Did you know that YOU can untap the lucrative meeting and incentive group market as a home based travel agent?
Some of Celebrity Cruises' most successful meeting and incentive groups are generated from our home based travel agents! Join Celebrity Cruises' and Azamara Cruises Director of Meetings and Incentives, Ron Gulaskey for this one-of-a-kind webinar, and learn about the secrets, tools and steps for success to untap this lucrative and dynamic market today!
Space is limited.Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/748804267
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Wednesday
Latin America
The single-most important factor to consider when selecting the tour company to handle your Customized FITs and Groups to Latin America is the competence and experience of the people researching & arranging your tour! At LTD there is never settling for second best because we ALWAYS deliver the tour of your clients' choice! Submit your quote requests online or call 800.343.0020.
Custom Group Requests
Custom FIT Requests
Sample Programs
Custom Group Requests
Custom FIT Requests
Sample Programs
Tuesday
Home Based Travel Agent Hotel Education Program
Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of ProLearning, a new, online home based travel agent training program designed to help travel professionals better understand each of Starwood’s nine brands in order to customize travel according to consumer preferences.
ProLearning also includes a short-term sweepstakes opportunity for all participants, as well as StarPro rates for those who complete the training. ProLearning allows travel professionals to work on-line at their own pace, with little advance work or preparation.
Each of the training modules, which take about 20 to 45 minutes to complete, will contain video, audio and high-resolution visuals, and include learning aids such as supplemental offerings and hyper links to other sites.
Home based travel agents who complete the first module will qualify for exclusive StarPro rates through Starwood’s new Travel Professional Experience Rate program. StarPro rates start at $69 and can be booked at www.starwoodpro.com.
ProLearning also includes a short-term sweepstakes opportunity for all participants, as well as StarPro rates for those who complete the training. ProLearning allows travel professionals to work on-line at their own pace, with little advance work or preparation.
Each of the training modules, which take about 20 to 45 minutes to complete, will contain video, audio and high-resolution visuals, and include learning aids such as supplemental offerings and hyper links to other sites.
Home based travel agents who complete the first module will qualify for exclusive StarPro rates through Starwood’s new Travel Professional Experience Rate program. StarPro rates start at $69 and can be booked at www.starwoodpro.com.
Become a European Quartet Specialist
Four neighboring countries - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – are united not only by easy travel across common borders but by their shared attributes of warm and welcoming people, spectacular scenery and opportunities for outdoor adventure, a formidable roster of historic and religious art and architectural treasures, vibrant capital cities, traditional villages, imposing castles and fortresses, spas towns and so much more…all adding up to unforgettable vacations for your clients. Click here to begin.
Monday
Jet Blue Air Sale
NEW YORK--OCTOBER 27, 2008-- To help ring in its brand-newterminal at JFK, JetBlue has slashed fares on all routesfrom New York City to as low as $59 each way.
These fares won't last -- you must book by Oct. 31.Sample fares from JFK (each way):- Washington, D.C. ... $59-
Richmond ... $59-
Portland, Maine ... $59-
Pittsburgh ... $59- Orlando ... $79-
Jacksonville ... $79-
Tampa ... $79-
West Palm Beach ... $84-
Chicago ... $129-
Long Beach ... $134
Fares are good for travel Nov. 12 - Dec. 17. We test-booked this offer and found the lowest prices on Monday-Thursdayand Saturday departures. Blackout dates: Nov. 20 - Dec. 2.
Be one of the first passengers to experience JetBlue'sstate-of-the-art terminal. "T5" features up to 20 securitylanes, FREE Wi-Fi, 22 restaurants and 25 retail stores.
These fares won't last -- you must book by Oct. 31.Sample fares from JFK (each way):- Washington, D.C. ... $59-
Richmond ... $59-
Portland, Maine ... $59-
Pittsburgh ... $59- Orlando ... $79-
Jacksonville ... $79-
Tampa ... $79-
West Palm Beach ... $84-
Chicago ... $129-
Long Beach ... $134
Fares are good for travel Nov. 12 - Dec. 17. We test-booked this offer and found the lowest prices on Monday-Thursdayand Saturday departures. Blackout dates: Nov. 20 - Dec. 2.
Be one of the first passengers to experience JetBlue'sstate-of-the-art terminal. "T5" features up to 20 securitylanes, FREE Wi-Fi, 22 restaurants and 25 retail stores.
Friday
Outstanding Offer from Orbitz
NEW YORK CITY--OCTOBER 24, 2008-- We just uncovered anunbelievable sale on flights to Belize from New York City. Fly for just $80 roundtrip! With taxes that comes to mere$154 on a route that almost always goes for over $500.
Note that this is an UNADVERTISED sale and the $80 fare will sell out instantly. We wouldn't be surprised if prices shotup soon after this email goes out. We test-booked these fares and found them available fortravel on over 150 dates through June. Prices are higher on Saturdays and Sundays and around the holidays.
To book this offer through Orbitz, click below to start aflexible date search. We suggest Option #2 to see a list ofthe best fares around your preferred travel dates.http://www.travelzoo.com/Newsflash.asp?481789
Note that this is an UNADVERTISED sale and the $80 fare will sell out instantly. We wouldn't be surprised if prices shotup soon after this email goes out. We test-booked these fares and found them available fortravel on over 150 dates through June. Prices are higher on Saturdays and Sundays and around the holidays.
To book this offer through Orbitz, click below to start aflexible date search. We suggest Option #2 to see a list ofthe best fares around your preferred travel dates.http://www.travelzoo.com/Newsflash.asp?481789
Educational Mini-Webinar on October 30
Travcoa has been a leader in luxury travel for more than 50 years – but do you really know the company today? Join Vice President of Sales, Perry Lungmus, CTC, for a brief, high level review of Travcoa basics including the Travcoa style and what you really need to know in order to better sell Travcoa's legendary Escorted Journeys and Custom Journeys.
All you need is an internet connection and a phone to join this live 30-minute educational event. This webinar is on Wednesday, October 29 at:11am Pacific, 12pm Mountain, 1pm Central, 2pm Eastern
Space is limited.Reserve your Webinar seat now at:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/377236326
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
All you need is an internet connection and a phone to join this live 30-minute educational event. This webinar is on Wednesday, October 29 at:11am Pacific, 12pm Mountain, 1pm Central, 2pm Eastern
Space is limited.Reserve your Webinar seat now at:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/377236326
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
Puerto Rico Travel Agent Training Program
Puerto Rico Travel Expert (PRTE) program for home based travel agents.
The two-phase certification program will give you the chance to qualify for a Puerto Rico fam trip, as well as develop an expertise in island specialties such as dive travel, golf trips, and pre- and post-cruise packages. Check it out at www.GoToPuertoRico.com or call 800.866.7827.
The two-phase certification program will give you the chance to qualify for a Puerto Rico fam trip, as well as develop an expertise in island specialties such as dive travel, golf trips, and pre- and post-cruise packages. Check it out at www.GoToPuertoRico.com or call 800.866.7827.
Sandals - New Discounts, Free Night Deals
Sandals – will give your clients discounts up to 55 % off its regular rates (three nights stay minimum) for bookings made Oct. 31-Dec. 22 for travel Oct. 31, 2008-Dec. 26, 2009.
They can also lock in up to two nights free in selected categories when they stay at least seven nights. Check the details at www.sandals.com or call 800.SANDALS.
They can also lock in up to two nights free in selected categories when they stay at least seven nights. Check the details at www.sandals.com or call 800.SANDALS.
Become a Japan Travel Specialist
Becoming a specialist is easy! You complete the free course at your own pace and the graduate benefits are fantastic!
They include:
1. JTS certificate and exclusive use of JTS logo.
2. Priority Invitation to familiarization trips, seminars hosted by JNTO, and Japan tourism events hosted by JNTO’s supporting suppliers.
4. Free internet listing as a Japan Travel Specialist Travel Agent on our website: www.japantravelinfo.com.
5. Consumers visiting the site may search for a Japan travel agent specialist by state and city.
6. Free promotional materials.
7. Monthly newsletter with updates on destinations, products and offers
And many more...
About this agent training program:
Japan is poised for major tourism growth by the end of the decade. Spurred by a ten-year Visit Japan Campaign uniting public and private sectors, we aim to boost tourist arrivals to 10 million by 2010!
Home based travel agents are vital to this success and we are offering this education, together with a host of incentives and sales tools, to help you significantly improve your profit potential. Learn why Japan is attracting more and more consumers each year and how you can help communicate all the attractions that are a perfect match for your client’s dream vacation.
Log-in now and access all the tools you need to increase your profits through sales to this outstanding destination! Click here to begin.
They include:
1. JTS certificate and exclusive use of JTS logo.
2. Priority Invitation to familiarization trips, seminars hosted by JNTO, and Japan tourism events hosted by JNTO’s supporting suppliers.
