For the second time ever, Aruba is gearing up to welcome the GOGO Worldwide Vacations Learning Conference, Oct. 12-17, 2006. GOGO anticipates over 400 agents in attendance.
Agents should book quickly as there is still availability, but slots are going quickly. Travel professionals from across the country will convene on the island paradise to enjoy four nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, $300 in GOGO Bucks, site inspections, a supplier tradeshow with the opportunity to meet over 100 suppliers, most meals and so much more for only $499 per person based on double occupancy.
One of the added bonuses is that vacation experts will get the opportunity to earn their ACE (Aruba Certified Expert) certification on site at the conference. Enrollment in GOGO's Learning Conference includes roundtrip Airfare on American Airlines, four nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, roundtrip airport and hotel transfers, ACE training and certification on site, $300 in GOGO Bucks, hotel site inspections, supplier tradeshow with Over 100 suppliers on hand, most meals, cocktail parties, entertainment, and prizes.
For more information on the GOGO Worldwide Vacations Learning Conference, visit www.gogowwv.com.
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Monday
FAM OF THE WEEK
ChinaTrip: Visits Dunhuang, Kashgar, Lazhou, Shanghai, Turpan, Urumqi and Xian.Departure: Sept. 15 from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Shanghai via Asiana Airlines.Length: 13 nights.Sponsor: Eastern Travel, Salt Lake City.Cost: $2,799 per person, double. Includes air, accommodations, transfers, an overnight rail transfer, most meals, admission fees and sightseeing.Noteworthy: Single supplements and companion rates can be arranged.Contact: (888) 682-7035; fax: (801) 466-5966; e-mail: brian@easterntravel.com.
STERLING VACATIONS FAMS
STERLING VACATIONS is promoting a series of fall and winter European fam trips to home based travel agents. A spokeswoman for the firm said agents must present a valid agent ID card from an established industry entity, such as CLIA, Iatan or OSSN. "We just want them on our products so they can sell them to their clients," the spokeswoman said. Fam rates start at $499 per person ($100 additional for a guest) for a five-night Greek Island and Turkey trip, part of which is onboard a cruise ship. Several other trips are priced higher. Agents can see a listing of options at www.sterlingvacations.com. Retailers can e-mail info@sterlingvacations.com or call (866) 345-7755.
Thursday
MSC Offers "Kids Sail Free" Promotion
MSC Cruises is offering a "Kids Sail Free" offer on nearly all of its winter 2006-07 Caribbean season sailings. Youngsters ages 17 and under sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults sail free on the MSC Lirica and MSC Opera on nearly all of the ships' roundtrip sailings from Fort Lauderdale.
Most cruise-only departures are priced from $1,150 per person, double occupancy. A limited number of staterooms are available in conjunction with the promotion. For more information, visit www.msccruises.com
Most cruise-only departures are priced from $1,150 per person, double occupancy. A limited number of staterooms are available in conjunction with the promotion. For more information, visit www.msccruises.com
Wednesday
Successful Travel Agents Set Goals
So you have a pretty solid knowledge of the major destinations your clients like. Great.
And you're getting a good handle on the ins and outs of the travel business. Terrific.
And you've discovered you have a natural talent for selling. Fabulous.
Now for the bad news:
You're just getting started. Knowledge and ability can only take you so far. To truly maximize your potential, you have to develop a whole range of skills and then make them an integral part of your daily routine.
To ensure that you'll meet your goals for your home-based business, take a few minutes for a quick review of your work habits, communications and organization skills, motivation and personal goals. Try writing down an honest answer for the points below, or maybe rate your self on a scale of one to ten.
WORK HABITS
* Do you do something every day to promote your travel business?
* Do you prioritize your work?
* Do you set specific goals for each day and week?
* Do you manage your time effectively?
* Do you have a plan to fall back on should a booking fall through unexpectedly?
* Do you do your paperwork thoroughly, neatly and on time?
* Do you make it a point to pre-qualify prospects before you set up a face-to-face sales call with them?
* Do you have a system for marketing?
* Do you make efficient use of the telephone?
* Are you on time for appointments?
* Do you keep your commitments and promises?
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
* Do you keep your customers informed of any changes in schedules, pricing, payment due dates, and so on that may affect them?
* Are you an effective liaison between your customers and your suppliers?
* Are you confident that your writing and speaking skills are polished enough to serve you well?
* Are misunderstandings between you and your customers rare?
ORGANIZATION SKILLS
* Can you usually find needed information or brochures within a couple of minutes?
* Do you schedule your marketing campaigns at least a year in advance so that you have one or two major promotions for each quarter?
* Do you have an effective tickler system, so you never miss a deadline and always follow up appropriately?
* Do you track your bookings religiously so your customers are never surprised by payment deadlines?
MOTIVATION
* Do you feel good about yourself and what you do?
* Do you believe in the travel products you market?
* Are you proud of your level of service or could it be improved?
* Do you weigh your accomplishments against your expectations?
* Do you think positively?
* Do you know what things interfere with your discipline and drive?
* Do you know how to overcome the occasional slump?
* Do you set realistic goals for yourself?
* Do you give yourself time to play?
PERSONAL GOALS
* Have you articulated your personal goals -- to yourself even if to no one else?
* Do you feel you are making progress toward your goals?
An Observation:
Like professional goals, personal goals provide benchmarks against which you can measure your progress. Whatever your personal goals -- a new home, a dream vacation, a happy marriage, a secure retirement, etc. -- you'll get more satisfaction from your work if you feel that it is helping you achieve those goals.
Cruise FREE, Travel the World for pennies on the dollar. FT or PT home based Travel Agents wanted, earn extra cash http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/ 1800-619-8646
And you're getting a good handle on the ins and outs of the travel business. Terrific.
And you've discovered you have a natural talent for selling. Fabulous.
Now for the bad news:
You're just getting started. Knowledge and ability can only take you so far. To truly maximize your potential, you have to develop a whole range of skills and then make them an integral part of your daily routine.
To ensure that you'll meet your goals for your home-based business, take a few minutes for a quick review of your work habits, communications and organization skills, motivation and personal goals. Try writing down an honest answer for the points below, or maybe rate your self on a scale of one to ten.
WORK HABITS
* Do you do something every day to promote your travel business?
* Do you prioritize your work?
* Do you set specific goals for each day and week?
* Do you manage your time effectively?
* Do you have a plan to fall back on should a booking fall through unexpectedly?
* Do you do your paperwork thoroughly, neatly and on time?
* Do you make it a point to pre-qualify prospects before you set up a face-to-face sales call with them?
* Do you have a system for marketing?
* Do you make efficient use of the telephone?
* Are you on time for appointments?
* Do you keep your commitments and promises?
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
* Do you keep your customers informed of any changes in schedules, pricing, payment due dates, and so on that may affect them?
* Are you an effective liaison between your customers and your suppliers?
* Are you confident that your writing and speaking skills are polished enough to serve you well?
* Are misunderstandings between you and your customers rare?
ORGANIZATION SKILLS
* Can you usually find needed information or brochures within a couple of minutes?
* Do you schedule your marketing campaigns at least a year in advance so that you have one or two major promotions for each quarter?
* Do you have an effective tickler system, so you never miss a deadline and always follow up appropriately?
* Do you track your bookings religiously so your customers are never surprised by payment deadlines?
MOTIVATION
* Do you feel good about yourself and what you do?
* Do you believe in the travel products you market?
* Are you proud of your level of service or could it be improved?
* Do you weigh your accomplishments against your expectations?
* Do you think positively?
* Do you know what things interfere with your discipline and drive?
* Do you know how to overcome the occasional slump?
* Do you set realistic goals for yourself?
* Do you give yourself time to play?
PERSONAL GOALS
* Have you articulated your personal goals -- to yourself even if to no one else?
