CONCERTED
EFFORT: CLIA chose Oct. 19 as its "Worlds Largest Cruise
Night," which is designed to get as many travel agencies as
possible to hold a cruise-related promotional event on the same
day. "In one 24-hour period on Oct. 19, hundreds upon hundreds --
and possibly thousands -- of CLIA-member travel agencies will
participate," CLIA said. According to CLIA, among the ways agents
could promote cruising that day: cocktail parties, luncheons and
cruise nights. A link on its Web site, www.cruising.org,
will take agencies to registration, as well as a resource center
that will feature event tips and publicity tools. Terry Dale, CLIAs
CEO, said the event would "attract widespread media attention ...
this translates into increased awareness of cruise vacation sales
for CLIA-member travel agencies.
HOME-BASED AGENTS can
sign up for a free listing on Tours.com, a travel search engine
that recently added a retailer search option. The San
Francisco-based site said consumers can search for travel
professionals based on the agent's specific niche or specialty. "As
with all of the travel suppliers listed on Tours.com, each travel
agent who registers to be listed on the site has their data
personally reviewed and verified by Tours.com staff, ensuring accuracy," according
to a statement on the Web site. It also noted that the site is
offered in nine languages.
"THE
GROWING popularity of our site and requests from our users
provided the impetus to add this new search category to our site,"
said Tours.com
president Maria Polk. "Our site visitors wanted an unbiased,
accurate online source where they could easily find travel agents
with unique specializations," she added. Tours.com is not an
online travel agency, and relies on advertising -- not
commissions-- for revenues, said Polk.
THROUGH THE
PORTHOLE: Holland America Line instituted a new policy
that limits group blocks to one per month on each ship within one
sailing area. In addition, deposits will now be required when more
than 32 berths are blocked. The policy will be effective with
groups booked after June 1 for 2006 sailings and beyond.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Cayman
Island
Dates
valid: Through Dec. 18 for
overnight stays.
Sponsor: Hyatt Regency
Grand Cayman, Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands.
Cost: $129 per night, double. The rate is valid on one-bedroom
oceanview suites in the Beach Suites wing of the resort.
Noteworthy: A maximum of
five nights can be booked at the rate. Agents can take advantage of
the discounted rate only once during the incentive period.
Contact: (800)
55-HYATT.