The past two years have been a period of significant change for the team at Apple Leisure Group Vacations. During its annual Ascend Conference held October 20-23, 2022 in Cancun, the group’s executive team gathered together to celebrate the year old Hyatt acquisition and update its travel partners about future plans for the company, which now bills itself as the largest luxury resort company in the Caribbean and Mexico.
ALGV’s annual Ascend conference welcomed over 1,000 travel advisors, suppliers and management and key members from various Apple Leisure Group (ALG) divisions. Ray Snisky, ALG Vacations’ president (pictured below left), addressed the media and talked about the purchase of ALG by Hyatt Corporation last year, saying that “the culture of Hyatt came as a pleasant surprise.” Snisky is quite bullish about the company’s future and was quick to point out that “Hyatt matched ALGV’s enthusiasm for supporting the travel advisor community which was evident in Hyatt’s own motto of caring for people so they can do their best”.
Sharing updates to relating to the various business units, ALG Vacations Group President Ray Snisky said “while its never been better for ALG to see the whole world really focus on leisure travel for the last year and a half to two years and we have really been able to flourish in that environment and while you are starting to see all travel segments returning and so forth but for us one of the absolute shining parts of our business has been in groups. In 2022 our group business doubled over 2021 and were forecasting to be up 25% for 2023. We expect to invest heavily in technology in the group business”.
Jacki Marks (pictured with Snisky above right) who headed the groups department for many years added on the importance of the travel advisor’s role in the surge of the group bookings and the and added “we have a lot on the docket for 2023 for technology and process developments. Travel advisors are the heart of our company. They are the foundation of who we are. The combination of Hyatt allows us to deploy more tools for travel advisors to book with us.”
A major focus of the Ascend conference this year was training for advisors in ALGV’s brand new ALGVPro learning program. ALGVPro allows travel advisors to earn educational credits and accrue accreditation status. After completing five interactive certification modules, travel advisors will earn Travel Institute continuing education unit (CEU) credits and certification as an ALGVPro advisor.
During my visit to attend the Ascend 2022 conference, I stayed at Secrets Riviera Cancun (pictured above), an all-suite, all-inclusive resort, just 20 minutes from the airport. At only 164 suites the resort provides a nice setting for adults seeking an intimate getaway or honeymoon celebration. Secrets Riviera Cancun is perfect for travelers looking for the coziness and tranquility of a small beachside hotel, upscale amenities, and full service spa. Guests staying at the resort have free-flow access to additional entertainment and dining options at the 364 room Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa next door.
Travel advisors are encouraged to sign up for and should look for increased booking opportunities via the ALGVPro and Vax VacationAccess platforms, new hotel & resort openings in both traditional markets of the Caribbean and Mexico plus a focus on new properties coming online in Europe.
By Peter Gatt