VACATION.COM expanded the program and
enhanced educational, training and networking opportunities for
attendees at its International Conference & Trade Show, to be
held at Caesars Palace Las Vegas from June 16 to 19. Destination
Training, for example, will be dedicated to sought-after
destinations and tourist offices to teach members about some of the
most popular travel destinations in the world. To register for the
conference, members can visit AgentNet.com and follow the International Conference
link. One complimentary registration is provided for U.S. member
agencies; additional registrants can be added for $99 each if
registered by Dec. 31. After that date, additional registrants will
cost $129.
SPOTLIGHT
ON: Travel Quest/Carlson Wagonlit Travel. This host agency
founded in 1998 reports $20 million in annual sales and has about
85 agents. "As a general rule, we usually require six months of
travel agent experience, but occasionally we do accept agents with
no experience who we feel have shown entrepreneur qualities and
have the drive and ability to learn quickly," a spokeswoman for the
agency said. Since its business model is geared to experienced
agents, the agency allocates its resources more toward supporting
knowledgeable agents rather than training new ones. "In doing so,
we are able to lower our costs considerably and pass along these
savings to our agents in the form of 100 percent commissions with
no fees," the spokeswoman said. The agency, based in Albertville,
Minn., charges no ticketing, group, GDS, annual or transaction
fees. Agents who choose to receive full commissions pay a monthly
fee of $250. Those who select an 80/20 split pay $20 per month. The
host agency can be contacted at (800) 392-6484.
DATEBOOK: The OSSN Austin Chapter will meet
on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. for a dinner seminar with SITA World Tours.
The chapter will welcome OSSN agents as well as non-members at
Marie Callender's (9503 Research Drive, Austin, 512-349-7151). The
meeting will be free for OSSN members and $10 for non-members.
Agents should RSVP via e-mail at [email protected].
TOUR
DESK: Pleasant Holidays and its luxury brand,
Distinguished Resorts, introduced a series of programs to Costa
Rica. The programs feature more than 20 resorts in the top tourism
regions of the country, according to Jack Richards, Pleasant
Holidays president and CEO. These include Guanacaste, Puntarenas,
San Jose, Monteverde and Arenal. Included in the array of
properties will be eight all-inclusive resorts and the Four Seasons
Guanacaste. More than 70 activities and sightseeing tours will be
offered.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Ireland
Trip: Visits Dublin and Galway.
Departures: Feb. 7 from Boston, Chicago or
New York to Dublin on Aer Lingus.
Length: Four nights.
Sponsor: Sceptre Tours, Lynbrook,
N.Y.
Cost: $675 per person, double. Includes
roundtrip air, accommodations, Irish breakfast daily, sightseeing
and land transportation.
Noteworthy: Companions are eligible at the
same rate. Taxes and fees of about $95 are not included in the
price.
Contact: (800) 221-0924.
Home-Based
Agent Editor: Donna Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].