Packing the Perfect Carry-On

Packing the Perfect Carry-On
Standing around an empty baggage claim carousel, waiting for the conveyor belt to lurch forward, is a part of the flying process many dislike. That’s why a growing number of passengers are skipping the baggage claim by packing everything they need for their journey into their carry-on bags.

For others who still need to check their larger pieces of luggage, it’s a good idea to pack your carry-on as wisely as possible to ensure you have everything you need when you arrive. Here are a few tips to packing the perfect carry-on bag.

Know the Rules
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the final word on what’s allowed in your carry-ons, so be sure you know the rules before planning what to bring. This includes following the 3-1-1 rule, which stipulates you can only carry liquids, aerosols and gels (such as toothpaste and shampoo) in nothing larger than three-ounce containers, which should be safely kept inside a one-quart, plastic zip-top bag. Each passenger can bring one, one-quart bag. Check www.tsa.gov for the full list of rules.

Call First
The size (usually 45 cubic inches) and number of carry-ons allowed (generally two per passenger, except during holidays) varies by airline, so visit your airline’s Web site or ask us for the details. If you plan to pack everything into your carry-on bags, you may consider buying the maximum-sized bag to take advantage of each allowable inch.

What Goes in First? Everything You Can’t Live Without
Just in case you checked bag is lost, it’s imperative to pack all essential items into your carry-on, including passport, travel insurance, clearly-labeled medications, list of emergency contacts, address and phone number of your hotel, your travel agent’s contact information, an extra change of clothes, small bag of toiletries, glasses or spare contact lenses, cell phone and chargers.

Carry-On Only? Be Ready to Sacrifice
If your goal is to take carry-ons only, then you will need to change the way you think about packing. Forget extra pieces of clothing or that second pair of brown shoes just in case you go dancing. You should take as few, maximum-use items as possible, focusing on those pieces of clothes that mix-and-match well and can possibly transform from day to evening wear. Pick one basic, neutral palate, such as brown or black, and base your entire wardrobe around it. Toss aside any item you planned to bring that can only be worn one way. Yes, you may end up wearing the same outfits twice, but you’re on vacation, not on a fashion show runway. Just bring your most comfortable favorites, relax and have a great time.

Contiki - travel for 18-35 year olds

Contiki is the worldwide leader in travel for 18-35 year olds. We are one of the only age-restricted travel companies, and stay very strict with the ages we market to.

Contiki operates vacation packages all over the world, including: Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, & Mexico. Although we are a tour operator, we do not adhere to the traditional notion of the word “tour”.

Our clients have more free time and flexibility, meet more travelers from other countries within their group, offer more adventure style excursions and cater just to students, young professionals, young couples & honeymooners, and solo travelers.

The average age of a Contiki passenger is 26 years old, which tells you we aren’t just for “students”. We have been operating vacations for this age group since 1962.

Our tours include most meals, accommodations, sightseeing, and transportation via our luxury motorcoach, rail and air. The accommodations are traditionally 3 star in Europe, with a central location. Australia and New Zealand are a mixture of centrally located hotels, beach resorts, ecolodges, sailing. Asia includes traditional accommodations, family homestays, and 3-4 star hotels. The maximum group size is 52 passengers per coach, however Asia is smaller group sizes with 25 passengers as the maximum.

Our top selling trips include:

9-day Italian Espresso, priced from $1439

8-day London & Paris, priced from $899

14-day European Discovery, priced from $1579

14-day Greek Island Hopping, priced from $2109

9-day Egypt & the Nile, priced from $1199

18-day Beaches & Reefs Australia, priced from $1865

11-day Scenic Southern New Zealand, priced from $825

6-day Mexico Yucatan Explorer, priced from $955

Order brochures here http://www.westernfolder.com/contiki/contikicatalog/agency.cfm

Become a Luxury Specialist

Travel Agent Academy has created a Luxury Travel Category Specialist to show you how to capture this ultimate market. Discover information on the rich, how they buy travel, where they travel and how you can reach them.

