Travel Impressions will discontinue sale of Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Resorts effective Oct. 15, 2015. This, following Sandals’ decision to go “in a different strategic direction,” as noted in a press release distributed by Travel Impressions. According to a Travel Impression’s statement, the details of that strategic decision were not disclosed to them. This ends a 34-year partnership between the two companies. Travel Impressions will fulfill every commitment to all travelers who have already booked for 2015, 2016 and 2017, and as noted in a statement sent out by Unique Vacations Inc. (UVI), an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Sandals and Beaches, UVI will honor all bookings made with Travel Impressions prior to Oct. 15, 2015 and “agents can be confident that these reservations will be managed in the normal way.”
Sandals bookings already in place will continue to receive agent and/or client incentives to which they are entitled, based on any promotions in place at the time of booking, including bonus commission.
“Travel Impressions is committed to helping travel agents find the highest quality products and services for their clients. Although we are disappointed with Sandals’ decision, we will continue to provide our retail partners with promotional incentives, value-adds, extraordinary service levels and other competitive advantages that will help them succeed in the dynamic travel business,” stated Jeff Clarke, president of Travel Impressions, in the Travel Impressions press release.
UVI will continue its partnership with the following tour operators: American Airlines Vacations; Classic Vacations; Exclusive Group Travel; GOGO Worldwide Vacations; JetBlue Getaways; MLT Vacations; Pleasant Holidays; and The Mark Travel Corporation.
