Romantic Honeymoon Hotspots

There are millions of people we could marry, but only one has the right combination of qualities to walk down the aisle with. The same can be said for honeymoon destinations. There are thousands to choose from, but only one has everything you need for your special journey. Here’s our list of current honeymoon hotspots, one of which hopefully possesses the elements you need to say “I do…want to go there.”

Fiji – For a tropical escape that caters to all vacation types, look no further than picture–perfect Fiji. Privacy seekers can peacefully lounge in secluded hideaways throughout the island, or those yearning for action can hike through rainforests and up mountains, or snorkel in water so calm and clear, you can spot colorful fish many meters away. A nearby alternative is Tahiti, where overwater bungalows provide honeymooners with a truly unique lodging experience.

Canadian Rockies – A winters paradise with stunning views, the Canadian Rockies are a sure bet for honeymoon bliss. Hours of skiing, white water rafting or glacier watching are balanced perfectly with romantic sleigh rides, pampering spa treatments and long nights with your partner staring into a flickering fire.

Florence – Romance can be found in every Italian city, yet Florence stands out as an ideal honeymoon destination. This intimate city is easy to enjoy, thanks to attractions such as the Duomo and the Uffizi, yet it never overwhelms you. So relax, take long walks through the labyrinthine alleyways, and stare into each other’s eyes while feasting on local food and wine.

Turks & Caicos – One of the Caribbean’s least developed islands, Turks & Caicos is a tranquil paradise tailor made for honeymooners. Spend long, leisurely days on secluded beaches and swimming above vibrant coral reefs, only to retire to your plush hotel before heading out for a dazzling dining experience.

Napa Valley – Limitless wine–tasting opportunities, along with exquisite views and romantic B&Bs, attract honeymooners from around the world to wine country. Each day is a breath of fresh air and a sip of sublime vintages, helping you become more intoxicated with your beloved.

Bogus Olympic ticket websites

London Police have warned sports fans to beware of eight bogus Olympic ticket websites that are either unauthorised or fraudulent. Fifty victims have so far been identified as having been ripped off and detectives believe there will be many more.

Police have managed to get some sites shut down, but have found host countries reluctant to use their laws to do so in other cases, .

Sites to beware of: www.2012-londonsummergames.org, www.2012- Londonsummergames.com, www.eurosport.info, www.jetsetsport.info, www.globalticketmarket.com
 w.shortlettingslondon.co.uk, www.sportticketexchange.com, www.cityoflondonlettings.co.uk

Anyone who has bought tickets or accommodation from any of those sites are urged to email police at podiumenquiries@met.police.uk

Cruise safety tool kit for agents

The Cruise Lines International Association has unveiled its new Cruise Industry Safety Tool Kit to be distributed to travel agents and their clients through its Web site. The kit details safety procedures on cruise ships as well as instructional videos on passenger-ship safety. "This kit is one important way to help agents address the questions or concerns their clients may have about safety at sea,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA

The kit was designed to provide travel agents a turnkey package of materials with safety information and advice to be used to educate and reassure prospective cruise clients. It highlights the industry’s excellent record and commitment to safety, describes cruise ship safety policies and procedures as well as new global safety initiatives and suggests answers to questions clients may ask. It also offers safety tips for cruise passengers and several videos on cruise ship safety procedures featuring industry experts.

The Cruise Industry Safety Tool Kit can be accessed at the Tools to Use page of the Travel Agents section of the CLIA web site. Visitors will find instructions for easy download of the materials. To view and download, click on Cruise Industry Safety Tool Kit.

CIE Tours Unveils Certification Program

CIE Tours, which specializes in the U.K. and Ireland, has a new agent resource center and education program designed to help travel sellers increase sales with in-depth knowledge of the company’s products. Participants can earn certification as CIE Tours’ Destination Experts, gaining access to fam trips, special offers and discounts, invitations to special events and opportunities to take part in surveys to win Waterford Crystal items. Visit CIE Tours' website for information.

