The Air Canada check-in counters were buzzing yesterday – both at Montréal Trudeau and Toronto Pearson airports – as the ACV team welcomed nearly 400 participants arriving from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver for this week’s Air Canada Vacations Mega Fam to Cancun.

Proudly wearing company colours, ACV team members greeted excited travel advisors and made sure the good vibes and festivities began right away, offering everyone welcome gifts.

Departing from YUL, the team from Voyages Aquamonde in Sainte-Catherine, QC even had custom t-shirts made for the occasion. “ACV trips are always so enjoyable and well organized,” said Voyages Aquamonde’s Karina Chabot.

Karine Laplante from Voyages Simon Pelletier agreed, adding that she was “really looking forward to experiencing this trip to Cancun.”

MORE THAN A FAM: A CELEBRATION

As ACV’s GM, Sales for Quebec, Ottawa & Atlantic, Marco Gagnon, explained, this trip is not your typical fam trip. In fact, the entire ACV team insists it’s more of a true “celebration… under the sun.”

When the group arrived in Cancun around 4 p.m. yesterday, the sun wasn’t (yet) shining, but the scale of the operation – and the number of staff deployed at the airport – made it clear that, sun or no sun, the ACV team wasn’t holding back.

“This is the biggest trip in the history of Air Canada Vacations, and the whole team is thrilled to have you with us,” said Gagnon.

“We’re delighted by the incredible enthusiasm sparked by the celebration of our 50th anniversary under the sun,” added ACV’s VP, Nino Montagnese.

Montagnese added: “With more than 700 registrations from travel partners across the country, we’ve filled two full charter flights departing from Toronto and Montreal, as well as a dedicated group coming from Vancouver. This level of excitement demonstrates the strong bonds within Canada’s travel community and our shared commitment to growth, collaboration, and creating inspiring experiences.”

As team members reminded us, the trip’s schedule includes only a few hotel visits, allowing travel advisors to fully enjoy both the destination and their host resorts.

9 GROUPS, 9 PARTNER HOTELS

Given the size of the group, the travel advisors and invited media have been divided into nine groups: six English-speaking, two French-speaking, and one bilingual.

Each group is staying at one of nine different resorts: Hotel Xcaret Arte, Paradisus La Perla, Dreams Natura Resort & Spa, Hyatt Vivid Playa del Carmen, Bahia Principe Grand Tulum, Hilton Cancun All-Inclusive, Grand Palladium Kantenah, Mahekal Beach Resort, and Catalonia Playa Maroma.

Naturally, the nine groups are accompanied by different members of the ACV sales team, including Gagnon as well as Jean-Luc Tremblay, Nicolas Thériault, Helena Silva Ignacio and Barbara Mengue Mbo. Gagnon’s group of travel advisors (and Profession Voyages) is staying at the Catalonia Playa Maroma.

“The Catalonia Playa Morada is a property that travel advisors sell a lot, and this will be an opportunity for many to experience it firsthand,” said Gagnon, adding that the hotel also boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the area.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Over the next few days, the nine groups will attend brief presentations and site inspections of their respective hotels.

This grand celebration under the sun will culminate tomorrow, Nov. 6, when all 400 participants – along with ACV partners such as Sandals and local suppliers – will gather at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

The day will begin with a trade show, followed by a festive beachfront evening to celebrate Air Canada Vacations’ 50th anniversary in style, with everyone invited to wear the company’s colours – and a touch of gold sparkle.

Of course, the trip is just getting started, but for now, the Air Canada Vacations team promises that this final evening will be filled with gourmet discoveries, musical entertainment and plenty of surprises. Stay tuned!

The Air Canada Vacations Mega Fam continues in Cancun until Nov. 7. Watch for more updates in Travelweek Daily and Profession Voyages.