* Do you feel you are making progress toward your goals?
An Observation:
Like professional goals, personal goals provide benchmarks against which you can measure your progress. Whatever your personal goals -- a new home, a dream vacation, a happy marriage, a secure retirement, etc. -- you'll get more satisfaction from your work if you feel that it is helping you achieve those goals.
Cruise FREE, Travel the World for pennies on the dollar. FT or PT home based Travel Agents wanted, earn extra cash http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/ 1800-619-8646
Agent Education Program
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) has retained Intrasight of Scottsdale to strengthen its innovative online program that helps travel agents throughout the country sell vacations.
The program is educational, very user-friendly and provides a variety of value-added sales tools to help agents grow their business when selling America's island paradise
Designed specifically for travel agents, The Ke Kula O Hawaii (The School of Hawaii) Destination Specialist Program takes about four hours to finish online, and offers a host of business tool advantages when selling trips to Hawaii. To take advantage of Ke Kula O Hawaii's benefits, North America travel agents must register with HVCB at www.agents.gohawaii.com and complete the training program.
The program is educational, very user-friendly and provides a variety of value-added sales tools to help agents grow their business when selling America's island paradise
Designed specifically for travel agents, The Ke Kula O Hawaii (The School of Hawaii) Destination Specialist Program takes about four hours to finish online, and offers a host of business tool advantages when selling trips to Hawaii. To take advantage of Ke Kula O Hawaii's benefits, North America travel agents must register with HVCB at www.agents.gohawaii.com and complete the training program.
Gutsy Women Travel Offers Spirtual Journeys
Gutsy Women Travel has created a series of "Mind, Body, & Spirit" journeys. which are cultural and mystical tours providing the opportunity for participants to connect with the ancient spiritual energies at the most important sacred sites around the world.
According to April Merenda, president and co-founder, "These are special transformative holidays of inner exploration and outer adventure designed to help one enhance their mind, body, and spirit."
Programs include the following.
A seven-day journey to Peru with optional Lake Titicaca extension allows customers to experience traditional Andean ceremonies with Peruvian guides at the sacred power spots as the tour visits Cuzco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu. Tour highlights include a visit Ollantaytambo, the Sanctuary of the Wind; Koricancha, Inca Temple of the Sun; Tambo Machay, private bath of Inca nobles; private meditation time at the sacred sites; Machu Picchu; picnic lunch in countryside; a special shamanic ceremony to connect with female healing energies. Includes roundtrip flights, Miami-Lima-Miami (other departure cities available); roundtrip rail transportation from Cuzco to Machu Picchu; one night Hotel Melodia in Lima; two nights Hotel Pakaritampu in Sacred Valley; one night Hotel Presidente in Aguas Calientes; two nights Hotel Ruinas in Cuzco; six breakfasts, four lunches, three dinners. This tour is priced from $2,329 per person, based on double occupancy including land and air as noted above. The departure date for 2006 is October 15.
Also available, an optional four-day post-tour to Lake Titicaca, including a special program with Softly International's "A Bed for Every Child" program and additional sacred sightseeing tours. This 10-day journey is priced at $2,729 per person, based on double occupancy, land and air.
A nine-day tour of Ireland includes Celtic and Shamanic guide Amantha Murphy, who started her spiritual work 32 years ago and has developed many tools from her spiritual and ancestral teachers which she will share with participants. The tour visits Killarney, Offaly, Newgrange, Bunratty, and the Ring of Kerry. Tour highlights include a stay in an Irish castle; a performance of Irish dancing; storytelling, music and "craic" along the way with Irish guide; Celtic, Druid and Neolithic history; a special farewell dinner and entertainment at Bunratty Castle; opportunity to take advantage of the spa's many facilities and treatments. The tour includes roundtrip flights NYC-Shannon (other departure cities available); three nights at The Lake Hotel in Killarney; one night at Kinnitty Castle in Offaly; two nights at the Newgrange Hotel in Newgrange; one night at the Shamrock Hotel in Bunratty; seven breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners. This tour is priced from $3,039 per person, based on double occupancy including land and air as noted above. The departure date for 2006 is Sept. 9.
A five-day tour of Sedona and the Grand Canyon is a mystical journey will take travelers to the stunning Red Rock Canyons of Sedona as well as the Grand Canyon. Tour highlights include a visit Sedona's major vortexes; an excursion to see the White Buffalo family; a visit to the Grand Canyon; hikes and meditation experiences; a local medicine wheel ceremony; a Jeep tour of Red Rock country. The tour includes four nights at Inn of Sedona or similar accommodations; four breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners. This tour is priced from $999 per person, based on double occupancy land only. The departure dates for 2006 are Sept. 13, Oct. 4, and Nov. 8.
All prices include airline fuel surcharges as of May 31, 2006 but do not include airport taxes, fees, and September 11th Security Fee which varies between $50 and $130 per person. For more information or reservations, email info@gutsywomentravel.com, call 866-IMGUTSY, or visit www.gutsywomentravel.com.
According to April Merenda, president and co-founder, "These are special transformative holidays of inner exploration and outer adventure designed to help one enhance their mind, body, and spirit."
Programs include the following.
A seven-day journey to Peru with optional Lake Titicaca extension allows customers to experience traditional Andean ceremonies with Peruvian guides at the sacred power spots as the tour visits Cuzco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu. Tour highlights include a visit Ollantaytambo, the Sanctuary of the Wind; Koricancha, Inca Temple of the Sun; Tambo Machay, private bath of Inca nobles; private meditation time at the sacred sites; Machu Picchu; picnic lunch in countryside; a special shamanic ceremony to connect with female healing energies. Includes roundtrip flights, Miami-Lima-Miami (other departure cities available); roundtrip rail transportation from Cuzco to Machu Picchu; one night Hotel Melodia in Lima; two nights Hotel Pakaritampu in Sacred Valley; one night Hotel Presidente in Aguas Calientes; two nights Hotel Ruinas in Cuzco; six breakfasts, four lunches, three dinners. This tour is priced from $2,329 per person, based on double occupancy including land and air as noted above. The departure date for 2006 is October 15.
Also available, an optional four-day post-tour to Lake Titicaca, including a special program with Softly International's "A Bed for Every Child" program and additional sacred sightseeing tours. This 10-day journey is priced at $2,729 per person, based on double occupancy, land and air.
A nine-day tour of Ireland includes Celtic and Shamanic guide Amantha Murphy, who started her spiritual work 32 years ago and has developed many tools from her spiritual and ancestral teachers which she will share with participants. The tour visits Killarney, Offaly, Newgrange, Bunratty, and the Ring of Kerry. Tour highlights include a stay in an Irish castle; a performance of Irish dancing; storytelling, music and "craic" along the way with Irish guide; Celtic, Druid and Neolithic history; a special farewell dinner and entertainment at Bunratty Castle; opportunity to take advantage of the spa's many facilities and treatments. The tour includes roundtrip flights NYC-Shannon (other departure cities available); three nights at The Lake Hotel in Killarney; one night at Kinnitty Castle in Offaly; two nights at the Newgrange Hotel in Newgrange; one night at the Shamrock Hotel in Bunratty; seven breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners. This tour is priced from $3,039 per person, based on double occupancy including land and air as noted above. The departure date for 2006 is Sept. 9.
A five-day tour of Sedona and the Grand Canyon is a mystical journey will take travelers to the stunning Red Rock Canyons of Sedona as well as the Grand Canyon. Tour highlights include a visit Sedona's major vortexes; an excursion to see the White Buffalo family; a visit to the Grand Canyon; hikes and meditation experiences; a local medicine wheel ceremony; a Jeep tour of Red Rock country. The tour includes four nights at Inn of Sedona or similar accommodations; four breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners. This tour is priced from $999 per person, based on double occupancy land only. The departure dates for 2006 are Sept. 13, Oct. 4, and Nov. 8.