Carnival Training for Home-Based Agents

3-Day Agent Programs Planned for Carnival’s Home PortsCarnival launched the first From Your Home to Our Home Port training recently in Orlando. The three-day event featured sessions on attracting first-time cruisers; tips on hosting cruise nights; visits to the Carnival Dream and Carnival Sensation in nearby Port Canaveral, as well as tours to local attractions. Additional From Your Home to Our Home Port events will take place in Baltimore, July 13-15; New Orleans, July 27-29, and Galveston, Sept. 28-30.

Learn how to become a home based travel agent. Open your own online travel agency. Travel School
www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

The Agent@Home Expo

The Agent@Home Expo, the largest travel agent event of the year, is coming to your desktop THIS MONTH. This event will feature an extensive program, geared specifically to the Agent at Home market, and is brought to you by Agent@Home Magazine.

The Agent@Home Expo is a two day live and interactive trade show that requires no travel on your behalf to attend. Attend the following exciting LIVE presentations:

Wednesday, June 27th 2:15pm ET: "The Beauty of the All-Inclusive" with Sandals co-hosted by Brian Major

Wednesday, June 27th 4:00pm ET: "River Cruising in the USA" with Great American Steamboat and American Cruise Lines co-hosted by Mark Murphy

Thursday, June 28th 3:45pm ET: "Selling the Dream" Destination Weddings and Honeymoons with Randy Russell from Couples co-hosted by Mark Murphy

Register and attend the Agent@Home Expo and you're automatically entered to win a Kindle complete with Mark Murphy's new book, Travel Unscripted!

http://www.virtualhomebasedexpo.com/register.cfm

Celebrity Webinar

Celebrity's Europe 2012: Incredible Deals for You and Your Clients
Company Name: Celebrity Cruises
Presenter: Cris de Souza (Channel Strategy Manager)
Seminar Date: Thursday, June 28
Seminar Time: 4 pm ET/1 pm PT

Join us Thursday, June 28, at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT for the next OSSN webinar, where you'll learn the details about incredible Europe deals this year offered by Celebrity Cruises!

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/170431009

NCL webinar 6/29/12

If you thought entertainment aboard Norwegian Epic was ground-breaking, wait until you see what's happening aboard Norwegian Breakaway! Our next webinar, hosted by Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Passenger Services, will take place Friday, June 29 from 3:00pm-4:00pm EST. This not-to-be-missed event will be one of our biggest Breakaway announcements yet

Join the webinar early to view our new destination videos and to hear about more our commitment to Partners First.

Click Here

Learn how to become a home based travel agent. www.homebasedtravelagents.org

CCRA for Agents

Travel Agent FAM Trip

Travel Agent FAM Trip

6 Nights / 7 Days From USD 729.00 (Travel Agent)

USD 801.00* (Accompanying Spouse/Travel partner)

• • •

Based on LAND ONLY two people traveling together Validity 15 June - 30 September 2012 Cities - Delhi, Mandawa, Jaipur, Delhi and Agra. For Itinerary/Inclusions/Exclusions email sales@tajtour.com *Hotel upgrades available

This Educational Fam is exclusively valid for staff of the Travel Agency/Tour Opeator who is involved in Sales, Marketing, Production or Planning of tours. Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers traveling together i.e Trade partner and their spouse/companion.

CLIA Courses

   

Agents Share Tips for Putting Sizzle into Swag.

Swag bags are not just for movie stars and corporate VIPs – they are useful tools that travel agents can use to cement relationships with clients.

A gift basket stocked with freebies from suppliers and items purchased at a dollar store; giving your client a lottery ticket, or delivering a pizza to a client’s home are a few ways that agents can up the ante on customer service, according to panelists at a session called Adding the Sizzle at the recent Home-Based Travel Agent Forum in Las Vegas.

People love freebies
“Swag bags really delight clients,” said Martha Powell, an Albuquerque-based travel seller who organizes an annual wine-themed cruise at WineMakersCruise.com. “People love getting freebies. As agents, we’re used to them, but most people aren’t – so they get very excited.”

Swag figures into a pre-cruise event that Powell hosts for passengers on the winemakers’ cruise. The event features a chef’s wine pairing, specialty truffles and a swag bag filled with freebies.