4. Free internet listing as a Japan Travel Specialist Travel Agent on our website: www.japantravelinfo.com.
5. Consumers visiting the site may search for a Japan travel agent specialist by state and city.
6. Free promotional materials.
7. Monthly newsletter with updates on destinations, products and offers
And many more...
About this agent training program:
Japan is poised for major tourism growth by the end of the decade. Spurred by a ten-year Visit Japan Campaign uniting public and private sectors, we aim to boost tourist arrivals to 10 million by 2010!
Home based travel agents are vital to this success and we are offering this education, together with a host of incentives and sales tools, to help you significantly improve your profit potential. Learn why Japan is attracting more and more consumers each year and how you can help communicate all the attractions that are a perfect match for your client’s dream vacation.
Log-in now and access all the tools you need to increase your profits through sales to this outstanding destination! Click here to begin.
Become a USVI Specialist Today!
Learn how to effectively communicate what America’s Caribbean has to offer for your clients.
What are the benefits of becoming a certified USVI Specialist?
1. Opportunity to win an all-inclusive trip to the USVI
2. Be eligible to benefit from the USVI Rewards Program
3. Priority invitation to in-market events (when available)
4. Eligible to receive 2 CEU's with the Travel Institute.
Click here to become a USVI Specialist
What are the benefits of becoming a certified USVI Specialist?
1. Opportunity to win an all-inclusive trip to the USVI
2. Be eligible to benefit from the USVI Rewards Program
3. Priority invitation to in-market events (when available)
4. Eligible to receive 2 CEU's with the Travel Institute.
Click here to become a USVI Specialist
Princess Power Week
Exciting new webinars are just a click away. Join us for PRINCESS POWER WEEK – a week of informative 1-hour online webinars hosted by Princess Regional Sales Directors, and designed to help home based travel agents increase your bookings and build your sales during challenging times.
These wonderful webinars feature presentations by key Princess executives Rai Calouri, Executive Vice President, Fleet Operations, Deanna Austin, Senior Vice President, Yield and Marketing and Jan Swartz, Senior Vice President, Customer Service and Sales.
Topics include the Princess onboard experience, itineraries, sales and more. These webinars are sure to be fun and illuminating events. You only need to attend one! And, you’ll get bonus commission coupons of $150 for participating!*
Be sure to sign up for our PRINCESS POWER WEEK webinars as soon as possible – space is limited. Visit us at onesourcecruises.com to learn more.
These wonderful webinars feature presentations by key Princess executives Rai Calouri, Executive Vice President, Fleet Operations, Deanna Austin, Senior Vice President, Yield and Marketing and Jan Swartz, Senior Vice President, Customer Service and Sales.
Topics include the Princess onboard experience, itineraries, sales and more. These webinars are sure to be fun and illuminating events. You only need to attend one! And, you’ll get bonus commission coupons of $150 for participating!*
Be sure to sign up for our PRINCESS POWER WEEK webinars as soon as possible – space is limited. Visit us at onesourcecruises.com to learn more.
Shore Excursions for Active Cruisers
CARNIVAL
Remember the improbable Jamaican bobsled teams of the winter Olympics? Carnival has just initiated a new excursion that gives passengers a chance to take a bobsled ride through a Jamaican tropical forest. The bobsled, at Mystic Mountain near Ocho Rios, winds 3,280 feet on steel rails, with riders contolling speed with a handbrake. Cost is $59. Also at Mystic Mountain are a chairlift ride above treetops and a zipline canopy adventure. The excursion is available on the 14 Carnival ships that sail the western Caribbean.
MSC CRUISES
Hog alert: On St. Maarten, MSC offers adult passengers a guided motorcycle tour that lasts about five hours and runs through the French side of the island. Participants can ride either a legendary Fat Boy bike or the classic Harley Heritage, but must have a current motorcycle license (available in most states) and credit card. Price is $395. The tour is available from South Florida on MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra sailings.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Using a hand-held GPS, passengers taking the GPS Video Walking Tour of Key West can take in the city's most famous sites on a pre-set itinerary or program the device to roam wherever they want. The interactive unit also provides commentary on various venues. Price is $29.
On Mexican Riviera sailings, active passengers can take an Outdoor Adventure Experience out of Puerta Vallarta that includes a panga boat trip, mule ride, off-road-drive, rappelling through waterfalls and zipline adventure. Tour is limited to 14 people, starts at $114.
NORWEGIAN
Passengers taking NCL's guided rooftop walk in Stockholm are fitted with a helmet and safety harness as they stroll atop the Old Parliament Building and other venues. The price starts at $199 and is available on Norwegian Jade sailings.
Another unusual tour from the Norwegian Jade is a mountain bike expedition in Corfu, Greece. Only 20 people can participate. The tour takes them to such untouched regions of the island as the villages of Kato Korakiana and Saint Marcos. Price starts at $179.
PRINCESS
Passengers not afflicted with the fear of heights now can climb Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge all the way to the top, more than 400 feet above the water, on a ship-arranged tour. Participants must wear a jumpsuit, headset and harness, pass an alcohol breath test and negotiate 1,400-odd steps on catwalks and ladders. Price starts at $175.
On the opposite side of the planet, active passengers 16 and older may take a shot at land-sailing on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. With the trade winds behind them, participants steer the three-wheeled sandboats on the longest land-sailing track in the world. Price starts at $99.
HOLLAND AMERICA
The line's Signature Collection accommodates passengers who want to tour on their own, providing a car or van and English-speaking guide. Cost for a car half-day is $500-$600, for a full day $600-$700. Cars usually have two-passenger maximum. A van, which can take four to six passengers, costs $700-$900 half day, $900-$1,100 full day. Costs are per vehicle, not per person, so guests can split the cost.
CELEBRITY
An after-hours evening at Russia's famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, when the facility is closed to the public, is offered by Celebrity. Included is a private tour of its celebrated art works and a ballet performance. Cost is $299.
On stops in Belize in the Caribbean, Celebrity offers a Raiders of the Lost Mayan Cave excursion that takes passengers through a maze of subterranean chambers used for Mayan rituals. The trek involves crawling, rappelling and crossing a swinging rope bridge. Cost is $105.
COSTA
For the ecologically minded, Costa offers a tour from the port of Ilheus, Brazil, that visits CEPLAC, a research center devoted to the preservation of sloths and other creatures in the Atlantic forest. Guests also drive on the environmentally friendly Ilheus-Itacare Road, where nets have been installed in treetops above the roadway so that small animals can cross in safety. Cost is $59. Three Costa ships call at Ilheus from December to March.
On a more exotic level, Costa passengers can swim and interact with rare giant sea turtles in the Indian Ocean during Costa Europa port calls in Mauritius, Comoro Islands and Mayotte. Price is 71 euros (about $105).
Remember the improbable Jamaican bobsled teams of the winter Olympics? Carnival has just initiated a new excursion that gives passengers a chance to take a bobsled ride through a Jamaican tropical forest. The bobsled, at Mystic Mountain near Ocho Rios, winds 3,280 feet on steel rails, with riders contolling speed with a handbrake. Cost is $59. Also at Mystic Mountain are a chairlift ride above treetops and a zipline canopy adventure. The excursion is available on the 14 Carnival ships that sail the western Caribbean.
MSC CRUISES
Hog alert: On St. Maarten, MSC offers adult passengers a guided motorcycle tour that lasts about five hours and runs through the French side of the island. Participants can ride either a legendary Fat Boy bike or the classic Harley Heritage, but must have a current motorcycle license (available in most states) and credit card. Price is $395. The tour is available from South Florida on MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra sailings.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Using a hand-held GPS, passengers taking the GPS Video Walking Tour of Key West can take in the city's most famous sites on a pre-set itinerary or program the device to roam wherever they want. The interactive unit also provides commentary on various venues. Price is $29.
On Mexican Riviera sailings, active passengers can take an Outdoor Adventure Experience out of Puerta Vallarta that includes a panga boat trip, mule ride, off-road-drive, rappelling through waterfalls and zipline adventure. Tour is limited to 14 people, starts at $114.
NORWEGIAN
Passengers taking NCL's guided rooftop walk in Stockholm are fitted with a helmet and safety harness as they stroll atop the Old Parliament Building and other venues. The price starts at $199 and is available on Norwegian Jade sailings.
Another unusual tour from the Norwegian Jade is a mountain bike expedition in Corfu, Greece. Only 20 people can participate. The tour takes them to such untouched regions of the island as the villages of Kato Korakiana and Saint Marcos. Price starts at $179.
