TORONTO — It’s not quite tennis, not quite badminton or ping pong either. What it is, if you haven’t heard, is the fastest growing sport in North America.
It’s true, pickleball has seen a meteoric rise among North Americans in recent years, particularly during the pandemic when being outdoors and staying in social bubbles were of paramount importance. The paddlesport, which started in the 1960s in Bainbridge Island, Washington as a fun activity for children, is being touted as a game for everyone, regardless of age and fitness level, played on a court with the same dimensions as those in badminton or, as many have taken to, on home driveways with a makeshift net and simple chalk outlines.
Surely you’ve seen pickleballers playing a friendly match in your neighbourhood park, or know a friend, colleague or relative who’s either picked up the sport or tried it once because it’s the thing to do. Your local gym may already be offering classes, and your nearby tennis club has probably altered its courts to accommodate both sports. And helping to endorse the game is a growing list of celebrities and tennis legends, including John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf who’ll be battling it out in the Pickleball Slam next February. Pickleball has officially gone mainstream, says Pickleball Canada, with 11% of Canadian households reporting at least one household member playing it at least once per month. This equates to more than 1.37 million Canadians, with more than half playing the sport four or more times per month.
If people are loving pickleball this much while at home, it can be safely assumed that they’ll love playing it while on vacation, too. Sports travel is nothing new – just ask any golfer who’s either dreamed of or booked a trip to the world’s best greens in Scotland, Hawaii, Arizona and more. But with pickleball, a sport that only recently burst onto the scene, it is new, which is why the travel industry is now taking notice.
“Pickleball is very easy to play and that’s partly why it’s become so extremely popular over the past few years,” says Omar Josephs, Senior Manager-Group Sales for Unique Vacations Canada Inc., Affiliate of Unique Travel Corp, worldwide representatives of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “I think it was about five years ago when I first heard about this new sport, and to be honest, I had no idea what it was all about. But I can’t think of another sport that has taken off quite like pickleball has.”
In addition to Sandals, we’ve rounded up a few other suppliers that are tapping into this growing trend and are ready to work with travel advisors to accommodate their pickleball groups and clients. Here’s how they can help:
SANDALS RESORTS & BEACHES RESORTS
Sandals South Coast in Jamaica was the first resort in the Sandals portfolio to add a dedicated pickleball court in 2017. Since then, seven more courts have been added to the property, leading the way for other properties to follow suit, including: Beaches Turks & Caicos (8 courts); Sandals Grande St. Lucian (6 courts); Sandals Royal Bahamian (4 courts); Sandals Ochi Beach Resort (4 courts); Sandals Royal Plantation (2 courts); Sandals Negril (2 courts); Sandals Emerald Bay (2 courts); Sandals Halcyon (2 courts); Beaches Ocho Rios (2 courts); and Sandals Grenada (1 court). More courts are on the way.
According to Josephs, pickleball groups tend to organize their own tournaments when staying at Sandals and Beaches. However, the brands offer assistance when needed and assign one staff member to officiate matches. Nets, paddles and balls are all provided, although guests are welcome to bring their own equipment. During a tournament, the pickleball courts are blocked off for a few hours to ensure matches are played uninterrupted.
When selling pickleball groups, Josephs has this piece of advice for travel advisors: find a pied piper.
“Advisors need that one person who will help promote the group and to ultimately attract and recruit others to join the group – it’s absolutely key,” he says. “I’d also like to remind travel advisors that 5 and 3 are the magic numbers for groups with Sandals and Beaches Resorts. A group consists of just 5 rooms for a minimum of 3 nights or longer. It’s easier than they think!”
Sandals Royal Bahamian’s pickleball court / Credit: Sandals Resorts
BLUE DIAMOND RESORTS
Blue Diamond Resorts has added pickleball to its Royalton FIT and PUMPED fitness programs, available at no extra cost for guests at Royalton Luxury Resorts and Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts, and featuring a diverse range of workout options and outdoor activities. The first pickleball court opened in December 2022 at the company’s newest property, Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, which recently hosted a pickleball group and organized morning classes throughout their stay.
Since then, Blue Diamond has announced that it is becoming an all-pickleball all-inclusive resort group, opening courts at three other all-inclusive properties, which are already in operation: Planet Hollywood Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort; Planet Hollywood Adult Scene Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort – Adults Only; and Royalton Riviera Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino.
By the end of 2023, pickleball courts will also be introduced at select resorts in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and Grenada. At all resorts, pickleball courts and outdoor tennis courts share the same space, allowing Blue Diamond to accommodate guests with both interests.
