TMR Canada On the Scene: And the Best Picture Award Goes to… Club Med
by Leon Vainer
Members of the Club Med Canada team.
Never mind The Odyssey or even Spiderman: Brand New Day. Last night, the most-packed theatre at Cineplex Vaughan belonged to Club Med Unpacked.
Complete with movie theatre snacks (and more), Jacinda Lowry, Associate VP Canada, Natasha George, BDM Ontario and Western Canada, and Tyler Mattioli, Manager of New Business Development, hosted over 180 agents to unpack the reasons why selling Club Med is a great option.
Club Med’s goals for the event were to communicate the new updates to existing CM properties, describe an exciting growth plan — from 60 resorts today to 100 by 2035 — but also to boost the profile of a brand English Canada that is already very well known in Québec.
As Jacinda Lowry, Associate VP of Sales explained: “Our objective is to raise market share in English Canada by allowing potential clients to see how Club Med is differentiated from other AI chains through our four key selling propositions: sixty unique destinations; a strong focus on families; our GOs (Gentils Organisateurs) and our elevated expertise in sports instruction… and do this all through the travel agent network.”
The team also highlighted some imminent expansion, including new properties in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands (2027), San Sicario in the Italian Alps (2027), and Québec’s Mont-Tremblant (2028).
To clarify an important point, it was reiterated that Club Med — particularly its “Exclusive” villages and sections — are designed to appeal to the luxury traveller, but without the “bling.” There are no crystal chandeliers or marble everywhere; instead, the focus is on understated comfort and elegance that blends naturally with the surrounding environment.
The same philosophy applies to the culinary experience: quality over quantity. While a property may have two restaurants rather than the eight often found at competing all-inclusive resorts, the restaurants at Club Med resorts feature a variety of food “stations,” providing guests with plenty of choice while maintaining the French culinary quality that Club Med’s founders were famous for.
Four panel members answered questions that related to their experience selling Club Med. They discussed how they dealt with objections, how they managed Club Med groups, etc. The overall theme throughout the responses was Club Med’s unique offerings, superior family programs and the overall high customer return rate.
“45 for Life” was mentioned, a nod to Club Med’s 45th anniversary merch produced in 1995 that garnered a cult following, and is now tantamount to a favourite team jersey, and definitely a badge of belonging.
George and Mattioli rounded out the evening with detailed videos and presentations focused on select regions and resorts. And of course, no travel event can be complete without a few lucky prize winners of fancy libations from Japan, Mexico and France, where Club Med has a presence, along with three prizes of CM points that would allow the winner to book full week resort stays for two.
