What’s past is past

Watch for a revitalized and re-invigorated Sunquest Vacations this winter now that the operator has re-invented itself by sorting out issues that it had with both its lift and with a number of hotels it was using in the winter of 2011-2012. At a VIP reception at Toronto’s funky Drake Hotel, Sunquest vice-president, Steve Butchart didn’t mince words, telling the gathering of some of the tour company’s top producing agents that the past winter hadn’t been the “most stellar” for the company and that errors were made in both planning and execution. But what’s done is done and Butchart said that for the 2012-2013 winter season, Sunquest will be doing 100% of its flying with WestJet — giving it some great (and definitely more convenient) departure and arrival times; and allowing it to do a whole bunch of things that it hadn’t been able to do previously. And while the tour company has reduced its capacity, it’s deal with WestJet let’s it add extra lift when it needs it. Butchart also revealed that Sunquest has gone through its hotel inventory and dumped any properties that didn’t meet it standards. In fact, he told the agency VIPs that 95% of Sunquest’s hotel product is in the four and five star category now. “While it’s still early days,” Butchart said, “we’re happy with what we’ve seen so far.” Alright, so let the winter begin. Seen in the photo, from l to r, are Thomas Cook Canada boss, Dean Moore and Sunquest’s Steve Butchart.