“Recently, we’ve observed a significant surge in the popularity of pickleball, particularly in North America, and we identified a trend of guests looking for these types of courts and not being able to find them at hotels and resorts,” says Alejandro Rodriguez del Peon, Director of Marketing & PR for Blue Diamond Resorts.
Addressing travel advisors, Rodriguez says: “Royalton FIT and PUMPED aren’t just fitness programs – they’re comprehensive entertainment programs with a fitness approach. Pickleball is a trendy sport and at the same time, it’s an entertainment activity. Just as guests ask for a pool or a themed restaurant, pickleball courts within the all-inclusive package is a tool for you to use.”
Blue Diamond Resorts’ pickleball court / Credit: Blue Diamond Resorts
AMAWATERWAYS
Cruisers won’t have to miss out on playing pickleball when booking with AmaWaterways. The river cruise line added a pickleball court to AmaMagna earlier this year to rave reviews, says Kristen Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President.
“The ship’s double width offers plenty of sun deck space to accommodate a pickleball court, in addition to a relaxing pool and hot tub area. It has brought our guests into one space to forge new relationships and stay active on board. Pickleball is an extremely social sport and we knew guests of all ages and abilities would be able to play, making it the perfect addition to our ship,” says Karst.
Wellness has been a central focus for AmaWaterways since 2006, when it first introduced active river cruising by adding bikes on board. In 2017, the company announced the addition of wellness hosts to prioritize wellness both on and off its ships. Adding a pickleball court, says Karst, highlights the company’s continued commitment to offering diverse recreational opportunities to passengers of all age groups. It’s also an added selling tool for travel advisors.
“Travel advisors want to offer something unique to their guests, and this new feature is an extra incentive,” she adds. “We are seeing a growing demand for 2024, with numerous pickleball groups already booked throughout the year.”
AmaMagna’s pickleball court / Credit: AmaWaterways
COCONUT BAY BEACH RESORT & SPA, SAINT LUCIA
Natalia Greene, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in Saint Lucia, first noticed pickleball gaining in popularity in 2021 when it started appearing in trade news. She realized right away that this was an opportunity for the resort to tap into a growing trend, “though we didn’t anticipate how the enthusiasm for the sport would snowball.”
The resort installed its first pickleball court in 2022, which was quickly followed by an additional four courts in May 2023. This month, following the resort’s annual refreshment, it will host its first-ever pickleball clinic with a Canadian pro.
“This expansion has been met with enthusiasm from our travel partners, and we are already receiving requests from groups interested in booking for 2024. We’ve seen an increase in winter bookings as the sport is very popular here with the 30s to 50s crowd, as well as snowbirds,” says Greene.
Pickleball gear and the use of the courts are included in the resort’s Premium All-Inclusive package. Plus, to complement a day of pickleball, Coconut Bay also offers tennis, basketball, yoga, aquacise, kayaking, paddle boarding, beach and pool volleyball, fitness activities and more. To book a pickleball group, call 1-877-252-0304 or email groups@cbayna.com.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa’s pickleball court / Credit: Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
WYNDHAM GRAND BARBADOS, SAM LORD’S CASTLE RESORT & SPA
Wyndham Grand’s new Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle Resort & Spa is now accepting reservations. The 422-room, all-inclusive, eco-conscious oceanfront resort – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ first in Barbados – welcomed its first guests on Oct. 12, with a formal grand opening in early 2024.
Among the resort’s many amenities (10 dining venues, lagoon-style pools, kids centre, a spa, fitness centre and more) are two pickleball courts, which are shared with tennis courts to allow guests to enjoy either sport.
According to Marc Balanger, General Manager of the resort, it was a no-brainer to include pickleball courts at the time of the resort’s opening.
“We’ve all observed or participated in the cultural phenomenon of pickleball, so having the opportunity to provide guests with a fun activity we know they’re craving is something we were excited about at Wyndham Grand Barbados,” he says. “Wyndham’s goal is to provide guests with memorable experience, which is why the resort offers a variety of amenities to meet the many interests of travellers coming through its doors.”
Wyndham Grand Barbados pool / Credit: Wyndham
ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas has rolled out several multimillion-dollar renovations, including the addition three pickleball courts and three tennis courts. Other new additions include Shake Shack, featuring a full 360-degree, hexagon-shaped bar and floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the Paranza restaurant by Chef Michael White, and a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant by Chef Alon Shaya. Also new this year is the Atlantic Scavenger Hunt, which invites guests to download the official Atlantis app and participate in a fun-filled hunt throughout the resort, as well as a refresh to Atlantis Casino’s on-site lounges, high-limit slots lounge and gaming salon.
Atlantis Paradise Island / Credit: Atlantis Paradise Island
