logo
In partnership with RIU Hotels & Resorts, Sunwing Vacations collaborates with Adam Growe, trivia icon and Cash Cab host, to surprise and delight Sunwing customers in Jamaica with its Vacation Van

In partnership with RIU Hotels & Resorts, Sunwing Vacations collaborates with Adam Growe, trivia icon and Cash Cab host, to surprise and delight Sunwing customers in Jamaica with its Vacation Van

Yahoo27-03-2025
TORONTO, March 27, 2025 /CNW/ - The Sunwing Vacation Van is back in action! Following its successful launch in Toronto last fall, this March the Sunwing Vacation Van has gone international. Sunwing Vacations has once again partnered with RIU Hotels & Resorts and Canadian game show host, Adam Growe, to entertain Canadians with Sunwing's Vacation Van, a fun-filled activation that marries the rush of gameshow fashion and spontaneity with the vacation provider's determination to make every moment memorable, this time turning up in sunny Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The spirit of this concept was executed in multiple phases during the vacation provider's three-day expedition in the tropics, alongside partners RIU Hotels & Resorts, NexusTours.com and Chukka Caribbean Adventures, emphasizing the "Do More" of Sunwing's Save More, Do More promise:
Day 1: Sunwing's trusted partner, NexusTours.com, was pivotal in getting things off the ground in destination. Upon arrival in Montego Bay, Growe engaged passengers on board their transfer in a friendly quizzical game for their opportunity to win a prize from NexusTours.com.
Day 2: Sunwing guests vacationing at Riu Palace Aquarelle were welcomed for an exclusive trivia experience near the Ska Bar in the resort's outdoor entertainment area, where participants could go head-to-head and compete for a spot on the next day's unrivalled adventure.
Day 3: The final day celebrated the trivia winners, as NexusTours.com and Chukka Caribbean Adventures went above and beyond to design an unforgettable itinerary at Good Hope, from ziplining to bamboo river rafting, horseback riding, ATV treks, a traditional Jamaican lunch and rum tasting.. Following several pop quiz moments throughout the day where participants competed for top prize, they were surprised with the biggest plot twist of all - all groups would go home as winners of a free Sunwing vacation package with RIU Hotels & Resorts.
As a Canadian-loved and trusted resort brand set in some of the most desirable sun destinations, RIU Hotels & Resorts offered a home for Sunwing's most recent activation. As RIU's seventh development in Jamaica but first in the Falmouth, Trelawny area, Riu Palace Aquarelle delivers top-rated family-friendly getaways with a variety of amenities all ages will love, from a sought-after beachfront location to a water park on site, a modern fitness centre and RiuFit program, international dining options, elegantly-designed suites blending modernity with natural furnishings, and more.
Sunwing's Vacation Van was first brought to life in November 2024 in Toronto, as it hit the streets with Growe behind the wheel to surprise unsuspecting Torontonians and test their flynancial knowledge in Growe's signature style. From November 13-16, 2024, locals were challenged to answer a variety of questions that dug deeper into the "Save More" of Sunwing's mantra, for their chance to win Sunwing gift cards and RIU Hotels & Resorts all inclusive vacation packages. The pop-ups were further amplified by a social media contest that ran concurrently on @SunwingVacations' Instagram, where users could play for their chance to win from home.
"It's been a blast to bring my quizzical style and trivia fun to Sunwing's Vacation Van activations, whether on the streets, by the pool or on a day of adventure. The opportunity to experience Jamaica's kind people, vibrant culture and positive vibes for the first time has me eager to go back," said Adam Growe.
"Collaborating with Sunwing Vacations to make the everyday and key vacation moments more fun has been fantastic. Plus, a very rewarding moment happened after I returned home from Jamaica. Bumping into one of the winners from the Vacation Van launch in Toronto who had just returned from their Sunwing vacation, I got to hear about the wonderful time they had. Their positive feedback confirmed that we're creating amazing travel experiences."
This week, @SunwingVacations' social media channels will feature exciting recaps on the events in Jamaica, as well as an upcoming social media contest for one more chance to take part in the fun.
Offering a wide range of all inclusive vacation packages for popular resort brands, including RIU Hotels & Resorts, travellers save more when booking with Sunwing so they can do more of what they love in paradise. To secure a last-minute getaway or swap summer plans at home for a summer adventure in the tropics, vacationers can book with their travel advisor or on Sunwing.ca.
About Sunwing Vacations
As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit sunwing.ca.
SOURCE Sunwing Vacations Inc.
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2025/27/c8869.html
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Immigration crackdown, tariffs blamed by some for tourist slowdown in Las Vegas
Immigration crackdown, tariffs blamed by some for tourist slowdown in Las Vegas

