War and remembrance

Stephanie Abrams' visit to Strasbourg, France, to attend the ASTA congress will include a sentimental journey to the nearby town of Rupt-sur-Moselle.

For Abrams, executive vice president of Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based agency franchiser ETravnet.com, the town is part of her father's legacy as a war hero.

It's not the first time Abrams, whose father died in 1952, has made this journey. She was there 20 years ago, when she discovered that "it's a very small town. If you blink after you see the entry sign, you may miss the exit sign."

Rupt-sur-Moselle, close to the French-German border, has "changed hands between the two countries for centuries," said Abrams.

In September 1944, the town was occupied by the Nazis. Abrams' father, Jacob Beber, was a member of the Army infantry sent to dislodge them. While the members of his unit were advancing on the town, Beber singlehandedly took care of diversionary action. He planted himself in the middle of the main street, firing his machine gun repeatedly into the building that was Nazi headquarters, until 18 Nazis surrendered.

For that action, Beber was promoted to private first class and received the Silver Star, the second-highest honor the U.S. government can bestow on anyone in the military service.

On Abrams' first visit to the town, she was introduced to a Frenchman who was 23 years old and living in Rupt-sur-Moselle when her father's unit came in. The man told Abrams about the difficult winter of 1943, with "the cold and the Nazi occupation," and how happy the townspeople were to see the Americans liberate them from the Nazis.

Then the French army came in to hold the town, and the Americans left. "I remember waving good-bye to them as they walked over the mountains," the Frenchman told Abrams.

To celebrate those days of liberation, Abrams, her family and the Frenchman "went up on the mountainside and had a little picnic," she said.

Veteran trips

Holding the last ASTA congress of the century in Strasbourg, France -- "a place surrounded by memories of heroic and historic events" from World War II -- definitely suggests opportunities for agents thinking of tours for war veterans, said Stephanie Abrams, executive vice president of Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based agency franchiser ETravnet.com.

There's a lot of interest in this kind of trip right now, she noted, citing such evidence as the popularity of the movie "Saving Private Ryan."

Abrams suggested that agents "open up their yellow pages, find a local VFW group" and suggest a visit to destinations with historical value. During the ASTA congress, Abrams is making her own pilgrimage to a place where her father served during World War II (see story above).

Her father, Jacob Beber, died in 1952 from what were service-related injuries. "It was suspected he had some shrapnel in his body," she said.

For returning veterans of that generation, "it was all really quite private," she said. "You did what you had to do, but there was never an open discussion. I'm sure he felt pride, but he never talked about it."

Think about your favorite movies. What do they have in common? Probably an opening scene that grabs you, a plot that moves you along and closing action that ties the story together.

Your clients' travel itineraries should have the same feel. Whether you're booking a single traveler or a group of hundreds, keep these ideas in mind for scripting a hit itinerary.

Highlight the adventure, romance or fun that is the theme of the package. Picture the title on a brochure or advertisement -- like a movie title on a marquee on preview night. That's the way to highlight your "hit" itinerary.

Dr. Marc Mancini is a long-time travel industry speaker and consultant.

A fam trip to the Caribbean can help you develop a value-added amenity for your clients -- discounts to the best stores on an island.

Before leaving home, get a list of duty-free stores and their managers from the island's tourism office. Then fax each store with a request for an appointment, explaining you want to set up a "marketing affiliation" with the best stores on the island that will allow you to recommend their services to your clients.

During your face-to-face meeting, negotiate a shopping discount for your firm's clients. Have the manager prepare a letter that you can reprint and include with documents.

This is one of those special services that clients will talk about and appreciate -- and it costs nothing to implement.

Richard Turen is an industry consultant and agency president. Contact him at [email protected].

You or your Web-surfing clients have the chance to win a million frequent flyer miles with the eBags Win a Million Miles sweepstakes.

To participate, visitors to www.ebags.com -- an on-line retailer of travel bags and accessories -- simply fill out and submit a short entry form.

Entrants can increase their chances of winning and earn additional entries by getting their friends to sign up for the sweepstakes.

Provided by the ClickRewards Shopping Network, the million miles -- known as ClickMiles -- are redeemable for frequent flyer miles from eight leading airlines or for merchandise.

The first eBags sweepstakes ran through Nov. 5, but the company said it plans to host the sweepstakes once per quarter.

By Kristin O'Meara

Whipsawed by surly clients and surlier suppliers? Ready to make a break for the gym or home?

The publishers of Woodbridge, Conn.-based Afterglow Romantic Walks are ready for you with tapes to accompany a workout or commute.

Although I've never been a romance novel enthusiast, I agreed to test-drive a tape. I hopped on the elliptical trainer and flipped the switch on "Ticket to Paradise."

Will the summer intern Bobbi Lynn find love at an inclusive resort in Jamaica with Tony, the dashing diving instructor? Of course, she will.

Despite the story's predictable ending, seasoned island travelers will recognize wacky Jamaican jitney drivers, power outages and the cutthroat competition among inclusive resorts.

As I headed for the weight room, I flipped the tape to "Aruba Sunsets."

Rachel is a stressed-out career woman on a much-needed break. She winds up with an unexpected in-room amenity when she meets the sexy Roberto -- but will their romance burn out when the vacation ends? Of course, it won't.

Again, no Pulitzer Prizes will be awarded here, especially given the incorrect reference to "Arubians," but this is spun-sugar summer listening.

Each tape costs $10.99, plus $3 for shipping and handling. Both tapes can be ordered by calling (800) 987-6876.