“It’s easy to fill a swag bag by contacting vendors for free stuff,” she said. Along with asking tourism organizations to provide T-shirts and other logoed items, she gets T-shirts, wine openers and other items from the winemakers whose wines are featured at events during the cruise.

“I tell the vendors that T-shirts and the like are good advertising for them,” she said. “We also approach restaurants for discount coupons that people can use during the pre-cruise stay.”

Another perk for clients is a slide show and DVD made during the cruise that they can enjoy after the trip.

Cruises for cancer survivors
Powell employs similar techniques on fundraising cruises that she organizes for cancer survivors, partnering with organizations such as the New Mexico Cancer Center and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“The New Mexico Cancer Center, which we do fundraising for, has donated pill holders,” she said. “Susan G. Komen will give us scarves, which we also buy. And we get the cruise line to donate door prizes.”

Special gifts for special clients
Powell also makes it a practice to reward her best clients with a special gift each year, perhaps a piece of silver and turquoise jewelry from New Mexico.

“It’s worth it,” she said. “These are people who I don’t have to spend any marketing money on to get their business each year.”

Baskets bring bookings
Gift baskets filled with items tied into the theme of a trip are something that Lauren Liebert of Ticket to Travel enjoys creating for her clients. For an investment of about $15 per basket, the return yields many times that amount in steady bookings, she told the audience.

“My clients get very excited about the baskets – they’re a big hit,” she said.

Clients bound for Disney World will get a basket brimming with Disney items, while Tuscany-bound clients will find olive oil, pasta and other Italian goodies tucked into theirs. Clients booked on an Abercrombie & Kent safari received a DVD of “The Lion King” and flashlights furnished by the supplier.

Buy in bulk
While she gets some products from suppliers, Liebert also combs a Dollar Store, Costco and other discount outlets for inexpensive items that tie in with her travel specialties.

“I usually buy in bulk, not always knowing what I will use the gifts for,” she said.

A couple of cautionary tips: keep a record of what you gave clients in their baskets, so you don’t repeat anything, and if it’s a group booking, make sure everyone in the group gets a basket.

Cruise documents and more
Along with the gift basket, Liebert presents her cruise clients with copies of their documents and luggage tags in a special folder.

“The cruise lines no longer do this for passengers, so I make this part of my gift to them,” she said.

Put your own spin on it
Swag bags and gift baskets are by no means the only ways that agents can dazzle clients with unexpected perks, Scott Koepf, vice president of sales for Avoya Travel, told the audience.

“You can do something different – find out what your own particular sizzle is,” he said. “I know a travel agent who will send a client a pizza on the first night they’re home from a trip, knowing they won’t want to cook.”

Another travel agent never sends clients gifts, but instead puts on an annual party with square dancing and barbeque for her repeat clients, Koepf added.

Buying a lottery ticket for a client is another option, a member of the audience chimed in, saying, “I tell them I hope they win – and then come back to me.”

Geting New Customers with Scocial Networking

The most powerful way to get new customers is by wowing your clients so they'll sing your praises to their social media network. Your customers will become your referral engine if you ask them.

We trust comments and reviews (even from strangers), not “marketing.”We've become smart consumers and know that traditional marketing exists solely to sell us something. Naturally, we trust our friends and our networks more than a commercial. According to Neilson, 14% of people trust ads, while 78% trust consumer recommendations.

Your customers’ friends are your next best clients.
Who are your best prospects? People who are like your customers. And who do your customers network with? People who are like them.

Powerful acquisition begins with your existing customer base. They’ll become your referral engine if you ask them to and if you make it easy for them.

Rise above the ordinary in small and large ways to wow your customers.
You've bent over backwards time and time again to turn a customer into a fan, now you want to give your fans reasons to become advocates on your behalf.

Attention to detail will create WOW! moments, without necessarily costing much in the way of time or dollars.
Let every customer know you're on Facebook and Twitter and let them know you love reading about their travel experiences.

Engagement sets the stage for social visibility.
Your engaged customers will talk about you to their entire network. Their followers will talk about you to their followers.

