The secret is out: travel advisor members of The Confidant Collective, the online platform launched by the World of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection in May, had a triumphant and unforgettable year.

Advisors from the U.S., UK and 22 from Canada gathered at Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St. James resorts in Montego Bay, kicking off the weekend conference with a fun-filled Friday night dinner on the beach followed by a Saturday morning opening ceremony with a lively dose of Jonkonnu, traditional Jamaican music and dance of Christmas.

Sharing the joy of being among peers who became certified experts in the Inclusive Collection’s 10 luxury all-inclusive brands, the invited advisors reaped the rewards for sales successes to attend the fourth edition of Confidant Connect Live (CCL).

Senior director of Canadian sales for the Inclusive Collection and with 27 years of experience in the Canadian market, Carolina Bellina was happily bragging about this past year. “I achieved my budget in June! The support from the team, from the advisors, has been amazing. I’m very proud of them.”

With the largest luxury all-inclusive portfolio in the world, Hyatt Hotels has been steadily expanding with the acquisition of Two Roads in 2018, Apple Leisure Group in 2021 and this year Dream Hotel Group, Linder Hotels and Mr & Mrs Smith. Hyatt Hotels includes 28 brands with 1,300 hotels in 72 countries around the globe.

The Inclusive Collection currently features 114 resorts across 11 countries, with well-known brands Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Secrets, Dreams, Zoetry, Breathless, Hyatt Vivid, Alua, Sunscape and new this year, Impression by Secrets including Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets and Impression Moxche by Secrets. “We presented the Impression brand to high-end advisors in Canada and were able to offer a taste of the Impression luxury their clients will experience. They were very impressed,” said Bellina.

Shannon Smith, senior VP sales and marketing for TravelOnly, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, was pleasantly surprised and thankful to Bellina and Brian Joseph (World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection Canada business development manager) for her inaugural CCL invitation. “The vibe is really good and it’s nice to connect not only with the HIC executive team but also with fellow travel advisors.”

Smith explained her company’s sales were elevated by having Travel Only’s annual conference at Secrets The Vine in Cancun, giving her and fellow team members intimate knowledge of the Inclusive Collection.

As the owner of four Marlin Travel offices in Oakville and Mississauga, Yogesh Anand has been a big supporter of Hyatt and excited to be at CCL. “Secrets and Dreams (brands) are like coming home. It’s an easy sell for us.” Anand was blown away after visiting Impression by Isla Mujeres by Secrets three months ago. “I’ve been to pretty much all of Mexico…and this was one of the nicest resorts I’ve ever seen. The details – from architecture to the level of service to restaurants – everything was outstanding.”

The Saturday morning session of Confidant Connect Live celebrated advisors as well revealed 2024 plans for the Inclusive Collection in the Mexico-Caribbean region, like the opening of Sunscape Canoa, Sunscape Punta Cana and Secrets Tides Punta Cana in the D.R., Dreams Estella del Mar Mazatlan in Mexico, Secrets St Lucia, and in Europe, Dreams Madeira in Portugal, Breathless Resort & Spa in Bulgaria and Zoetry Halkidiki Resort & Spa in Greece.

Philip Rose, Jamaica Tourism Board’s Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, and former regional director of Canada, was also on hand to fete participants. “Tourism is a cycle of reciprocity, and with 70 per cent of our tourism business coming from travel advisors, we’re proud that we have the highest percentage of repeat business in the Caribbean,” said Rose.

With a record-breaking tourism year in 2023, Jamaica had its 10th consecutive quarter of growth this fall and US$4.2 billion generated for the economy. The Jamaica Tourism Board is hoping to welcome 500,000 visitors from Canada by 2025.

As CCL travel advisors learned and celebrated the Inclusive Collection in Montego Bay, they were also gifted with a final surprise, a complimentary three-night stay at Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, a new addition to the Inclusive Collection opening February 1, 2024. With 507 suites, nine restaurants and eight bar/lounges, Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres will be the first to have a tequila and mezcal cellar and aromatherapy menu.

By Waheeda Harris, Source: Travelweek