PRINCESS
Passengers not afflicted with the fear of heights now can climb Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge all the way to the top, more than 400 feet above the water, on a ship-arranged tour. Participants must wear a jumpsuit, headset and harness, pass an alcohol breath test and negotiate 1,400-odd steps on catwalks and ladders. Price starts at $175.
On the opposite side of the planet, active passengers 16 and older may take a shot at land-sailing on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. With the trade winds behind them, participants steer the three-wheeled sandboats on the longest land-sailing track in the world. Price starts at $99.
HOLLAND AMERICA
The line's Signature Collection accommodates passengers who want to tour on their own, providing a car or van and English-speaking guide. Cost for a car half-day is $500-$600, for a full day $600-$700. Cars usually have two-passenger maximum. A van, which can take four to six passengers, costs $700-$900 half day, $900-$1,100 full day. Costs are per vehicle, not per person, so guests can split the cost.
CELEBRITY
An after-hours evening at Russia's famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, when the facility is closed to the public, is offered by Celebrity. Included is a private tour of its celebrated art works and a ballet performance. Cost is $299.
On stops in Belize in the Caribbean, Celebrity offers a Raiders of the Lost Mayan Cave excursion that takes passengers through a maze of subterranean chambers used for Mayan rituals. The trek involves crawling, rappelling and crossing a swinging rope bridge. Cost is $105.
COSTA
For the ecologically minded, Costa offers a tour from the port of Ilheus, Brazil, that visits CEPLAC, a research center devoted to the preservation of sloths and other creatures in the Atlantic forest. Guests also drive on the environmentally friendly Ilheus-Itacare Road, where nets have been installed in treetops above the roadway so that small animals can cross in safety. Cost is $59. Three Costa ships call at Ilheus from December to March.
On a more exotic level, Costa passengers can swim and interact with rare giant sea turtles in the Indian Ocean during Costa Europa port calls in Mauritius, Comoro Islands and Mayotte. Price is 71 euros (about $105).
Wednesday
Bonus Commissions fromViking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises is offering bonus commissions of up to $250 per stateroom on select 2009 itineraries booked through Dec. 31. Viking River, which offers river cruises and cruise-tours through Europe, Russia and China, will pay $250 for itineraries of 10 or more days and $150 for eight-day itineraries. And on the easy-to-sell special 2-for-1 spring cruises, agents will earn $50 per stateroom. “This is a terrific time to sell prepaid vacation packages to Americans,” said Michele Saegesser, vice president-North America and South Pacific sales. “Although the U.S. dollar has gained a little bit against European currencies, it is still a savings to spend dollars instead of local currency on a vacation abroad.”
Home based travel agents can download the bonus commission flyer, with spring sailing dates listed and the bonus coupon in PDF form, at www.vikingrivers.com/offers/agent/VRCAgentBonus2009Coupon.pdf. They must submit one coupon per bonus, but they can print and submit as many as they like by mail or fax.
The booking must be made by Dec. 31 and the coupon must be received at least six weeks prior to the clients’ departure. There is no limit to the bonus commissions a travel agent can earn during this time period. Viking is offering 2-for-1 pricing on select March departures of the eight-day “Portraits of Southern France” or “Paris and the Heart of Normandy,” the 10-day “Tulips and Windmills” through the Netherlands and Belgium, and the 15-day “Treasures of the Rhine” from Basel to Antwerp.
These offers are only valid through Oct. 31 and must be paid in full at time of booking to receive the 2-for-1 pricing. All prices listed on the flyer reflect cruise discounts of up to $2,500 per couple, depending on itinerary and stateroom category.
The offers may only be combined with Past Guest and Refer-A-Friend travel credits. “We want to make sure travel agents are as eager to sell these terrific river cruises as we are,” said Saegesser, “so we are supporting home based travel agents’ sales efforts with attractive pricing, and sweetening the deal with a little extra incentive over our usual generous commissions.” For more information, call 877-668-4546 or visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.
Home based travel agents can download the bonus commission flyer, with spring sailing dates listed and the bonus coupon in PDF form, at www.vikingrivers.com/offers/agent/VRCAgentBonus2009Coupon.pdf. They must submit one coupon per bonus, but they can print and submit as many as they like by mail or fax.
The booking must be made by Dec. 31 and the coupon must be received at least six weeks prior to the clients’ departure. There is no limit to the bonus commissions a travel agent can earn during this time period. Viking is offering 2-for-1 pricing on select March departures of the eight-day “Portraits of Southern France” or “Paris and the Heart of Normandy,” the 10-day “Tulips and Windmills” through the Netherlands and Belgium, and the 15-day “Treasures of the Rhine” from Basel to Antwerp.
These offers are only valid through Oct. 31 and must be paid in full at time of booking to receive the 2-for-1 pricing. All prices listed on the flyer reflect cruise discounts of up to $2,500 per couple, depending on itinerary and stateroom category.
The offers may only be combined with Past Guest and Refer-A-Friend travel credits. “We want to make sure travel agents are as eager to sell these terrific river cruises as we are,” said Saegesser, “so we are supporting home based travel agents’ sales efforts with attractive pricing, and sweetening the deal with a little extra incentive over our usual generous commissions.” For more information, call 877-668-4546 or visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.
Tuesday
Crystal Cruise offers Special Agent Rates
Crystal Cruise Line loves home based travel agents.
Early confirmation for a special Travel Agent rate starting at just $150 per person, per day. Choose from two amazing holiday voyages and delight in festive decorations throughout the ship, relish traditional, sumptuous cuisine and ring in the New Year, Crystal style.
Book now as space is limited!Applicable voyages: December 22 – V8231 – Valparaiso to Buenos Aires – 18 daysDecember 23 – V8330 – Round-trip Miami – 14 days
Visit crystalcruises.com/agent to download the Special Agent Rate application form. Special Travel Agent Rate is valid for Travel Agents only and is per person, per day, based on double occupancy, excluding airfares. $150 per person, per day rate applies to double occupancy agents and $225 per person, per day applies to single occupancy agents. A fuel surcharge of $12 per person, per day will be added to the cruise fares. Port charges as well as gratuities are not included. Full payment required at time of booking. Crystal Cruises reserves the right to make corrections after broadcast.
Early confirmation for a special Travel Agent rate starting at just $150 per person, per day. Choose from two amazing holiday voyages and delight in festive decorations throughout the ship, relish traditional, sumptuous cuisine and ring in the New Year, Crystal style.
Book now as space is limited!Applicable voyages: December 22 – V8231 – Valparaiso to Buenos Aires – 18 daysDecember 23 – V8330 – Round-trip Miami – 14 days
Visit crystalcruises.com/agent to download the Special Agent Rate application form. Special Travel Agent Rate is valid for Travel Agents only and is per person, per day, based on double occupancy, excluding airfares. $150 per person, per day rate applies to double occupancy agents and $225 per person, per day applies to single occupancy agents. A fuel surcharge of $12 per person, per day will be added to the cruise fares. Port charges as well as gratuities are not included. Full payment required at time of booking. Crystal Cruises reserves the right to make corrections after broadcast.
Monday
Become a Ireland and Scotland Specialist
Learn why Ireland and Scotland must be among your top destination specialties and why Sceptre Tours, 100% committed to retailers, marketing exclusively through travel agents, should be your number one partner for Ireland and Scotland sales.
Once you complete the course and gain Emerald Partner status, you will be eligible for a host of benefits that, together with this education, will guarantee you increased sales. And, with Sceptre’s high commission rates and flexible pricing, you can design your own profit model!
As an Emerald Partner for every three bookings made you will receive one booking from Sceptre Tours via our call center and website.
Click here to begin.
Once you complete the course and gain Emerald Partner status, you will be eligible for a host of benefits that, together with this education, will guarantee you increased sales. And, with Sceptre’s high commission rates and flexible pricing, you can design your own profit model!
As an Emerald Partner for every three bookings made you will receive one booking from Sceptre Tours via our call center and website.
Click here to begin.
Friday
Jordan Virtual Travel Seminar
What's your clients' idea of a magical vacation? Whether it's experiencing genuine hospitality, exploring archeological and religious wonders or following in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia to being treated like modern-day royalty at the largest natural spa on Earth, look no further and find all this and more in legendary Jordan.
Discover the beauty of this Kingdom's treasures and experience the splendor that has dazzled visitors for centuries while at your desktop!The Jordan Virtual Travel Seminar is a unique way of giving you a virtual tour, using streaming video and slide shows to transport you to this storied Middle Eastern Country.
The Jordan Virtual Travel Seminar LIVE Thursday, October 23, 2008 4:00 PM EDT Rerister Now
Discover the beauty of this Kingdom's treasures and experience the splendor that has dazzled visitors for centuries while at your desktop!The Jordan Virtual Travel Seminar is a unique way of giving you a virtual tour, using streaming video and slide shows to transport you to this storied Middle Eastern Country.
