For travel advisors aiming to elevate their business, partnering with Sandals and Beaches Resorts is a proven strategy for success. Among the many resources Sandals® Resorts offers, the Sandals Car Wrap Program stands out as a unique and highly effective marketing tool. In today’s mobile-driven world, turning your vehicle into a rolling advertisement for luxury Caribbean vacations is a smart move. Let’s explore how the Sandals car wrap program can be a game-changer for your travel agency, and delve into a comprehensive strategy to maximize your partnership with Sandals and Beaches.
Top Strategies to Supercharge Your Sandals and Beaches Business
In my journey as a travel advisor, I’ve learned that proactive marketing and strategic partnerships are crucial for sustainable growth. Starting my own agency and focusing on building strong brand relationships, especially with Sandals and Beaches Resorts, has been instrumental in achieving significant success. The sandals car wrap program is just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s a powerful visual statement that gets your brand noticed everywhere you go.
Here are key strategies, starting with the impactful sandals car wrap program, to help you grow your travel agency with Sandals and Beaches.
1. Amplify Your Brand Presence with the Sandals Car Wrap Program
The sandals car wrap program is an incredible, and completely free, opportunity to transform your vehicle into a mobile marketing machine. Imagine driving around town, turning heads and sparking conversations about luxury Caribbean getaways. This program is open to all Certified Sandals Specialists and the process is remarkably simple.
First, you select your vehicle – whether it’s your current car (5 years old or newer), or a new purchase or lease. Then, connect with your Business Development Manager (BDM) to initiate your request. The exciting part is choosing from a vast library of stunning Sandals and Beaches imagery. This is where you get to visualize your brand on wheels!
Sandals takes care of the design, customizing the chosen images to prominently feature your agency name, phone number, and email. Once you approve the design, everything is shipped to a certified installer near you. The entire process, including professional installation, is at no cost to you. Think of it as free advertising that keeps working for you 24/7.
And it’s not limited to cars! You can wrap golf carts, RVs – even boats! Any vehicle can become a moving billboard for your travel agency and the allure of Sandals and Beaches vacations.
Initially, I was hesitant about wrapping my own vehicle. It felt like a big step. However, embracing the sandals car wrap program was one of the best marketing decisions I’ve made. The amount of business generated directly from my car wrap is astounding. People approach me in parking lots, at gas stations, and even call after spotting me on the road. I’m now on my second car wrap and can confidently say I’ll never have an unwrapped vehicle again. As a bonus, you can often utilize your marketing bank funds, earned from your Sandals bookings, to get reimbursed for a portion of your car payment each month when your car is wrapped.
2. Become a Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS)
Before you can leverage the sandals car wrap program or effectively sell Sandals and Beaches, becoming a Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) is your essential first step. Sandals provides a comprehensive online training course that equips you with in-depth knowledge of their brands. This training is designed to provide you with the tools and information necessary to confidently and successfully grow your Sandals and Beaches business. Each lesson completed brings you closer to booking and selling these dream vacations.
Upon completing the online training and registering just one traveled booking, you officially become a CSS. This certification is your entry point into a world of benefits and opportunities.
As you increase your bookings, you can achieve Silver, Gold, or Platinum status as a CSS agent, unlocking even greater benefits. Advisors who reach 100 rooms or 700 room nights booked per year earn the prestigious Chairman’s Royal Club (CRC) status, which comes with maximum commission levels and exclusive perks within the Sandals brand. Achieving CRC status, as I did within three years of partnering with Sandals, was a pivotal moment, largely thanks to the invaluable relationship with my Sandals Business Development Manager.
3. Cultivate a Strong Relationship with Your Business Development Manager (BDM)
Your Business Development Manager (BDM) is your direct link to Sandals and Beaches Resorts. They are typically your first point of contact after certification. If you haven’t connected yet, you can find your assigned BDM in the TA Portal under Sales Tools – BDM Directory. Think of your BDM as your personal Sandals mentor, guide, and biggest advocate. BDMs undergo extensive training and have direct connections within the resorts, making them an invaluable resource for any questions or support you need.
