Sunwing Vacations Group Explained

Sunwing Vacations Group
Type:Private
Industry:Conglomerate
Founder:Colin Hunter
Location City:Toronto, Ontario
Location Country:Canada
Area Served:Global
Owners:WestJet
Num Employees:17,000 (2023)[1]
Divisions:SellOffVacations.com

Sunwing Vacations Group, formerly known as Sunwing Travel Group, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, became a subsidiary of the WestJet Group on May 1, 2023.[2] Today, it operates as the leisure division of the WestJet Group; according to its website, the group forms "the largest vacations brand in North America."[3]

Following the acquisition, Sunwing Vacations Group operates the following entities:[4]

History

Founding and Early Growth (2002-2005)

Sunwing Group was founded in 2002 by Colin Hunter.[5] [6] By 2004, Sunwing had become the second largest tour operator in Ontario.[7] On November 17, 2005, Sunwing Airlines' inaugural flight, a Boeing 737-800, departed from Toronto Pearson International Airport.[8]

Expansion through Acquisitions (2009-2011)

In 2009, Sunwing Group embarked on a strategic expansion, announcing the acquisition of tour operator Signature Vacations and its SellOffVacations.com retail division from UK-based TUI Travel.[9] [10] This acquisition led to TUI gaining a 49 percent ownership stake in Sunwing Travel Group, and Stephen Hunter stepping into the role of CEO, succeeding his father.[11]

In 2010, Sunwing Travel Group acquired Caribbean NexusTours, a tour operator in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The company was renamed NexusTours and remains a separate company within Sunwing Travel Group.[12]

In 2011, Sunwing Travel Group announced that it would enter the European market with a seasonal service from Canada to Europe.[13] However, this initiative did not materialize as expected, and there have been no records of regular flights to Europe under the Sunwing banner since this announcement. Later that year, Sunwing Travel Group further diversified its portfolio with the purchase of Luxe Destination Weddings. This acquisition allowed Sunwing to offer a wider range of services to its customers, particularly in the area of destination weddings.[14]

In 2012, Sunwing Travel Group acquired the Atlanta-based tour operator Vacation Express for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition was the group's entrance to the US market.[15]

In 2015, Sunwing Group announced that affiliate, Blue Diamond Resorts, would open a 600-room resort in Jamaica.[16] Later that year, the company began construction on $400 million resort in Antigua with 500 rooms.[17]

Integration with WestJet Group (2023-Present)

Sunwing Travel Group became a subsidiary of the WestJet Group on May 1, 2023, following an acquisition announced in March 2022. This merger aimed to:

As of February 13, 2024, Sunwing continues to operate as a separate brand and entity within the WestJet Group. However, full integration of Sunwing Airlines into WestJet's core operations is expected by October 2024. Sunwing Vacations will maintain its current branding throughout the integration process under the Sunwing Vacations Group umbrella.

On May 14, 2024, the Sunwing Travel Group announced the launch of WestJet Vacations Quebec (

Vacances WestJet Quebec), a new vacation provider specifically catering to Quebec residents. This offering focuses on all-inclusive getaways to 20 popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico. The provider will offer packages from three airports in Quebec: Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport and Saguenay-Bagotville Airport.[18]

Subsidiaries

Current

Company Sector Notes
LUXE Destination WeddingsRetailFounded in 2005.[19]
SellOffVacations.comRetailAcquired from Signature Vacations-TUI Travel 2009.
Sunwing VacationsTravelFounded 2002.[20]
Vacation ExpressTravelFounded in 1989 in the U.S. and acquired by Sunwing Travel Group in 2011.
WestJet VacationsTravelAcquired from the WestJet-Sunwing merger. WestJet Vacations was moved from the WestJet brand to the Sunwing Vacations Group.[21]
WestJet Vacations QuebecTravelLaunched for all-inclusive getaways to 20 sun destinations catered to Quebec residents, with flights from Montreal, Quebec City and Saguenay-Bagotville.

