feb. 2017.
• Also in Brazil, Club Med will unveil a new resort, Lake Paradise, this winter, located one hour from São Paulo.
• Columbus Isle in the Bahamas saw brand-new rooms this summer, while a cardio training space will open its doors this fall and Feb. 2017 will see the opening of a new restaurant, bar and wine cellar.
• Launched in 2010 as Club Med Business, the groups division of Club Med rebranded to Meetings & Events by Club Med in 2016, a side of the company which continues to grow by 20% year after year.

Last night’s event also served as a thank you to travel partners with a giveaway for a 7-night trip for two to Punta Cana. Club Med’s regular brochure will be available in Dec.

Pictured at the event held at the Historic Dineen Building are Amélie Brouhard and Carolyne Doyon.