All prices include airline fuel surcharges as of May 31, 2006 but do not include airport taxes, fees, and September 11th Security Fee which varies between $50 and $130 per person. For more information or reservations, email info@gutsywomentravel.com, call 866-IMGUTSY, or visit www.gutsywomentravel.com.
Apple Vacations Unveils Top Five Deals of Week
Apple Vacations announced its best fares to Mexico and the Caribbean.
A seven-night packge to Punta Cana-Ocean Blue Golf & Beach Resort is $699.99, with one child from $369.99. The package includes a family-friendly, all-suite, all-inclusive resort offering a variety of activities and nightly entertainment, Wave Disco, bowling, onsite golf; Kids and Teens Club. The package is available on select September-October departures; for August select departures add $130-$200. Non-stop flights are from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Newark, JFK, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Savings are up to $600 per family.
A seven-night package to Aruba-Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort is $999.99 per person. Situated on Palm Beach, this beachfront resort features an onsite casino and supervised children's activities. The package is available from Pittsburgh only on Saturdays for seven nights on July 29 via non-stop USA3000 Airlines. Savings are up to $800 per couple.
A three-night package to Riviera Maya, Cancun-Club El Mandarin is $649.99 per person. Two kids 11 years and under stay, play and eat free. Club Mandarin's sheltered beach features a wide array of water activities. All meals, buffets, theme nights, snacks, unlimited domestic drinks are included. The package is valid on select September-October departures via nonstop departures from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Savings are up to $1,000 per family.
A four-night package to Riviera Maya, Cancun-Occidental Grand Xcaret All-Inclusive is $799.99 per person. Kids 12 year and under fly, stay, play and eat for $1 (plus $60 fuel surcharge). The package includes free entrance to Xcaret Park, Kid's Mini Club, daily activities and nightly entertainment, golf course nearby. The package is available for select July-August departures from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh via nonstop flights. Savings are up to $600 per family!.
A seven-night package to Punta Cana, Bavaro Princess All Suites Resort Spa & Casino is $899.99 per person. The package features all meals, day and night snacks; 24-hour unlimited drinks/wine served at lunch and dinner; daily activities and nightly entertainment, fee for disco and drinks included; Mini Club for children. It is available for select July-August departures via nonstop flights from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Newark, JFK, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Savings are up to $300 per couple.
Apple Vacations offers travelers non-stop flights on USA3000, as well as scheduled flights on US Airways, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Air Jamaica and United Airlines, among others. Travel agents can get more information about Apple Vacations' Best Deals by visiting www.applevacations.com or signing onto www.myappleonline.com.
A seven-night packge to Punta Cana-Ocean Blue Golf & Beach Resort is $699.99, with one child from $369.99. The package includes a family-friendly, all-suite, all-inclusive resort offering a variety of activities and nightly entertainment, Wave Disco, bowling, onsite golf; Kids and Teens Club. The package is available on select September-October departures; for August select departures add $130-$200. Non-stop flights are from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Newark, JFK, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Savings are up to $600 per family.
A seven-night package to Aruba-Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort is $999.99 per person. Situated on Palm Beach, this beachfront resort features an onsite casino and supervised children's activities. The package is available from Pittsburgh only on Saturdays for seven nights on July 29 via non-stop USA3000 Airlines. Savings are up to $800 per couple.
A three-night package to Riviera Maya, Cancun-Club El Mandarin is $649.99 per person. Two kids 11 years and under stay, play and eat free. Club Mandarin's sheltered beach features a wide array of water activities. All meals, buffets, theme nights, snacks, unlimited domestic drinks are included. The package is valid on select September-October departures via nonstop departures from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Savings are up to $1,000 per family.
A four-night package to Riviera Maya, Cancun-Occidental Grand Xcaret All-Inclusive is $799.99 per person. Kids 12 year and under fly, stay, play and eat for $1 (plus $60 fuel surcharge). The package includes free entrance to Xcaret Park, Kid's Mini Club, daily activities and nightly entertainment, golf course nearby. The package is available for select July-August departures from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh via nonstop flights. Savings are up to $600 per family!.
A seven-night package to Punta Cana, Bavaro Princess All Suites Resort Spa & Casino is $899.99 per person. The package features all meals, day and night snacks; 24-hour unlimited drinks/wine served at lunch and dinner; daily activities and nightly entertainment, fee for disco and drinks included; Mini Club for children. It is available for select July-August departures via nonstop flights from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Newark, JFK, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Savings are up to $300 per couple.
Apple Vacations offers travelers non-stop flights on USA3000, as well as scheduled flights on US Airways, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Air Jamaica and United Airlines, among others. Travel agents can get more information about Apple Vacations' Best Deals by visiting www.applevacations.com or signing onto www.myappleonline.com.
APPLE VACATIONS
APPLE VACATIONS said it has changed its flight times to Cancun so that its passengers arrive and depart earlier in the morning when the airport is less congested.
Apple said the change was prompted by Cancun's airport operations converting to one terminal for all scheduled, charter and private plane arrivals, a move that has turned Cancun Airport into "one of the most congested airports in the world," according to Apple.
The new timetable means that Apple's USA3000 flights from most cities now arrive in Cancun at 8:50 a.m. and depart Cancun at 9:50 a.m. For information or reservations, visit www.applevacations.com.
Apple said the change was prompted by Cancun's airport operations converting to one terminal for all scheduled, charter and private plane arrivals, a move that has turned Cancun Airport into "one of the most congested airports in the world," according to Apple.
The new timetable means that Apple's USA3000 flights from most cities now arrive in Cancun at 8:50 a.m. and depart Cancun at 9:50 a.m. For information or reservations, visit www.applevacations.com.
Tuesday
Bermuda Tourism Unveils Redesigned Website
The Bermuda Department of Tourism has introduced a redesigned website at www.bermudatourism.com. The department says the site is now easier to use and has online booking capabilities.
The site is also more content rich with comprehensive information broken down into user-friendly categories for vacationers, weddings, meeting planners, home based travel agents and media.
Visitors to the new site are greeted by a homepage that features links to a video greeting from Bermuda's Minister of Tourism and Transport, and lists featured events, special offers, and the ability to instantly create a vacation via the booking engine.
It also offers in-depth details on the island's culture and history, government, climate and landscape and even the Bermudian people themselves. The new site also is segmented into special sections for leisure travelers, as well as those planning their wedding and/or honeymoon, meeting planners, home basded travel agents and the press.
Each of these sections provide all the tools necessary to plan and implement a trip: from suggestions on when and where to wed, and step-by-step information on marriage requirements for prospective brides and grooms, to information on destination management companies, meeting space details and helpful resources such as island maps for meeting planners.
Through these tools, Bermuda has significantly expanded its ability to help prospective visitors during the planning and implementation process. For more information, visit www.bermudatourism.com.
The site is also more content rich with comprehensive information broken down into user-friendly categories for vacationers, weddings, meeting planners, home based travel agents and media.
Visitors to the new site are greeted by a homepage that features links to a video greeting from Bermuda's Minister of Tourism and Transport, and lists featured events, special offers, and the ability to instantly create a vacation via the booking engine.
It also offers in-depth details on the island's culture and history, government, climate and landscape and even the Bermudian people themselves. The new site also is segmented into special sections for leisure travelers, as well as those planning their wedding and/or honeymoon, meeting planners, home basded travel agents and the press.
Each of these sections provide all the tools necessary to plan and implement a trip: from suggestions on when and where to wed, and step-by-step information on marriage requirements for prospective brides and grooms, to information on destination management companies, meeting space details and helpful resources such as island maps for meeting planners.
Through these tools, Bermuda has significantly expanded its ability to help prospective visitors during the planning and implementation process. For more information, visit www.bermudatourism.com.