Former

Company Sector Notes
Signature VacationsTravelFounded in 1972 in Toronto[22] and acquired as a division of First Choice Canada (and itself a subsidiary of UK based First Choice) in 2009. Merged with Sunwing Vacations.
Blue Diamond ResortsTravelFounded 2011.[23]
TravelSmart Vacation ClubHospitalityEstablished in 2012.[24]
Sunwing AirlinesTravelFounded in 2005. Sold to WestJet in 2023.
NexusToursTravelOperating for over two decades and acquired by Sunwing in 2010.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archived copy. 2023-06-08. 2023-03-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20230327075121/https://www.sunwingtravelgroup.com/. live.
  2. Web site: WestJet Group completes acquisition of Sunwing . www.westjet.com . en.
  3. Web site: Discover Our Story - Sunwing Vacations Group . www.sunwingvacationsgroup.com . en.
  4. Web site: Sunwing Vacations Group - Leisure Division Of The WestJet Group . www.sunwingvacationsgroup.com . en.
  5. Web site: Company Overview of Sunwing Travel Group Inc.. Bloomberg Business. March 16, 2016. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323104100/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=46964367. live.
  6. News: Sunwing's Singing CEO. Toronto Star. October 24, 2010. Ashante. Infantry. March 16, 2016. March 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160322172655/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2010/10/24/sunwings_singing_ceo.html. live.
  7. Web site: Sunwing "Does it Differently". Express Voyage. Jen. Savedra. July 17, 2006. March 16, 2016. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323195842/http://www.expressvoyage.ca/reportages.php?sequence_no=9605. live.
  8. Web site: Sunwing Airlines Soars From Toronto Pearson. Toronto Pearson Today. February 2006. 7. March 16, 2016. June 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160628154848/http://torontopearson.com/uploadedFiles/Pearson/Content/About_Pearson/Stay_In_The_Know/Toronto_Pearson_Today/Toronto_Pearson_Today_2006_01_Jan-Feb.pdf. dead.
  9. News: Sunwing, Signature Vacations to Merge. The Globe and Mail. September 29, 2009. Kristine. Owram. March 16, 2016. March 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324005745/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/sunwing-signature-vacations-to-merge/article1202890/. live.
  10. News: Tour Rival Merger Pressures Transat. The Globe and Mail. Brent. Jang. September 30, 2009. March 16, 2016. March 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324110615/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/tour-rival-merger-pressures-transat/article1209461/. live.
  11. News: Sunwing, Signature to Become One. The Toronto Star. Chris. Sorensen. September 30, 2009. March 16, 2016. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323062757/http://www.thestar.com/business/2009/09/30/sunwing_signature_to_become_one.html. live.
  12. Web site: At The Gate: A Sunny Proposition. Wings Magazine. March 22, 2012. Brian. Dunn. March 16, 2016. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323051321/https://www.wingsmagazine.com/operations/at-the-gate-a-sunny-proposition-6797. live.
  13. News: Sunwing Joins Transat in European Market. Financial Post. Scott. Deveau. March 2, 2011. March 16, 2016. March 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324114642/http://business.financialpost.com/investing/trading-desk/sunwing-joins-transat-in-european-market?__lsa=4296-55e5. live.
  14. Web site: Discover Our Story - Sunwing Vacations Group . www.sunwingvacationsgroup.com . en.
  15. Web site: Sunwing Acquires Vacation Express. Travel Weekly. December 14, 2011. Michelle. Baran. March 16, 2016. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323083550/http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Sunwing-acquires-Vacation-Express. live.
  16. News: Sunwing Group to Build $150 Million All-Inclusive Resort in Negril, Jamaica . Brian . Major . . April 23, 2015 . February 3, 2020 . February 3, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200203000515/https://www.travelpulse.com/news/hotels-and-resorts/sunwing-group-to-build-150-million-all-inclusive-resort-in-negril-jamaica.html . live .
  17. News: Antigua Enlists Star Power in Pushing 'Aggressive' Tourism Development . . Brian . Major . June 2, 2015 . February 3, 2020 . February 3, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200203000518/https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/antigua-enlists-star-power-in-pushing-aggressive-tourism-development.html . live .
  18. Web site: Québec . WestJet Vacations . Introducing WestJet Vacations Québec, a new all inclusive vacation provider offering a curated selection of 20 sun destinations and hundreds of resorts tailored exclusively to Québec customers . 2024-05-19 . www.newswire.ca . en.
  19. Web site: Luxe Destination Weddings Inc | Better Business Bureau® Profile . 2023-06-08 . 2023-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119172711/https://www.bbb.org/ca/on/toronto/profile/destination-weddings/luxe-destination-weddings-inc-0107-1159232 . live .
  20. Web site: About us . 2023-06-08 . 2023-03-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314182223/https://www.sunwing.ca/en/about-us . live .
  21. Web site: Sunwing Vacations Group - Leisure Division Of The WestJet Group . www.sunwingvacationsgroup.com . en.
  22. Web site: Signature Vacations Inc . 2022-01-07 . 2022-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220107115001/http://m.goldbook.ca/toronto-on/travel-agencies/signature-vacations-inc-2045520/ . live .
  23. Web site: About Us | Blue Diamond Resorts . 2023-06-08 . 2023-05-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524161538/https://www.bluediamondresorts.com/about-us/about-us . live .
  24. Web site: TravelSmart VIP Vacation Club-Overview, Competitors & Contact Info | Infotelligent . 2023-06-08 . 2023-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119173052/https://www.infotelligent.com/company/travelsmart-vip-vacation-club/1957663 . live .
  25. Web site: Sunwing Vacations - Book Your Next Vacation Today . 2023-06-08 . 2023-02-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210004008/https://www.sunwingtravelgroup.com/en/Our-Brands/Destination-Management/NexusTours . live .

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