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Club Med continues to expand at a rapid pace, planning three to five new resort openings or major renovations per year, focusing on both luxury and family-friendly properties on beaches and ski mountain destinations.
The company’s portfolio of 70 all-inclusive resorts worldwide continues to evolve into a more upscale experience with its Exclusive Collection portfolio – and more of those luxury properties are opening along with Exclusive Collection spaces within four-star resorts.
Adapting to Trends
“Since our inception in 1950, we have adapted to the industry’s trends to provide the best vacation option for travelers and watched our brand evolve and appeal to a more upscale experience,” said Carolyne Doyon, president and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean.
“The best example of this evolution is the expansion of the Club Med Exclusive Collection, a portfolio of fi ve-star resorts, spaces, villas and chalets, and a sailing yacht that is rooted in Club Med’s heritage and off ers our own carefree interpretation of luxury – one that prioritizes experiences with loved ones in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
“Our ambition with the Exclusive Collection is to capitalize on the growth potential of the luxury market, strengthen our brand image, and enhance our unique positioning in an increasingly competitive market where the global hospitality players are starting to invest in the concept of high-end, all-inclusive resorts.”
To continue this growth, Doyon said Club Med will add a total of 21 Exclusive Collection properties by the end of 2023.
New South Africa Resort
“Additionally, Club Med will soon welcome a brand new, first-of-its-kind resort in South Africa, Club Med Tinley,” she said. “Slated to open in 2026, the resort will combine a beach resort with a game lodge located within a Big Five game reserve for a truly magical safari experience. The resort will have an Exclusive Collection space with suites along with rooms in the Game Lodge.”
U.S. Ski Resort Expansion
Club Med also is moving ahead on new ski resorts. Although plans for a property at Utah’s Snowbasin resort were dropped, the company is proceeding with an “ambitious development plan” and intends to return to the U.S. market – the second largest ski market in the world – with a new mountain resort targeted to open by 2026, Doyon revealed.
“A new opening in the U.S. will further establish our footprint in the ski vacation industry and reinforce our global mountain leadership with a second mountain resort in North America, following the highly successful opening of Club Med Québec Charlevoix in 2021,” she added.
International Mountain Resorts
Club Med also opened Club Med Val d’Isère and Club Med Tignes in the French Alps in December 2022 and plans to open Club Med Kiroro Grand ski resort in Hokkaido, Japan, in December 2023. That might seem unusual for a company perhaps better known for beachy getaways, but Amelie Brouhard, vice president of marketing-North America and U.S. sales, noted that Club Med has a significant history with winter resorts.
“Club Med has a long history of operating mountain resorts, dating back to Club Med Leysin — our first ski resort we opened in 1956,” she said. “With more than 20 mountain properties across the European Alps, Japan, China and North America, our longstanding history combined with our French savoir-faire and all-inclusive know-how propels us to continue growing our portfolio of mountain resorts.”
Family Ski Vacations
And Club Med underscores the value for families who enjoy skiing and other winter sports. “Travelers who book their ski vacations with Club Med will save on accommodations, food and beverage, lift tickets, ski lessons including for children, roundtrip transfers and childcare,” Brouhard said. “With a do-it-yourself ski vacation, each of these costs can begin to add up, but with Club Med, these costs are all included in the booking price. The uniqueness of our all-inclusive ski product has proven to be successful and desirable.”
To be clear, Club Med has properties that appeal to families and kids of all ages, while others are adults-only – yet more offer both types of experiences in one resort.
Robust Programming
“Over the years, Club Med has evolved into the go-to all-inclusive resort for families seeking reconnection,” Brouhard said. “Resorts like those in Punta Cana – our North American family flagship resort – Cancún and Québec have robust programming, sports and activities for kids, parents and grandparents to reconnect on vacation. Our highly customized Children’s Clubs ensure each guest is having fun in a supportive environment – from Baby Club Med to Mini Club Med+ to the Amazing Family program, which brings out the kid in everyone.”
Adults-Only Resorts
Yet adults can find relaxation in several other resorts.
“To complement these offerings, the brand also has adults-only resorts like Club Med Turkoise in Turks and Caicos. Turkoise is an adults-exclusive paradise on an award-winning beach with a festive ambiance and special nightly activities and entertainment,” Brouhard said. “We also offer adults-only spaces within many of our resorts, such as Emerald Jungle in Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, an adultsonly boutique village in the resort featuring a Zen pool and swim-up bar; Zen Oasis in Club Med Punta Cana; and Club Med Caravelle with an adults-only pool.”
Club Med University
Club Med created Club Med University, an educational platform for travel advisors that provides the latest details on all Club Med resorts. Once advisors complete the program, they become certified as a Club Med Travel Advisor Specialist.
Club Med University can be accessed through the dedicated travel advisor portal on the company’s website (www.clubmed.com).
On that same platform, agents can find comprehensive resources and a new booking engine.
“These tools, combined with our international brand, ensure travel advisors are the most knowledgeable resources for our guests,” said Club Med’s Amelie Brouhard.
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