Sandals Ends Relationship with Funjet Vacations
by Daniel McCarthy and Kerry Tice /Sandals and Beaches Resorts have ended its relationship with Funjet Vacations after more than 30 years of working together. Starting May 26, Funjet will no longer be able to sell Sandals and Beaches properties.
Sandals made the announcement in a message to travel agents this week: “We did not make this decision lightly. Sandals has held a long-standing and remarkable relationship with Funjet Vacations. They were instrumental in helping Sandals Resorts establish its brand,” wrote Senior Vice President of Sales Gary Sadler.
Funjet is now part of Apple Leisure Group’s umbrella after the merger between Mark Travel and Apple Leisure was completed this week. The termination of the partnership applies to all of Mark Travel’s brands. Aside from Funjet, those include Southwest Vacations, United Vacations, Blue Sky Tours, My Destination Wellness and Mark International; as well as sister technology company, Trisept Solutions.
In a statement from Sandals’ public relations representative, the company said: “Unique Vacations Inc. (UVI), an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, will be terminating its selling agreement with Funjet Vacations effective May 26, 2018. UVI will honor all bookings made with Funjet Vacations prior to May 26 and agents can be confident that these reservations will be managed in the normal way.”
UVI said it will continue its partnership with the following tour operators: American Airlines Vacations, Classic Vacations, GOGO Worldwide Vacations, JetBlue Getaways, MLT Vacations and Pleasant Holidays.