Viva La Vibe! Viva, Sunwing Party in T.O.; Canadian Numbers Soar, Viva Dominicus Beach Rebuilds

The “Viva Vibe” landed in Toronto Tuesday night (Oct. 27). And it didn’t come quietly.

With a record-breaking 70,000 Canadian guests in the past year, a new resort in Miches, a longstanding Sunwing Vacations partnership and rebuilding efforts following a devastating fire at Viva Dominicus Beach, Viva Resorts by Wyndham had plenty to share with Canadian travel advisors.

But this wasn’t a humdrum PowerPoint presentation.

Roughly 100 advisors gathered at The Vue @ Royal Woodbine Golf Club for a high-energy appreciation night hosted by Viva and Sunwing, complete with flamboyant dancers flown in from the Caribbean, music, prizes and enough tropical energy to make everyone forget they were in Toronto in October.

Colourfully costumed entertainers mingled with attendees, posed for pictures and led group dance sessions. (And yes, more than a few advisors were spotted boogying on the dance floor).

Adding to the festivities was piano-playing DJ Paolo Franchette of Los Locos.

Advisors also received special “passports” to complete in exchange for raffle tickets.

It was a taste of Viva’s signature Viva Vibe, a themed entertainment experience that’s become the calling card of its all-inclusive resorts.

Judging by last night’s party, the concept travels well.

Canada Is Number One

The reason for the celebration?

“Canada is our number one producer in the entire company,” Erika Sordo, senior director, marketing and communication at Viva by Wyndham, told Travel Market Report Canada.

“Over Europe, over Latin America, over the United States. So, we’re giving thanks to the people who help us every day to promote our destinations.

Gilda Noboa, director of sales and marketing, USA and Canada, confirmed that relationship.

“It was a record-breaking year. We had 70,000 Canadians across all of our hotels,” she said.

Miches Makes Waves

One resort that took centre stage was Viva Miches by Wyndham, which opened in December 2024 on Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic.

The 535-room, all-ages property sits in a relatively undeveloped beachfront destination about 90 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport.

“We have a new hotel in a new destination that nobody knew about two years ago. It’s a great achievement,” she said.

The property offers pickleball, paddle sports, an oceanfront gym, kids club and signature entertainment.

The Sunwing Connection

Viva and Sunwing Vacations have enjoyed a longstanding relationship central to the resort company’s Canadian strategy.

“We’ve been working with them since day one,” Sordo noted.

Noboa emphasized Sunwing’s distribution.

“They handle all our properties, which is very important to us. They are the number one tour operator for us. They go to all our destinations,” she said.

Viva is also sold through WestJet Vacations, part of Sunwing Vacations Group.

Dave Wright, director of sales for Ontario & Atlantic Canada at Sunwing Vacations, said the partnership works because Viva delivers an appealing combination of price, locations and experiences.

“I love Viva Resorts. We get great feedback from clients who go,” Wright told Travel Market Report Canada.

He also highlighted Miches as a destination Sunwing is eager to promote.

While entertainment is a major selling point, Wright stressed guests can participate as much, or as little, as they like.

“The Viva Vibe is all about enjoying your holiday – however you choose to spend it,” he said.

That could mean relaxing on a lounger or jumping into foam parties, neon parties and white parties, he said.

Viva Dominicus Beach: Rebuilding After The Fire

The evening also gave Travel Market Report Canada an opportunity to ask about the status of Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham, which suffered a devastating fire in June.

Strong coastal winds and flammable palm-thatched roofing helped flames spread rapidly at the time, prompting an emergency evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests at the resort in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Sordo acknowledged the incident’s seriousness, which destroyed approximately 200 rooms, including numerous bungalows. Significant portions remain intact, however, and rebuilding is progressing in phases.

Some rooms and restaurants are scheduled to reopen in December, with additional facilities expected in February, she said.

“Little by little, we’re opening up,” she said.

For now, operations continue under neighbouring Viva Dominicus Palace. (The properties share the same beachfront).

A full reopening date hasn’t been announced, “but [Canada] will be [among] the first to know,” Sordo said.

“We’re going to have a full reopening later on,” she said.

A Changing Winter Picture

Executives also discussed changing Canadian winter travel patterns, particularly with Cuba largely out of the picture.

Noboa said Canadian tour operators have redirected some Cuba capacity toward Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Mexico, creating opportunities for Viva.

Wright agreed Puerto Plata is attracting renewed attention, while Mexico’s Pacific coast is gaining momentum.

“Puerto Plata is getting some more airtime for sure. And Mazatlan [in Mexico],” he said.

The Secret Ingredient? Entertainment

If Viva wanted advisors to remember one thing Tuesday night, it was that entertainment is the brand’s DNA.

“It’s the ‘wow factor’ in our company,” Sordo said.

For advisors wondering how to position the brand, Noboa kept the pitch simple.

“We’ve been around for 39 years, we have resorts in great locations that offer a lot of value to clients,” she said.

And Viva Resorts didn’t just tell Toronto travel advisors what the Viva Vibe feels like. It brought the party to them.

The Viva Lineup

Viva Resorts by Wyndham has a collection of all-inclusive beachfront properties across the Dominican Republic, Mexico and The Bahamas.

Dominican Republic:

Viva Miches by Wyndham: Opened in December 2024 on Playa Esmeralda. The 535-room, all-ages property sits in an undeveloped beachfront destination about 90 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport.

Viva Heavens by Wyndham: A boutique-style, approximately 190-room resort within Puerto Plata’s Playa Dorada complex.

Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: On Cabarete Beach, a hotspot for windsurfing, kiteboarding and watersports.

Viva V Samaná by Wyndham: The brand’s adults-only resort on Playa Cosón in Las Terrenas, catering to couples, honeymooners and friends.

Viva Dominicus Palace and Viva Dominicus Beach: Sister properties in Bayahibe, La Romana, with the latter undergoing phased post-fire recovery.

Mexico:

Viva Maya and Viva Azteca: Two all-inclusive Playacar properties in Playa del Carmen, offering access to Riviera Maya beaches and attractions.

The Bahamas:

Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham: A 275-room, family-friendly beachfront resort in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.

Sordo highlighted this Bahamas property for Canadian advisors. “Sunwing is exclusive in Canada with that hotel, they have weekly flights,” she said.