Sandals Ends Relationship with Travel Impressions

The 34-year partnership between Sandals and Travel Impressions will come to an end effective next week.

Travel Impressions will no longer sell Sandals, Beaches, or Grand Pineapple Resorts effective October 15,  after Sandals decided  “to go in a different strategic direction, ” the tour company announced in a press release yesterday.

A Travel Impressions spokesperson told TMR that “Sandals has decided to sever the contract with Travel Impressions, citing a move toward a ‘different strategic direction,’ the details of which have not been disclosed to us. Travel Impressions is a brand that puts integrity above all. As such, we do not indulge in speculation and have shared only the facts that we know.”

Bookings already in place through 2017 will still be fulfilled by Travel Impressions.

Travel Impressions was bought by Apple Vacations in 2013. Sandals had terminated its wholesaler agreement with Apple Vacations in 2010, saying that the move was part of a larger strategy to partner with fewer companies, but Travel Impressions had continued to sell Sandals after the acquisition.

In the press release, Travel Impressions president  Jeff Clarke said that “although we are disappointed with Sandals’ decision, we will continue to provide our retail partners with promotional incentives, value-adds, extraordinary service levels and other competitive advantages that will help them succeed in the dynamic travel business.”

Sandals declined further comment and said they would continue to work with many other tour operators.

Pic: Ashley Burton