Totally happy: Tammy and Dave Cecco of Total Vacations
Daytona Beach had a big presence, making an artistic splash
Helen Hewetson, representing Hotel Mocking Bird Hill in Jamaica
Rosemary Wilson of Turks and Caicos Tourist Board with Anette Mullings of The Alexandra in Provo
In an era when product launches are trimmed back, costs are pared and the “celebration” is sometimes done over coffee and donuts, here’s to Total Vacations for pulling out all the stops at their recent Toronto area launch.
The tour operator is clearly celebrating its 15th year in style. They took over a good portion of the Sheraton near Pearson International Airport and themed it The Movies. (Very appropriate as TIFF had just pulled out of town.)
As well as solid educational opportunities, there was fun with popcorn, a photo booth and in the main room where the full sit-down dinner was served, movie trivia on the big screen.
Enjoying it all were some 250 travel agents and 50 suppliers, ranging from the biggies such as Nancy Abbott of Occidental Resorts (whose snazzy Royal Hideaway in the Riviera Maya is celebrating its 5 Diamond Status) and Helen Hewetson, touting the small-scale charms of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill in Port Antonio, Jamaica (with just 10 rooms, it’s perfect as a stress-relieving getaway for the nature lover or die-hard romantic).
SATA Airlines’ Karl Muller is particularly pleased to be part of the Total Vacations “family”. The Portuguese carrier has been chosen by Total for its new program to the Azores, which is also already selling well on its own or in a two-island combo with Gran Canaria. (Oooh! Sign me up!)
Definitely two of the largest smiles at the event were those of Dave and Tammy Cecco, owners of Total. The ITC guys may get bigger and noisier every year, but it’s clear that Total has carved a niche for itself, perfect for clients looking for something with a flexible duration, including classic hotspots such as the D.R. and Mexico; or something a little off the beaten path such as Montserat, Anguilla, Nicaragua or Costalegre in Mexico. “Flexibility is our middle name,” says Tammy. “And agents love us for that.” Clearly – and it shows!