The Jordan Virtual Travel Seminar LIVE Thursday, October 23, 2008 4:00 PM EDT Rerister Now
FREE Golf Vacation Sales Training Kit
Home based travel agents, now you can provide your clients with the golf vacation of a lifetime and Make a Commission!
Whether they want to experience one of over 90 golf courses in Myrtle Beach, SC or test their skills on the world famous Pinehurst #2 Course in NC, we are your one-stop golf vacation provider.
They can choose from the stark desert beauty of Troon North in Scottsdale, AZ, the sunny warmth of a Florida golf resort in February or a visit to the Caribbean for a round on the Teeth of the Dog at the Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic, your clients can have it all.
They can feel the history as they walk the legendary Old Course at St. Andrews, marvel at the views on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, SC or visit one of our newest Resort Destinations in Reno, NV, Santa Fe, NM, Texas or the Hawaiian Islands. We offer golf vacation experiences like no other provider.
Your Job? Find out what your clients want to experience in a golf vacation package. Our Job? Make it happen!
Please click on the Cover Page above or the “hot link” below which will allow you to view our 2008-09 golf vacation guide. You can view it, download it, print a single page or the entire brochure.
Please ask us about our FREE Golf Vacation Sales Training Kit. It contains some of the secrets to building successful group golf vacation business..
http://www.worldwidegv.com
Contact one of our Golf Vacation Specialists at 1 800 946 5318 or with any questions or your client’s dates of travel.
Whether they want to experience one of over 90 golf courses in Myrtle Beach, SC or test their skills on the world famous Pinehurst #2 Course in NC, we are your one-stop golf vacation provider.
They can choose from the stark desert beauty of Troon North in Scottsdale, AZ, the sunny warmth of a Florida golf resort in February or a visit to the Caribbean for a round on the Teeth of the Dog at the Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic, your clients can have it all.
They can feel the history as they walk the legendary Old Course at St. Andrews, marvel at the views on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, SC or visit one of our newest Resort Destinations in Reno, NV, Santa Fe, NM, Texas or the Hawaiian Islands. We offer golf vacation experiences like no other provider.
Your Job? Find out what your clients want to experience in a golf vacation package. Our Job? Make it happen!
Please click on the Cover Page above or the “hot link” below which will allow you to view our 2008-09 golf vacation guide. You can view it, download it, print a single page or the entire brochure.
Please ask us about our FREE Golf Vacation Sales Training Kit. It contains some of the secrets to building successful group golf vacation business..
http://www.worldwidegv.com
Contact one of our Golf Vacation Specialists at 1 800 946 5318 or with any questions or your client’s dates of travel.
Princess Fall Sales Webinars
Princess Cruises’ fall sales seminars will be offered in a webinar format for the first time. Beginning Oct. 28, the new “Princess Power Week” webinars are designed to help agents with their Princess sales and keep their bookings strong during a difficult economic market.
The one-hour presentations will be offered Oct. 28 through Oct. 31 and feature separate regional presentations for the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Western Canada region; the Western region; the Southeast region; and the Northeast and Central and Eastern Canada region. Agents can choose to participate in any one of the sessions offered over the three days, but are encouraged to register for their region’s presentation, as the hosting RSD will offer specialized sales opportunities and tips for that area.
In addition, a special session will be held exclusively for agency owners and managers to address their specific needs. Agents will also receive $150 in bonus commission coupons for participating in a webinar, as well as additional sales materials.
The webinar schedule includes two times for each region as follows:
Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Western Canada, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. PDT, Oct. 28;
Western, 2 p.m. PDT, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29;
Southeast, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT, Oct. 29;
Northeast and Central and Eastern Canada, noon and 2 p.m. EDT, Oct. 30;
Owner/Manager Session, 9 a.m. PDT, Oct. 31.
For more information, call 800-421-1700. To register, visit www.onesourcecruises.com.
The one-hour presentations will be offered Oct. 28 through Oct. 31 and feature separate regional presentations for the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Western Canada region; the Western region; the Southeast region; and the Northeast and Central and Eastern Canada region. Agents can choose to participate in any one of the sessions offered over the three days, but are encouraged to register for their region’s presentation, as the hosting RSD will offer specialized sales opportunities and tips for that area.
In addition, a special session will be held exclusively for agency owners and managers to address their specific needs. Agents will also receive $150 in bonus commission coupons for participating in a webinar, as well as additional sales materials.
The webinar schedule includes two times for each region as follows:
Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Western Canada, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. PDT, Oct. 28;
Western, 2 p.m. PDT, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29;
Southeast, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT, Oct. 29;
Northeast and Central and Eastern Canada, noon and 2 p.m. EDT, Oct. 30;
Owner/Manager Session, 9 a.m. PDT, Oct. 31.
For more information, call 800-421-1700. To register, visit www.onesourcecruises.com.
Silversea Cruises Offers 25% Commission
Silversea Cruises is offering a 25% commission to all agents who make a new reservation between Oct. 16 and Dec. 31 on voyages departing on or before March 31, 2009.
The offer includes Silversea Expeditions aboard the Prince Albert II. “We’re taking this step to help stimulate sales not only for Silversea, but for our valued travel agent partners,” said Marilyn Conroy, Silversea’s senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas. The higher commissions may be applied to any advertised Silversea cruise fare, including special savings and incentive programs.
Here are a few sample voyages and commissions: On the Silver Shadow’s nine-day Jan. 4 Caribbean voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados, Silver Sailing fares start at $3,537 per person for a 40 percent savings. The agent’s commission is $1,768.50 based on double occupancy. The Silver Wind departs Feb. 7 on a seven-day roundtrip from Mahe to La Digue, Curieuse, Silhouette and Praslin in the Seychelle Islands. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $2,937 per person for a 40 percent savings. Agent’s commission is $1,468.50, based on double occupancy.
For more information, call 877-215-9986 or visit www.silversea.com.
The offer includes Silversea Expeditions aboard the Prince Albert II. “We’re taking this step to help stimulate sales not only for Silversea, but for our valued travel agent partners,” said Marilyn Conroy, Silversea’s senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas. The higher commissions may be applied to any advertised Silversea cruise fare, including special savings and incentive programs.
Here are a few sample voyages and commissions: On the Silver Shadow’s nine-day Jan. 4 Caribbean voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados, Silver Sailing fares start at $3,537 per person for a 40 percent savings. The agent’s commission is $1,768.50 based on double occupancy. The Silver Wind departs Feb. 7 on a seven-day roundtrip from Mahe to La Digue, Curieuse, Silhouette and Praslin in the Seychelle Islands. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $2,937 per person for a 40 percent savings. Agent’s commission is $1,468.50, based on double occupancy.
For more information, call 877-215-9986 or visit www.silversea.com.
Thursday
New Honeymoon Registry
Happy Vacations has launched a Honeymoon Registry website designed specifically for Home Based Travel Agents.
The site provides a unique service that meets the needs of a growing segment of the population -- couples seeking non-traditional wedding gifts of travel, honeymoon packages and related activities.
Happy Vacations is the first travel wholesaler to offer a honeymoon registry, providing a unique and powerful sales tool for home based travel travel agents, extending honeymoon services to wedding couples.
With the Happy Honeymoon Registry, home based travel agents not only offer expertise on honeymoon travel, but can then help couples fund their honeymoon experience as well. Couples using Happy Honeymoon Registry service book their honeymoon with their travel agent and then register the items and romantic activities of their honeymoon as wedding gifts. Wedding guests then select and purchase from an array of items, for example, a day of snorkeling, a sunset dinner cruise, kayaking, couples massage, hot-air ballooning and airfare contributions.
According to Condé Nast Bridal Media, 10 percent of U.S. brides now register for honeymoons. This has created a perfect market for experiential wedding gifts and the gift of travel. “It only made sense to offer a honeymoon registry to provide both travel agents and their clients with a unique option,” said Nancy Williams, director of Happy Honeymoon Registry. “Many couples don't need or want the traditional wedding gifts of china or toasters. We help make their wedding memorable with a very special gift -- their honeymoon. And travel agents reap the benefit, because couples using our honeymoon registry spend more on their honeymoon packages resulting in larger commissions for the home based travel agent.”
Wedding parties average 166 guests, giving home based travel agents the additional opportunity to market their travel services to the friends and family of the bride and groom. Many travel agents create and print registry announcement cards for their clients, including their travel agency contact information. For more information, visit http://www.happyhoneymoonregistry.com/.
The site provides a unique service that meets the needs of a growing segment of the population -- couples seeking non-traditional wedding gifts of travel, honeymoon packages and related activities.
Happy Vacations is the first travel wholesaler to offer a honeymoon registry, providing a unique and powerful sales tool for home based travel travel agents, extending honeymoon services to wedding couples.