Sunday
Want to get away this summer, but need some vacation inspiration?
TripAdvisor is excited to announce our new Summer Travel Guides. We've collected insider tips from real travelers like you on where to eat, sleep and play in 25 top summer destinations around the world.
Whether a beach escape, a world-class city or a fun-filled getaway is your idea of the perfect summer vacation, we've got the Summer Travel Guide for you!
Each time you download a summer travel guide, you'll be entered in our getaway giveaway for a chance to win a trip worth $5,000.
We're giving away a trip every week all summer long to great places like London, Maui and Las Vegas.
TripAdvisor LLC All rights reserved.No purchase necessary. Open to residents of the United States and Canada. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. See Official Rules for complete details.
Whether a beach escape, a world-class city or a fun-filled getaway is your idea of the perfect summer vacation, we've got the Summer Travel Guide for you!
Each time you download a summer travel guide, you'll be entered in our getaway giveaway for a chance to win a trip worth $5,000.
We're giving away a trip every week all summer long to great places like London, Maui and Las Vegas.
TripAdvisor LLC All rights reserved.No purchase necessary. Open to residents of the United States and Canada. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. See Official Rules for complete details.
Friday
Travel Companies Pay for Passports
Apple Vacations is the latest tour operator offering to pick up the costs of a passport for Caribbean and Mexico-bound U.S. travelers in need of the document.
The reason: Beginning December 31, all U.S. citizens traveling by air or sea will need a passport to travel to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and Canada. (Passports will be required for land border crossings starting December 31, 2007.)
The new rules are part of an initiative to tighten border security. But because fewer than 23% of Americans have a passport, tourism officials in those regions are worried that the law will reduce visitation.Apple's deal knocks $100 off the price of some seven-night 2007 vacation packages booked by October 31.
The passport fee for those 16 and older is $97.SuperClubs' "Passport Included" incentive, good for bookings that are made by July 31, deducts the cost of a new or renewed passport for four-night-minimum vacations in 2007. The company operates 10 all-inclusive resorts in five Caribbean countries under the Grand Lido, Breezes and Hedonism brands.And the Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama resorts at Our Lucaya will offer a $100 resort credit for September 5 to October 15, 2007, for guests whose passports were issued between August and December.
Though seven Caribbean islands now require passports for entry, others, plus Mexico and Canada, necessitate only a driver's license or birth certificate.If the new rules go into effect as scheduled - and travel officials from affected areas are waging a lobbying effort against them - applicants can expect an end-of-the-year crunch at passport offices.For information on how to apply: travel.state.gov/passport
The reason: Beginning December 31, all U.S. citizens traveling by air or sea will need a passport to travel to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and Canada. (Passports will be required for land border crossings starting December 31, 2007.)
The new rules are part of an initiative to tighten border security. But because fewer than 23% of Americans have a passport, tourism officials in those regions are worried that the law will reduce visitation.Apple's deal knocks $100 off the price of some seven-night 2007 vacation packages booked by October 31.
The passport fee for those 16 and older is $97.SuperClubs' "Passport Included" incentive, good for bookings that are made by July 31, deducts the cost of a new or renewed passport for four-night-minimum vacations in 2007. The company operates 10 all-inclusive resorts in five Caribbean countries under the Grand Lido, Breezes and Hedonism brands.And the Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama resorts at Our Lucaya will offer a $100 resort credit for September 5 to October 15, 2007, for guests whose passports were issued between August and December.
Though seven Caribbean islands now require passports for entry, others, plus Mexico and Canada, necessitate only a driver's license or birth certificate.If the new rules go into effect as scheduled - and travel officials from affected areas are waging a lobbying effort against them - applicants can expect an end-of-the-year crunch at passport offices.For information on how to apply: travel.state.gov/passport
Thursday
Luxury Travel
It’s the big suite, the room with a view, the penthouse, the stretch limo. It’s time, it’s space, it’s flexibility. It’s the name on the label, or maybe it’s the spa where they know your name. It’s far from the maddening crowd. It’s the distinction of knowing you are getting a product or service that’s “exclusive,” literally not for everybody. Even so, everybody wants it. And, increasingly, everybody can afford a taste of it.
Today’s market for luxury goods and services is broader then ever. Those baby boomers you keep reading about are in their peak earning years and are just beginning to retire to a life of leisure and travel. They have money to spend like never before, and they want a room with a view. They are, relatively speaking, “rich.” Boomers are the heads of households for 57% of American families with incomes over $100,000.
According to Unity Marketing, which tracks luxury spending habits, household spending on luxury goods and services rose 3.8% last year to an average of $52,588.
More importantly, products such as cars, jewelry or entertainment systems are capturing a declining portion of that total, as boomers “max out” on gadgets and gizmos and turn their attention to luxury travel experiences. The big news last year was not the 3.8% increase but that household spending for travel, entertainment, dining and spas nearly doubled.
For home based travel agents, an understanding of how such trends affect the luxury market and the affluent traveler can be the difference between good results and great results. For one thing, there are more “luxury” products competing for the traveler’s attention than ever before, and they are evolving more rapidly.
According to a recent white paper published by the Luxury Alliance, an association of high-end lodging, tour and cruise companies, the “life cycle” of the luxury travel product is getting shorter, requiring suppliers to be ever more innovative to come up with experiences and service levels that are truly “exclusive.”
Also, there are more travelers these days who, even if they’re not affluent, can afford to act as though they are for short periods. -- fortunately for the future of travel --the traveler’s quest for “something better” makes the futture look bright for those travel agents that specilize in Luxury Travel.
Today’s market for luxury goods and services is broader then ever. Those baby boomers you keep reading about are in their peak earning years and are just beginning to retire to a life of leisure and travel. They have money to spend like never before, and they want a room with a view. They are, relatively speaking, “rich.” Boomers are the heads of households for 57% of American families with incomes over $100,000.
According to Unity Marketing, which tracks luxury spending habits, household spending on luxury goods and services rose 3.8% last year to an average of $52,588.
More importantly, products such as cars, jewelry or entertainment systems are capturing a declining portion of that total, as boomers “max out” on gadgets and gizmos and turn their attention to luxury travel experiences. The big news last year was not the 3.8% increase but that household spending for travel, entertainment, dining and spas nearly doubled.
For home based travel agents, an understanding of how such trends affect the luxury market and the affluent traveler can be the difference between good results and great results. For one thing, there are more “luxury” products competing for the traveler’s attention than ever before, and they are evolving more rapidly.
According to a recent white paper published by the Luxury Alliance, an association of high-end lodging, tour and cruise companies, the “life cycle” of the luxury travel product is getting shorter, requiring suppliers to be ever more innovative to come up with experiences and service levels that are truly “exclusive.”
Also, there are more travelers these days who, even if they’re not affluent, can afford to act as though they are for short periods. -- fortunately for the future of travel --the traveler’s quest for “something better” makes the futture look bright for those travel agents that specilize in Luxury Travel.
Wednesday
Home Based Travel Agent Affiliate Program
You can make money by earning a referral fee or a commission (whatever you like to call it) just by sending people to our site who then join our program. Add content to your web site, your ezines, your email and blogs, even offline and add $$$ to your pocket when you help us promote the http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/ program.
Why should I join?
* We offer the Internet's premier Home Based Travel Agent Trainning program.
* High commissions. Earn $20 to $40 per sale.
* Real-time stats. We use AssocTrac, the best affiliate tracking software available.
* You have 24/7 access to how you're doing.
* It's FREE. You don't pay us, we pay you.
* It's easy. Read our affiliate agreement and join.
*** Attention Affiliates ***
This is a 2-tier Affiliate Program. You can instantly earn an additional 50% affiliate fee from all new sub-affiliates that you get to enroll in our Affiliate network. Get your personal link and start recruiting today!