Schedule a meeting with your BDM as soon as possible – whether it’s for coffee or lunch. They are brimming with resources and insights to set you on the path to success. My first meeting with my BDM, Cheryl Snavely, was incredibly impactful. Her energy, wealth of information, and innovative ideas were immediately apparent. I left that meeting armed with brochures and, importantly, registered for my first FAM trip. Cheryl has been a cornerstone of my success with Sandals, consistently providing support and guidance.
4. Immerse Yourself in the Brand – Experience the Resorts
While training provides a solid foundation, truly understanding the Sandals and Beaches brand requires firsthand experience. Clients can find basic information online, but as a travel advisor, they seek your personal insights. They want to know the nuances, the atmosphere, and the details that only someone who has been there can provide. They want to know the genuine experience beyond the brochure.
Visiting the resorts allows you to answer questions with confidence and authority. Clients want to know about the resort’s vibe, the proximity of rooms to amenities, beachfront dining options, beach chair availability, and whether butler service is truly worth it. These are all details you can confidently address after experiencing the resorts yourself.
I made it a priority to visit every Sandals and Beaches resort as quickly as possible. This immersive approach has been invaluable. When a client asks about a specific resort, I can draw upon my personal experiences to provide detailed and trustworthy recommendations.
Sandals offers several avenues for travel advisors to experience their resorts:
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Points to Paradise (P2P): This incentive program rewards you with points for personal stays based on your bookings. The more you book, the more points you earn, and the more you can experience Sandals and Beaches firsthand. Every dollar your clients spend on room revenue earns you points towards your own luxury vacation.
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Travel Agent Rates: As a CSS, you are eligible for significantly reduced travel agent rates for personal stays. Option 1 offers rates between $275-$375 per night (depending on the resort) for you and a guest, with room selection at the resort’s discretion. Option 2 provides a 20% discount off the advertised price, allowing you to choose your specific resort and room type.
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FAM Trips (Familiarization Trips) / Back to the Beach Events: These invite-only trips, often arranged by your BDM, offer a fantastic way to experience resorts and network with other travel advisors. FAM trips are heavily subsidized, often requiring only the cost of your flight. In return, you’ll participate in resort tours, training sessions, and social media engagement, gaining invaluable knowledge and connections. These FAM trips have been crucial in my ability to visit all the resorts in a short timeframe.
5. Leverage the Power of Social Media
Your firsthand experiences at Sandals and Beaches resorts are social media gold. Share your journey! When I began focusing on Sandals and Beaches, I consistently shared photos and videos of rooms, dining, beaches, pools – everything that showcased the resort experience. This constant sharing was vital in establishing myself as a Sandals and Beaches expert and attracting clients.
Social media allows you to showcase the beauty and luxury of these resorts, building trust and desire in your audience. I’ve consistently booked trips while actually on resort. In January 2021 in Antigua, I secured 28 bookings in just three days. In July 2023 in Exuma, it was 15 bookings in three days. This is the power of personal experience and social proof.
6. Create a Robust Website and Sandals Referral Site
While social media is excellent for engagement, a website provides a more permanent and SEO-driven platform. Focus on creating valuable content about Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Write about different resorts, spa experiences, butler service, and address common questions people search for on Google. This strategy attracts clients actively searching for information and ready to book.
My website has become a significant lead generator. Articles answering questions like “Do I need a butler at Sandals?” attract targeted traffic. These potential clients find valuable information, along with my contact details, positioning me as an expert and making booking easier.
Take the next step and set up your co-branded Sandals referral site. This landing page, provided by Sandals, allows you to send clients directly to a platform with up-to-date promotions and rates, all while ensuring you receive commission on bookings. Sandals handles site maintenance, ensuring accuracy. Simply place a referral link on your website, and client visits are tracked. Brochure requests are sent on your behalf, and bookings, even those assisted by Sandals e-chat representatives, are credited to you. It’s a seamless way to capture online leads.