With the Happy Honeymoon Registry, home based travel agents not only offer expertise on honeymoon travel, but can then help couples fund their honeymoon experience as well. Couples using Happy Honeymoon Registry service book their honeymoon with their travel agent and then register the items and romantic activities of their honeymoon as wedding gifts. Wedding guests then select and purchase from an array of items, for example, a day of snorkeling, a sunset dinner cruise, kayaking, couples massage, hot-air ballooning and airfare contributions.
According to Condé Nast Bridal Media, 10 percent of U.S. brides now register for honeymoons. This has created a perfect market for experiential wedding gifts and the gift of travel. “It only made sense to offer a honeymoon registry to provide both travel agents and their clients with a unique option,” said Nancy Williams, director of Happy Honeymoon Registry. “Many couples don't need or want the traditional wedding gifts of china or toasters. We help make their wedding memorable with a very special gift -- their honeymoon. And travel agents reap the benefit, because couples using our honeymoon registry spend more on their honeymoon packages resulting in larger commissions for the home based travel agent.”
Wedding parties average 166 guests, giving home based travel agents the additional opportunity to market their travel services to the friends and family of the bride and groom. Many travel agents create and print registry announcement cards for their clients, including their travel agency contact information. For more information, visit http://www.happyhoneymoonregistry.com/.
Wednesday
Become a SuperClubs Specialist
SuperClubs has a resort for everyone, five distinct brands with amenities, activities and programs to meet all your clients’ needs.
What are the benefits of becoming a certified SuperClubs Specialist?
Be best equipped to take advantage of SuperClubs’ upcoming NEW SuperAgency incentive program, Cash Online, which provides CASH for EVERY booking, a bonus for every 10 bookings by brand and much more!
Click here to become a SuperClubs Specialist
What are the benefits of becoming a certified SuperClubs Specialist?
Be best equipped to take advantage of SuperClubs’ upcoming NEW SuperAgency incentive program, Cash Online, which provides CASH for EVERY booking, a bonus for every 10 bookings by brand and much more!
Click here to become a SuperClubs Specialist
THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS
When you need an auto mechanic or an air conditioning repairman, where do you turn for help? Sure, some people turn to the yellow pages. But most will turn to friends and family and ask if they know of anyone who can do the work.
The best place for your business to be positioned is to be the business on the tips of the tongues of the people asked to make the referral.
THE 300 RULE
Preachers, funeral directors and people in a few other professions have learned "the 300 rule" through their own personal experience."The 300 rule" states that the average person knows 300 people on a friendly level. Wedding planners tend to make reservations for 300 guests. Funeral directors tend to need to make room for 300 mourners. You get the idea.
DOODLING WITH CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE
Imagine your circle of friends, family and acquaintances, a.k.a. your circle of influence. Now, draw your circle of influence as a circle on a blank piece of paper.
Next, contemplate the people in your parents` circle of influence. Some people who know your parents also know you. Therefore, you will share some influence with the people your folks know. Now draw your parents` circle of influence on your piece of paper.
Your circle and your parents` circle will intersect in one area, although the larger majority of the two circles will not intersect. If you are like most people, the two circles on your page at this point looks very similar to the MasterCard logo.
Now imagine drawing a page full of intersecting circles, each circle representing the circle of influence of the people who are within your own circle of influence. Imagine trying to encapsulate an accurate rendering of where your circle and the circle of your friends will actually intersect.Some circles will share a large area of space, while others will barely cover one another.
Actually, you can only imagine at this point what your piece of paper will look like. The actual layout of the circles imagined in this analogy is simply too overwhelming for the mind to comprehend.
THE BIG PICTURE
300 multiplied by 300 equals 90,000. By using the analogy of doodles in the previous section, the average person can actually network with up to 90,000 people! Even factoring in the overlap, one can still probably network with 50,000 people through their own circle of influence!
Simply amazing, isn`t it?
HERE IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS...
There are 300 people on this planet whom you have a reasonable amount of influence. Take advantage of this fact. Make darn sure that every person within your own circle of influence KNOWS that you are in business for yourself, and make sure they understand what your business offers.
When your friend is asked to make a referral, they will recommend you.
PASSIVE VERSUS ACTIVE REFERRAL NETWORKING
When people ask your friends for a referral and your friend mentions your business, that is passive referral networking.
Active referral networking is when you can get your friends go directly to their friends and say "Hey, I have a friend who just started a business. If you are in need of what he offers or you know someone who will need his services, would you please give my friend a call or make the referral to his business?"
If you can get even a portion of the people in your own circle of influence to actively refer your business, then you have built the foundation to build an advertising campaign even more effective than the average local television advertising campaign.
Think about that for a moment.
Most people only dream of reaching 50,000 potential customers with their television advertising dollars. You now have the knowledge to reach 50,000 people without spending a single penny.
The best place for your business to be positioned is to be the business on the tips of the tongues of the people asked to make the referral.
THE 300 RULE
Preachers, funeral directors and people in a few other professions have learned "the 300 rule" through their own personal experience."The 300 rule" states that the average person knows 300 people on a friendly level. Wedding planners tend to make reservations for 300 guests. Funeral directors tend to need to make room for 300 mourners. You get the idea.
DOODLING WITH CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE
Imagine your circle of friends, family and acquaintances, a.k.a. your circle of influence. Now, draw your circle of influence as a circle on a blank piece of paper.
Next, contemplate the people in your parents` circle of influence. Some people who know your parents also know you. Therefore, you will share some influence with the people your folks know. Now draw your parents` circle of influence on your piece of paper.
Your circle and your parents` circle will intersect in one area, although the larger majority of the two circles will not intersect. If you are like most people, the two circles on your page at this point looks very similar to the MasterCard logo.
Now imagine drawing a page full of intersecting circles, each circle representing the circle of influence of the people who are within your own circle of influence. Imagine trying to encapsulate an accurate rendering of where your circle and the circle of your friends will actually intersect.Some circles will share a large area of space, while others will barely cover one another.
Actually, you can only imagine at this point what your piece of paper will look like. The actual layout of the circles imagined in this analogy is simply too overwhelming for the mind to comprehend.
THE BIG PICTURE
300 multiplied by 300 equals 90,000. By using the analogy of doodles in the previous section, the average person can actually network with up to 90,000 people! Even factoring in the overlap, one can still probably network with 50,000 people through their own circle of influence!
Simply amazing, isn`t it?
HERE IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS...
There are 300 people on this planet whom you have a reasonable amount of influence. Take advantage of this fact. Make darn sure that every person within your own circle of influence KNOWS that you are in business for yourself, and make sure they understand what your business offers.
When your friend is asked to make a referral, they will recommend you.
PASSIVE VERSUS ACTIVE REFERRAL NETWORKING
When people ask your friends for a referral and your friend mentions your business, that is passive referral networking.
Active referral networking is when you can get your friends go directly to their friends and say "Hey, I have a friend who just started a business. If you are in need of what he offers or you know someone who will need his services, would you please give my friend a call or make the referral to his business?"
If you can get even a portion of the people in your own circle of influence to actively refer your business, then you have built the foundation to build an advertising campaign even more effective than the average local television advertising campaign.
Think about that for a moment.
Most people only dream of reaching 50,000 potential customers with their television advertising dollars. You now have the knowledge to reach 50,000 people without spending a single penny.
Free Markiting
Do you post to message boards, e-mail discussion lists, classified ads sites, FFA sites or newsgroups? This is a great way to get lots of FREE markiting, if done right.
If you have been to a destination or are knolageabul in an ANY subject you can post a message or just give your opion on a subject or ask aquestion about a subject. Then sighn it with your name and website address.
People will usually read the subject line before they read your message, so it's important they get noticed. Below are ten simple, but powerful tips to get your ads or messages noticed.
1. Use extra white space creatively in your subjectline. You can add extra blank spaces between your words or letters.
2. Combine capital letters with lower case letters. Use all capital letters in every other word or use acapital letter between every other lower case letter.
3. Add text symbols in your subject line. You coulduse them between words and letters. Start and end your subject with a text symbol. ( *, $, >,{,] )
4. Begin your subject line with the word "STOP!". People have been trained their whole life to stop what they are doing when they see that word.
5. Ask people a question in your subject line. We all went to school and were repetitively branded to answer questions.
6. Use the word "FREE" in your subject line. Your offer should be attractive to your target audience. It could be free information, brochures, etc.
7. Begin your subject line with an "online smile :)".People use smiles offline to gain people's attention and to win their trust, why not use them online too.
8. Don't use unbelievable claims in your subject line. People have or know some who has been ripped off and trained themselves to ignore those claims.
9. Don't use all capital letters in your subject line.It is hard to read, looks unprofessional, and on the internet it's considered a symbol for shouting.
