THE FOURTH
EDITION of Maison de la Frances French Affairs event,
designed to increase networking between French and U.S. suppliers
promoting France, is set to take place in New Orleans Oct. 22 and
23. Travel agents are encouraged to participate in selecting the
2006 Tour Operator of the Year, to be awarded at the event. Travel
agents who vote are eligible for a drawing to win a trip to New
Orleans and attend the ceremony, with round-trip ticket and
accommodations supplied by Maison de la France. To vote, visit http://francesurveyshop.jaggedpeak.com/index.jp?edge=content.survey&survey=ProAward2006en&geos=us_en.
RAIL
EUROPE has simplified its booking system, whittling down
categories of fares for point-to-point train tickets on all routes
throughout Europe, including the U.K., to four. Now the system
displays all the available fares for the day and time selected on
one screen without redundant price points. The price shown for each
category is the lowest available fare, and the site only displays
live inventory of available fares. Agent commission on electronic
booking of European rail tickets ranges from 5% to 7%. To book,
visit http://agent.raileurope.com.
SCEPTRE
TOURS is offering free Ireland fam trips in March for
agents who book group travel under deposit of at least 10
passengers by Aug. 31. The trip includes free air fare,
accommodations and sightseeing. The promotion can be combined with
existing group incentives, including a free land portion for the
26th guest and free stays for the 46th and 47th guests. A sample
four-night package with two nights each in Dublin and Galway, full
Irish breakfast daily, two dinners and sightseeing is priced from
$429 per person, land. To book, visit www.SceptreTours.com.
SPAIN WAS
NAMED destination of the year by PlanetOut, a media group
serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, at
last months annual convention for the International Gay and Lesbian
Travel Association. Spain received the nod for its social advances,
inventive cuisine, accommodations and infrastructure. Other
contenders included Australia, Brazil, Canada and Great
Britain.
UNITED
VACATIONS is trimming 25% to 50% from air fare to London
this fall and throwing in a free walking tour with the purchase of
a full-day London sightseeing tour. The Fall for London vacation
package, available from all origin cities in the U.S., can also
include accommodations, airport transfers and theater tickets. A
sample package with four nights accommodations at the Craven
Gardens and daily breakfast starts at $699 from New York, per
person, double. Valid from Sept. 6 to Oct. 25, the package must be
booked by Oct. 20. For more info, go to www.vaxvacationaccess.com.
Europe
Editor:
Felicity
Long
Phone: (781) 659-1301
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].