PUNTA CANA — AMR Collection held its third annual ‘Amazing Agent Celebration’ at the 500-room Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana this past weekend. Over 130 agents, with 15 hailing from Canada, gathered to be honoured for top sales performances.

Dreams Macao Beach opened in 2020 and then shut down during the pandemic. After re-opening last year, the resort continues to thrive.

There are 18 two-bedroom private villas ideal for families with children. There are 16 room categories in all, of which 12 are at the Preferred Club level with additional perks including private lounge, adults-only swimming pool and designated beach area and more. Best of all, you have an assigned butler who caters to your requests. The property is visually pleasing with a bowling arcade, kid’s water park and infinity pool with a swim-up bar. Multiple dining options are available throughout the resort featuring seafood, Mexican, French, Italian and American cuisines, and a café for your daily caffeine fix.

More than 130 of AMR Collection’s top travel advisor partners came out for the Amazing Agent Celebration at Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana

In his opening address, Gonzalo Del Peon, Group President Americas and Global Commercial, discussed AMR Collection and how it’s grown with new resort openings in 2022 and 2023. This month saw the opening of Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia and Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen. Secrets Moxché, a luxury all-suite boutique property, will offer an elevated ‘Endless Privileges’ experience with dedicated in-room butlers.

Meanwhile the global expansion of AMR Collection continues under the Hyatt umbrella with the December 2022 opening of its first Columbia property. Luis Nunez, Regional Director Dominican Republic and Columbia oversaw the introduction of Dreams Karibana Cartagena Golf & Spa Resort, located just 30 minutes from the historic centre. Nunez said over 2.2 million travellers had visited the D.R. since December 2021.

SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR TRAVEL AGENTS?

Good news, says Kevin Wojciechowski, AMR’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Distribution. AMR Collection is offering more dedicated training, a newly created Facebook page just for advisors, and increased support across America and Canada. There will be more luxury and wedding fams encompassing Europe as well. In addition, AMR’s new advisor loyalty programs will be rolled out next year, and in spring 2023, a dedicated agent website will go live.

Travel advisors are ecstatic about the opportunity to offer AMR’s Europe destinations; there is so much demand for destination weddings beyond the Caribbean, and agents will now get reward points for Europe.

Canadian travel advisor Shalene Dudley, owner of Latitude Concierge Travels, said clients are willing to pay more for unique experiences, especially with families travelling across the globe to attend weddings.

AMR Collection’s Carlo Trinidad, BDM, Western & Central Canada with Carolina Bellina, Senior Director of Canadian Sales

As a big thank you at the Amazing Agent Celebration, all agents received a three-night stay for two at the much-anticipated Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club (opening soon) valid in 2023 or 2024, as well as 15,000 AMR resort points.

It’s been a year since the acquisition of AMR Collection by the Hyatt Corporation; 2023 will see the roll-out of the World of Hyatt ‘Inclusive Collection’ of luxury all-inclusive resort brands. These include Hyatt Ziva resorts, Hyatt Zilara resorts, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Vivid Hotels & Resorts (coming soon), Alua Hotels & Resorts and Sunscape Resorts & Spas.

According to Erica Doyne, Senior VP of Marketing & Communications, in addition to the US, Canada will see marketing campaigns promoting ‘Inclusive Collection’ across the country. The focus will be on digital, social and online marketing and hefty trade publications buy-ins.

CANADIAN AGENTS ARE IMPRESSED

Canadian agent Jamie Milton of Saskatoon’s Uniglobe Carefree Travel, expressed her excitement about the expansion into Europe “because that’s a whole new market where we can promote the brand” and “get people travelling to new destinations.”

Jamie Milton, Uniglobe Carefree Travel; Liz Moore, Liz Moore Destination Weddings; Marj Dejong, Transat Travel Peterborough

Liz Moore of Liz Moore Destination Weddings from Vancouver stated that, “destination weddings have never been as popular as they are today. They grew exponentially post-pandemic. We are so busy and finding it difficult to keep up with demand. Now I’m excited about seeing more product offerings over in Europe and will be able to take our destination weddings in North America over to Europe. So that’s very exciting to me.”

Marj Dejong, Transat Travel, from Peterborough, ON, travelled to the Zoetry property in Majorca, Spain. “You’re walking back in time. The property was built in the 1400s and blessed by the Pope. There is a windmill and chapel and cobblestoned courtyard. The dining was exceptional.”

Dejong says she can already see how these European properties will be a game changer for travel agents and the European market. Dejong is a member of AMR’s agent advisory board, and in that capacity she helps shape agent programs.

BIG WINNERS

Dressed to the nines in their finery for the masquerade party, travel agents, guests and AMR staff came together to eat, drink and dance the night away on the gala night. The Da Republik dance crew provided fun entertainment.

Two Canadian agents were chosen and were honoured for their work in their respective communities.

Julie Theberge of Club Voyages Montmagny St-Jean Chrysostome, QC, was honoured “for inspiring and promoting give-back initiatives in her community.”

And Dudley received an award “for inspiring leadership and promoting diversity in tourism.” Her advocacy work addresses Anti-Black Racism in Canada’s travel industry via Let’s Get Uncomfortable (LGU).

AMR Collection’s Antonio Gonzales, SVP Commercial & Marketing, Europe; Mark Benson, Senior Director Sales Strategy; Carolina Bellina, Senior Director of Canadian Sales; Antoni Rebassa, VP Global Sales Distribution, Europe; Erica Doyne, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt; Luis Nuñez, Regional Commercial Director; Mary Ellen Burke, National Sales Director; Claudio Zboznovits, VP Global Sales and Business Development

FULL LIST OF RESORT OPENINGS 

• Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia (St. Lucia): Open December 2022, this boutique resort is exclusively located on the island’s most desirable marina, Marigot Bay, complete with swaying palm trees, anchored yachts and a nearby volcanic white sand beach, and will offer both tranquility and easy access to St. Lucia’s top attractions like the nearby Pitons.
• Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen (Mexico): Discover the most elevated level of all-inclusive luxury with the introduction of the Impression concept to the Secrets portfolio. Opening December 2022, this all-suite, boutique resort will deliver an elevated Endless Privileges experience with dedicated in-room butlers catering to every need.
• Dreams Flora Resort & Spa (D.R.): Located on a picturesque palm-studded beach in Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana, and expected to open February 2023, this property will feature 520 luxuriously appointed rooms, each with a private terrace or balcony offering ocean, garden and pool views.
• Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres (Mexico): Artfully built into the natural landscape of Isla Mujeres, this ultra-luxurious and unique resort is reminiscent of romantic Mediterranean cities along the sea. Expected to open March 2023, this adults-only resort will boast exclusive experiences tailored to preference, butler service and curated gastronomy designed to exceed all expectations.
• Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club (Mexico): Located in the heart of the idyllic town of Tulum within the luxurious Aldea Zama Complex, Secrets Tulum is slated to open summer 2023, fusing elegant and boho design with eco-chic elements, jungle themed surroundings uniquely designed by award-winning architect Michael Edmonds.
• Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort (Mexico): Slated to open in 2023 and located within Estrella del Mar, a private gated golf & residential community stretching over 900 acres, this stunning resort is situated on 3.5 miles of pure, secluded beachfront.
• Secrets Tides Punta Cana (D.R.): Expected to open Fall 2023, this adults-only resort will provide guests with an intimate hideaway surrounded by all-encompassing foliage, modern architecture and stunning views.
• Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa (St. Lucia): Slated to open late 2023, this adults-only resort will offer guests a privileged location on the island where they can enjoy a stunning view of dramatically tapered mountains, volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites and fishing villages.