At a recent festive gathering on December 4th at the Arlington Estate near Toronto, Sunwing and the renowned Riu Hotels & Resorts celebrated their longstanding partnership, showcasing a commitment to providing exceptional vacation experiences. The event welcomed prominent retailers alongside an impressive roster of Riu representatives who traveled from various locations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Sunwing and Riu: A Partnership Built on Trust
“We’ve been hosting this lunch for several years now,” stated Dave Wright, Director of Sales for Ontario and Atlantic Canada at Sunwing. He expressed the affinity many Canadians have for the Riu brand, which has been exclusively available through Sunwing for years. Wright emphasized the brand’s reliability and ongoing improvement, drawing in customers year after year.
Enhancements to Riu Properties
Riu Hotels has evolved its offerings to include more renovations, additional food and beverage outlets appealing to North American tastes, and a growing number of swim-out rooms. The hotel chain is also expanding adults-only sections, family areas featuring water parks, and the increasingly popular sport of pickleball. Clients can now reserve their pickleball court times upon arrival at several Riu locations, including Negril, Playa del Carmen, Los Cabos, and Punta Cana.
A Broad Portfolio of Riu Properties
Currently, Sunwing features approximately 40 Riu properties in its roster. Alicia Santos, Riu’s Contracting Director for the USA & Canada, remarked, “Our relationship with Sunwing works seamlessly due to our long-standing partnership; we consistently provide the products that are in high demand.” Notably, Punta Cana remains a favored destination, housing five Riu hotels, while Aruba consistently tops the sales charts.
Growth in Group Travel
During the event, Lexi Lipitkas, part of Sunwing’s dedicated groups department, highlighted the increasing trend in group bookings. With 95 people currently in the department, Sunwing is actively planning for 2025 and 2026. “Our group minimum is just 10 individuals, and they don’t need to originate from the same gateway,” she explained, accommodating travelers from all across Canada. Observing rising trends, Lipitkas noted that destination weddings are particularly popular, averaging 40 guests, while larger South Asian weddings often host around 120. Corporate bookings, sometimes surpassing 400 attendees, are also significant.
A Bright Future Ahead
Wright concluded with a positive outlook on the partnership between Sunwing and Riu, stating, “Riu is a solid brand with high standards, leading to significant repeat bookings. Clients often plan their next Riu vacation as soon as they return home.” This collaboration not only enhances travel options for Canadians but significantly contributes to the evolving landscape of all-inclusive vacations, making both Sunwing and Riu instrumental in shaping memorable travel experiences.
