Club Med, an all-inclusive resort company, recently announced a partnership with Carlson, the privately held company that owns the Radisson, Country Inns and Suites by Carlson, Park Inn and Park Plaza hotel brands. The two companies will now offer their respective customers an opportunity to earn rewards from each other’s loyalty programs.

According to the announcement, on March 31 Carlson will launch Club Carlson, an enhanced rewards program that will now allow members in the United States and Canada to earn points toward stays at any of the 80 all-inclusive luxury Club Med resorts worldwide. In addition, Club Med guests will be able to stay at a Carlson property in Orlando at a special discounted rate.

As part of the launch of the new program, the companies are promoting a dual-destination vacation package. Visitors to the new Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, Fla., the only Club Med in the United States, will receive a 20 percent discount at the Radisson Hotel Orlando-Lake Buena Vista. The package is being marketed as an opportunity for families to add a visit to Orlando theme parks to their Club Med vacations.

Does this partnership make sense? It appears to be an effort by Club Med to build its U.S. customer base following the major renovation of its Florida property. “I am very pleased of our partnership with Carlson and believe that this mutual agreement will give a new dimension to our development of prospects in the United States,” said Henri Giscard d’Estaing, chief executive officer of Club Mediterrannee, in a statement. “We both attach an immense value to our customers and they will be the first beneficiaries of this special relationship.  I am very confident in the ability of our mutual teams to make this collaboration be a great success.”

Photo courtesy of Carlson

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