10. Test different subject lines to see which ones draws the most traffic to your web site. Also, read the FAQ before posting a message or ad anywhere.
If you have been to a destination or are knolageabul in an ANY subject you can post a message or just give your opion on a subject or ask aquestion about a subject. Then sighn it with your name and website address.
People will usually read the subject line before they read your message, so it's important they get noticed. Below are ten simple, but powerful tips to get your ads or messages noticed.
1. Use extra white space creatively in your subjectline. You can add extra blank spaces between your words or letters.
2. Combine capital letters with lower case letters. Use all capital letters in every other word or use acapital letter between every other lower case letter.
3. Add text symbols in your subject line. You coulduse them between words and letters. Start and end your subject with a text symbol. ( *, $, >,{,] )
4. Begin your subject line with the word "STOP!". People have been trained their whole life to stop what they are doing when they see that word.
5. Ask people a question in your subject line. We all went to school and were repetitively branded to answer questions.
6. Use the word "FREE" in your subject line. Your offer should be attractive to your target audience. It could be free information, brochures, etc.
7. Begin your subject line with an "online smile :)".People use smiles offline to gain people's attention and to win their trust, why not use them online too.
8. Don't use unbelievable claims in your subject line. People have or know some who has been ripped off and trained themselves to ignore those claims.
9. Don't use all capital letters in your subject line.It is hard to read, looks unprofessional, and on the internet it's considered a symbol for shouting.
10. Test different subject lines to see which ones draws the most traffic to your web site. Also, read the FAQ before posting a message or ad anywhere.
Tuesday
Celebrity Launches Second Phase of Five-Star Academy
Celebrity Cruises is introducing the second level of its Five-Star Academy for travel agents. Agents who have already completed the One-Star level that became available last month can now move on to the second phase of the multi-tiered program.
The program is launching in stages, each named with the number of stars earned by successfully completing it. The Two-Star level will cover detailed aspects of the Celebrity Cruises onboard experience, including dining, accommodations, Celebrity’s Star Treatment, nightlife/entertainment, activities and spa services.
Travel agents who complete the training and score over 80 percent on its tests will earn the designation of being a Celebrity Two-Star Agent. The third level, launching next month, will focus on specific ports of call. Levels four and five will follow, consisting of training on all the tools Celebrity offers travel agents in the areas of business development and selling Celebrity’s cruise vacations.
As travel agent partners successfully complete each of the first four levels, they can print a certificate noting their designation as a Celebrity One-Star, Two-Star, Three-Star or Four-Star Agent. Those travel agents who go on to complete the fifth level will be designated a Celebrity Five-Star Agent. Their travel agency will be featured in Celebrity’s online travel agent locator tool.
Five-Star Agents will receive vouchers that they can use to help to increase their business, including a Five-Star Agent logo for use in their marketing materials. Five-Star Agents will also be eligible to win cruises, co-op funds and training opportunities for themselves and/or their agency. More than 6,700 North American travel agents registered for Five-Star Academy when the first level was launched in September, and to date, over 1,500 have completed the first stage.
“Celebrity's Five-Star Academy is an exceptional training tool,” said Randy Norris, a manager with Frosch Travel. “It offers a thorough overview of the current deployment and service, along with future product enhancements.” For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com.
The program is launching in stages, each named with the number of stars earned by successfully completing it. The Two-Star level will cover detailed aspects of the Celebrity Cruises onboard experience, including dining, accommodations, Celebrity’s Star Treatment, nightlife/entertainment, activities and spa services.
Travel agents who complete the training and score over 80 percent on its tests will earn the designation of being a Celebrity Two-Star Agent. The third level, launching next month, will focus on specific ports of call. Levels four and five will follow, consisting of training on all the tools Celebrity offers travel agents in the areas of business development and selling Celebrity’s cruise vacations.
As travel agent partners successfully complete each of the first four levels, they can print a certificate noting their designation as a Celebrity One-Star, Two-Star, Three-Star or Four-Star Agent. Those travel agents who go on to complete the fifth level will be designated a Celebrity Five-Star Agent. Their travel agency will be featured in Celebrity’s online travel agent locator tool.
Five-Star Agents will receive vouchers that they can use to help to increase their business, including a Five-Star Agent logo for use in their marketing materials. Five-Star Agents will also be eligible to win cruises, co-op funds and training opportunities for themselves and/or their agency. More than 6,700 North American travel agents registered for Five-Star Academy when the first level was launched in September, and to date, over 1,500 have completed the first stage.
“Celebrity's Five-Star Academy is an exceptional training tool,” said Randy Norris, a manager with Frosch Travel. “It offers a thorough overview of the current deployment and service, along with future product enhancements.” For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com.
BECOME A COSTA CRUISE LINES SPECIALIST
This seven-chapter course introduces you to all that Costa offers. From its La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) and Days and Nights of Amore (Love), to the introduction of the Samsara innovative spa and wellness program and its 375 year-round sailings that include the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North Cape/Fjords, Baltic & Russia, South America, the Far East, Dubai, Indian Ocean and Transatlantic.
You will also discover the 12 ships that currently make up Costa’s fleet, and learn about the ships to come, that will bring the fleet to 17 by 2012. Click here to take the course now.
You will also discover the 12 ships that currently make up Costa’s fleet, and learn about the ships to come, that will bring the fleet to 17 by 2012. Click here to take the course now.
Monday
Costa Offers Kids-Sail-Free
Costa is letting kids sail for free when traveling with their parents in the Caribbean this winter. This offer is available on 12 sailings -- including Christmas and New Year’s -- aboard the Costa Fortuna, which departs from Fort Lauderdale on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean routes each Sunday.
Fares for parents begin at $669 per person. Costa features a children’s program, or “Squok Club,” structured to accommodate younger guests from a variety of backgrounds. Squok is the plush mascot of the club, a mix of dolphin and shark.
The 105,000-ton Costa Fortuna has a double-occupancy capacity of 2,720, 11 bars, four restaurants, a theater extending over three floors, three swimming pools, a casino, disco, ballroom and a gym. For more information, call 800-GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com.
Fares for parents begin at $669 per person. Costa features a children’s program, or “Squok Club,” structured to accommodate younger guests from a variety of backgrounds. Squok is the plush mascot of the club, a mix of dolphin and shark.
The 105,000-ton Costa Fortuna has a double-occupancy capacity of 2,720, 11 bars, four restaurants, a theater extending over three floors, three swimming pools, a casino, disco, ballroom and a gym. For more information, call 800-GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com.
Friday
Faith-Based Group Travel
Earn HUGE Commissions with Faith-based Group Travel.
Home based travel agents are benefiting from boom in religious and spiritually focused travel.
Consider these numbers:
According to the U.S. Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, the more than 600,000 overseas, faith-based trips are taken by Americans and accounted for 2.2% of all U.S. overseas travel. American Church Lists, a market research company, calculates that church travel programs increased 20% .
Globus, one of the world’s oldest and largest group tour operators has entered faith-based travel the market with 20 programs in 20 countries.
Globus offers agents marketing kits, religious travel training programs and turn-key business plans that help agents set performance objectives and find and approach prospects. They even include templates for letters to priests, pastors or rabbis. (see below)
Destinations are important to different denominations, such as western England for Methodists, Scotland for Presbyterians, Germany for Lutherans and Rome for Catholics.
“There is a certain terminology that is appropriate for each group,” said Wright. “We provide a list of lingo and buzzwords, so when a travel agent is out there marketing, they know what words to use. When we talk to the Catholic market, we use the word ‘community.’ With Protestants, we say ‘fellowship.’
Facts About Religious Travel:
1. Three-quarters of all outbound travelers are focused on faith
2. Potential and Past religious travelers are particularly focused on faith
3. 59% of Protestants and 46% of Catholics consider faith to be an integral part of their life
4. Nearly half of all travelers agree they enjoy travelling with others of their own faith
5. Past religious travelers are more inclined to seek out other travelers of their own faith
6. Approximately one-third of all outbound travelers are motivated by religious travel
7. Religious travelers desire a marriage of religious and secular activities when planning travel
8. Both Catholics and Protestants view vacations as a time to enrich their faiths
9. Approximately forty-percent of all travelers want to explore their religious history
10. Nearly one-third of all travelers want to follow in the footsteps of the religious icons of their faith
Visit the Globus Faith-Based Travel Web site for detailed itineraries, news, religious travel information, and more. Visit the Globus Faith Web site. or
https://secure.globusandcosmos.com/images/pdf/faith/Religious-Training-Manual.pdf
Template letter to Protestant Church:
Dear _______________,
Have you ever thought about taking your church on a Christian trip to deepen the members’ faith and enrich your fellowship?
