HOME-BASED
AGENT Aimee J. Ricca, owner of Bonne Amie Travel, was cast
as one of nine travel experts in the Travel Channels new flagship
series Vacation Challenge. A producer of the show called Ricca a
fantastic on-camera personality and a first-rate travel expert.
Ricca and nine other agents were selected from hundreds of
candidates. The TV show features three different getaways that are
presented by the agents to a family or group of friends seeking a
vacation. Throughout these presentations, the experts explain the
itinerary they planned and give travel tips and insider
information. In the end, the clients choose the agent who offered
the best presentation.
RICCA
SAID the series is a great showcase for travel agents
because it demonstrates how agents add value to a vacation. The
series began airing on the Travel Channel earlier this month. The
first episode to feature Ricca will air tonight, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.
The episode will feature a Bachelorette Vacation. Ricca, whose
agency is in Rockport, Maine, is a certified travel associate and
an accredited cruise counselor. She opened Bonne Amie Travel in
2001.
JOYSTAR, an Irvine, Calif.-based host
agency, signed an agreement with Sabre Travel Networks consortium,
Jurni Network, under which Joystar agents will gain access to a
range of leisure travel products sourced from Travelocity, Site59
and Sabre Exclusives merchant hotels, in addition to negotiated
products from preferred suppliers. William Alverson, Joystar CEO,
said Jurni distributes more than $80 billion in travel products
each year, and would provide Joystar with advantages and insight
unavailable from any other partner in the industry. Under the pact,
Joystar agents dont have to change their GDS affiliation. When they
log into the network, said Alverson, they can choose which GDS they
would prefer to use and continue to book as normal. Joystars Web
site is www.iamatravelagent.com.
HOST AGENCY
SPOTLIGHT
TripGuy Travel LLC
589 Beverly Rd, Holland PA 18966
Phone: (215) 356-4889
Web:www.TripGuy.com
Years in business: 2
Annual sales: $1.5 Million
Industry affiliations: CLIA, IATA, NEST
Cost to join: $90 annual fee
Monthly fees: None
Commission split: 75% to agent on agent-produced
leads; 50% on Web site-generated leads
DATEBOOK: The Delta Queen Steamboat Co.
will host an educational seminar from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 4 at
the Holiday Inn Boston/Peabody. The event is being held prior to a
6 p.m. trade show happening at the same location and sponsored by
National Trade Shows. RSVP to (800) 526-0041. The seminar is
free.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Belgium/Holland
Departure: Oct. 8 from New York to Amsterdam, via
Continental Airlines.
Length: Eight nights, including seven nights
aboard the Vincent van Gogh.
Sponsor: Europeanbarging, Houston.
Cost: $1,590 per person, double. Includes
roundtrip air; transfers; the cruise with outside cabin
accommodations; all meals, including wine with dinner; sightseeing;
and a post-cruise overnight stay and dinner in Brussels.
Trip: Visits to Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels and
Ghent, Belgium; and Amsterdam, Kinderdijk, Middelburg and
Willemstad, Holland.
Noteworthy: The cruise-only portion costs $1,100.
Companions are eligible for an additional $100. Air add-ons can be
arranged.
Contact: (888) 869-7907; e-mail: [email protected].