ADIOS,
USTOA: Sceptre Tours resigned
from the U.S. Tour Operators Association on Oct. 19. Sceptre Vice
President Chris Accomando said the firm chose to drop its USTOA
membership, which requires a $1 million consumer protection
deposit, because it has its own consumer-protection plan, via a a
fiduciary account at North Fork Bank. However, purchases made at
Sceptre prior to Oct. 19 will still be covered by the USTOA's
Traveler Assistance program, according to the association.
CASTLING: Meanwhile,
Lynbrook, N.Y.-based Sceptre is offering its six-night Emerald
Castle package in 2005 from $599 net, including air from New York
(Kennedy) or Boston; standard rental car; and accommodations at
hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and a 5-star castle. Also included: full
Irish breakfast daily and an Irish Coffee welcome reception. Agents
may mark up as they see fit. Call Sceptre Tours, which offers
retailers net rates on packages, at (800) 221-0924, or visit www.sceptretours.com or www.sceptreagent.com.
EMERALD
E-DUCATION: Tourism Ireland is
preparing a Shamrock Club University educational trip to Ireland
next year for up to 150 agent participants of its online
destination specialist program. Catherine Gale, national marketing
manager at the organization's New York office, said the
"university" likely will consist of a fam trip, half-day
educational program and workshop with Irish suppliers. The goal is
to "qualify" all the Shamrock Club's 7,000 or so registered agent
members; currently, only half of all registrants have completed the
whole course. Also on tap for 2005: New special-interest travel
modules for the program's www.shamrockclub.net Web site, and a continuing
education seminar series for U.S. cities near clusters of Shamrock
Club graduates. For more information, contact Tourism Ireland's
Hillarie McGuinness at (212) 418-0826; to register, visit www.shamrockclub.net/register.
IN THE AIR: Directors of national tourism development authority Failte
Ireland met Oct. 20 with Irish airline executives to discuss air
travel and its impact on Irish tourism. After its meeting with
leading carriers Aer Lingus and Ryanair, Failte Ireland said it
sought an increase in capacity and services at Dublin's airport;
introduction of new routes into Ireland from both Europe and the
U.S.; and early renegotiation of air agreements with the U.S. For
more, visit
www.failteireland.ie.