How do you best promote an upscale food, wellness and wine-focused all-inclusive brand to a group of luxury travel advisors?
Well, you could wow them with wine and dazzle them with dinner.
That’s exactly the approach taken by The Inclusive Collection, World Of Hyatt at an event this week at Sassafraz, a fine restaurant that has occupied a coveted corner of Toronto’s Yorkville district for more than two decades.
Jamie Huot, The Travel Boutique, Karen Gill, Plan A Vacation, Brian Joseph, Inclusive Collection, Anie Chevrier, The Travel Boutique, Steve Gill, Plan A Vacation. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
More than 50 local luxury travel advisors attended the multi-course meal and presentation, held to celebrate Impression by Secrets, the 10th brand in the burgeoning portfolio of World of Hyatt.
There are two Impression properties to date – Impression Moxché by Secrets in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and Impression Isla Mujeres, which looks onto the Cancun skyline from the offshore island located where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea.
Hyatt says the Impression brand invites guests to “transcend extraordinary” and “revel in tranquility and extravagance at boutique, adults-only havens designed to impress.” Impression promises “Endless Privileges” for its guests, including “dedicated butler service, unlimited premium spirits, master chef artisanal cuisine, and a unique array of curated entertainment.”
Vikas Malhotra, Travel Expert, itravel2000 and Judy Byrne, VIP Incentive Group Specialist, itravel2000. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
To drive home the message that the all-inclusive resort concept can offer a truly luxurious experience for discerning travellers, Hyatt brought along some firepower in the form of Impression Moxché by Secrets' Master Chef Karla Encino and Alonso Arias, a sommelier at the Moxché property and an engaging presenter.
Chef Karla worked alongside the Sassafraz kitchen team to create a memorable meal, including a lobster taco course featuring blue corn tortillas that she made by hand. Sommelier Alonso selected the wine pairings for each course, and passionately described his choices.
The commercial side of Inclusive Collection, World of Hyatt was well-represented at the event, including Claudio Zboznovits, the Canadian-born VP International Business Development, Carolina Bellina, Senior Director of Canadian Sales, Karen Nakai, Global Sales Director, Hyatt Sales Force, and the inimitable Brian Joseph, Inclusive Collection Canadian Business Development Manager.
Bellina told the advisor audience that sales have soared for Inclusive Collection in Canada, aligning with 2019 levels and characterized by an early booking trend and a shift toward higher room categories and upscale brands.
For his part, Zboznovits praised the Canadian team for its sales efforts, and thanked advisors for their critical role in driving demand.
“The strength in Canada is impressive. We surpassed all the budget expectations for 2023.”
Brian Joseph, Canadian Business Development Manager, Inclusive Collection. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
Joseph described the invited guests as “the crème de la crème” of luxury advisors, and pledged to “make sure your customers are getting exactly what they want.” He added that the Impression brand “could change the image of the all-inclusive model” by taking the concept to a new level of luxury.
With two Impression properties now open, Zboznovits says to stay tuned for new announcements, and hinted that some might be located outside the typical all-inclusive locations of Mexico and the Caribbean. “The world is a stage,” he said.
There’s lots going on within the broader Inclusive Collection, World of Hyatt. It recently entered Saint Lucia, with the glorious Zoetry Marigot Bay, which TravelPulse Canada toured earlier this year. The Zoetry brand is also heading to Greece, while the Inclusive Collection is also expanding into Bulgaria, with Portugal also among future destinations.
Impression Moxché by Secrets sommelier Alonso Arias shares his passion with travel advisors at the Inclusive Collection event. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
Earlier this year, Inclusive Collection launched Confidant Collective, an online travel advisor platform delivering tools and resources to help travel advisors to become experts on the Inclusive Collection portfolio.
The platform includes Confidant Learning, an educational section encompassing all 10 Inclusive Collection brands, and Confidant Rewards, which thanks advisors with points on registered bookings that can be redeemed for VIP travel advisor benefits, gift cards, curated merchandise and personal charitable contributions.
Inclusive Collection, World of Hyatt is also hosting advisor event in Montreal and Vancouver.
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