NBC News

time5 hours ago

  • NBC News

Immigration crackdown, tariffs blamed by some for tourist slowdown in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration's tariffs and immigration policies for the decline. The city known for lavish shows, endless buffets and around-the-clock gambling welcomed just under 3.1 million tourists in June, an 11% drop compared to the same time in 2024. There were 13% fewer international travelers, and hotel occupancy fell by about 15%, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Mayor Shelley Berkley said tourism from Canada — Nevada's largest international market — has dried up from a torrent "to a drip." Same with Mexico. "We have a number of very high rollers that come in from Mexico that aren't so keen on coming in right now. And that seems to be the prevailing attitude internationally," Berkley told reporters earlier this month. Ted Pappageorge, head of the powerful Culinary Workers Union, called it the "Trump slump." He said visits from Southern California, home to a large Latino population, were also drying up because people are afraid of the administration's immigration crackdown. "If you if you tell the rest of the world they're not welcome, then they won't come," Pappageorge said. Canadian airline data shows fewer passengers from north of the border are arriving at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Air Canada saw its passenger numbers fall by 33% in June compared to the same time a year ago, while WestJet had a 31% drop. The low-cost carrier Flair reported a whopping 62% decline. Travel agents in Canada said there's been a significant downturn in clients wanting to visit the U.S. overall, and Las Vegas in particular. Wendy Hart, who books trips from Windsor, Ontario, said the reason was "politics, for sure." She speculated that it was a point of "national pride" that people were staying away from the U.S. after President Donald Trump said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. "The tariffs are a big thing too. They seem to be contributing to the rising cost of everything," Hart said. At downtown's Circa Resort and Casino, international visits have dipped, especially from Canada and Japan, according to owner and CEO Derek Stevens. But the downturn comes after a post-COVID spike, Stevens said. And while hotel room bookings are slack, gaming numbers, especially for sports betting, are still strong, he said. "It's not as if the sky is falling," he said. Wealthier visitors are still coming, he said, and Circa has introduced cheaper package deals to lure those with less money to spend. "There have been many stories written about how the 'end is near' in Vegas," he said. "But Vegas continues to reinvent itself as a destination worth visiting." On AAA's annual top ten list of top Labor Day destinations, Las Vegas slipped this year to the last spot, from number six in 2024. Seattle and Orlando, Florida — home to Disneyworld — hold steady in the top two spots, with New York City moving up to third for 2025. Reports of declining tourism were news to Alison Ferry, who arrived from Donegal, Ireland, to find big crowds at casinos and the Vegas Strip. "It's very busy. It has been busy everywhere that we've gone. And really, really hot," Ferry said. She added that she doesn't pay much attention to U.S. politics. Just off the strip, there's been no slowdown at the Pinball Museum, which showcases games from the 1930s through today. Manager Jim Arnold said the two-decade-old attraction is recession-proof because it's one of the few places to offer free parking and free admission. "We've decided that our plan is just to ignore inflation and pretend it doesn't exist," Arnold said. "So you still take a quarter out of your pocket and put it in a game, and you don't pay a resort fee or a cancelation fee or any of that jazz." But Arnold said he's not surprised that overall tourism might be slowing because of skyrocketing prices at high-end restaurants and resorts, which "squeezes out the low end tourist." The mayor said the rising cost of food, hotel rooms and attractions also keeps visitors away. "People are feeling that they're getting nickeled and dimed, and they're not getting value for their dollar," Berkley said. She called on business owners to "see if we can't make it more affordable" for tourists. "And that's all we want. We want them to come and have good time, spend their money, go home," the mayor said. "Then come back in six months."

