What to Know Before You Go: Brand News

October 21, 2019

Club Med

Club Med debuted its Group Advantage Program to make booking a meeting at its all-inclusive resorts in Cancun Yucatan, Mexico, Sandpiper Bay, Port St. Lucie, Florida and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic simple. Perks include a flat rate, free Wi-Fi, free upgrades, discounts, team-building activities and an hour-long cocktail reception. Large groups can buy out the resort. A password-protected Club Med Resort App and clubmedgroups.com make communicating easy.

QUOTABLE: “We are constantly looking to provide our travel agent partners, meeting planners and guests with the most advanced meeting spaces and technology, located in popular leisure destinations. We are also dedicated to hiring experienced and professional teams who specialize in group travel…”
–Michelle Lardizabal, vice president of sales for Club Med

Hyatt Place

Hyatt Place introduced its new Build Your Own Breakfast Bowls and Greek Yogurt Parfaits at its hotels in the United States and Canada. Bowls can be customized using ingredients such as cage-free eggs, all-natural bacon and sausage, a warm caramelized banana yogurt pudding and more. This is an excellent grab-and-go breakfast as you race off to a meeting. Menu items include Tangy Berry Bliss Parfait, California Dreamin’ Bowl, Classic American Bowl and Bananas Foster Parfait.

QUOTABLE: “We know our new build- your-own-breakfast bowls and Greek yogurt parfaits will help our guests fuel up for the day ahead. Whether it’s tackling that big meeting or building new relationships, we know our guests never settle when they’re on the road.”
–Steven Dominguez, vice president of global brands Hyatt Place and Hyatt House

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C./Marriott International, Inc.

The Ritz-Carlton announced its foray into yachting. The fleet of three 149-suite, 620-foot-long ships will welcome 298 passengers. Two penthouse suites were designed with Tillberg Design of Sweden. A restaurant, a spa, entertainment, a lounge and a wine bar will be on board. The first ship sets sail in late 2019 and will be available for private rental. Itineraries will include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and Latin America. Reservations will open May 2018.

QUOTABLE: “This unique combination of yachting and cruising will usher in a new way of luxury travel for guests seeking to discover the world in a relaxed, casually elegant and comfortable atmosphere with the highest level of personalized service.”
–Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Delta Air Lines and Korean Air

Delta Air Lines and Korean Air entered a trans-Pacific joint venture to expand upon their partnership that began in 2000 as co-founders of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. More than 290 destinations in the Americas and more than 90 in Asia are available to passengers. Delta recently debuted a nonstop route between Atlanta and Seoul, and Korean Air will add round-trip flights between California and Seoul. Customers will be able to enjoy the perks of frequent-flyer benefits from Delta’s SkyMiles and Korean Air’s Skypass.

QUOTABLE: “The synergies we’re creating will build stronger and more sustainable companies, and this is good for travelers, our companies and our countries.”
–Y.H. Cho, Korean Air chairman

Master Life with Marriott

Want to dunk with NBA star Dwyane Wade or dive with Jean-Michel Cousteau, explorer Jacques Cousteau’s son? Marriott International is offering a master-class series to members of Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest. “We’re focused on taking the best of Marriott’s loyalty programs…and stepping it up with master classes that provide transformative experiences travelers cannot get anywhere else,” said David Flueck, senior vice president of global loyalty at Marriott International. Classes include cooking, surfing, golf and tennis lessons, a culinary experience and fly-fishing. These courses are an extension of the Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments programs.