The viral effect of social is unlike anything that's ever existed. Put the power of social to work for you today.

Free travel school. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency.
http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

Cruise Bookings up 39%

The number of cruise passengers who were in transit amounted to 59,155, an increase of 39.0 per cent when compared to May 2011.

NCL Cruise Sale

Four days only: 6/19/12- 6/22/12
Up to $250 onboard credit per stateroom*
Over $300 in e-coupons
50% reduced deposit*
Select sailings fleetwide

All Inclusive Webinar - luxury focus

I would like to personally invite you to join me and industry executives from MSC Cruises and Oasis Hotels & Resorts on Tuesday, June 19 at 2:00pm ET for a live conversation that will give you the information you need on how to sell luxury all-inclusive travel products.

A truly effective luxury travel agent offers his or her clients unique experiences that will resonate with them for the rest of their lives. Upscale clients who are looking for and willing to pay for quality also want sellers who know what they are talking about.

By taking advantage of new technologies, as well as continuing to pursue tried and true practices, you will better position yourself as your clients' reliable, long-term business partner, which ultimately will result in an enriching relationship that is rewarding for both of you.

Join us to learn how you can educate your clients on this all-inclusive trend.

This is a free event for qualified agents.

To register, go to: https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=465408&sessionid=1&key=4DCE7064EC520C31AD2290EEEA4EB9D7&sourcepage=register

Travel Agents are Getting Great Press

If you haven’t seen it yet, travel agents have been getting great press over the past six months. Below is a compiled sampling of these articles: 

1.Travel Agents Making a Comeback;

2. Why You Need a Travel Agent

3. Travel Agents Know Something You Don’t;

4.  Is the Best Travel Search Engine Around the Corner?;

5. Travel Agents Adapt and Survive;

6. Travel Concierge Services Are on the Rise;

7. Are Travel Agents Back?;

8. Is the Travel Agent Dead?;

9. Travel Agents Can Tailor Itineraries to Specific Needs;

10.Why It Pays to Book with a Travel Agent;

11.  Professional, Unbound;  

12. Why Travel Agents Are Back from the Dead (And Why You Should Care).

Note from Agent

Paul,
While browsing through the photos taken during my recent cruise on the Riviera, I decided to send one to the local paper with a caption the Saturday before Memorial Day.

My thinking was that there would be little news over the holiday weekend and it might find its way into the Hickory paper. It didn’t appear, however, until the following Sunday with the caption as I wrote it. Today, I booked a new client (whom I have yet to meet) on a 17-day Oceania Cruise in a Penthouse Suite.

She saw the photo and thought that I would be the right person to handle her $18,000 cruise package. Doing one more thing each day can be powerful…and profitable!

 Regards, Bob


Speed wins folks. Action wins. Make it a habit to do just one more thing each day for the next 30 days and then report back to me with your accomplishments.

Agent@ Home Expo

The Agent@Home Expo, the largest travel agent event of the year, is coming to your desktop THIS MONTH. This event will feature an extensive program, geared specifically to the Agent at Home market, and is brought to you by Agent@Home Magazine.

The Agent@Home Expo is a two day live and Interactive trade show that requires no travel on your behalf to attend. Attend the following exciting LIVE presentations:

Wednesday, June 27th 2:15pm ET: "The Beauty of the All-Inclusive" with Sandals co-hosted by Brian Major

Wednesday, June 27th 4:00pm ET: "River Cruising in the USA" with Great American Steamboat and American Cruise Lines co-hosted by Mark Murphy

Thursday, June 28th 3:45pm ET: "Selling the Dream" Destination Weddings and Honeymoons with Randy Russell from Couples co-hosted by Mark Murphy

Register and attend the Agent@Home Expo and you're automatically entered to win a Kindle complete with Mark Murphy's new book, Travel Unscripted!

Register today!

Travel Agent China Specialist Program

China is among the top 3 emergiving luxury travel destination. Be among the first to discover this exciting “new” destination and begin your journey to increased profits today!

