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    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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    Travel Agent Professional April 2012

     

    feb 2012 Issue

     

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    A Cornucopia of English Gardens

    By Paull Tickner


    PASHLEY MANOR GARDENSJust as the famous Oberammergau Passion Play takes place in Bavaria, Germany once every 10 years (next performance 2020), the Floriade World Horticultural Expo does the exactly the same in Holland. The good news for garden lovers is that Floriade takes place in the Dutch city of Venlo between April 5 and Oct. 7, 2012.

    If European gardens, stately homes and castle tours are on your agenda, this is probably old news to you. However, I'm coming across a number of travel agents who share my enthusiasm for a two-country combination which, at the end of May, brings together Floriade, the Keukenhof gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show.

    As many gardeners are too busy to get away in the spring, there's also a Hampton Court Flower Show and Floriade program at the very beginning of July.

    In both cases, there are visits to places like the Palace of Het Loo (the Dutch Versailles) and award winning English gardens like those at Sissinghurst Castle, Pashley Manor and romantic 13th century Hever Castle.

    For creative garden tour planners wanting to offer value added tours to master gardeners, specialist garden clubs and societies, the season actually runs from February-September each year.

    FEBRUARY
    Orchid societies may well say yes to a tour that features the annual Kew Gardens Tropical Extravaganza, with visits to other notable collections near London. Off season air fares and hotel rates are very competitive at this time of the year and when you add in some shopping time and an evening at the theatre, you can see how this idea could sell. At this time of year, many Cotswold gardens are covered in snowdrops and you could offer a 2-night extension that includes Snowdrop Sunday, an English afternoon tea and a pub supper.

    MARCH/APRIL
    The place to go is Cornwall, where the warming effects of the Gulf Stream and the micro climates in the Cornish river valleys combine to create sub-tropical conditions and magnificent displays of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias. Garden lovers can fly into London and let the train take the strain out of the journey to the far southwest of England. This idea may well appeal to gardeners who are unable to travel in May because they are flat out busy in their own gardens!

    MAY
    Springtime in England is a very nice thought you can make a reality for your clients by sending them to the Spring Show at Great Malvern. There, the Cotswolds and Herefordshire's undiscovered gardens and "Black and White" villages make an excellent combination.
    Later in the month, the south of England gardens like Pashley Manor, Hever Castle, Penshurst Place and the Great Gardens of West Sussex make memorable pre- or post-partners for the Chelsea Flower Show, especially when you include smaller, privately owned properties that open as part of the National Garden Scheme.

    JUNE
    Take my advice and head for the Cotswolds (where I live) for a number of garden tours. These can be enhanced by a private tour of the period gardens at the Shakespeare houses, jousting and other living history displays at Warwick Castle, a curator led tour of Compton Verney art gallery, which is set in the Warwickshire countryside and an evening theatre performance courtesy of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

    JULY
    With your jet lag parked in the Cotswolds, your group will be able to deal with a full day at the Hampton Court Flower Show. Although air fares will be higher at this time of the year, you will be rewarded by better weather and gardens both large and small that present astonishing displays of summer color.
    There's also another rose tinted program that brings together three countries — Ireland, Wales and England — and three internationally renowned Rose Festivals/Flower Shows in Dublin, Belfast and at Tatton Park near Manchester.

    SEPTEMBER
    This is a good time of the year for a Stately Homes and Gardens tour. You can base it around a very good autumn show at Great Malvern (due west of the Cotswolds) and there's another in Harrogate, Yorkshire which enables you to bring together places like Newby Hall, Ripley Castle, Fountains Abbey, Castle Howard and a day in the Viking city of York. Don't forget, you can take the overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam for a Floriade grand finale in Holland.

    Paull Tickner, creator of Special Interest Britain, is affiliated with the Greatdays Travel Group. For over 30 years, he has been developing and operating customized niche travel programs for the United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information, visit his Web site at www.greatdays.co.uk and E-mail him at pjtickner@yahoo.co.uk

    Comments

     

    Kenny G.

     

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    Auto

    

    Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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 &
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    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)

     

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