by Jim Byers
Last updated: 7:23 AM ET, Wed June 20, 2018
Canadian beef, bocce and a beautiful night on the Toronto Islands.
Karisma Hotels and Resorts and Air Canada Vacations put on a sensational event at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on a perfect pre-summer night, explaining their newest offerings to agents after an evening of drinks on the lawn overlooking Toronto Harbour, combined with croquet and bocce.
A select group of top agents and a few media were on hand and were treated to canapes and tender Canadian beef, showing off the Karisma Canadian Beef Culinary Series that's available once a month at some of their top resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. Top chefs are flown in from Canada, often with sommeliers from California or another top wine region.
"Karisma is all about experiences; it's all about intimate, small groups," said Alex Portman, regional sales and marketing manager, central Canada.
Portman said the Canadian Beef Culinary Series is part of Karisma's commitment to "gourmet inclusive" treatment for their guests, along with premium drinks, personalized service, beach and pool butlers and even "romance maitre D's."
Portman showed off slides of breathtaking properties under the Karisma banner, including El Dorado Maroma on the Riviera Maya, where they've built a series of overwater bungalows. He also pointed out the six-bedroom, 12,000-square-foot villas at Azul Riviera Maya.
Portman said new resorts in the pipeline include a Nickelodeon Riviera Maya with a huge water park, as well as an all-inclusive Margaritaville Beach Resort on the Riveria Maya (due to open the middle of next year) which will feature in-room margarita mixers and where guests will be welcome to wear their flip flops to dinner.
(Undoubtedly, visitors will be warned not to step on a pop top and be forced to cruise on back home.)
Rooms at El Dorado Maroma and many other top Karisma properties can be booked with Air Canada Vacations, which is their partner of the month for June, Portman said.
Juan Contreras, area sales manager for Air Canada Vacations, said agents can book Karisma Hotels and Resorts through ACV and save up to 60 per cent, plus earn a $250 resort credit for clients. As well, the seventh passenger is free for every six passengers booked, he said.
Bookings must be made by June 30, 2018 for travel through Oct. 31, 2018.
Agents who book packages by June 30 earn two times ACV&ME points at participating resorts.
Contreras said Air Canada Vacations also offers its "CAREFREE" and "CAREFLEX" packages, giving customers such as options as storm/weather protection, advanced seat selection, price drop guarantees and other benefits.
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