NEST: The Network of
Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) "upped the ante" for winners in
the "Extreme Home Office Makeover" contest recently announced by
Royal Caribbean International. NEST is a marketing group for
home-based agents based in Oyster Bay, N.Y. In addition to the
makeover, any NEST member agency that wins Royal Caribbean's
contest also will receive a $100 shopping spree from NEST, said the
organization's senior VP, Stuart Cohen.
NEST
REWARDS: A Member would receive
the bonus cash on their personal NESTRewards MasterCard Debit Card,
which can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted. Cohen said a
comfortable office environment translates into higher productivity.
For more details about the program, current NEST members can visit
www.inthenest.com. To find out more about NEST,
home-based agents can visit www.jointhenest.com.
CRUISE PLANNER
CONVENTION: More than 200 Cruise
Planner agents gathered in Fort Lauderdale last week for a
convention that featured training and cruise-specific orientation.
Speakers included Andy Stuart, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for
Norwegian Cruise Line, who delivered an upbeat assessment of the
state of the cruise industry. Other speakers were from Carnival,
Princess, Celebrity, Holland America and Royal Caribbean. Attendees
met with representatives of American Express (Cruise Planners last
year became an Amex rep agency.)
OTHER CRUISE
PLANNER NEWS: The Coral Springs,
Fla.-based firm said it increased its national franchise membership
to nearly 500. They reached the milestone in part by the 35
attendees slated to attend its November franchisee-training class.
The company also has added agents who had been with other
franchises. Cruise Planners' Web site is www.cruiseagents.com.
THROUGH THE
PORTHOLE: Radisson Seven Seas
rolled out two-for-one fares on 10 Caribbean cruises operating
through December. The offer applies to certain cruises of various
lengths aboard the line's Voyager, Navigator and Radisson Diamond.
A four-night cruise roundtrip from San Juan is priced from $1,148,
seven nights from $1,898. A 10-night sailing roundtrip from Tampa
runs $2,848 and includes a two-category suite upgrade. Details are
online at www.rssc.com.
IN YOUR
POCKET: Avis launched the Avis
Great Escapes Sweepstakes for agents. Through Nov. 30, agents who
book Avis via Sabre are entered to win a weekly cash prize and a
grand prize. Every Avis booking is an automatic sweepstakes entry,
and those that include a Saturday-night stay will be entered twice.
Each week, the sweepstakes will award one agent a $500 gift check.
The grand-prize winner, who will be chosen Dec. 10, will receive
roundtrip air fare for two to Boston, a three-night stay at the
Fairmont Copley Plaza and an Avis car rental for the duration of
the stay. Get more details at www.zipromotions.com.
DATEBOOK: The Venetian hotel in
Las Vegas is the venue for the sixth annual Luxury Travel Expo from
Dec. 7 to 9. Details and registration information is online at
www.luxurytravelexpowest.com.
FAM OF THE WEEK
Greece
Departure: Dec. 22 from
New York to Athens via Delta.
Length: 11
nights.
Sponsor: Reko Tours,
Astoria, N.Y.
Cost: $1,285 per person,
double. Includes roundtrip air, hotel accommodations, breakfast
daily, transfers and sightseeing.
Trip: Spends eight nights
in Athens and one night each in Delphi, Kalambaka and
Olympia.
Noteworthy: Companions
are eligible.
Contact: (877) 9-AEGEAN;
fax: (718) 721-5643; e-mail: [email protected]