It’s always exciting when an airline launches a new route – and doubly so when folks at the destination are as delighted to welcome it.
Such was the vibe on 03MAY an excited group of Canadians flew YYZ-TQO – the airport code for Tulum, south of CUN. The pax included 27 travel advisors and 2 ACV BDMs enroute to the Air Canada Vacations’ Tulum Deep Dive Immersive Training Experience. Worth noting: TQO is an exclusive destination for ACV.
A longtime favourite for day trips by clients staying in the Cancun and Playa del Carmen areas, Tulum is now a whole new destination in itself, with a broad array of resorts (ACV offers 36 packages), a raft of sightseeing and sports opportunities, and those powdery beaches of palest beige that the region is famous for.
The lift is now a major plus, with year-round Rouge service on Fri and Sun from YYZ and Sat from YUL. Air Canada is offering connecting flights from as low as $59 round trip from 60 cities across Canada to make TQO even more accessible. And though the flight is just 5 minutes longer than to CUN, the direct service can shave 50 minutes or more off airport transfer time.
Opened in December, the new Tulum airport is located 120 km from CUN and is a sleek, shiny charmer featuring architectural touches of Mayan design. Baggage delivery was efficient and pax were soon on their way.
As well as the legendary Mayan ruins at nearby Tulum, clients can explore the funky shops and bar/resto scene of Tulum – which some call “Playa del Carmen as it was 20 years ago.” Getting around by bike is a popular option thanks to the flat terrain. Golf and ziplining are just some of the activities available as is swimming and scuba diving in the region’s famous freshwater sinkhole caves called cenotes (“seh-note-ehs).
Our group stayed at the Secrets Tulum & Beach Club. Located about 40 minutes’ drive from TQO, the 300 room, adults-only resort features five pools and three a la carte restos including the divine garden “steak house” where diners relax between the trees. Worth nothing that the resort is not beachfront – the ocean is not even visible – but there’s a free 20 minute hotel shuttle (every half hour from 9am to 4.30pm) to Secrets’ private beach club with its own pool and bar serving casual food. Judging by the popularity of the resort’s pools, some guests were completely fine staying on site.
During their stay, advisors did site inspections of some 16 properties, learning about the diversity of accommodation options in this area ranging from the always-popular mega all-inclusives to several smaller boutique hotels with ambience ranging from Euro-chic (the Motto by Hilton) to wellness focused (Be Tulum & Nomade Tulum, complete with glamping tent and treehouse accommodation).
BDMs Dianne Pedroso (Toronto West to Niagara Region) and Clementina Iannuzzi, Air Canada Vacations’ enthusiastic new South Western Ontario to Windsor BDM gave the group extensive updates on the company’s vast offerings; and Hyatt’s ever-popular Brian Joseph brought everyone up to date about the World of Hyatt (which includes 10 distinct all-inclusive resort brands, including Secrets).
Taking advantage of technology, Air Canada Vacations has made QR codes available for each property detailing not only local ACV staff 24/7 contact details, but also on-site options and transfer pick up times – very helpful! In case clients are not smart-phone equipped, the resort front desks also have the info.
“We are so excited to add this new destination, perfect for clients who want to immerse themselves in the culture, whether it’s at one of the larger properties or the many boutique properties we feature,” Dianne Pedroso (a 26 year ACV veteran, and clearly one of its biggest fans) told Open Jaw. “Air Canada Vacations is always looking for new destinations, and agents tell us they love it when we add something new!”
Next up: insider info on what the travel advisors loved about Tulum and more insights on the properties.
