TORONTO — Sunwing Vacations and Signature Vacations showed off “the best product lineup we have ever offered” at last night’s 2016/17 trade presentation in Toronto, said Deana Murphy, VP Retail Sales. The Toronto event was one of the first in a long list of upcoming shows in Ontario, Western Canada and Atlantic Canada.

Agents came out for prizes, food and fun at Woodbine Racetrack. Said Deana Murphy, VP Retail Sales, “Our presentation series is an opportunity for us to get out across the country and personally thank travel agents for their incredible support of Sunwing and Signature Vacations! We want them to come out to meet our wonderful staff and suppliers, have a great dinner, enjoy the presentation and hopefully have a little fun. And of course no evening would be complete without some fabulous prizes to end the evening!”

This past winter was challenging one for the entire industry but Murphy said Sunwing is already looking forward to snow and cold in 2016/17. “Indeed it was a challenging winter for a number or reasons,” she said. “A weak loonie, low cost of oil, and not even Mother Nature would cooperate with the absence of a real Canadian winter. We came out fairly well in part because of the wide range of destinations and product that we have but also because of our incredible exclusive product we have like Royalton Luxury Resorts and Riu Hotel and Resorts.”

Groups business is strong and growing, she added. “Our newly released Groups Guide is full of great agent rewards, promotions and valuable information. This year a lucky agent will become a STARmillionaire when one of them will win 1,000,000 STAR Agent Reward Points.”

What’s new for Sunwing and Signature Vacations in 2016/17? Coming this November, Royalton Luxury Resorts will open the Royalton Blue Waters on the shores of Montego Bay. Adjacent to the Royalton White Sands, the new property will feature 228 luxury rooms and all of the amenities that Royalton customers are accustomed to like Dreambeds, all-in connectivity allowing free long distance calls anywhere in North America, complimentary WiFi and more, said Murphy.

Also opening later this year is the Royalton Negril in Negril with 407 rooms and suites, and the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton with 166 rooms.

RIU Hotels and Resorts is also opening the Riu Reggae this November in Montego Bay. This 454-room adults-only resort is adjacent to the Riu Palace Jamaica and Riu Montego Bay.

“We have adults-only resorts covered this year with RIU Hotels and Resorts also opening the Riu Republica, Punta Cana this June,” said Murphy. “Signature Vacations guests will enjoy this 1,007-room property with three pools including two infinity pools, free WiFi and of course all Riu-topia inclusions.”

Saint Lucia is back on the roster for this winter and better than ever, she added. Offered from Toronto this winter the brand new Royalton Saint Lucia Resort and Spa including the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia will open this coming winter.