There are more than 3.3 million “high net worth individuals” in North America and these are the dream clients for most travel agents. Selling luxury travel offers a host of rewards, including higher commissions.

Become a Luxury Specialist. Click here

Vacation.com Conference will be in Orlando

Orlando World Center Marriott Resort in FL. has been selected as the site of the 12th International Conference and Trade Show of www.Vacation.com , to be held June 27 - July 1, 2010.

Along with education, entertainment, product demonstrations, general sessions and a trade show, 2010’s conference plans include pre- and post-event cruise opportunities, a ship inspection with lunch and a golf tournament.

"This is the best travel conference for home based travel agents, I recomend all agent go to it" Said Paul Davis, President of www.HomeBased-Travelagents.com

Even before the Orlando site was announced, many home based travel agents were already planning to attend. Results from a survey given at the end of the 2009 Conference showed that 90 percent of attendees were committed to returning next year, mostly due the event’s 95 percent overall satisfaction rating.

Home Based Travel Agents should visit www.AgentNet for details.

First Worldwide Product Showcase

GOGO Worldwide Vacations will hold its first Worldwide Showcase on Sept. 23. The event will be a day-long conference designed to give travel agents the tools they need to grow their businesses.

Along with GOGO’s marketing initiatives, the free event will showcase GOGO’s expanding product line and feature sales seminars and trade show to allow agents to network with hotel representatives.

The event will take place at Jumeirah Essex House, Central Park South in New York City. Contact your local Business Development Manager for more information or visit www.gogowwv.com.

World's Largest Cruise Night

Circle October 14 on your calendar; the date is CLIA's "World's Largest Cruise Night (WLCN)," the single biggest cruise promotion of the year, designed to help agents sell more now and set the stage for 2010.

Demand For Cruise Vacations Expected To Rise In 2010. Cruise Lines Urge Agents To Promote, Sell Groups.

Visit www.cruising.org/travelagents.

Globus Offers New Incentives and Training

Globus is adding exotic destinations to its training program with webinars on Peru and the 2010 Globus Exotics Portfolio. Agents who take part in the webinars will be entered to win a Monograms Peruvian vacation for two and those who book Peruvian vacations online through the Globus family of brands will receive a $50 gift card (per booking).

“Peru is full of colorful textiles, high-spirited celebrations and jaw-dropping terrain. It’s a hot destination for 2010; one that deserves its own webinar. During our Peru-focused training, agents will receive insight about this exotic locale and vacation ideas for clients.

Agents who partake in this Webinar will be entered to win a Monograms Peruvian vacation for two and those who book Peruvian vacations online through the Globus family of brands will receive a $50 gift card (per booking).

Globus’ August Webinar dates and times:
August 13: Destination Feature – Peru and the Globus family of brands at 11 a.m and 4 p.m.
August 20: Product Feature – 2010 Globus Exotics Portfolio at 11 AM and 4 PM EDT

To register for Globus’ training Webinars, agents should visit the company’s Travel Agent Portal at www.globusfamilypartner.com and click on the “online training seminars” link

New Supplier for East Africa

Chronicle Tours and Travel is a member of IATA, ASTA, KATA, ATTA and KATO. It is also full members of various other professional bodies that regulate and set standards of provision of high quality and professional services.

They are a DMC (Destination management Company) with a long experience in managing the East Africa destination. They organize Group tours as well as individual FIT tours, in addition to beach holidays, Conferences, meet and Assist and airport transfers. All Tour arrangements are tailor made to suit individual customer requirements and budgets.

They have attractive contract rates with most hotels in the East African region and are able to provide very competitive rates to customers all year round.
Check out there website at: http://www.chronicletourskenya.com/

New Hotel Index Site

Our newly designed and upgraded site provides comprehensive information on more than 110,000 hotels worldwide including classifications and ratings on more than 52,000 hotels, the latest hotel deals for travel agents, commissions, comparison tools, and supplementary information ranging from destinations to airports.

Our goal is to give you everything you need to find the perfect hotel for your clients, right at your fingertips. http://HotelandTravelIndex.com