How does visiting the roots of the Reformation, Martin Luther’s home, or heritage sites of your faith sound? As trips such as these can serve as a wonderful and vibrant part of ministry, we would love to help you bring these enriching experiences to your church.
Putting together a Christian trip is quite easy – you simply select an itinerary from the enclosed religious brochure and then help spread the word about the trip. We do the rest. We take care of all the logistics and details, so you can devote yourself to the most important part of the trip – bringing the Christian faith alive for your group travelers.
Christian travel also offers the following wonderful benefits:
1. Builds fellowship
2. Deepens the faith of members
3. Enriches lives
4. Develops a closer bond between pastors and members
5. Provides opportunity to experience the Christian faith and sites first-hand
6. Faith with fun
We are seasoned travel professionals with years in the industry, including faith-based travel. In addition, we partner with Globus, a world-class tour operator with more than 80 years of experience.
They’re specialists in religious travel and together, we can make sure your church has the best travelexperience possible.
To set up a memorable trip for your church, please call me at (XXX) XXX–XXXX. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Your Name
Your Travel Agency Website
Your email address
Template letter to Catholic Parishes:
Dear _______________,
Have you ever thought about taking your parish on a faith-based vacation to deepen your
parishioners’ faith and enrich fellowship in your community?
How does visiting Rome, Lourdes, Pope John Paul II’s hometown, or walking in the footsteps of Moses sound? Faith-based trips such as these can serve as a wonderful and vibrant part of a parish’s ministry. We would love to help you bring these enriching experiences to yours.
Putting together a pilgrimage is quite easy – you simply select an itinerary from the enclosed religious brochure and then help spread the word about the parish pilgrimage. We do the rest.
We take care of all the logistics and details, so you can devote yourself to the most important part of the trip – bringing the Catholic faith alive for your group of travelers.
Faith-based vacations also offer the following wonderful benefits:
1. Builds community and fellowship
2. Deepens the faith of the parish
3. Enriches lives
4. Develops a closer bond between clergy and parishioners
5. Provides opportunity to experience the Christian faith and sites first-hand
6. Faith with fun
We are seasoned travel professionals with years in the industry, including faith-based travel. In addition, we partner with Globus, a world-class tour operator with more than 80 years of experience.
They’re specialists in religious travel and together, we can make sure your parish has the best travel experience possible.
To set up a memorable pilgrimage trip for your parish, please call me at (XXX) XXX–XXXX. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Your Name
Your Travel Agency website
Your email address
Home based travel agents are benefiting from boom in religious and spiritually focused travel.
Consider these numbers:
According to the U.S. Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, the more than 600,000 overseas, faith-based trips are taken by Americans and accounted for 2.2% of all U.S. overseas travel. American Church Lists, a market research company, calculates that church travel programs increased 20% .
Globus, one of the world’s oldest and largest group tour operators has entered faith-based travel the market with 20 programs in 20 countries.
Globus offers agents marketing kits, religious travel training programs and turn-key business plans that help agents set performance objectives and find and approach prospects. They even include templates for letters to priests, pastors or rabbis. (see below)
Destinations are important to different denominations, such as western England for Methodists, Scotland for Presbyterians, Germany for Lutherans and Rome for Catholics.
“There is a certain terminology that is appropriate for each group,” said Wright. “We provide a list of lingo and buzzwords, so when a travel agent is out there marketing, they know what words to use. When we talk to the Catholic market, we use the word ‘community.’ With Protestants, we say ‘fellowship.’
Facts About Religious Travel:
1. Three-quarters of all outbound travelers are focused on faith
2. Potential and Past religious travelers are particularly focused on faith
3. 59% of Protestants and 46% of Catholics consider faith to be an integral part of their life
4. Nearly half of all travelers agree they enjoy travelling with others of their own faith
5. Past religious travelers are more inclined to seek out other travelers of their own faith
6. Approximately one-third of all outbound travelers are motivated by religious travel
7. Religious travelers desire a marriage of religious and secular activities when planning travel
8. Both Catholics and Protestants view vacations as a time to enrich their faiths
9. Approximately forty-percent of all travelers want to explore their religious history
10. Nearly one-third of all travelers want to follow in the footsteps of the religious icons of their faith
Visit the Globus Faith-Based Travel Web site for detailed itineraries, news, religious travel information, and more. Visit the Globus Faith Web site. or
https://secure.globusandcosmos.com/images/pdf/faith/Religious-Training-Manual.pdf
Template letter to Protestant Church:
Dear _______________,
Have you ever thought about taking your church on a Christian trip to deepen the members’ faith and enrich your fellowship?
How does visiting the roots of the Reformation, Martin Luther’s home, or heritage sites of your faith sound? As trips such as these can serve as a wonderful and vibrant part of ministry, we would love to help you bring these enriching experiences to your church.
Putting together a Christian trip is quite easy – you simply select an itinerary from the enclosed religious brochure and then help spread the word about the trip. We do the rest. We take care of all the logistics and details, so you can devote yourself to the most important part of the trip – bringing the Christian faith alive for your group travelers.
Christian travel also offers the following wonderful benefits:
1. Builds fellowship
2. Deepens the faith of members
3. Enriches lives
4. Develops a closer bond between pastors and members
5. Provides opportunity to experience the Christian faith and sites first-hand
6. Faith with fun
We are seasoned travel professionals with years in the industry, including faith-based travel. In addition, we partner with Globus, a world-class tour operator with more than 80 years of experience.
They’re specialists in religious travel and together, we can make sure your church has the best travelexperience possible.
To set up a memorable trip for your church, please call me at (XXX) XXX–XXXX. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Your Name
Your Travel Agency Website
Your email address
Template letter to Catholic Parishes:
Dear _______________,
Have you ever thought about taking your parish on a faith-based vacation to deepen your
parishioners’ faith and enrich fellowship in your community?
How does visiting Rome, Lourdes, Pope John Paul II’s hometown, or walking in the footsteps of Moses sound? Faith-based trips such as these can serve as a wonderful and vibrant part of a parish’s ministry. We would love to help you bring these enriching experiences to yours.
Putting together a pilgrimage is quite easy – you simply select an itinerary from the enclosed religious brochure and then help spread the word about the parish pilgrimage. We do the rest.
We take care of all the logistics and details, so you can devote yourself to the most important part of the trip – bringing the Catholic faith alive for your group of travelers.
Faith-based vacations also offer the following wonderful benefits:
1. Builds community and fellowship
2. Deepens the faith of the parish
3. Enriches lives
4. Develops a closer bond between clergy and parishioners
5. Provides opportunity to experience the Christian faith and sites first-hand
6. Faith with fun
We are seasoned travel professionals with years in the industry, including faith-based travel. In addition, we partner with Globus, a world-class tour operator with more than 80 years of experience.
They’re specialists in religious travel and together, we can make sure your parish has the best travel experience possible.
To set up a memorable pilgrimage trip for your parish, please call me at (XXX) XXX–XXXX. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Your Name
Your Travel Agency website
Your email address
Orient Cruise Lines Webinar
Get acquainted with the intimacy of the new Marco Polo II and how Orient Lines is designed to be a very user friendly, destination-oriented product with superior onboard service and a great value for the money.
The webinar will cover such topics as the latest pricing reductions, the newly expanded air programs, and innovative onboard products.
So please join us for a journey of luxury and discovery with Orient Cruise Lines.
Orient Cruise Lines WebinarTuesday, October 14th, 3:00 pm EST (2:00 pm CST/1:00pm PST)Please click here to register.
The webinar will cover such topics as the latest pricing reductions, the newly expanded air programs, and innovative onboard products.
So please join us for a journey of luxury and discovery with Orient Cruise Lines.
Orient Cruise Lines WebinarTuesday, October 14th, 3:00 pm EST (2:00 pm CST/1:00pm PST)Please click here to register.
Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort Specialist Program
Graduate Benefits:
Bonus Commission Program:
Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort Specialist certificate
Use of Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort Specialist logos
Eligible for 7 prizes of 3 nights each at any Palace Resort for agent and companion; 3 prizes of 3 nights at Le Blanc Spa Resort for agent and companion; and a chance to be included in an Exclusive Palace Resorts Fam Trip
$50 for every room you sell!
$250 additional $ every time you reach 10 rooms within a calendar year
$750 total for every 10 rooms you sell
We even pay on groups up to 25 rooms! Your total for a 25 room group with signed contract: $1,750
Visit TravelAgentAcademy.com for the Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort Specialist Program
Bonus Commission Program:
Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort Specialist certificate
Use of Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort Specialist logos
Eligible for 7 prizes of 3 nights each at any Palace Resort for agent and companion; 3 prizes of 3 nights at Le Blanc Spa Resort for agent and companion; and a chance to be included in an Exclusive Palace Resorts Fam Trip
$50 for every room you sell!