What is the Home Based Travel Agent home Program?
We help people start home based travel agency's and give them the tools they need to become successful. We provide a wealth of information and training at our site http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/ .
What's in it for me?
You will be paid $20. for each part time agent and $40. for each agent PRO that join our program through your efforts. Your "efforts" can be as simple as adding a text link to your site. Of course, we think you'll want to be a lot more proactive in marketing once you realize the income potential.
Here are just a few reasons to join today:
1. It's FREE! There is no cost to join our program.
2. Earn $$$ on every sale.
3. It's a two tier program, earn an additional 50% sub-affiliate fee when you get other web site owners and marketers to boost their bottom line by joining our affiliate program.
4. You do the referring, we do the selling. We handle it all: charging the credit card on a secure server, shipping and handling. All the pre and post sales questions. All you do is cash your checks.
5. Get started quickly. As soon as you sign up, we will send you your unique ID number, we have a toolbox of materials to help you promote the Home Based Travel Agents program on your site, in your ezines, in your email, even offline.
6. Get credit for all your sales. If someone you refer doesn't buy right away, you'll still get credit when they do buy. Even up to a year later!*
7. Track your activity in real time. You will be given access to a private web site where you can monitor the number of visitors your marketing has generated for our site and the number of sales you have made! Any time, 24/7!
Sign up today, add your special affiliate link to your site and start earning!
There are just a few simple steps:
Read our Affiliate Agreement.
Fill out the Application Form.
Your application will be approved within 7 days and we will email you a welcome package. In that email, we will provide you with a unique URL that identifies everyone you refer to us as your customer and yours alone. You will use this URL to link to www.HomeBased-TravelAgents.com.
The Welcome Package will also include a URL where you can check your stats in real time and a link to our Support Area where you'll find everything you need to get started.
Check out the banner ads you can add to your web site.
Check some of our sales copy you can use in local papers or penny savers.
Check out our hot links and text links.
Click here to apply now!
Why should I join?
* We offer the Internet's premier Home Based Travel Agent Trainning program.
* High commissions. Earn $20 to $40 per sale.
* Real-time stats. We use AssocTrac, the best affiliate tracking software available.
* You have 24/7 access to how you're doing.
* It's FREE. You don't pay us, we pay you.
* It's easy. Read our affiliate agreement and join.
*** Attention Affiliates ***
This is a 2-tier Affiliate Program. You can instantly earn an additional 50% affiliate fee from all new sub-affiliates that you get to enroll in our Affiliate network. Get your personal link and start recruiting today!
What is the Home Based Travel Agent home Program?
We help people start home based travel agency's and give them the tools they need to become successful. We provide a wealth of information and training at our site http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/ .
What's in it for me?
You will be paid $20. for each part time agent and $40. for each agent PRO that join our program through your efforts. Your "efforts" can be as simple as adding a text link to your site. Of course, we think you'll want to be a lot more proactive in marketing once you realize the income potential.
Here are just a few reasons to join today:
1. It's FREE! There is no cost to join our program.
2. Earn $$$ on every sale.
3. It's a two tier program, earn an additional 50% sub-affiliate fee when you get other web site owners and marketers to boost their bottom line by joining our affiliate program.
4. You do the referring, we do the selling. We handle it all: charging the credit card on a secure server, shipping and handling. All the pre and post sales questions. All you do is cash your checks.
5. Get started quickly. As soon as you sign up, we will send you your unique ID number, we have a toolbox of materials to help you promote the Home Based Travel Agents program on your site, in your ezines, in your email, even offline.
6. Get credit for all your sales. If someone you refer doesn't buy right away, you'll still get credit when they do buy. Even up to a year later!*
7. Track your activity in real time. You will be given access to a private web site where you can monitor the number of visitors your marketing has generated for our site and the number of sales you have made! Any time, 24/7!
Sign up today, add your special affiliate link to your site and start earning!
There are just a few simple steps:
Read our Affiliate Agreement.
Fill out the Application Form.
Your application will be approved within 7 days and we will email you a welcome package. In that email, we will provide you with a unique URL that identifies everyone you refer to us as your customer and yours alone. You will use this URL to link to www.HomeBased-TravelAgents.com.
The Welcome Package will also include a URL where you can check your stats in real time and a link to our Support Area where you'll find everything you need to get started.
Check out the banner ads you can add to your web site.
Check some of our sales copy you can use in local papers or penny savers.
Check out our hot links and text links.
Click here to apply now!
NCL Announces "Mahalo Days" Agent Fam Fares
NCL Corporation has announced a new sales initiative designed to thank travel agents. Called "Mahalo (thank you) Days," the initiative offers travel agent fam fares that start at $449 per person double from Los Angeles and $649 from New York aboard any Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL America ship. Bookings must be made July 17 through Aug. 20 for travel in 2007.
Moreover, one-day sales will take place on July 19 and 26, and Aug. 2, 9 and 16. In addition, agents who book 15 FIT and/or group 2006 and 2007 Q1/Q2 Hawaii or New York cruises aboard the Norwegian Wind, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Dawn, and Norwegian Crown earn a free cruise for two, excluding air, taxes and fees.
Agents also earn a tour conductor cabin for every 12 cabins booked for a group (versus NCL's normal policy of one per 16) on the following departures:
Norwegian Dawn: Jan. 7 through April 23, 2007 and May 5 through Aug. 25, 2007;
Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 2 through Aug. 26, 2007; Norwegian Crown: June 17 through Oct. 28, 2007;
Norwegian Majesty: June 10 through Sept. 30, 2007; Pride of America: Dec. 2, 2006, through Dec. 29, 2007.; Pride of Aloha: Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 31, 2006, and Jan. 1 through Dec. 30, 2007;
Pride of Hawaii: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18 and Dec. 31, 2006, and Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2007. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.
Moreover, one-day sales will take place on July 19 and 26, and Aug. 2, 9 and 16. In addition, agents who book 15 FIT and/or group 2006 and 2007 Q1/Q2 Hawaii or New York cruises aboard the Norwegian Wind, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Dawn, and Norwegian Crown earn a free cruise for two, excluding air, taxes and fees.
Agents also earn a tour conductor cabin for every 12 cabins booked for a group (versus NCL's normal policy of one per 16) on the following departures:
Norwegian Dawn: Jan. 7 through April 23, 2007 and May 5 through Aug. 25, 2007;
Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 2 through Aug. 26, 2007; Norwegian Crown: June 17 through Oct. 28, 2007;
Norwegian Majesty: June 10 through Sept. 30, 2007; Pride of America: Dec. 2, 2006, through Dec. 29, 2007.; Pride of Aloha: Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 31, 2006, and Jan. 1 through Dec. 30, 2007;
Pride of Hawaii: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18 and Dec. 31, 2006, and Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2007. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.
Tuesday
How much is just 1 new customer worth to you?
Don’t just think of a new customer as that one sale. What is the lifetime value of a good relationship with a new customer? Too often we fail to look beyond that first sale.
Depending on your sales just 1 new customer can be worth tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Think beyond the first one or two sales. Consider the full value of the relationship you can build with that one customer over the lifetime of that business relationship. First they probably represent at least one or two sales each year as they continue to use your product or service. If you can maintain that relationship for 5, 10 even 20 years that new customer begins to represent some pretty significant value… and that’s just the beginning.
Having a good relationship with that customer can go far beyond the value of their own business. What if they were to refer just 1 of their friends to you ever year? That relationship just got a heck of a lot more valuable didn’t it? If you really cultivate that relationship that may just be the beginning. We have some incredible individuals who refer us 1-2 new customers every month!
Come back again. Next time we’ll talk about how to build a referral program to accelerate the growth of your business through the best kind of marketing – Word of Mouth.
Come back again. Next time we’ll talk about how to build a referral program to accelerate the growth of your business through the best kind of marketing – Word of Mouth.
