Travel Agent Professional August 2012 Issue 19
Let the London Olympic Games make You a winner By Paull Tickner
www.autoeurope.com
August 2012
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You Gotta Be... http://issuu.com/action/page?page=8 ByScottKoepf VicePresidentofSalesAvoyaTravel/AmericanExpress
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Who’s Number One & I’m Back! Les-LeeRoland OwnerofThePackageDeal
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It’s True: Things Come in Small Packages! ByMitchellJ.Schlesinger VicePresident,Sales&MarketingVoyagestoAntiquity
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Alamo Rent A Car .........................................18 Affluent Traveler Collection...........................19 Avoya Travel/American Express.....................15 National Car Rental.......................................13 Olympic Games 2012
Auto Europe................................IFC http://www.AutoEurope.com
Travel Planners Int’l........................7 http://www.myhosttravelagency.com
Avoya Travel/American Express....17 http://www.joinavoya.com/default.cfm?ref=115
Voyages to Antiquity ......................3 http://us.voyagestoantiquity.com/
Leisure Pops ...................................9 http://www.leisurepops.com/ Royal Caribbean Line ...................BC http://www.royalcaribbean.com/
Travel Agent Professional
2012
ByPaullTickner CreatorofSpecialInterestBritain
TAP
18
Olympic Games Make You a Winner
Travel Agent Professional August 2012 Issue 19
Travel Agent Professional P.O. Box 120202 Staten Island, NY 10312 E-mail: info@travelagentprofessional.com Phone: 718.360.3153
Joel M. Abels
Legend In the Travel Industry April 1927 to January 2007
Ann M. Hoek Publisher/Creative Design ann@travelagentprofessional.com Bonnie Walling Editor Bonnie@travelagentprofessional.com
Meet Our Editorial Board Mitchell J. Schlesinger Vice President, Sales & Marketing Voyages to Antiquity www.voyagestoantiquity.com Rusty Pickett, ECC Shellback Cruises www.shellbackcruises.com Les-Lee Roland Owner of The Package Deal Scott Koepf Vice President of Sales Avoya Travel/ America’s Vacation Center www.joinavoya.com/default.cfm?ref=11583 Sherry Laskin, ACC Travel Writer/NACTA Webinar Moderator www.cruisemaven.com Sue Shapiro, President Shapiro Travel Resources sue.shapiro@gmail.com www.shapirotravelresources.com Paull Tickner, Creator of Special Interest Britain pjtickner@yahoo.co.uk www.greatdays.co.uk
Contributions Lee Rosen, CEO Leisure Pops www.leisurepops.com
Travel Agent Professional has its roots in Home Based Trade, the first magazine of its kind, started by Joel Abels in 2004. Joel and Lenore Abels ran Travel Trade for nearly half a century – it was started by her grandfather, John S. Lewis, and her father, Sidney Lewis, in 1929, and they took the publication over after her grandfather’s passing. Under Joel’s direction, the company grew to be one of the travel agent industry’s leading publications, reaching more than 45,000 agents throughout North America. It spawned a famous series of trade shows and three monthly magazines – Cruise Trade, Tour Trade and Home Based Trade. The Abels also garnered enormous respect – Joel received the Neal Award, called “the Pulitzer Prize of the business press,” for his hard-hitting editorials. On a personal note, after working with Joel for over a decade and staying with him until the end, I grew to truly care for and respect the man. He was like a second father to me. Joel was old school, he stood by his word and believed in his work. There will never be another. While nobody can replace this industry legend, we’re hoping that this new publication, which reunites the original Home Based Trade editorial board, will be able to carry on his passion for travel and those who sell it.
Ann M. Hoek This online magazine is dedicated to the memory of Joel Abels, Travel Trade's editor and publisher. Joel and his life's work may be gone, but with your help it can live on.
September 2011
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www.voyagestoantiquity.com Price is per person, double occupancy, in minimum category. Roundtrip air (and transfers) applicable with cruise-tour purchase only and includes all government taxes, fees and airline fuel surcharges, which may change at any time. Stateroom savings based on double occupancy (singles receive 50%) and vary by category and departure. Onboard credit based on double occupancy (singles receive $50). All offers are subject to availability, capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Ship's Registry: Malta.
4 Olympic 2012
http://issuu.com/action/page?page=1
By Paull
Let the London Olympic
Tickner
Games Make You a
Winner
Were
you one of the 1 billion people who saw the stunning Olympic Games opening ceremony? I was, and it left me speechless with admiration — especially when I saw the Queen in her first acting role with James Bond! How about her parachute jump! With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Beatles’ 50th anniversary and now the Olympic Games and Paralympics, agents use this free publicity to introduce their own customized small-group Britain tours for 2013. Take a look at some of these suggestions and give yourself a perfect 10.
August 2012
Love Me Do Thousands of fans of The Fab Four will flock to Liverpool from all over the world on Oct. 5 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles debut single “Love Me Do.” Watch for another front page photo story in USA Today.