$250 additional $ every time you reach 10 rooms within a calendar year
$750 total for every 10 rooms you sell
We even pay on groups up to 25 rooms! Your total for a 25 room group with signed contract: $1,750
Visit TravelAgentAcademy.com for the Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort Specialist Program
Thursday
Sandals Webinar
Want to grow your sales in 2009 and beyond with Sandals -- one of the most travel-agent-friendly resort operators in the world?
Ready to sell more honeymoons, destination weddings, family gatherings, and other multiple bookings to these properties?
Then, join us on Monday, Oct. 13, at 3 pm Eastern for the next Webinar with Joy Fogarty at Sandals to learn the latest updates and promotions. You’ll learn about 2009 specials and deals, as well as Sandals’
Marketing support for home-based travel agents and the latest word on resort upgrades and changes. To register for this Webinar, go to this page and claim your spot in this seminar!
Ready to sell more honeymoons, destination weddings, family gatherings, and other multiple bookings to these properties?
Then, join us on Monday, Oct. 13, at 3 pm Eastern for the next Webinar with Joy Fogarty at Sandals to learn the latest updates and promotions. You’ll learn about 2009 specials and deals, as well as Sandals’
Marketing support for home-based travel agents and the latest word on resort upgrades and changes. To register for this Webinar, go to this page and claim your spot in this seminar!
Puerto Rico Fam Trip Oct. 26-Nov.1
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is inviting agents who want to become official Puerto Rico Travel Experts to celebrate their new expertise with the opportunity to explore the island, meet with suppliers and have fun as our island rolls out the red carpet for new sales partners with gala entertainment, exciting special events and a ceremony to present graduation certificates!
Once you return stateside, you’ll have full access to Puerto Rico’s lucrative PRTE Rewards program, and even have the opportunity to win up to $15,000 in our booking sweepstakes!
If you haven’t done so already, CALL, FAX or EMAIL NOW! to secure your spot.
Phone:
800-223-6530 ext. 345, 346, 350, 341, 347 or 212-333-0345
Fax: 212-974-1940
Email: mmaldonado@prtourism.com
Click here to access the education program!Click here to access Fam forms.
Once you return stateside, you’ll have full access to Puerto Rico’s lucrative PRTE Rewards program, and even have the opportunity to win up to $15,000 in our booking sweepstakes!
If you haven’t done so already, CALL, FAX or EMAIL NOW! to secure your spot.
Phone:
800-223-6530 ext. 345, 346, 350, 341, 347 or 212-333-0345
Fax: 212-974-1940
Email: mmaldonado@prtourism.com
Click here to access the education program!Click here to access Fam forms.
Wednesday
Disney Cruise Line Expands Europe Program
Disney Cruise Line will reposition the Disney Magic, to Europe for a five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises in 2010. For the first time, DCL will offer a 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise, where guests can experience fjords, city centers and Viking lore in such Scandinavian ports as Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm.
The ship will also sail to Warnemunde, Germany, gateway to Berlin, and to St. Petersburg, Russia. Disney Magic will overnight in St. Petersburg, allowing guests time to experience the city known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” or use the second day to book a shore excursion to Moscow.
“The Northern European Capitals itinerary provides our guests with an amazing collection of destinations to explore,” said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. “We’re excited to bring the rich history, culture and folklore these ports offer to life for our guests in a family-friendly way only Disney Cruise Line can deliver.”
Departing out of Dover, England, Disney Magic will sail a total of four 12-night cruises to the Northern European capitals in June and July 2010. Rates for the 12-night Northern European Capitals itinerary start at $3,649 per person for a category 11 stateroom. Book-ending the summer season in Northern Europe, Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises, but with three new ports of call not offered when DCL last sailed the Mediterranean. In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Corsica, the island that was the birthplace of Napoleon.
Departing out of Barcelona, Spain, the Disney Magic will sail four 10-night and four 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean in April, May, August and September. Rates for the 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises start at $2,529 per person for a category 11 stateroom. DCL will also offer four repositioning cruises including two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover, England, and an eight-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona.
Home-based Travel Agents can find more details and promotional collateral for Disney Magic’s new sailings at www.disneytravelagents.com.
While Disney Magic cruises Europe in 2010, Disney Wonder will shift to four- and five-night cruises sailing to Nassau, Key West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The shift is designed to accommodate guests looking for slightly longer cruises with DCL while children are enjoying their summer break.
Rates for the special five-night voyages to Key West or two stops at Castaway Cay start at $899 per person, while the four-night voyage begins at $849 per person for a category 11 stateroom. Guests will be able to book all DCL itineraries for the 2010 season beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 14. For more information, call 888-325-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com.
The ship will also sail to Warnemunde, Germany, gateway to Berlin, and to St. Petersburg, Russia. Disney Magic will overnight in St. Petersburg, allowing guests time to experience the city known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” or use the second day to book a shore excursion to Moscow.
“The Northern European Capitals itinerary provides our guests with an amazing collection of destinations to explore,” said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. “We’re excited to bring the rich history, culture and folklore these ports offer to life for our guests in a family-friendly way only Disney Cruise Line can deliver.”
Departing out of Dover, England, Disney Magic will sail a total of four 12-night cruises to the Northern European capitals in June and July 2010. Rates for the 12-night Northern European Capitals itinerary start at $3,649 per person for a category 11 stateroom. Book-ending the summer season in Northern Europe, Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises, but with three new ports of call not offered when DCL last sailed the Mediterranean. In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Corsica, the island that was the birthplace of Napoleon.
Departing out of Barcelona, Spain, the Disney Magic will sail four 10-night and four 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean in April, May, August and September. Rates for the 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises start at $2,529 per person for a category 11 stateroom. DCL will also offer four repositioning cruises including two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover, England, and an eight-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona.
Home-based Travel Agents can find more details and promotional collateral for Disney Magic’s new sailings at www.disneytravelagents.com.
While Disney Magic cruises Europe in 2010, Disney Wonder will shift to four- and five-night cruises sailing to Nassau, Key West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The shift is designed to accommodate guests looking for slightly longer cruises with DCL while children are enjoying their summer break.
Rates for the special five-night voyages to Key West or two stops at Castaway Cay start at $899 per person, while the four-night voyage begins at $849 per person for a category 11 stateroom. Guests will be able to book all DCL itineraries for the 2010 season beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 14. For more information, call 888-325-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com.
Thursday
Win A Caribbean Cruise
Costa Cuise Line is giving home based travel agents the opportunity to win free Caribbean cruises for selling five or more European cruises between Sept. 30 and Nov. 1.
The offer is valid for travel agents who sell five or more seven-, 10- or 11-night Europe cruises that sail between Sept. 30 and Dec. 31. Fares for seven-night Europe cruises begin at $499 while 10- and 11-night cruises start at $799.
Travel agents who sell five or more cruises will win a seven-night Caribbean cruise in interior accommodations aboard the Costa Fortuna during the 2008-2009 Caribbean season. Those agents who sell three more than the required five cruises will be upgraded to ocean-view accommodations.
Agents may choose from selected cruises through the end of the year for this promotion, including seven-night sailings aboard the Costa Serena out of Venice with stops in Greece, Turkey and Croatia. Also included are 10-night sailings aboard the Costa Atlantica departing from Savona with stops in Egypt, Turkey and Greece.
For additional European sail dates or for more information, travel agents may contact their local Business Development Manager or Sales Support at sales@us.costa.it or 800-327-2537. For more information, visit http://www.costacruises.com/.
The offer is valid for travel agents who sell five or more seven-, 10- or 11-night Europe cruises that sail between Sept. 30 and Dec. 31. Fares for seven-night Europe cruises begin at $499 while 10- and 11-night cruises start at $799.
Travel agents who sell five or more cruises will win a seven-night Caribbean cruise in interior accommodations aboard the Costa Fortuna during the 2008-2009 Caribbean season. Those agents who sell three more than the required five cruises will be upgraded to ocean-view accommodations.
Agents may choose from selected cruises through the end of the year for this promotion, including seven-night sailings aboard the Costa Serena out of Venice with stops in Greece, Turkey and Croatia. Also included are 10-night sailings aboard the Costa Atlantica departing from Savona with stops in Egypt, Turkey and Greece.
For additional European sail dates or for more information, travel agents may contact their local Business Development Manager or Sales Support at sales@us.costa.it or 800-327-2537. For more information, visit http://www.costacruises.com/.
Wednesday
Viking River Cruises training!
Please join Viking River Cruises for informative training on Friday October 3rd. The webinar will begin at 2pm Eastern, 1pm Central, Noon Mountain and 11am Pacific. Join us to learn everything about the very profitable and exciting river cruise niche. Click here
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