Florida beach cities ‘ghost towns', local businesses down 30% this summer. Has the Sunshine State lost appeal forever?
Florida beach cities ‘ghost towns', local businesses down 30% this summer. Has the Sunshine State lost appeal forever?

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Florida beach cities ‘ghost towns', local businesses down 30% this summer. Has the Sunshine State lost appeal forever?

With over 825 miles of sandy beaches, Florida's reputation as the perfect summer holiday destination has always been considered unshakeable. But this year, some business owners along the coast say the typical summer boom failed to materialize. "Spring Break, really never happened for us, and then the summer swing, never happened for us," says Kirsten Smail, a marine educator for Dolphin Quest told ABC Action News. 'It's a ghost town,' confirmed Amber Simmons, General Manager at Pirates Pub & Grub. "It's the slowest year we've had since 2020." Angela Wilson from Mad Beach Watersports told reporters business is down as much as 30% for some of her peers. However, from a bird's eye view, the Sunshine State's tourism economy seems as robust as ever. The state welcomed 41.2 million visitors in the first quarter of the year, which is flat from the same quarter last year, according to Visit Florida data. The disconnect between these headline figures and the experience of business owners comes into sharper focus when you zoom in on the changing tourism mix, not just in Florida but across the country. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Changing tourism mix A key factor dragging business for some Gulf Coast tourist destinations is the lack of foreign arrivals — particularly from Canada. Canadian visitors, long a lifeline for Florida's Gulf Coast, are pulling back as diplomatic tensions rise and border crossings plunge. As the Trump administration ramps up its trade war and diplomatic spat, the so-called 'snowbirds' from the north are changing their travel plans. The number of Canadians taking road trips across the U.S. border dropped 37% year-over-year in July, according to Statistics Canada. Air travel was down 26% over the same period. This was the seventh consecutive month of declining tourism from Canada. As a result, U.S. tourism is becoming more domestic. Nearly 92% of arrivals in Florida during the first quarter were U.S. residents, according to Visit Florida. This could be why some spots that rely heavily on Canadian snowbirds and international travelers are seeing a steep decline in business while the headline numbers for the state's visitors remains robust. However, arrivals are only part of the story. Spending is another key factor that could explain why some Florida businesses are facing a dismal summer. Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you're not a millionaire. Slashed travel budgets As U.S. tourism becomes more domestic, it becomes more sensitive to the domestic economy. Unfortunately, the local economy continues to struggle with persistent inflation and the highest number of layoffs since the pandemic, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. American consumers are spending less on big-ticket travel items - such as airfare and lodging - in the first few months of 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the Bank of America. Nearly 31% of U.S. adults said a combination of their personal financial situation and their gloomy outlook for the national economy is having a negative impact on their travel plans this summer, according to Morning Consult. Squeezed budgets could explain why some beach towns feel like ghost towns even though overall visitor numbers remain strong. What it means for your wallet If you and your family are feeling more optimistic than the average American consumer, this slump could actually be an opportunity. Tourism officials might tout steady visitor numbers statewide, but local businesses in beach towns are hungry for customers — and that usually translates into discounts. Travel experts say to look for package deals on hotels, reduced charter rates for fishing or boat trips, and off-peak pricing for attractions in places like Clearwater, St. Pete Beach, and Panama City. Restaurants and small operators in particular may be more willing to offer promotions or group discounts to lure back business. Another tip: Watch the winter season. December to May is traditionally peak time for Canadian snowbirds, but if cross-border travel remains depressed, that window could suddenly become a bargain season. Travelers with flexible dates might be able to snag cheaper rooms or upgrades that would normally be booked solid. The bottom line: While Florida's big tourism machine may keep humming, pockets of the state are quietly struggling. For savvy travelers, that could translate into savings. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Las Vegas tourism is down. Some blame Trump's tariffs and immigration crackdown

