Sandals Rocks

With an aura more befitting rock stars than hoteliers, Sandals rolled into to Toronto last night (Wednesday) at the end of a “world tour” designed to bring its message of love to travel agents.

The Toronto stop was the culmination of “Unveilings 2014,” an annual tour of the trade that now calls in multiple cities in the US, UK and Canada. Halifax and Ottawa were also among the tours dates this year.

With local colour provided by the mascot and cheerleaders of the currently high-flying Toronto Raptors basketball team (see photo), and a crowd of close to 500 travel agents and supplier partners, Sandals-Beaches Canada boss Maureen Barnes-Smith moderated a lengthy list of Sandals experts ranging from wedding and spas to hotel GMs and the Sandals Foundation.

It was a night full of news (free Wi-Fi will be introduced at all resorts next year; a new Red Lane branded skin care line of products will soon be launched…); awards for top achievers; trip give-aways; and sales tips and techniques (50% of all Sandals honeymooners use a travel agents).

Sandals VP and former Canadian chief Gary Sadler “preached” that Sandals is the only resort company to maintain a full office in Canada and that the company will do anything “to get your business.”

Sandals CEO Adam Stewart furthered the company line: that travel agents are the life blood of the company and that Sandals and Beaches will always be dynamic and responsive to the needs of both the trade and its guests. “The only ‘no’ you’ll ever hear us say,” he said, “is ‘no problem.’”