The Strength of Partnerships: Air Canada Vacations Celebrates 50 Years

When two travel industry leaders sit down to reminisce, it’s not just a trip down memory lane, it’s a reminder of how passion and people can shape an entire business.

“I met him 10 years ago,” recalls Nino Montagnese, VP at Air Canada Vacations, smiling as he gestures toward Mr. Juan Vela, President and Founder of Velas Resorts. “And you know what’s funny? I’m getting older and he’s getting younger! But from the very first time we met, I knew he was a humble, genuine man. Meeting again today just reminded me of that same person; the same warmth, the same values.”

The first encounter between the two came during Air Canada’s Circle of Excellence event in Puerto Vallarta ten years ago, where Mr. Vela hosted the top-performing travel advisors and agency partners.

Now, both companies are marking milestone anniversaries — Air Canada Vacations’ 50th and Velas Resorts’ 35th in a spectacular joint celebration in Mexico.

“Originally, our 50th anniversary was going to end with our September product launch,” says Montagnese. “But I thought — why not take it further? Let’s celebrate with our partners in a destination that embodies the spirit of our brand.”

Over 400 travel advisors and partners flew in on three Air Canada aircraft — one from Toronto, one from Montreal another from Vancouver for a three days of celebration.

“When Mr. Vela offered to host us, and the Tourism Authority invited us here, it just felt right,” he adds. “Air Canada Vacations is built on partnerships. We succeed because of our partners and our advisors and this event is about honouring them.”

That initial meeting in Puerto Vallarta launched a relationship with Velas Resorts that is going to continue to grow.

“I made a commitment that we’re going to grow our business with Velas substantially,” Montagnese told Travel Market Report Canada. “It’s going to be a focused product. We have the customer. I said to Mr. Vela is that the next phone call is going to be from him to me, to say that I’m his number one partner globally. So that is going to be our ambition at Air Canada Vacations.”

That growth will come by earnestly. When asked what the secret to Velas Hotels and Resorts’ success, Vela says their people are at the heart of everything, which starts long before their resort opens its doors.

“When we build a hotel, I spend 95% of my time on-site, from design to construction,” he explains. “We hire our staff six months before opening so they grow with us. They see us working, getting our hands dirty, and they feel part of something real. I look for people better than myself, I don’t want to push them, I want them to pull me.

When people feel trusted and valued, they give their best.”

A sentiment echoed by Montagnese.

“Surround yourself with people you can learn from, and never be afraid of someone else’s talent. Embrace it. Leadership isn’t about managing from 5,000 feet above. It’s about being in the trenches with your team.”

For Mr. Vela, hosting ACV’s milestone event wasn’t just about hospitality however it was about letting people experience the Velas difference firsthand.

“One of the things I’ve always believed is that words can’t describe what makes us different. You have to live it to believe it. When people stay with us, they see why our pricing is higher; it’s because the value is real. It’s in the details, the service, the care.”

He keeps a close eye on TripAdvisor reviews, a daily ritual. “Maybe one in 500 guests will say it wasn’t worth it,” he says. “But the others always say it was and that’s what matters. It’s not about being a big name like the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton. It’s about delivering true luxury through service.

The name means nothing if you don’t live up to it.”

For both, these milestones are emotional. “When I saw the video our marketing team created for our 50th, I had tears in my eyes,” admits Montagnese. “To see how far we’ve come, from a small tour operator selling the Caribbean to offering experiences across the world, it’s incredible.”

And for Mr. Vela, the journey has been equally meaningful. “We never planned to be hoteliers,” he says. “We were in construction. But when our first project didn’t sell, we had to learn to operate it and here we are, 35 years later. My brother, who started this with me, passed away a few years ago, but I feel he’s still part of everything we do.”