time12 hours ago

Las Vegas tourism is down. Some blame Trump's tariffs and immigration crackdown

LAS VEGAS -- Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration's tariffs and immigration policies for the decline. The city known for lavish shows, endless buffets and around-the-clock gambling welcomed just under 3.1 million tourists in June, an 11% drop compared to the same time in 2024. There were 13% fewer international travelers, and hotel occupancy fell by about 15%, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Mayor Shelley Berkley said tourism from Canada — Nevada's largest international market — has dried up from a torrent 'to a drip.' Same with Mexico. 'We have a number of very high rollers that come in from Mexico that aren't so keen on coming in right now. And that seems to be the prevailing attitude internationally,' Berkley told reporters earlier this month. Ted Pappageorge, head of the powerful Culinary Workers Union, called it the 'Trump slump.' He said visits from Southern California, home to a large Latino population, were also drying up because people are afraid of the administration's immigration crackdown. 'If you if you tell the rest of the world they're not welcome, then they won't come,' Pappageorge said. Canadian airline data shows fewer passengers from north of the border are arriving at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Air Canada saw its passenger numbers fall by 33% in June compared to the same time a year ago, while WestJet had a 31% drop. The low-cost carrier Flair reported a whopping 62% decline. Travel agents in Canada said there's been a significant downturn in clients wanting to visit the U.S. overall, and Las Vegas in particular. Wendy Hart, who books trips from Windsor, Ontario, said the reason was 'politics, for sure.' She speculated that it was a point of 'national pride' that people were staying away from the U.S. after President Donald Trump said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. 'The tariffs are a big thing too. They seem to be contributing to the rising cost of everything,' Hart said. At downtown's Circa Resort and Casino, international visits have dipped, especially from Canada and Japan, according to owner and CEO Derek Stevens. But the downturn comes after a post-COVID spike, Stevens said. And while hotel room bookings are slack, gaming numbers, especially for sports betting, are still strong, he said. 'It's not as if the sky is falling,' he said. Wealthier visitors are still coming, he said, and Circa has introduced cheaper package deals to lure those with less money to spend. 'There have been many stories written about how the 'end is near' in Vegas,' he said. 'But Vegas continues to reinvent itself as a destination worth visiting.' On AAA's annual top ten list of top Labor Day destinations, Las Vegas slipped this year to the last spot, from number six in 2024. Seattle and Orlando, Florida — home to Disneyworld — hold steady in the top two spots, with New York City moving up to third for 2025. Reports of declining tourism were news to Alison Ferry, who arrived from Donegal, Ireland, to find big crowds at casinos and the Vegas Strip. 'It's very busy. It has been busy everywhere that we've gone. And really, really hot,' Ferry said. She added that she doesn't pay much attention to U.S. politics. Just off the strip, there's been no slowdown at the Pinball Museum, which showcases games from the 1930s through today. Manager Jim Arnold said the two-decade-old attraction is recession-proof because it's one of the few places to offer free parking and free admission. 'We've decided that our plan is just to ignore inflation and pretend it doesn't exist," Arnold said. 'So you still take a quarter out of your pocket and put it in a game, and you don't pay a resort fee or a cancelation fee or any of that jazz.' But Arnold said he's not surprised that overall tourism might be slowing because of skyrocketing prices at high-end restaurants and resorts, which 'squeezes out the low end tourist.' The mayor said the rising cost of food, hotel rooms and attractions also keeps visitors away. 'People are feeling that they're getting nickeled and dimed, and they're not getting value for their dollar,' Berkley said. She called on business owners to 'see if we can't make it more affordable' for tourists.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store