Sunwing Vacations

In 2002, with over four decades of experience in the travel industry, Colin Hunter founded Sunwing Vacations. This family business, which he started with his son Stephen Hunter, initially focused on offering all-inclusive packages from Eastern Canada to southern destinations. The company quickly established itself, and by 2004, it was the second-largest tour operator in Ontario. A pivotal moment came in 2005 when Sunwing launched its own airline. The inaugural flight, a Boeing 737-800, flew from Toronto to Cuba, marking a significant step towards vertical integration. This move allowed the company to control both the travel package and the flight, a key differentiator in the Canadian market. Over the next several years, the company expanded through strategic acquisitions, including tour operator Signature Vacations and the retail site SellOffVacations.com in 2009. The company's journey took a significant turn in March 2022, when it was announced that the WestJet Group would acquire Sunwing's airline and vacation divisions. The acquisition was completed on May 1, 2023. Following the merger, Sunwing Vacations Group was established as the leisure travel division of the WestJet Group, with Stephen Hunter appointed as its CEO. This event marked a major consolidation in the Canadian travel industry, combining two of the country's major players.