Sunwing Vacations Group

A seasoned executive in the Canadian travel and tourism industry, Stephen Hunter brings three decades of travel expertise to Sunwing Vacations Group, combining experience from the “shop floor up” with astute business acumen and strategic vision. As the company’s Chairman of the Board, Stephen is poised to advise on the strategic alignment and future growth of the vacations division.

In 2002, Sunwing Vacations was launched as a new offering of all inclusive vacation packages to the sunny south from Eastern Canada. The company has grown steadily since its inception, now offering vacation packages to over 700 hotels – the largest assortment of any vacation provider in Canada – and direct flights from more than 25 airports across the country to over 30 sun destinations during the peak winter months.

The success of Sunwing Vacations Group can largely be attributed to the innovative vision and entrepreneurial spirit that Stephen has embedded within the company. Always innovative and with an eye to future growth opportunities, Stephen’s strategic, growth-focused mindset has placed Sunwing Vacations Group on the leading edge in the North American travel industry.

Andrew Dawson joined Sunwing in January 2009 as Chief Operating Officer and President of Tour Operations, and in August 2023 was appointed President of Sunwing Vacations Group, the vacation division of the WestJet Group. Andrew also joined WestJet’s executive leadership team in October 2023.

As President of Sunwing Vacations Group, Andrew oversees all aspects of the group’s vacation and retail services, for brands including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, Vacation Express, SellOffVacations and Luxe Destination Weddings.

Under Andrew’s direction over the past 14 years, Sunwing’s brands have grown to serve more than two and a half million travellers annually. As North America’s leading vacation travel provider, servicing Canadians from coast to coast and a growing US customer base through the US tour operator Vacation Express, Andrew continues to propel the WestJet Group’s robust vacation offerings forward, providing North American customers with affordable leisure travel options to dozens of popular vacation destinations.

Prior to his executive-level positions with Sunwing, Andrew served as Interim President of TUI Travel’s Canadian businesses. He has also held previous leadership roles in Canada, the US and the UK with Airtours plc and Asda Stores.

Andrew qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in the UK in 1991.

Samantha Taylor joined Sunwing in March 2020 as Chief Marketing Officer and, in August 2023 was appointed Chief Marketing & Digital Officer of Sunwing Vacations Group, the vacation division of the WestJet Group. She also joined WestJet’s executive leadership team in October 2023.

As Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, Samantha’s portfolio includes leading all Marketing, Communications, Digital, Customer Data & Analytics, and People & Culture activities across Sunwing Vacations Group, which is comprised of Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, Vacation Express, SellOffVacations and Luxe Destination Weddings.

Before joining Sunwing, Samantha held a variety of executive leadership roles including Chief Marketing Officer at Indigo and Director of Sales and Consumer Products at Mattel. Consistently leveraging customer insights to drive innovation, Samantha’s track record for growth and eye for brand marketing is a driving force behind Sunwing Vacations Group. Driven by data, research and digital marketing trends, Samantha uses an empathetic and people-first approach to bolster her team to excellence.

Samantha holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toronto in International Relations.