And All That Jazz
Orchids All The Way
The London Jazz Festival, UK’s largest pan-city music festival will once again be taking place at venues all over the city Nov. 9-18, continuing to take jazz to a massive audience. It has long been acclaimed for showcasing a heady mix of talent from around the world — both world-class artists and emerging stars — and this year’s programme is no exception.
If you take a look at www.orchid.org.uk/orchidsocietiesusa.htm, you will see that there are 185 Orchid Societies scattered across the USA and Canada – and there may be one not very far from where you live. Looking closer, you might even spot the name of someone you know. If there’s a Botanical Garden nearby, they might fancy the idea of a UK tour that takes in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Orchid and Botanical Art Show, which takes place every March.
There Is Only One Sale As Harrods, the world’s greatest department store rightly claims, “There is only one sale,” and this short New Year’s itinerary includes a full day at the very beginning of this year’s top event on the shopping calendar. It also allows guests to fully experience the holiday in London, when all the shops, restaurants and attractions are in full festive mode.
Front Stage Back Stage Talk to the fund raiser at your local theatre about a Royal Shakespeare Theatre (Stratford) and Globe Theatre (London) theatre tour, which can be promoted on the back of the current World Shakespeare Festival running through November 2012. (continued on page 6)
Travel Agent Professional
6 Harry, Alice and Roald Dahl If family travel’s your specialty, think of a programme that includes visits to the Warner Brothers “Making of Harry Potter” attraction, Roald Dahl’s former home and Warwick Castle, offering a jaw-dropping look into history. You can then add a close and entertaining encounter with Elizabethan England at the Shakespeare Houses in Stratford upon Avon, plus sites associated with Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter in Oxford.
Royal England Tour Use the fascination with our Royal Family to set up a Royal England tour that’s timed to visit London when Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Althorp, Highgrove and Sandringham are all open to the general public.
Mystery and History When next you see your Minister or Priest, start a conversation about a UK programme that brings together value-added visits during July 2013 to see the major exhibition of the Lindisfarne Bible in Durham, the Chester Mystery Plays and the 50th anniversary of the death of CS Lewis (Oxford).
Scents and Sensibilities Next year, the city of Bath will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Time your visit to coincide with the city’s annual Jane Austen Festival (Sept. 13-21, 2013). Alternatively, use Jane Austen as the theme for a fascinating literary/garden tour that includes the Hampton Court Flower Show in late June/early July.
Pot Pourri And there’s more. Use the extensive media coverage of our little island to develop interest in the Crufts Dog Show (March), Tearoom Tours (June) and the Scottish Quilting Championships in Edinburgh (September). Paull Tickner, formerly with British Heritage Tours and creator of Special Interest Britain, is affiliated with the Greatdays Travel Group. For over 30 years, he has been developing and operating customised niche travel programs for the United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information, visit his Web site at www.greatdays.co.uk and E-mail him at pjtickner@yahoo.co.uk
August 2012
Travel Agent Professional
8
You Gotta Be...
Scott
the last twenty years I probably did not emphasize one very important aspect that is paramount to success. All approaches to closing the sale can be interpreted as simply manipulative if you miss this one ingredient. It is the one primary reason people will book with you and even more importantly come back to you and provide referrals. Without it your ability to connect with your customers simply disappears.
Koepf
By
After teaching sales techniques and processes for
Oh please Scott, tell us what it is – I hear you say! As always musical theatre provides the example to draw from for this answer. In the classic musical, Bye Bye Birdie, the lead character shares the simple truth for what it takes to connect with people. Conrad Birdie is the character based on Elvis Presley, and just like Elvis he had all the right moves, good looks and a killer voice. But like Elvis he knew that even with all those skills, if he wanted the girls to scream for him he had to have the magic item. So he expressed it in the following song:
You gotta be sincere! You gotta be sincere! You gotta feel it here, ‘Cause if you feel it here, Well, then you’re gonna be honestly sincere! If what you feel is true, You really feel it you Make them feel it too, Write this down now You gotta be sincere, Honestly sincere!
Write this down now You gotta be sincere, Honestly sincere!
Scott Koepf VP of Sales Avoya Travel/American Express www.JoinAvoya.com
Now while I will admit that Conrad may have been artificially sincere in the show I think the message is right on the mark. If your clients get the feeling they are being sold or that you are simply handling a transaction, then the chance of building a long term relationship is eliminated. As the song says ‘If what you feel is true…you make them feel it too’ – and your clients will know if you are putting their interests first. For some of you who have been in this business for many years, you may have forgotten why you joined this industry in the first place. Most likely it was because of your desire to help people fulfill their dreams. If that is sincerely your desire, then just make sure it shows from the minute you answer the phone. Just like Elvis needed the basics in his profession, you need the basics in this one. Product Knowledge, Steps to the Sale, Booking Procedures and Customer Service are all needed to reach success but just remember:
August 2012
10 Who’s Number One B y L e s - L e e R o l a n d
I’m Baaaack!!!! Les-Lee Roland Owner of The Package Deal
You
may have noticed that I have not written in a couple of months. I took the time off to tend to my ailing husband. And to catch up on all my reading, and a few movies. And to acquire an additional office. And to stop and smell the roses — although here in hot Florida, I have to make due with palm trees — and they don’t have any aroma. One thing I did notice, while reading so many trade articles, is that when it comes to marketing, nothing has really changed. The basics and still the basics. So many of the articles written by people who have lots of years of experience are similar. Yes, there may be a good new idea, but it is still a spin off of a basic premise to be implemented. Now is the part where you want me to list the basics of marketing. If I did, you would get tired of the redundancy of just reading a list. So let me try a different approach. Let’s just concentrate on one important area — Selling Yourself.
