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 Comments  2011/12  |
Travel Agent Professional.com
Travel Agents Do It Better!
Throughout his life, Joel M. Abels, Travel Trade's editor and publisher, made it his mission to keep travel agents from going it alone in business... (more) |
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| Champions of the Sea event – from r-to l-: Ruben Perez, General Manager North America for Costa; Scott Koepf, Vice President of Sales for Avoya; and Scott Knutson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Costa. |
"Avoya Travel and its professional Network of Independent Agencies continue to be leaders in vacation planning excellence for Costa cruise guests, and we are delighted to honor their outstanding sales performance with our annual Top Performer award," said Scott Knutson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Avoya Travel is committed to creating amazing vacation experiences and delivering top-notch customer service for travelers worldwide, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership for years to come." |
May Articles
Beyond the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
In less than 3 weeks time, our nation will be celebrating Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Here in the Cotswolds market town of Chipping Campden around 700 of us Monarchists will be staging our own street party. It will be quite a weekend because on a hill overlooking the sleepy town we'll also be enjoying the 400th anniversary of the Robert Dover's Olimpick Games – shin kicking and all that jazz!! While the Olympics proper takes place between 27th July – 12th August, there's a great deal more going on for you to get excited about for the latter part of 2012 and into 2013.
Free evening... More
Click here to download PDF or Click here to view Flip Book
April Articles
Helping Clients Avoid: First Cruise Jitters
By Sherry Laskin, ACC
Lately, the news has been flooded with stories and incidents that makes the cruise lines appear negligent and the cruise experience seem risky, or at least undesirable.
With this much negative news about cruising and the tragedies and high seas crimes that ensued, it may be a bit more difficult to convert your landlocked clients into cruise vacationers. Here are some ideas that you could use to reassure your clients that cruising is still the best vacation (in my opinion!) and vacation valuer... (continue)
The Customer is King (and I)
By Scott Koepf
We have all heard the phrase that "The Customer is King" and, no doubt, treating all of your clients royally will reward you handsomely. The colloquialism is also truer than ever today, as in all retail endeavors it is without doubt a buyer's market... (continue)
Camera, Lights & Action
By Paull Tickner
Downton Abbey, Jane Austen, Inspector Morse, Charles Dickens (photo right), Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, the Bronte Sisters, James Herriot and Peter Rabbit: Welcome to the intriguing fiction-into-reality world of U.K. literary tours... (continue)
Clients For Life: The Three "Rs"
By Mitchell J. Schlesinger
Buildings are not constructed without a foundation. Neither are successful customer service action plans that enable you to capture "Clients for Life." The complete foundation consists of the combination of the information presented in previous articles. Further development of the action plan needs these key elements plus the 3 "R"s... (continue)
London, Liverpool & the Beatles
Monday
Welcome to London
Arrive London Heathrow or Gatwick where we will meet and escort you to your hotel in central London. Depending on your arrival gateway, for LHR we can arrange a morning visit to Windsor Castle. For LGW, we can arrange a special visit to a privately owned stately home. Once checked in, the balance of the day will be at leisure.
Free evening... More
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Click here to view Flip Book
February Articles
How much is too much?
By Rusty Pickett, ECC
We were recently on a NACTA seminar at sea, and as is typical these days, the subject of social and electronic media came up with respect to its use in our business. A very professional and aggressive agent, also relatively new, was describing how much time it takes to do her electronic newsletter, keep up with her Facebook account and also stay active with Twitter... (continue)
What Kind of Fool Am I?
By Scott Koepf
There may be a few of you who are already composing your E-mail to answer this question for me. While I will be happy to receive those replies, this question is actually designed to ask of yourself, not others... (continue)
Birmingham England ...
