TravelPulse in Mexico: Winners of the Playa Hotels 2023 AllStars Gala

by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 11:45 PM ET, Sun May 14, 2023

Special collaboration: Natalie Sicard

The 2023 AllStars Gala organized by Playa Hotels & Resorts took place this week at the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya. And, Wednesday evening, it is on a festive and colorful note that it concluded during an awards ceremony under the theme of "an evening at the Oscars".

A reception worthy of the brand and its ambassadors

The 60 agents present (from North America, including 15 from Canada) literally walked the "celebrity carpet" with each of their names inscribed on the ground with stars. They then walked through the entrance, flanked by two giant statues , to take a seat in the reception room and attend a spectacular show: projections, live band, dancers, balancing acts and acrobatics, followed by the nomination of the best sellers. , showing how Playa knows how to organize large-scale receptions in destination, has been thought and organized for months by Amanda Morris, sales director of Playa Hotels & Resorts for Canada, Jermaine Humphrey, Director of Sales, USA and Andi Bachi, BDM for Ontario.

Due to the pandemic, there had not been the traditional annual Spotlight Awards since January 2020 (which was held at the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana). This edition, admittedly on a smaller scale, was therefore eagerly awaited by participants and organizers and to say Amanda Morris "rewarding our best salespeople and brand ambassadors in North America was very important to us. Even though the recovery in Canada has been slower than in the United States, the first quarter of 2023 is very positive". An expanding brand "We had (in the United States) an exceptional year 2022 which gave a big "boom" to the Playa brand", launched from the outset Andrea Wright, Vice President of Sales for the United States. States and master of ceremonies.

Brad Cirino, Vice President of Sales for Playa Hotels & Resorts, arrived for the evening from Fort Lauderdale, the company's headquarters, added by saying that "it looks like 2023 is shaping up to be even stronger than 2022. From our side, we continue our development and (surprise): if we are considering new projects in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, we are also thinking in the long term of projects outside the Caribbean". He concluded by warmly thanking the agents and partners present.

Note that the Playa chain, which has 25 hotels and 6 distinctive brands, has just added the Jewel Punta Cana and the Jewel Palm Beach to its portfolio, while the Wyndham Alltra Samaná will open in the fall in the Dominican Republic.

A fruitful event

"Rarely have I seen such a spectacular event of its kind! The organizers really treated the agents like stars!" said Kimberley Wood, National Director, Franchise Members and Affiliates Transat Distribution Canada. "It was a very productive event for all and an opportunity for the agents to get to know the brand team better and to network with each other". For Emmanuelle Brière, Travel Advisor at Voyages Action Beloeil, the only agent from Quebec present at the event, it was "a great opportunity to, firstly, visit this new Hyatt Zilara and, secondly, meet a host of key people.

The one who knows the chain's products quite well, who has a weakness for the Hilton Playa Del Carmen ("a little gem") particularly appreciated the Trade Show held on Tuesday morning. "Having direct contact with the sales representatives of each hotel in destination makes all the difference. I can then offer a personalized service to my clients".

Case in point: A solo guest staying at a chain Hyatt received a host of thoughtful touches upon arrival, including a bottle of champagne in the room. All thanks to his contact with the representative before his departure. "It makes all the difference, adds Christopher Jeffrey-Racine, BDM for Quebec, Ottawa and the Atlantic provinces, because a happy client is a happy agent. We will work hard to have more agents present at this event in 2024".

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