Enroll AND graduate from the Chengdu Specialist Program in the month of June and be entered to win one of five $50 gift cards. Use your gift card to fill your tank when you travel this summer!

http://www.travelagentacademy.com/Course.aspx?f=chengdu2&p=index.html

Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency.
http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

Hidden Treasures of New York City

The first time you visit New York City, you go directly to must–see sites like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park. But then you return, time and time again, because there’s always something new to discover: a new museum exhibit, a new trendy neighborhood, a new restaurant. Here are a few hidden treasures that should be on your must-see list the next time you visit the Big Apple.

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum – This little treasure near the Brooklyn Bridge offers a thought-provoking history of immigrants living in NYC from approximately 1850 to 1930.

The Cloisters – This branch of the Metropolitan Museum at the northern tip of Manhattan is celebrated for its medieval architecture and flowering gardens.

Bronx Botanical Gardens – Explore inside the landmark glasshouse to see spectacular seasonal exhibitions, a tropical rain forest, a cactus–filled desert and many other plants that can be seen nowhere else in New York.

The Museum of the Moving Image – An entertaining and educational place to learn about the artistry, history and techniques of film. Visitors can read lines from "The Wizard of Oz," escape green-screen disasters and project their heads above iconic costumes.

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company – A one–of–kind shop to purchase capes, secret identity kits, grappling hooks and more, with all proceeds benefiting a kids' writing center.

Learn how to become a home based travel agent and open your own online travel agency. http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

Faith-based Travel

Faith-based travel is the perfect way to build a group community by intimately exploring the roots and stories of your faith with fellow believers.  The power of being in the presence of a historical manuscript or standing in the very places where the stories of scripture unfolded is a moving experience that is magnified through sharing it with others.

Nothing helps you feel more connected to the world around you than traveling.  Seeing the people and places that have sculpted what and who we are today is a life-changing experience that always leaves you feeling a part of something bigger than yourself.

Travel is the one thing you can buy that leaves your richer.  Rich with memories of a time cherished, rich with the knowledge that you can make a difference in another person’s life, rich with the belief that as humans, we can do so much to share the beauty of God’s love.

1. Germany -  The Protestant Refomation Price from $2,389.pp

2. France - Shrines & Lordes $3,039.pp

3. Greece & Turkey - Footsteps of Paul Priced from $2,129.pp

4. Italy -  Catholic Grand tour. Priced from$2,749.pp

5. Isreal - Holy Land tour. Priced from $$3,749.pp

6. Ireland - St. Patrick Tour. Priced from $1899.pp

7. Spain - Marian Shrines. Priced from $2,269.pp

For more information call 800-619-8646 or visit www.WhataTripVacations.com

Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

Vacation Express

NCL Cruise Webinar

Please accept our invitation to join Norwegian Cruise Line's Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Passenger Services, Andy Stuart and Senior Vice President, Sales, Americas, Camille Olivere for our next webinar June 18, 2012 from 1pm-2pm EST. We will be broadcasting live from CruiseWorld in Seattle.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear about a big, new summer sales contest and much, much more! Join the webinar early to view our new destination videos and to hear more about our commitment to Partners First.

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=480758&sessionid=1&key=8992500DA5BD95411D8BA3B37B70FC7E&sourcepage=register

Growing Your Business with Bing

Kick off 2012 with new online strategies to drive more business to your site. Join this webinar to learn how you can take full advantage of all the online marketing solutions Bing has to offer.
During this one-hour session, you'll learn how Bing tools can help you:

• Quickly improve your website's rank on Bing and Yahoo! Search results pages.
• Make sure your site "gets found" by the customers you want.
• Drive immediate traffic to your site through flexible pay-per-click search advertising on Bing and Yahoo! Search.

Plus, get the chance to have your questions answered live by our web marketing expert!
Registered attendees who are new US or Canadian customers will receive $75 free search advertising.
http://swrt.worktankseattle.com/series/54/seriessignup.aspx?&promo=asta

Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

Women-only Travel Niche Girlfriend Getaways

A number of resorts around the world have launched attractive packages aimed at the women-only group market as the girlfriend-getaway trend continues to rise, this feature says. Popular offerings include spa services, nature adventures and cooking activities.

