INCENTIVEWORKS FOCUSES ON MORE THAN MEETINGS & EVENTS

Thursday, 23 August 2012

INCENTIVEWORKS FOCUSES ON MORE THAN MEETINGS & EVENTS

TRAVELHotNews.com talks to WestJet, Royal Caribbean, SeaDream, Jamaica Tours and Luxe representatives to find out what's new

Jovana Arnaut

!!!INCENTIVEWORKS FOCUSES ON MORE THAN MEETINGS & EVENTS

The 2012 IncentiveWorks, meetings and events show, was in Toronto from Aug. 21-22. The tradeshow was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and featured over 100 exhibitors including hotel chains, cruise lines and destinations from around the world.

TRAVELHotNews.com caught up with some of the exhibitors:

Todd Lindey, corporate sales coordinator & owner, WestJet

WestJet - According to Todd Lindey, corporate sales coordinator and owner, WestJet, the company has been doing really well this year.

“We had a load factor of about 85 last month and that is fantastic for the summer,” he said. “[Also], on July 31 the purchase agreement was signed for 20 Q400’s for our regional airline. We are hoping that will take off in early June.”

Lindey also discussed the company’s reason to launch premium economy seating.

“It was time,” he said. “It was something that has been demanded for in the past, especially if you look at our route map, and the addition of Chicago and New York LaGuardia for example, we’re really taking a strong focus on the business environment.... There is a serious demand for that type of product and we felt obligated to offer it.”

Lucille DePerro, director business development, SeaDream

SeaDream Yacht Club - Lucille DePerro, director business development, SeaDream, defines the company as “yachting not cruising.”

“We’re different,” she said. “First of all we’re small, we have a maximum of 112 guests and there is 95 staff, so, the ratio is almost one to one,” she said. “We offer trips to places such as the British Virgin Islands, St. Barts, and Nicaragua... and next November, we will be exploring Costa Rica.”

In November 2013, SeaDream I will sail from Barbados to Panama, transiting the Panama Canal, and sailing to Costa Rica. This trip will be a first for Sea Dream I.

The company’s eleventh year anniversary is also coming up this fall, but it is keeping the details under wraps.

For more information, visit seadream.com.

Clem Galindo, manager, corporate and incentive sales, Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International - “Oasis and Allure are the hits and the talk of the industry,” said Clem Galindo, manager, corporate and incentive sales, Royal Caribbean International. “This is what’s rocking the industry.”

The new 2012-2013 Worldwide Cruises brochure features the two ships that have seven distinct neighborhoods onboard including the Boardwalk, AquaTheater, FlowRider and Central Park.

“It’s very innovative,” he said. “[These areas] provide guests that don’t have an ocean view with views of parks, more attractions and a fun environment.”

Galindo also added that the cruise line is coming out with two new ships for fall 2014. “It’s very hush hush,” he said. “But I can tell you that it’s going to be very high tech like Apple or Microsoft at sea.”

For more information, visit royalcaribbean.com.

Bert Wright, executive vice president, Jamaica Tours Limited

Jamaica Tours Limited - The Jamaica Tourist Board, in partnership with Air Canada Vacations, Sandals and TRAVELHotNews.com, has launched a contest to celebrate the country’s 50th anniversary.

Bert Wright, executive vice president, Jamaica Tours Limited, said that it is important to celebrate the anniversary in a spectacular way for the whole world to see.

“It’s the kind of business that we’re in so we have to make sure that we put the word out there,” he said. “There are a lot of [celebrations] on the island and they have events in different towns to make the young people, young Jamaicans especially, aware of their history and where they come from so that they can know where they’re going.”

To enter the contest, click here.

Jana Adamova, sales manager, Luxe Hotels & Daniel Carrillo, director of sales and catering, Sedona Rouge

Luxe Worldwide Hotels - Jana Adamova, sales manager, told TRAVELHotNews.com that the hotel chain recently opened up four new hotels; three in California and one in Texas.

There are six in Canada: the Horseshoe Resort in Barrie; the Cosmopolitan, the Pantages, and the King Edward hotels in Toronto; and two Listel hotels, one in Vancouver and one in Whistler, B.C.

“[We are looking to expand in Canada],” Adamova said. “I know we are looking at other cities.”

“We just got the King Edward [to be] part of the collection,” added Daniel Carrillo, director of sales and catering, Sedona Rouge. “Also, their presence in China and Beijing is growing as well.”

For more information, visit luxehotels.com.

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