Basking
in the glow after winning half the 2024 Travvy Awards and debuting multiple
new programs at its Ascend conference last month, ALG
Vacations (ALGV) leaned into its gratitude-focused philosophy by honoring agency
owners, managers and advisors with a luxurious four-night celebration at the recently opened Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres
from Hyatt Inclusive Collection.
The 202 Diamond, Diamond Preferred, and Crown Jewel agencies –
including 42 new member accounts – collectively sold $1.37B in 2024, making
this the biggest retreat the company has ever had, noted ALGV group president
Ray Snisky.
“Our
history has always been America, but we’ve evolved into Mexico and
international. The number one development area of hotels is in the luxury
sector – it’s where everyone is looking to strengthen, and hotels in our Luxe
by ALG Vacations program are up 40% year over year, and we’ve more than doubled
our premium air,” said Snisky.
“We’ve
had spectacular growth on the group side, and we’re now over $150 million
annually in Europe. Our team has a new goal: to grow over the next three years
to over $500 million in Europe and beyond.”
Travel agency sales represent over 70% of
ALGV’s total business, and this retreat extended its appreciation to attendees with
a range of spa
treatments and excursions, including golf, a catamaran to Isla Mujeres,
shopping, speed boats and snorkeling. This year, ALGV introduced a first-timers
lunch and regional cocktail hours. Elite advisors enjoyed resort activities like
pool parties, a wellness walk led by global head
of trade brands Jacki Marks and VP of sales Jim Tedesco, and a football-themed
dinner where attendees were encouraged to find the matching image on the back
of their name badge – the winners received three-night stays at two Secrets
resorts, plus first-class air.
During
Saturday’s general session, Marks shared ALGV’s goal to elevate advisors and
help them succeed.
“I
asked ChatGPT: What makes a diamond? It gave me six words: Rarity, durability,
brilliance, transformation, individuality and symbolism. Those are the
characteristics you represent, and this is our chance to celebrate the incredibly
hard work you do and the opportunities we have ahead as we shape the future of
travel together,” she said.
“We
want to make sure the world knows that you do more than plan vacations; you
make dreams come true. We spend millions of dollars every year, driving as much
traffic as possible to TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com so the world sees you
the way we do: as heroes of the industry. You’re the heart and foundation that
makes our company successful.”
ALG Diamond Retreat. (Photo Credit: Will Bylington)
Snisky
told agents to expect a deeper integration with Hyatt along with innovation and
growth within AI, noting that since its debut this year, ALG’s ChatGPT/AI
interface, Amelia, has handled 200,000 interactions – reducing hold times and
automating tasks to free up advisors’ time.
“We’re
continuing to invest, adding more business development managers to our platform;
we’re trying to find ways to serve you better,” he added.
Amstar’s
Rosalinda Rodriguez, celebrating two Travvy wins for best DMC in Mexico and the
Caribbean, introduced its re-branded website, uniforms and new service
offerings, including transfers of 27,000 passengers from the Tulum airport. Rodriguez
encouraged advisors to upload client information into VAX so guests can receive
real-time updates.
New
premium offerings in Mexico and the Caribbean shared by HIC’s Midwest BDM,
Sherri Przybysz, included Dreams Sapphire’s new Preferred Club section, Indigo,
which features 80 beachfront suites and 10 two-story villas with private plunge
pools.
“This
is a great option for multi-generational families,” said Przybysz, adding that
the new Casa Zamna area of Secrets Tulum has 21 ocean-view or tropical-view rooms
next to the Beach Club.
“When
you’re in VAX, it comes up as a group category. They have their own Rosewater
restaurant exclusive for Zamna guests plus access to everything at the main
property; clients just need to let their butler arrange transportation.”
Other
luxury highlights: the 400-room Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, with a private beach
club ideal for destination weddings or corporate buyouts, plus two new 500-room
resorts in Punta Cana opening in April, Dreams Playa Esmeralda and Secrets
Playa Esmeralda.
ALG Diamond Retreat. (Photo Credit: Will Bylington)
“Dreams
will have a water park and some exchange privileges with the Secrets Preferred
Club,” said Przybysz.
“Our
newest endeavor is the Il Mare section at Dreams Curaçao – 51 adult-only beach
bungalows. Your guests also have full access to both Dreams and Zoëtry. Dreams Aruba and Dreams St.
Lucia are both coming down the pipeline next year, and we opened our first
property in Portugal, the 366-room Dreams Madeira.”
Since
being acquired by Hyatt in 2021, ALGV continues to evolve and grow thanks to
advisors, Marks told TravelPulse.
“The
only way we’re going to be successful is if we listen to the travel advisor
community, so we do surveys and have meetings with our advisory board after
every event, get the feedback, and then we internalize it – that’s how we built
Europe and Luxe by ALGV,” she said.
“We’re
now three times the size in Europe than we were before and since launching in
June, Luxe has smashed every goal we had set. We have a saying: Community over
competition. In 2024, these advisors made a conscious decision to aggregate
their business with us to become Diamond members; it’s a privilege knowing they
chose us.”
Leadership
was especially proud of ALGV’s largest advisors Give Back program yet: Attendees
painted classrooms and spruced up outdoor spaces at six local schools for
children with special needs. Together, Elite members raised $40,000 in
donations and school supplies. Half the proceeds will benefit more than 650
children in Mexico. The rest was donated to country superstar Dustin Lynch’s Cowboys
and Angels Fund, which supports children’s charities in Middle Tennessee. Lynch
performed at the closing Denim and Diamonds gala dinner and met with 25 super
fans.
For
2025 and beyond, ALGV plans to further develop its luxury and European
offerings, while supporting its top earners.
“Our
purpose is to care for people so they can do their best, and I want us to keep pulling
for each other and lifting each other up,” said Snisky. “You are the cream of
the crop and strongest examples of our relationships. We want to take that to
another level moving forward.”
By
Wendy Helfenbaum
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