By Paull Tickner
Airside Kerbside in less than 30 minutes... Fantastic weekend rates at fabulous 4 star hotels... Amazing shopping... Welcome to Birmingham, Britain's second city and recently named as one of the world's top 20 places to visit in 2012 alongside the likes of Florence, Tokyo and San Diego... (continue)
Managing the Customer Relationship
By Mitchel J. Schlesinger
Think about your own motivations when you buy anything. For clothes, it is how stylish you feel you look or appear to others, or those of you in Green Bay, warmth. For insurance, it is security and peace of mind; for toys, the pleasure in the eyes of children; for a computer, a way to connect to the rest of the world and, importantly, conduct business... (continue)
Damage Control, Surveys & Insurance
By Les-Lee Roland
What a Month This Has Been
First, I found myself running damage control with my clients after Costa's tragedy. Then, Princess had an outbreak of the norovirus on two ships. The calls from clients asking the same questions, making the same comments, became very tedious. I was feeling like a robot defending the cruise industry, giving clients answers designed to reassure them so they would still make bookings... (continue)
January Articles
How to Handle a... Client
By Scott Koepf
After an eight year absence from being onstage, I was able to play one of my dream roles recently in a local production. For years, I wanted to play the role of Lancelot in the musical Camelot, but when the show was finally a possibility, my advanced age forced my dream to shift slightly. I was cast as King Arthur. In truth, it is a much meatier and fun , so in this instance, I was glad for my slightly grey hair (and a beard which I actually had to dye so that I wouldn't look like King Santa Claus)... (continue)
Clients For Life Stick to the Basics!
By Mitchel J. Schlesinger
I spoke to a travel agent who expressed some level of contentment with the notion that his agency was retaining approximately 35% of their customers. I immediately asked some questions including:
• Don't you think that figure is low?
• Do you have any idea why some or all of the other 65% didn't use the agency again?
• Do you have any idea where or from whom the other 65% purchased travel?
• Do you have any idea how much referral business you have received from current clients?... (continue)
Girls Getaways...
By Paull Tickner
When returning home from North American sales trips, I used to while away the time immersed in a good book or walking from one end of the terminal to the other before being incarcerated in a flying metal tube for eight hours or so... (continue)
BIGGER is Not Always Better
By Les-Lee Roland
Okay, stop your snickering.
At the end of 2011, I was reflecting on experiences that I truly enjoyed. Yes, I have been on the big, gigantic cruise ships that are getting all the attention... (continue)
Great Deal! Don't miss out!
Sunshine Travel is pleased to announce 2012 China Leisure Tour Packages for any of following destinations (Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou & Guilin)
7 Days/6 Nights Tour Package is for $299 (per person double)
Package service includes:
Please visit our web for detail info: www.chinaasiatour.com
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Cruising
International Travel VTA cruise
Greece & Turkey —
A Voyage into Antiquity...
The only ship of the Voyages to Antiquity cruise line, the Aegean Odyssey holds 375 passengers. I made reservations for the May 7-22, 2011, trip to the Greek... (continue)
Voyages to Antiquity's
2013 brochure highlights West Med, Sicily
Auto
Enterprise Holdings Acquiring Mint Cars On-Demand
Enterprise continues to expand world's largest local car rental network, plans to quickly enhance Mint's car-sharing fleet in New York City and Boston
Enterprise Holdings has announced that it has acquired the business of Mint Cars On-Demand, a car-sharing company serving more than 8,000 members in New York City and Boston. The acquisition closed today; financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.(continue)
Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
You Leave For Europe (part 3)
April 19, 2012: Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the final set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived back from your trip. (continue)
Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
You Leave For Europe (part 2)
Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the second set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived at the car rental location. (continue)
Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
You Leave For Europe
Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is compiling a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below are the first suggestions on being prepared before you rent a car. (continue)
Auto Europe: New mandatory ruling for automobiles in France
Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is prepared to service their clients with the new ruling in France requiring mandatory breathalyzers in all passenger vehicles. (continue)
Host Agencies
Amadeus and Expedia sign multi-year agreement in North America