Depending on your sales just 1 new customer can be worth tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Think beyond the first one or two sales. Consider the full value of the relationship you can build with that one customer over the lifetime of that business relationship. First they probably represent at least one or two sales each year as they continue to use your product or service. If you can maintain that relationship for 5, 10 even 20 years that new customer begins to represent some pretty significant value… and that’s just the beginning.
Having a good relationship with that customer can go far beyond the value of their own business. What if they were to refer just 1 of their friends to you ever year? That relationship just got a heck of a lot more valuable didn’t it? If you really cultivate that relationship that may just be the beginning. We have some incredible individuals who refer us 1-2 new customers every month!
Come back again. Next time we’ll talk about how to build a referral program to accelerate the growth of your business through the best kind of marketing – Word of Mouth.
Come back again. Next time we’ll talk about how to build a referral program to accelerate the growth of your business through the best kind of marketing – Word of Mouth.
New Enterprise Car Rental Website for Travel Agents
Visit enterprise.com/ta
Customizable commission rates on each booking. Enroll in Travel Agent Plus• Password-secured database• Maintain your customer list• Personal rental discounts. Book at any Enterprise location.
Customizable commission rates on each booking. Enroll in Travel Agent Plus• Password-secured database• Maintain your customer list• Personal rental discounts. Book at any Enterprise location.
Gay cruise charters a profitable niche
Among the lines working with gay charter operators are Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, Holland America, Oceania, Windstar and, starting in 2007, Cunard.
The lucrative gay and lesbian cruising segment is subdivided into full-ship charters on large vessels; sailings on smaller craft such as yachts, sailboats and riverboats; and groups of gay travelers booked on regular cruise departures.
Gay cruisers have until quite recently favored the mainstream cruise product. Community Marketing found that of LGBT vacationers who had cruised within the past year, 65% had sailed on a mainstream cruise, with 54% cruising on their own and 11% cruising as part of a gay group. Only 35% had taken an all-gay charter.
But there’s a sea change on the horizon. The same survey indicated that 51% of gay respondents were interested in an all-gay cruise and that 21% planned to take one. Meanwhile, just 18% had an interest in mainstream sailings; 16% actually planned to book one.
Gay cruise operators are busy ramping up capacity to meet surging demand.Among the large, full-ship charter companies, Atlantis Events, noted for its onboard nightlife, tends to draw a mainly gay male clientele. Olivia, a former record company based in San Francisco, offers entertainment-rich sailings for lesbians.
RSVP Vacations claims to appeal to both gay men and lesbians with a mix of 75% and 25%, respectively.
The much-publicized R Family Vacations was the subject of a recent HBO documentary, “All Aboard! Rosie’s Family Cruise.” The company was founded to provide LGBT families traveling with children a quieter, welcoming and safe cruise environment.
Other tour operators, including Pied Piper Tours, Gayribbean Cruises and Ocean Voyager, place gay groups of various sizes, usually escorted, on mainstream sailings. A more recent niche is intimate all-gay charters aboard smaller craft such as yachts, sailboats and riverboats from the large firms, including Olivia and RSVP, as well as newer entrants such as Travelpride Gay Vacations.
Travelpride, based in Wilton Manors, Fla., is marketing three boutique sailings through July 2007: Windstar’s 148-passenger Windstar to the French and Italian rivieras, Windstar’s 308-passenger Windsurf to Panama and Costa Rica and Ponant Cruises’ 226-passenger Le Diamant to the Baltic Sea.
All signs point to continued expansion in gay cruising, with the women’s and family niches particularly ripe for growth, with new overseas source markets for U.S. operators, such as Europe and Australia, coming on line.
“We haven’t even seen more than the tip of the iceberg on the women’s side,” said Errett. “If you look at how many lesbians there are in the U.S. and how many have traveled with us so far, there is still opportunity.”
The lucrative gay and lesbian cruising segment is subdivided into full-ship charters on large vessels; sailings on smaller craft such as yachts, sailboats and riverboats; and groups of gay travelers booked on regular cruise departures.
Gay cruisers have until quite recently favored the mainstream cruise product. Community Marketing found that of LGBT vacationers who had cruised within the past year, 65% had sailed on a mainstream cruise, with 54% cruising on their own and 11% cruising as part of a gay group. Only 35% had taken an all-gay charter.
But there’s a sea change on the horizon. The same survey indicated that 51% of gay respondents were interested in an all-gay cruise and that 21% planned to take one. Meanwhile, just 18% had an interest in mainstream sailings; 16% actually planned to book one.
Gay cruise operators are busy ramping up capacity to meet surging demand.Among the large, full-ship charter companies, Atlantis Events, noted for its onboard nightlife, tends to draw a mainly gay male clientele. Olivia, a former record company based in San Francisco, offers entertainment-rich sailings for lesbians.
RSVP Vacations claims to appeal to both gay men and lesbians with a mix of 75% and 25%, respectively.
The much-publicized R Family Vacations was the subject of a recent HBO documentary, “All Aboard! Rosie’s Family Cruise.” The company was founded to provide LGBT families traveling with children a quieter, welcoming and safe cruise environment.
Other tour operators, including Pied Piper Tours, Gayribbean Cruises and Ocean Voyager, place gay groups of various sizes, usually escorted, on mainstream sailings. A more recent niche is intimate all-gay charters aboard smaller craft such as yachts, sailboats and riverboats from the large firms, including Olivia and RSVP, as well as newer entrants such as Travelpride Gay Vacations.
Travelpride, based in Wilton Manors, Fla., is marketing three boutique sailings through July 2007: Windstar’s 148-passenger Windstar to the French and Italian rivieras, Windstar’s 308-passenger Windsurf to Panama and Costa Rica and Ponant Cruises’ 226-passenger Le Diamant to the Baltic Sea.
All signs point to continued expansion in gay cruising, with the women’s and family niches particularly ripe for growth, with new overseas source markets for U.S. operators, such as Europe and Australia, coming on line.
“We haven’t even seen more than the tip of the iceberg on the women’s side,” said Errett. “If you look at how many lesbians there are in the U.S. and how many have traveled with us so far, there is still opportunity.”
Monday
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE was the first cruise lines to implement cellular phone service technology fleetwide, the line said.
Passengers aboard NCL ships will be able to use their own mobile telephones no matter where the ship is, using a service provided by Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network.
NCL began offering cell phone service on select ships two years ago. Colin Veitch, NCL's CEO, said in a statement that "while we recognize that some guests traveling with us choose to disconnect, others need to stay connected to loved ones or business associates in order to get away."
Passengers aboard NCL ships will be able to use their own mobile telephones no matter where the ship is, using a service provided by Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network.
NCL began offering cell phone service on select ships two years ago. Colin Veitch, NCL's CEO, said in a statement that "while we recognize that some guests traveling with us choose to disconnect, others need to stay connected to loved ones or business associates in order to get away."
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
DISNEY CRUISE LINE is capitalizing on the enormous success of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies by anchoring the Flying Dutchman ship off Disney's private Bahamian island, Castaway Cay.
The 175-foot "ghost ship" is meant to provide a scenic photo backdrop from the island, and guests who rent boats on the island can get a closer look at the ship, Disney said. "Having the Flying Dutchman ship at Castaway Cay is something truly unique that only Disney Cruise Line could offer guests," said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin.
The 175-foot "ghost ship" is meant to provide a scenic photo backdrop from the island, and guests who rent boats on the island can get a closer look at the ship, Disney said. "Having the Flying Dutchman ship at Castaway Cay is something truly unique that only Disney Cruise Line could offer guests," said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin.
Saturday
RCI Policy Notice
Beginning this week, Royal Caribbean International is rolling out an Automated Balance Due process. This means that there will be an automated system that monitors reservations that are not paid in full by their Final Payment due dates. Similar to bookings on option with option dates, there will now be an automated system that monitors the Final Payment date as well - even if deposit is received.
