l-r Michele Spinale, Royal West Indies; Antoinie Di Paola, Point Grace; Rob McChlery, Air Canada Vacations; Scott Hagan, The Somerset on Grace Bay; Rosemarie Wilson, Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board
Rosemarie Wilson
Lillian Day, Resort to the Best
It’s all about the direct lift, isn’t it folks? We Canadians are pretty spoiled with our selection of warm sunny destinations we can reach without having to transfer via some dysfunctional U.S. hub or having to interline over another little island. Turks & Caicos has gotten their lift – and they’re celebrating a 100% increase in Canadian visitation as a result – and it’s only going to get better.
Air Canada’s year round service is ramping up from YYZ, YUL & YOW for the big selling season. WestJet is adding a 3rd flight from Toronto and Transat is operating with Canjet out of YUL. Canadians seem to like the proximity and opportunities to enjoy Grace Bay Beach – one of Condé Nast’s Best Beaches in the world – 12 miles of non-stop white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters. Most of the island groups’ top resorts are strung along Grace Bay and some of their representatives have been touring Canada touting their properties and their special offers (stay 7 get 2 nights free and stay 4 get one night free).
Many of the resorts are smaller elegant properties in contrast to the big popular mainstays of Beaches and Club Med. The one exception to the Grace Bay setting is the new Parrot Cay development on a private island about 35 minutes by boat from Providenciales.
In Toronto last week, 120 very prosperous looking agents gathered at the Sandman Signature Hotel and attentively listened to presentations by the T & C team. Selling Turks & Caicos looks like good business.
A word about the Sandman – although its name and location near YYZ conjures up images of a mid market motel - that is certainly not the case at this fresh attractive property.
