Press Release

What happens in Vegas now starts right here in Canada as travellers will have the ability to book best-priced tickets for all eight spectacular Cirque du Soleil shows either when they book their Air Canada Vacations packages or, for more spontaneous travellers, directly from their seats aboard Air Canada rouge flights to Las Vegas. The in-flight booking program for Cirque du Soleil tickets, the first of its kind in Canada, will start January 1, 2015 from Montreal, with a view to expanding across Canada in the future.  This new service is a result of a partnership between Cirque du Soleil, MGM Resorts International and Air Canada Vacations that was launched last night at a glittering event held at Cirque du Soleil headquarters.

According to Michael Friisdahl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada Leisure Group, this partnership is great news for consumers. “Air Canada rouge has 38 direct flights a week from Canadian cities to Las Vegas, making it one of our most popular destinations. We know that our passengers want access to the best Cirque du Soleil shows at the best prices, and we are delighted to add this new program to the list of services—things like airport transfers and great car rental packages—that we already provide our Vegas clients. We are proud to launch the program in Montreal where Cirque du Soleil began, and look forward to expanding the program to other cities soon.”

To celebrate the launch of this program, every passenger who books a package to Las Vegas with Air Canada Vacations from now until November 15, 2014, will receive a complimentary ticket to one of three Cirque du Soleil shows: KÁ at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Zarkana at ARIA Resort & Casino, or Zumanity, The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York Hotel & Casino. “We are excited about this partnership and this is our way of kicking it off in typical Vegas fashion” added Friisdahl. “No matter where in Canada you book from, no matter what hotel you stay in, as long as you book your trip to Las Vegas with Air Canada Vacations by November 15, 2014 you will be seeing a spectacular show as our treat.”

Jerry Nadal, Senior Vice President of the Resident Shows Division of Cirque du Soleil was in Montreal to launch the partnership.  “As the world’s leading live entertainment company we are proud to be here in Montreal where our international success story began. Cirque du Soleil shows are a must-see experience for all Canadian guests visiting Las Vegas. We look forward to working closely with Air Canada Vacations and our Canadian travel partners in further promoting live entertainment and Cirque du Soleil.”

Cirque du Soleil’s Vegas show venues are located at resorts including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage, all part of MGM Resorts International, a significant hotel partner for Air Canada Vacations. According to Jeff Eisenhart, MGM Resorts Vice President of Leisure Sales and Marketing, there is something for all types of visitors in the portfolio. “MGM Resorts properties provide a wide array of outstanding guest experiences for travellers to Las Vegas.  By offering the city’s premier entertainment as well as dining and nightlife options, we hope to inspire many more Canadians to choose Las Vegas for their next vacation, and we are proud to be working closely with Air Canada Vacations as we work towards our goal.”

Las Vegas is renowned as a veritable playground for Canadian travellers. Brand USA—the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States—reports that at 1.8 million annual visitors, Canadians represent 36 per cent of the total international visitor market to the city. Canada is the largest international market for the destination.

“Brand USA is the destination marketing organization for the USA and it’s only logical that we partner with Air Canada Vacations to offer the best in comprehensive travel services for Canadians travelling to Las Vegas, and one of the most recognizable entertainment brands in the world, Cirque du Soleil,“ said Chris Thompson, President and CEO for Brand USA. “We believe world class theatrical productions, concerts, music festivals and professional sports to be some of the unique experiences that distinguish the USA and Las Vegas as a world class travel destination."

Daily non-stop flights to Las Vegas aboard Air Canada rouge operate from Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

- ENDS -

About Air Canada Vacations: 

Air Canada Vacations is a leading Canadian tour operator offering a wide selection of vacation packages to destinations across Mexico and the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, Canada and the U.S.A. and is a repeat recipient of the Consumer's Choice Award. Air Canada Vacations offers convenient connectors from 66 Canadian cities, web and mobile check-in and Aeroplan® Miles. Air Canada Vacations packages include flights on board Air Canada and Air Canada rouge. Visit aircanadavacations.com  for more information or to book.

Social Media Links:

Follow Air Canada Vacations on Twitter

Like Air Canada Vacations on Facebook

Follow Air Canada Vacations on Instagram

Follow Air Canada Vacations on Pinterest

Follow Air Canada Vacations on Google+

Subscribe to Air Canada Vacations on YouTube

About Brand USA:

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures.

For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com. For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA’s consumer website at www.DiscoverAmerica.com.

About Cirque du Soleil:

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil who celebrates its 30th anniversary this year has brought wonder and delight to close to 150 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. 

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cirquedusoleil. Tweet us: @Cirque.

About MGM Resorts International:

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company also owns 51% of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50% of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino.  For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at mgmresorts.com.  

 
Media Contacts:
Air Canada Vacations
Jennifer Ellis
Account Manager
Siren Communications
jennifer@sirencommunications.com
416-351-0777
 
Brand USA
Sana Keller
Director Canada, Communications
skeller@thebrandusa.ca  
416-578-0247

Cirque du Soleil
Ann Paladie
PR Director, Resident Shows Division
ann.paladie@cirquedusoleil.com
702-352-0226
 
MGM Resorts International
Sandy Zanella
Public Relations Director
szanella@mgmresorts.com
702-604-4124