There will be 1 of 3 faxes that you will receive when there is a balance due after the final payment has come and gone. You will have 5 days after your original final payment due date to satisfy or pay the balance. Afterwards, you will receive a series of faxes outlined as follows:
Outstanding Balance Due Letter - This letter will serve as a reminder that a reservation you are holding inside the final payment period has a balance due and requires a payment.
Pre-Cancellation Letter - This letter will be sent out when Final Payment is due, offering 5 days to satisfy the balance at which time the record will be automatically cancelled if the balance is not satisfied.
Cancellation Letter - This letter will follow once the automated system cancels your reservation to advise you that the reservation was cancelled.
I know this isn't going to be easy at first, but we have plenty of tools that will help you manage this business guideline that has always been in place. However, we never had the means to manage it. For instance, Insight is available on CruisingPower.com. This program allows you to see any and all bookings through your agency with a potential balance due and many other options as well. In addition, you can set up an email notification either weekly or daily which will send you an email that a booking either needs attention or Final Payment is due on any reservation within final payment. And there's, of course, CruisePay available to make online payments, again, available through CruisingPower.com. Both programs are located under the "Booking Tools" area. said Keith Jorgensen, ACC District Sales Manager Royal Caribbean International
PS
Note From Paul
NEVER tell Client the real due date. ALLWAS Tell them that there due date 10 earlyer
There will be 1 of 3 faxes that you will receive when there is a balance due after the final payment has come and gone. You will have 5 days after your original final payment due date to satisfy or pay the balance. Afterwards, you will receive a series of faxes outlined as follows:
Outstanding Balance Due Letter - This letter will serve as a reminder that a reservation you are holding inside the final payment period has a balance due and requires a payment.
Pre-Cancellation Letter - This letter will be sent out when Final Payment is due, offering 5 days to satisfy the balance at which time the record will be automatically cancelled if the balance is not satisfied.
Cancellation Letter - This letter will follow once the automated system cancels your reservation to advise you that the reservation was cancelled.
I know this isn't going to be easy at first, but we have plenty of tools that will help you manage this business guideline that has always been in place. However, we never had the means to manage it. For instance, Insight is available on CruisingPower.com. This program allows you to see any and all bookings through your agency with a potential balance due and many other options as well. In addition, you can set up an email notification either weekly or daily which will send you an email that a booking either needs attention or Final Payment is due on any reservation within final payment. And there's, of course, CruisePay available to make online payments, again, available through CruisingPower.com. Both programs are located under the "Booking Tools" area. said Keith Jorgensen, ACC District Sales Manager Royal Caribbean International
PS
Note From Paul
NEVER tell Client the real due date. ALLWAS Tell them that there due date 10 earlyer
Evaluating the Need for Car Rental Insurance
Obtaining insurance for a rental vehicle is probably not top of mind for most consumers. However, many become fully aware when they discover that in some instances, rental insurance can cost as much as actually renting the vehicle.
But is that rental car coverage really a necessity? It's often an unnecessary purchase, according to Cathy Lewis, MetLife Auto & Home's National Rental Coordinator. She says that a rental vehicle used on vacation qualifies as a 'non-owned automobile' under most personal auto policies, meaning that consumers' own vehicle coverage carries over to any vehicle that they rent. If the auto policy doesn't provide coverage, a credit card might.
Most credit card companies commonly provide insurance protection for rental cars, if the full amount of the rental is charged to the card. This is generally called "secondary" insurance, because it will only pay when one's personal auto policy does not. Consumers should always check with their creditors to understand the services provided, and the coverage limitations. Either way, there are times when additional insurance coverage may come in handy.
The key is to consider how the level of protection "stacks up" against the protection the rental car company is offering. When making the decision to purchase rental insurance, it's important to consider the need for collision damage waivers.
With a collision damage waiver, the rental company agrees not to hold the renter responsible for accidental damage or loss, as long as the conditions of the contract aren't violated. If it's determined that any damage would be covered under an insurance policy or credit card, it's safe to waive the waiver.
In addition, in some states, "partial collision damage waiver" is offered, which will cover the cost of any deductible that the automobile policy contains. Personal auto policies already provide liability insurance in the event someone is injured in an accident.
Whether or not additional coverage is necessary depends on the consumer's level of comfort, but keep in mind that if the state where the accident occurs requires higher minimum limits than what a consumer's personal policy affords, auto insurers are legally required to provide that state's minimum level of coverage.
In all cases, the best bet for consumers is to place a quick call to his or her insurance carrier or local agent before leaving on vacation. For more information, visit http://www.metlife.com/.
But is that rental car coverage really a necessity? It's often an unnecessary purchase, according to Cathy Lewis, MetLife Auto & Home's National Rental Coordinator. She says that a rental vehicle used on vacation qualifies as a 'non-owned automobile' under most personal auto policies, meaning that consumers' own vehicle coverage carries over to any vehicle that they rent. If the auto policy doesn't provide coverage, a credit card might.
Most credit card companies commonly provide insurance protection for rental cars, if the full amount of the rental is charged to the card. This is generally called "secondary" insurance, because it will only pay when one's personal auto policy does not. Consumers should always check with their creditors to understand the services provided, and the coverage limitations. Either way, there are times when additional insurance coverage may come in handy.
The key is to consider how the level of protection "stacks up" against the protection the rental car company is offering. When making the decision to purchase rental insurance, it's important to consider the need for collision damage waivers.
With a collision damage waiver, the rental company agrees not to hold the renter responsible for accidental damage or loss, as long as the conditions of the contract aren't violated. If it's determined that any damage would be covered under an insurance policy or credit card, it's safe to waive the waiver.
In addition, in some states, "partial collision damage waiver" is offered, which will cover the cost of any deductible that the automobile policy contains. Personal auto policies already provide liability insurance in the event someone is injured in an accident.
Whether or not additional coverage is necessary depends on the consumer's level of comfort, but keep in mind that if the state where the accident occurs requires higher minimum limits than what a consumer's personal policy affords, auto insurers are legally required to provide that state's minimum level of coverage.
In all cases, the best bet for consumers is to place a quick call to his or her insurance carrier or local agent before leaving on vacation. For more information, visit http://www.metlife.com/.
Thursday
Home Based Travel Agents Gain Momentum
As the home based travel agent phenom continues to gain momentum, so does the caliber of travel agent operating under this model.
Agents are producing more and making more money.Several factors have contributed to the measurable increase in the average annual bookings and income per agent.
These include:
1. No more stigma of being home based. Millions of Americans across all industies are doing it. At the same time, bigger travel agency's are closing their bricks & horror (I just made that up) agencies and moving businesses home.
2. Travel suppliers embracing are creating the tools to support home based agents
3. Host agencies:
a.) Hosts alleviate the “non-revenue producing tasks” associated with operating a small business. This frees-up the agent to sell more travel.
b.) Higher commissions. Agents with hosts enjoy commission level they could never attain on their own.
c.) Technology. This includes consumer Websites, email marketing programs, extranets and Blogs like this one.
d.) Service /Support. Hosted agents are in business for themselves, not by themselves. The clout a host agency can lend you is a tremendous value.
4. Home based agents focus heavily on high margin products. Big tickets mean big commission checks!
5. A shift in consumer awareness back to the value of working with a travel agent. This trend is just beginning to pick-up speed. The same cycle happened to stockbrokers back in the late 90’s. Investors soon realized there are certain thing are better left in the capable hands of an expert.
Agents are producing more and making more money.Several factors have contributed to the measurable increase in the average annual bookings and income per agent.
These include:
1. No more stigma of being home based. Millions of Americans across all industies are doing it. At the same time, bigger travel agency's are closing their bricks & horror (I just made that up) agencies and moving businesses home.
