Playa celebrates top travel agents with Spotlight Awards

Playa Hotels & Resorts played host to the 2024 Spotlight Awards at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun on June 4.

The four-day, three-night celebration honoured the outstanding achievements of its most successful travel agent partners, with more than 100 attendees treated to culinary adventures, unique entertainment and whimsical surprises inspired by the magical world of Willy Wonka.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring back our annual Spotlight Awards and honour the remarkable commitment and partnership of our travel agents,” said Dean Sullivan, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Playa. “In 2023, U.S. and Canada travel agents were responsible for 20 per cent of Playa Hotels & Resorts’ business, contributing more than $206 million. Based on their year-to-date performance in 2024, this sector is on track to exceed last year’s performance, suggesting significant growth and a bright future for Playa.”

The Spotlight Awards celebrate Playa’s top travel advisors, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to promoting and supporting Playa.

These advisors earn their invitation by not only selling Playa resorts, but also by booking and registering a minimum of 400 room nights in the previous calendar year.

During the celebration, the company announced that over the next five years it will expand its portfolio with new properties in key destinations, enhance existing resorts and forge strategic partnerships with global hospitality brands.

Upcoming openings for 2024 include Kimpton Tres Rios and Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection adult all-inclusive resort in Mexico, and Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic.

Award winners announced at the gala include:

· TOP PRODUCER FOR MEXICO – USA: Amanda Scott, Tycoon Travel Club

· TOP PRODUCER FOR MEXICO – CANADA: Filomena Punzo Dunn, Travel Masters

· TOP PRODUCER FOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – USA: Alina Kosman, ATG Travel

· TOP PRODUCER FOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – CANADA: Joanne Moore, The Travel Agent Next Door

· TOP PRODUCER FOR JAMAICA – USA: Patricia Stevens, Protravel Inc.

· TOP PRODUCER FOR JAMAICA – CANADA: Micaela McFarquhar, Intimate Affairs & Escapes – TTAND

· TOP PRODUCER FOR SUITE CATEGORIES – USA: Christopher Stancato, Good Land Travel

· TOP PRODUCER FOR SUITE CATEGORIES – CANADA: Lindsey Adler, Flight Centre

· TOP WEDDING AGENT – USA: Debra Kasen, Romance Globe Travel

· TOP WEDDING AGENT – CANADA: Micaela McFarquhar, Intimate Affairs & Escapes – TTAND

· MOMENTUM AWARD – USA: Travelmation

· MOMENTUM AWARD – CANADA: Trevello

· TOP WEDDING AGENCY – NORTH AMERICA: Destify

· TOP PRODUCER FOR WESTCOAST USA: Debra Kasen, Romance Globe Travel

· TOP PRODUCER FOR WESTERN CANADA: Cindy Gaudet, Fareconnect

· TOP PRODUCER FOR MIDWEST USA: Shelli Nornes, Romance Travel Group

· TOP PRODUCER FOR ONTARIO CANADA: Vikas Malhotra, itravel2000

· TOP PRODUCER FOR MID CENTRAL USA: Jacqueline Panza, Liberty Travel

· TOP PRODUCER FOR TOLA & NM USA: Amanda Scott, Tycoon Travel Club

· TOP PRODUCER FOR EASTERN CANADA: Richard Kelly, Voyages Synergia Aquaterra

· TOP PRODUCER FOR NORTHEAST USA: Alina Kosman, ATG Travel

· TOP PRODUCER FOR SOUTHEAST USA: Patricia Stevens, Protravel Inc.

· TOP SELLING AGENT – USA: Debra Kasen, Romance Globe Travel

· TOP SELLING AGENT – CANADA: Vikas Malhotra, itravel2000

· TOP SELLING AGENCY – USA: Destify

· TOP SELLING AGENCY – CANADA: The Travel Agent Next Door

· SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD – USA: Christopher Stancato, Good Land Travel

· SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD – CANADA: Mahla Pourshamsa, The Eventeur – Trevello

· AMBASSADOR AWARD – USA: Shelli Nornes, Romance Travel Group

· AMBASSADOR AWARD – CANADA: Angie Brevetti, The Travel Agent Next Door

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