HOLIDAY
SPECIAL: Vacation.com rolled out a holiday season
incentive to join its network, offering a $150 discount (43%) off
its annual membership dues. Dick Knodt, president and CEO, said the
offer is valid through Dec. 31 and will be applied to membership
dues through June 30, 2005, at which time the agency will be
expected to pay the regular membership amount of $350.
JOHN
LOVELL, Vacation.coms vice president of sales, cited four
reasons for joining: preferred supplier relationships, the newly
expanded CruiseCentre, technology platforms and the consortiums
Engagement direct-mail marketing program. Vacation.com has 7,000
agency members, many of them home-based. More information is on
line at www.joinvacation.com.
MATCH-MAKING: The Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Associate Division launched a referral program, available free to
its associates, to help match them up with suitable independent
contractors. Carlson said it will actively solicit independent
contractors to enroll. Qualifying agents contact information will
be passed on to the nearest Carlson associate that signs on as a
participant. Beyond that, it will be up to the host and contractor
to negotiate terms. Carlson previewed the program during the
associates national meeting in Houston last month.
A
MILESTONE: The Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel
(NEST) has grown to 150 member agencies, putting it well on its way
to ruling the roost among the community of top home-based travel
agencies, said Stuart Cohen, senior vice president of the national
marketing organization he created six months ago.
IN YOUR
POCKET: Apple Vacations said it will pay travel agents a
5% bonus on all new charter air/hotel package bookings made through
Dec. 31 for departures April 1 and after. The bonus is in addition
to the agents current commission level and will be automatically
added to the commission check after the client travels. For more
information, call Apple Vacations reservations at 800-365-2775 or
book on line at myappleonline.com.
DATEBOOK: The Travel Adventure Expo &
Conference is set for Jan. 21 to 23 at the Miami Beach Convention
Center. A trade show, supplier seminars, networking sessions and
marketing forums are on the agenda. Details are on the Web at www.traveladventurebiz.com.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Italy
Departures: Every Saturday for the remainder of the year
from Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco to Rome via Air
France.
Length: Seven nights.
Sponsor: Tours Specialists, Palm Harbor, Fla.
Cost: $1,800 per person, double, from New York or
$1,900 from California. Includes roundtrip air, hotel, daily
breakfasts, transfers and sightseeing.
Trip: Visits Florence, Rome and Venice.
Noteworthy: Companion rates are $100 additional.
The single supplement is $400.
Contact: (800) 223-7552; fax: (727) 784-7520;
e-mail: [email protected].