7. Maximize Exposure at Bridal Shows
Sandals Resorts are synonymous with destination weddings and honeymoons. Bridal shows are a prime opportunity to connect with engaged couples and their families. Sandals often has a presence at bridal shows, and you should too!
Contact your BDM to explore participating in bridal shows together. These events aren’t just about weddings and honeymoons; they are about meeting potential clients, building brand awareness, and sharing your expertise. Bridal shows attract not just couples, but also mothers, friends, and sisters – all potential vacation planners. It’s a valuable opportunity to expand your network and generate leads.
8. Sponsor a Hole-in-One at Golf Tournaments
Sandals and Beaches are known for exceptional golf experiences, featuring Greg Norman-designed courses at select resorts. Engaging with the golf community is a natural fit. Sponsoring a hole-in-one at a golf tournament is an effective way to gain visibility and offer an exciting incentive.
Offer a free Sandals vacation as the hole-in-one prize. Insurance is available to cover the cost of the trip if someone wins, mitigating your risk. Your BDM can guide you through the insurance process. If someone wins, the insurance covers the trip cost, and you still book the vacation and earn commission – a win-win scenario!
Beyond the prize, tournament days offer significant exposure. Many tournaments allow you to set up booths and distribute marketing materials. Some even let you staff refreshment stations on the course, providing direct interaction with golfers and spectators.
9. Host VIP Events – Vacation in Paradise
Hosting VIP events, branded as “Vacation in Paradise,” is a powerful way to connect with your community and showcase the Sandals and Beaches brands. These events can be tailored to your goals and can range from intimate gatherings to larger public events. Collaborate with your BDM to create an event strategy that aligns with your objectives.
VIP events provide a platform to educate attendees about Sandals and Beaches, helping them find their perfect resort. Events can be themed around specific interests like pickleball, diving, golf, or family travel, or be more general in focus. The primary goal is to connect with potential clients and position yourself as the go-to expert for Sandals and Beaches vacations. Remember to utilize your marketing bank funds to support these events.
10. Embrace Diverse Advertising Strategies
While social media is a primary advertising channel, explore a variety of options to broaden your reach. Think creatively and outside the digital box.
Beyond social media, consider advertising in magazines, on billboards, in local athletic programs, in community parades, and, of course, through your sandals car wrap program. Marketing bank funds can be used for approved advertising initiatives. Always consult with your BDM to ensure your advertising materials comply with brand guidelines before launching campaigns.
11. Capitalize on Group Travel Opportunities
Group travel is a highly efficient way to boost your bookings. Booking one group trip can fill multiple rooms simultaneously. Target wedding groups, multigenerational families (especially for Beaches Resorts), social clubs, or groups focused on specific activities like golf, diving, pickleball, tennis, yoga, or wellness.
The possibilities are vast. Network within your community to identify groups interested in traveling together. Sandals and Beaches offer appealing perks and amenities for group bookings. Your BDM and the Sandals groups department can provide step-by-step guidance to help you tap into this lucrative market.
Elevate Your Travel Agency with Sandals & Beaches
Growing your travel agency requires investment – investment in yourself, your business, and strategic partnerships. Invest time in learning, developing expertise, and building relationships. Invest resources in marketing, website development, and experiencing the product firsthand. This investment will yield significant returns.
Sandals and Beaches Resorts stand out for their exceptional support of travel advisors. Their BDMs are industry-leading and dedicated to your success. Utilize their expertise and resources to the fullest.
The sandals car wrap program is a prime example of their investment in your success – a free, high-impact marketing tool. Your marketing bank, fueled by your bookings, provides funds for advertising, VIP events, and more – leverage these resources.
Sandals and Beaches offer a wealth of assets to support your business growth. Take the initiative, connect with your BDM, and unlock the full potential of this powerful partnership.
Let us help you plan your next luxury Caribbean getaway! Contact our full-service Travel Agency today.
