AMRESORTS, the hotel and brand management
company for Secrets, Dreams and Sunscape resorts, is encouraging
independent and home-based retailers to participate in its free
Master Agent online education programs. Proof of CLIA or IATA
affiliation is required. Once agents complete the course, they
become members of the company's "database of loyal partners." A
spokeswoman for the company said member agents receive exclusive
promotions and special offers to events, and can participate in fam
trips. The education program, which was launched last year, will be
expanded this fall with a second phase that allows registrants to
gain access to the Master Agent Web site and receive a live
connection to a corporate reservations center. Member agents must
present an IATAN card or other official form of proof of employment
to receive retailer rates at AMResorts properties.
NACTA is gearing up for its Travel
Professionals 2.0 Conference on Nov. 28 in Fort Lauderdale.
Designed as a peer-to-peer event, the daylong program will feature
successful agents sharing their knowledge with others. Slated for
the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Hotel, the event also will feature
a technology forum and a trade show. Additionally, panel
discussions are planned, along with a program on host agencies.
Major cruise lines and tour operators are sponsors of the program.
Sign-up information and the conference agenda are at www.nacta.com.
CRUISE AND
TOUR company executives will headline the Platinum Luxury
Society's International Luxury Symposium, which will be held at the
Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Pier Top on Nov. 28 in Fort Lauderdale.
William Brown, Platinum Luxury's president and CEO, said the forum
of industry experts invited to the symposium are Jim Baer of
Princess Cruises, Lee Robinson of Cunard, Jim Smith of AutoEurope,
Scott Ahlsmith of Virtuoso and Scott Koepf of Nexion. The event is
sponsored by Costa Cruises. Agents may sign up at www.platinumseminars.com. The cost is $49.
TRAVEL
GUARD rolled out upgrades to its portfolio, including a
new cancel-for-any-reason option available with the vendor's
per-trip, bundled insurance plans. Other options, also available
with per-trip programs, provide coverage for children under the age
of 18 (if related to the primary insured traveler), cancellation
for work reasons and medical evacuation to the insured's home.
Another option is Identity Theft Restoration, which assists a
traveler in protecting his or her identity if ID and credit cards
are stolen during a trip. With existing options, coverage limits
were increased without a rate change in most cases, the vendor
said.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Fiji
Trip: Sails around the Fiji Islands
visiting various destinations, depending on the cruise itinerary
selected.
Departures: Weekly through March 31,
ranging in length from three to seven days, on the Fiji Princess,
Yasawa Princess, Mystique Princess or Nanuya Princess, depending on
length of cruise and itinerary selected.
Sponsor: Blue Lagoon Cruises, Lautoka, Fiji
Islands.
Cost: Five different itineraries are
offered, priced from about $80 to $216 per person,
double.
Noteworthy: Rates are for lowest-deck
accommodations with upgrades, subject to availability, at $99
additional per person, per deck. Companions are
eligible.
Contact: E-mail: [email protected]; Web: www.bluelagooncruises.com for itineraries.
Home-Based
Agent Editor: Donna Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].