TORONTO — Not only is Sunwing offering Western Canada vacation packages, using seats contracted from third-party carriers, to winter sun destinations, it’s also gearing up to add Varadero back into its network in mid-December, with flights from Toronto and Montreal. “We are always looking at where our customer demand is,” says Sunwing Travel Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Samantha Taylor.

And in these challenging times, every destination that goes back on the route map is a cause for celebration. “Every time we add a new destination it’s a little bit of a party. We’re looking for every bit of positivity as we go forward, we’re so excited,” said Taylor.

Sunwing restarted sun flights with Sunwing Airlines on Nov. 6 out of Toronto and Montreal to destinations including Punta Cana, Jamaica and Cancun. Starting in January 2021 vacation packages will also be available onboard alternative carriers from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton to Cancun, and from Edmonton to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan on Saturdays starting later this month.

Speaking to Travelweek via Zoom, Taylor shared her thoughts on everything from who’s travelling with Sunwing right now, to the reaction from travellers and agents to this winter’s sun product, to the importance of travel agents, who can stay connected with Sunwing in numerous ways including the tour operator’s Sunwing – Exclusively for Travel Agents Facebook Group.

“We are so grateful for the partnership of the travel agent community,” said Taylor. “Customers are looking to travel agents as the trusted resource to help them make the best decisions going forward,” said Taylor.

Taylor also talked about the federal government’s proposed financial assistance package for Canada’s airlines. “It’s very important for the industry that we come out the other side of this with a strong, competitive Canadian market from an airline standpoint.”

For more from the video, click here or watch below.