MADRID, April 19, 2012 – Amadeus, a leading travel technology provider and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, and Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world's largest online travel company, today announced they have signed a multi-year content and technology agreement for North America. (continue)
Sales Tip #11:
Build Your Professional Brand
Create a Lasting Impression
with These 3 Tips
One of the best ways to maintain a customer database full of people who want to hear from you, book with you and send referrals to you is to build a strong and professional brand. Each travel agent has their own personal brand, and it's important to make sure that you take advantage of yours!: (continue)
Travelsavers And Network Of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (Nest)
Introduce New Customer Loyalty Program
April 2012: Travel Club, a new complimentary customer loyalty program for clients of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST travel professionals has just launched. The benefits of the program are two fold: (continue)
American Marketing Group
Launches Family Lifestyle Campaign
April 2012: American Marketing Group continues to expand upon its award-winning lifestyle direct mail program with a new family-themed campaign, available to licensed travel professionals of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST (continue)
Steven Thompson, CEO
Of Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Will Address "Well-Being And Medical Travel Conference"
March 28, 2012 (Oyster Bay, NY) – It was announced today that Steven J. Thompson, MBA, Chief Executive Officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine International, will address the constituents at the "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (wellbeingtravelconference). (continue)
Patient Travelers Give Candid Recaps at "Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"
A specially assembled panel of patient travelers will candidly discuss their experiences in traveling abroad for medical and dental procedures at the upcoming "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (continue)
Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic Host
The Sales and Service Team of American Marketing Group's
Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic recently hosted American Marketing Group's sales and service team on a four day FAM in London. The whirlwind tour of the world-class city incorporated all of the most renowned sites. (continue)
"Best of the Best Globe Award"
Avoya Travel™/American Express® has been awarded an American Express Vacations 2011 'Best of the Best Globe Award'... (continue)
"Well-Being & Medica Travel
Conference 2012" GIVEAWAY
Any one who registers by April 15 will be entered to win an ultra-pampering personal spa package at the Centre for Well-Being at the 5-star Phoenician luxury resort. A $300 value, the prize-winning package includes a choice of two 50-minute spa services...(continue)
20% Growth for ExpediaCruiseShipCenters
Expedia CruiseShipCenters has entered its 25th year in business in good stride with 2011 sales figures showing a remarkable 20% growth over the previous year! (continue)
"Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"
The "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012" -- which will take place on June 20-21, 2012 at The Phoenician luxury resort in Scottsdale, Arizona... (continue)
Sandals honored Avoya Travel/ American Express
'Best of the Best, Western' for the company's dedication to outstanding customer service and creating exceptional vacation experiences for Sandals Resorts' guests. (continue)
NCL Honors Avoya Travel With Top Travel Award
Avoya Travel™/American Express®, one of the leading travel companies in North America and beyond, today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line has presented the company with its 2011 'Home-Based Agency of the Year' award. (continue)
OASIS Reports Record
Growth
in 2011
OASIS, www.OasisAgent.com, a leader in the development of programs for home based independent travel agents, reports another year of record growth. (continue)
TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services &
Analog Analytics Team Up to Provide
TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services, a new American Marketing Group company, has won the account as the exclusive travel provider for Analog Analytics' Bigger Better Deal™ solution. (continue)
Keywords
Joel M. Abels • Rusty Pickett • Scott Koepf• Cruising • Airline • Europe • Hotels • Luxury Cruising • Paull Tickner • Mitchel J. Schlesinger • Sherry Laskin • Les-Lee Roland • Mary Brutscher • Sue Shapiro
Royal Caribbean • Travel Industry • Travel Social Media • Travel Technology • Travel Trade News • Vacation • Home Based Trade • Home Based Travel Agent •
Professional Travel Agent • Travel Agent • Travel Agent Professional • Independent travel agents • Tour Groups •
Host Travel Agenices • Cruises
| This website is dedicated to the memory of Joel M. Abels "HE CREATED A VOICE, NOT JUST AN ECHO" |
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