According to a recent survey of the segment by TripAdvisor, nearly a third of respondents, or 31%, say they plan to increase the amount they will spend on leisure travel in 2012; that increase is as high as $10,000 or more for 21% of respondents.

Nearly a quarter of those surveyed were planning to take a trip with female or male friends this year, up from 22% in 2011. That hotels and resorts are well aware of this uptick in luxury girlfriend getaways is evident in the wave of packages for women who want to leave the stresses of kids and work behind and hang out with each other.

The good news for home based travel agents is that these packages feature activities designed to appeal to a range of interests, because women-only groups, just like any market, are not always like-minded in how they want to spend their leisure time.

Spa and fitness getaways are a given, but adventurous and experiential travel is making inroads into this luxury segment.

Now is a great time to learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. A free travel school is being offered at http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

Religious-Travel Market Growing to 35%

A study by TravelStyles indicates rising interest in faith-based travel. The group reports in its study that 35% of outbound travelers expressed an interest in religious travel.

Globus, the first large tour operator to embrace faith-based travel by creating a religious travel division will unveil its 2013 itineraries in the coming week. According to a new religious travel study conducted by TravelStyles and commissioned by Globus, 35 percent of all outbound travelers are interested in taking a religious vacation.

At 16.3 million travelers, the potential market for international religious vacations is sizable. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that it’s grown despite difficult economic conditions. Some 49 percent of religious travelers view a faith-based vacation as something they need to do to enhance their faith. And, 51 percent also feel more comfortable spending on a religious vacation than a “regular” vacation. Further, according to this same study, 25 percent of travelers are using a faith-based vacation as a motivator to travel internationally for the first time.

This is a perfect niche market for travel agents. You can learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency by going to www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org

Adding Visuals To Your Facebook Page

by Sophie Bujold
This week, I want you to focus on adding a human element to your Facebook page by finding a few photos of yourself doing interesting things. This is a great way to easily position yourself as an expert and show that you're at the top of your game.

The best part? As travel professionals, you usually have a BIG library of great travel photos to pick from!

So go ahead and start looking through the photos you have. Pick five or six that give people a feel for your experience and professional activities and post them on your Facebook page.

Here's an example from my Facebook page to get you started.

Some ideas include photos of you:

• In your specialty destination(s)
• At a tradeshow or industry event
• Receiving an award or certificate of recognition
• Attending a local event to promote your business/agency
• With your colleagues at work or at a company event
• Whatever else you want to share with clients and prospects.

If you don't have any photos, it's time to start taking some! Get in the habit of carrying a small camera with you whenever you are doing work related activities. Get friends or coworkers to take a few snaps while you're there and your collection will soon grow.

Don't Forget to Tag Your Page!

Just to make sure people don't have to search around for your new reputation photos, make sure you visit each photo and click on "Tag photo".

Click on your face or the photo in general and type in the name of your Facebook page. Select it from the list that appears and click on "done tagging."

Repeat for each photo and you will soon have a collection in the "Photos of yourpagenamehere" area.

Carnival Trainings: From Your Home to Our Homeport...Baltimore, New Orleans & Galveston

From Your Home to Our Homeport events will be held in Baltimore, New Orleans & Galveston:

Baltimore July 13-15^th RSVP Deadline: June 15^th Ship Tour/Lunch: Carnival Pride

New Orleans July 27-29^th RSVP Deadline: June 22nd Ship Tour/Lunch: Carnival Conquest & Elation

Galveston Sep 28-30^th RSVP Deadline: Aug 24th Ship Tour/Lunch: Carnival Magic & Triumph

The weekend FAM is only $150 per agent and includes 2 nights hotel stay, several meals, sales & product seminars, special savings on dining & attractions, “one on one” appointments, networking and ship inspections.

PLUS the agents will receive 150 points towards Carnival’s Travel Partner Rewards Program for attending (details in the invite).

If your members are interested, they can simply click on the link below for more information and to register. A copy of the invitation is also below. We hope they take advantage of these great FUNducational opportunities!

http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBPtrKABvLxFGB8jDHsAAAAAA-3/doc.html?&email=specialevents@carnival.com