2. Travel suppliers embracing are creating the tools to support home based agents
3. Host agencies:
a.) Hosts alleviate the “non-revenue producing tasks” associated with operating a small business. This frees-up the agent to sell more travel.
b.) Higher commissions. Agents with hosts enjoy commission level they could never attain on their own.
c.) Technology. This includes consumer Websites, email marketing programs, extranets and Blogs like this one.
d.) Service /Support. Hosted agents are in business for themselves, not by themselves. The clout a host agency can lend you is a tremendous value.
4. Home based agents focus heavily on high margin products. Big tickets mean big commission checks!
5. A shift in consumer awareness back to the value of working with a travel agent. This trend is just beginning to pick-up speed. The same cycle happened to stockbrokers back in the late 90’s. Investors soon realized there are certain thing are better left in the capable hands of an expert.
Wednesday
Liberty International Offers E&O Insurance
Liberty International Underwriters (LIU), a division of Liberty Mutual Group, and Travel Professionals Insurance Network (TPIN), a service of MPP Company, Inc., have partnered to offer a new Travel Professionals Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance product, which is now available in 31 states and the District of Columbia.
The program's policy forms were developed by a team of travel industry insurance and professional liability specialists at TPIN and LIU. The program is currently available in D.C. and the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. For details, visit www.travelproins.com or www.libertyiu.com.
The program's policy forms were developed by a team of travel industry insurance and professional liability specialists at TPIN and LIU. The program is currently available in D.C. and the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. For details, visit www.travelproins.com or www.libertyiu.com.
Tuesday
Crystal Cruises’ new Internet-Based Training Program
We developed this program especially for you, our home based travel agent partners in travel, because we believe that continuing education is essential to success in today’s competitive market.
With CrystalCruisesAcademy.com, you have an incredible opportunity to learn all that our award-winning cruise line has to offer your clients, and, more importantly, how best to sell it to them and grow your luxury cruise business. You will receive vital statistical information and learn how to create your very own Crystal Cruises marketing plan.
Once you complete this comprehensive program, you will not only have a greater understanding of the World’s Best cruise line and be certified as a Crystal Cruises Specialist, but also have the opportunity to receive a $100 bonus commission, earn higher commission levels overall through the Crystal Cruises Alliance Program with increased Crystal revenue and much more.
So register today at http://www.crystalcruisesacademy.com/ to experience an enriching and rewarding way to show your clients why the difference is Crystal clear.
Cruise FREE, Travel the World for pennies on the dollar.FT or PT home based Travel Agents wanted, earn extra cashhttp://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/ http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/ 1800-619-8646
With CrystalCruisesAcademy.com, you have an incredible opportunity to learn all that our award-winning cruise line has to offer your clients, and, more importantly, how best to sell it to them and grow your luxury cruise business. You will receive vital statistical information and learn how to create your very own Crystal Cruises marketing plan.
Once you complete this comprehensive program, you will not only have a greater understanding of the World’s Best cruise line and be certified as a Crystal Cruises Specialist, but also have the opportunity to receive a $100 bonus commission, earn higher commission levels overall through the Crystal Cruises Alliance Program with increased Crystal revenue and much more.
So register today at http://www.crystalcruisesacademy.com/ to experience an enriching and rewarding way to show your clients why the difference is Crystal clear.
Cruise FREE, Travel the World for pennies on the dollar.FT or PT home based Travel Agents wanted, earn extra cashhttp://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/ http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/ 1800-619-8646
Costa Concordia Christened in Port of Rome
Costa Crociere christened the 11th ship in its fleet, the Concordia, on Friday, July 7, in the port of Civitavecchia in Rome. The 112,000-GRT ship, which can accommodate up to 3,780 passengers, was officially christened by supermodel Eva Herzigova, who served as godmother, while Italian television personality Antonella Clerici served as master of ceremonies and Cardinal Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontfical Council of the Pastoral Office for Migrants and Travelers, blessed the ship.
The Costa ship, Costa Concordia, is the best ship in the Costa fleet for fitness and relaxation. Completely innovative, this floating resort becomes an additional destination on your cruise. What makes this Costa Cruise ship so special? To start with, there is a fitness area on two decks, covering a total of almost 20,450 square ft., with a swimming pool in its center. The beautiful Samsara Suites have direct access to the Spa. There are also four swimming pools, two with retractable glass roofs. Choose from 13 bars, including the Bar Sport. Over 500 cabins have balconies. The decks are spacious and panoramic. This Costa Cruise ship is the largest and longest ship in the Costa fleet.
Official Costa Concordia reference page
The Costa ship, Costa Concordia, is the best ship in the Costa fleet for fitness and relaxation. Completely innovative, this floating resort becomes an additional destination on your cruise. What makes this Costa Cruise ship so special? To start with, there is a fitness area on two decks, covering a total of almost 20,450 square ft., with a swimming pool in its center. The beautiful Samsara Suites have direct access to the Spa. There are also four swimming pools, two with retractable glass roofs. Choose from 13 bars, including the Bar Sport. Over 500 cabins have balconies. The decks are spacious and panoramic. This Costa Cruise ship is the largest and longest ship in the Costa fleet.
Official Costa Concordia reference page
Sunday
Two Hawaii Marriotts have Special Travel Agent Rates
The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Maui and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Hawaii's Big Island are offering a sneak preview home based travel agent rate, with spa discounts too, from July 1 through Dec. 19, 2006.
Both resorts are undergoing multi-million dollar makeovers that include new Mandara Spas and completely redesigned guest rooms. At the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, the travel agent rate is $139 per room night, while on Maui, the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa travel agent rate is $179 per room night.
Agents will receive a complimentary upgrade to an ocean view room, based on availability at time of check in. For more information, contact the Wailea Beach Marriott at 800-367-2960 or visit http://www.waileamarriott.com/. To contact the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, call 800-922-5533 or visit http://www.waikoloamarriott.com/.
Both resorts are undergoing multi-million dollar makeovers that include new Mandara Spas and completely redesigned guest rooms. At the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, the travel agent rate is $139 per room night, while on Maui, the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa travel agent rate is $179 per room night.
Agents will receive a complimentary upgrade to an ocean view room, based on availability at time of check in. For more information, contact the Wailea Beach Marriott at 800-367-2960 or visit http://www.waileamarriott.com/. To contact the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, call 800-922-5533 or visit http://www.waikoloamarriott.com/.
Friday
OnlyForTravelAgents.com Updates Fam Site
OnlyForTravelAgents.com, which provides agent discounts, special agent rates and fam trip information, has launched a new version of its newsletter subscription website.
The new website has graphic enhancements, a larger listing of hotels around the world offering travel agent rates. OnlyForTravelAgents.Com will continue to add new features and make major enhancements to their website over the next six months. For more information, visit http://www.onlyfortravelagents.com/.
The new website has graphic enhancements, a larger listing of hotels around the world offering travel agent rates. OnlyForTravelAgents.Com will continue to add new features and make major enhancements to their website over the next six months. For more information, visit http://www.onlyfortravelagents.com/.
Thursday
Pleasant Holidays to Protect Agent Commissions
Pleasant Holidays is now protecting the commission made by home based travel agencies. The tour operator made the policy shift starting with bookings made on July 1.
Commission protection has been added to the protection plans on all fully paid bookings for all Pleasant Holidays, Hawaii World, and Distinguished Resorts products, including bookings for Hawaii, Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Travel agency commissions are protected for up to $100 per person for individuals purchasing the Protection Plan. Call 800-442-3234 or visit
Commission protection has been added to the protection plans on all fully paid bookings for all Pleasant Holidays, Hawaii World, and Distinguished Resorts products, including bookings for Hawaii, Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Travel agency commissions are protected for up to $100 per person for individuals purchasing the Protection Plan. Call 800-442-3234 or visit
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