Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources

AIC Hotel Group Creates Host Agency Sales Department

by Briana Bonfiglio  August 06, 2025
ava resort cancun aic hotel group

AVA Resort Cancun. Photo: AIC Hotel Group

AIC Hotel Group has created a brand-new department, Host Agency Sales, within its sales division. 

The Host Agency Sales department is comprised of 13 business development managers (BDMs) across 11 U.S. regions and Laura Blanco at the helm, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the travel trade. 

“Supporting entrepreneurs and growing businesses has always been my passion, along with a deep love for the travel industry and world-class resorts,” Blanco said. “With AIC Hotel Group, I’m fortunate to combine both—focusing on a vital segment of the distribution channel while doing what I truly love.”    

Blanco has more than 25 years of travel industry experience, beginning as a New York-based BDM for Sandals & Beaches Resorts and Costa Cruises, and then spending 15 years at Cruise Planners. 

AIC Hotel Group’s portfolio includes hotels across the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico, including AVA Resort Cancun, Eden Roc Miami Beach, and several Nobu and Hard Rock Hotels in the region. 

  
  
Related Articles
New Opening: Hyatt Centric Sapporo
IHG Hotels & Resorts Appoints New SVP, Global Sales
Sunset Hotels Collection Launches Travel Advisor Portal and Booking Engine
JW Marriott Opens Its Very-First All-Inclusive Resort in Costa Rica
Curio Collection by Hilton Debuts in Hawaii
Beemok Hospitality Collection Appoints Vice President of Sales
New Opening: The Retreat Turks & Caicos
Nobu Hospitality Plans its Puerto Rican Debut
Passport Resorts Names New Director of Leisure Sales
Fairmont to Debut in Greece with a Beachfront Crete Resort
Top Stories
Saint Lucia’s Ladera Resort Retains One MICHELIN Key 
Saint Lucia’s Ladera Resort Retains One MICHELIN Key 

Ladera occupies a volcanic ridge 1,000 feet above the Caribbean between Gros Piton and Petit Piton, on 18 acres of a former cocoa plantation.

Sandals & Beaches Showcase Group & MICE Capabilities at Toronto Event
Sandals & Beaches Showcase Group & MICE Capabilities at Toronto Event

The evening was designed to showcase and promote the resort chain’s group offerings, with a particular focus on its MICE capabilities.

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Says Sandals-Royal Caribbean Deal Can “Grow the Pie”
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Says Sandals-Royal Caribbean Deal Can “Grow the Pie”

For FCCA, the announcement reinforces a broader message about the relationship between cruise tourism and the region’s land-based visitor economy.

RIU Partner Club Launches New Website for Travel Advisors
RIU Partner Club Launches New Website for Travel Advisors

RIU Hotels & Resorts’ longstanding loyalty program for travel agents just unveiled a revamped website.

Individual Efforts: AIC Hotel Group Celebrates Top-Selling Advisors at Showstopper Awards
Individual Efforts: AIC Hotel Group Celebrates Top-Selling Advisors at Showstopper Awards

The annual event celebrated 140 top-performing advisors from Canada and the U.S. for their individual sales.

Air Canada Vacations Wraps Product Launch Tour with Massive Toronto Event
Air Canada Vacations Wraps Product Launch Tour with Massive Toronto Event

Air Canada Vacations is increasingly looking beyond the traditional seasonal vacation business, using Air Canada’s expanding global network to offer travel advisors global product.

TMR Subscription

Don’t miss out! Sign up for our free daily newsletter and get the latest Canadian travel industry news and event coverage delivered straight to your inbox. No spam — just what matters.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR OUTLOOKS, WHITE PAPERS & DESTINATION GUIDES
View All
Advertiser's Voice
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Club Med Cancun at 50: Jacinda Lowry Talks Milestones, What’s Next with John Kirk
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
Editor@travelmarketreport.ca
Give Us a Call
647 255 8990
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report Canada Inc.
3080 Yonge St. Suite 6060 Toronto, ON M4N 3N1
© 2005 - 2026 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences