A happy Michael Friisdahl of the Thomas Cook Group
Sal Buccaletto of Sears Travel with
Mary Anne LaChance and Ian Patterson of MSC Cruises, Amr Younes of
Encore Cruises and Cindy Stevens of Sears Travel.
Fun and games tables were very popular!
An impressive trade show with reps from around the world
I remember when it was roast beef on a Kaiser.
As sure as Toronto’s CNE heralds the end of summer, the Sunquest product launch – and the ever-present sandwiches – always signaled the start of the busy winter season.
Well, those bashes would seem like intimate get-togethers compared to the recent Toronto-area Thomas Cook launch, touting new offerings from TC companies including Sunquest, Boomerang, Holiday House, Encore Cruises and more. Some 140 suppliers attended to inform and entertain the hundreds of agents who participated.
Michael Friisdahl, CEO of Thomas Cook Canada, was clearly proud of the company’s growth and new initiatives for winter 11/12. Speaking to a VIP group of key retailers and staff, he remarked on the company’s 40th anniversary this year and, commenting on the expansion of routes – especially in the west – said “We will not be left behind.”
New destinations include Colombia and Florida (Fort Lauderdale, to dovetail with their cruise programs). And Thomas Cook flights will be added from Calgary and Vancouver.
There’s good news on the technology side: “Within the next two weeks you will be able to sign in just once and access all the brands.”
Certainly one exciting development is the expansion of Sunquest’s Club Diamond concept. It’s available at no extra cost to clients choosing select Bahia all-inclusive (properties in Samana, La Romana and Jamaica/Runaway Bay have been added to the Riviera Maya, Bavaro and Puerto Plata). As in the past Sunquest clients will receive a variety of goodies such as their own restaurant for lunch and dinner and an extra a la carte dinner (4 instead of 3).
But new this year are very cool-sounding Special Interest Weeks including Golf (with a Canadian pro) Fitness with Extreme Fitness, March Break Soccer for every level of play, and cooking weeks starring Canadian celebrity chefs not only offering with lessons but also cooking in one of the a la carte restos for the week they are there. During these weeks there will be a dedicated Sunquest rep on-site to ensure client satisfaction.
“The best part of the Special Interest Weeks is that your clients can opt in and out as they please,” Steve Butchart, vice-president of Sunquest told me. “They can go whole hog for the week playing, say, golf or soccer – or just have a go once or twice. And if it’s the success we think it’ll be, we have ambitious expansion plans!”
Clearly the night was a huge success, between the professional development sessions, a massive trade show with exhibitors ranging from InterContinental French Polynesia to Legoland Florida and some fun games – just to keep the energy flowing!
Congrats Thomas Cook – here’s to a great winter 11/12!