August 2012
& I’m Back! Take the office I have just taken over. A wonderful owner, friend of mine for years, has entrusted me with her rooster of clients, while she is going to live her dream and move to Hawaii, and yes, she will be home based working for me in paradise. I had advised her over the years to get automated with a database. I told her that a good program, along with FREE marketing, could only be an asset. She finally signed on with ClientEase to record all the necessary info for her clients, her bookings, her commissions. And when I taught her how easy it was to assign the clients to categories — like all the past passengers of Royal Caribbean, or Holland America., etc. her marketing would be easier and quicker. I told her when a promoter was offering a new sale or promo, with just a few keystrokes, she could target the right segment of her clients whose interest she could grab quickly. Unfortunately, she didn’t take the advice and utilize the database to its full capacity. I found this out when she turned over the boxes of folders of each of her clients, with handwritten notes on each one, I needed the time off just to go through everything. Over and over again, I read- clients are price conscious, yet their bookings anything from middle of the road to luxury. Over and over again, I read, clients want to travel in groups. Over and over again, I read their bucket list — another idea I gave
11
her a while back, to listen to your clients and make notes of places they want to visit. When you have 5 couple say Tahiti is on their bucket list — hooray — that’s when you take out some group space and promote. I read the dates of when people traveled, and I found a pattern of the busiest months when they even booked. Something she never looked at. I categorized her entire customer list, and as time consuming as it was, the rewards came through immediately. First, we sent out a joint notice, that her office was now being operated under my office, and it listed my credentials, and her endorsement. She would be an outside agent, and she would still assist them or they could contact me directly. We sent that out 2 times. And clients contacted either her or me, in droves. Some wanted to just wish her well and others — I don’t mean to gloat, but these people were starved for new destinations, wanting to book now, in 2013, and even for 2014. Previously she sent out one e-mail blast every 3 months. And they were all the same, Africa, Alaska, a Thanksgiving cruise, and either India or the Orient. With our first 2 emails blasts, we didn’t even mention any destination. Nothing offered to sell- only a friendly communication to announce the change, and to endorse me. The first call was from a client who wanted to take his family of 22 - 30 people on a Thanksgiving cruise, and he offered me his credit card in advance, told me the amount he wanted to spend. (continued on page 22)
Travel Agent Professional
12 How easy — how rewarding. From that first group call six weeks ago, the family has spinned off additional business. Almost all were new clients, all over the country, and I got them at the right time.
ers, Mah Jongg players, Family reunions, singles, religious, etc. and said I can create a group happening for any interest. How about an Elvis Pilgrimage?
This was just the tip of the iceberg…sorry…pun. More business kept coming in. She was so surprised. I explained it to her — sometimes you don’t have to promote anything, but yourself. Keeping your name out there, patting yourself on the back — tell them about your knowledge.
I listed the library of DVDs I keep on hand for my clients. And in one area, I have donated a duplicate set of DVDs and the old VHS format to a library at a Country Club for the members to check out. Each box has my contact info listed. So, after categorizing her clients, I found a large number of members from another Country Club. I contacted their Membership Director, and asked if they had a lending library in their clubhouse. When I offered to donate a group of travel DVDs, the gal said — why not put together a trade show in January for the entire membership.
I sent out a letter — not just an E-mail, but a snail mail, description of who I am. I am aligned with larger groups who allow us to have a bigger buying power and amenities with suppliers. I listed over $400 in prepaid gratuities on a major luxury cruise and got two bookings. I listed my continuing education and certification with over 20 destinations. Now came the calls about people wanting info about Aruba, Switzerland, and yes, even Iceland. I had never gotten any request for Iceland before! I enclosed few business cards with each letter, and ASKED for referrals. I listed a variety of groups — bridge play-
This is truly an example of a gift that keeps on giving!! I did not mention anything to do with a dollar amount. Discounting was not the issue for this letter. If you have to sell yourself based on just the money you save (this is a totally different issue that the amenities you offer), clients get wise, and think — aha..so price may be negotiable.
Bottom line, you must learn to sell yourself, your experience, and the service you can provide. And you know what — now I do need a vacation! You deserve it...AMH
August 2012
Sh o w ca s e National Car Rental Provides Return Alerts to Emerald Club Members New Feature Bolsters National’s Award-Winning Service for Frequent Business Travelers Demanding On-the-Go Service ST. L OUIS – Aug. 1, 2012 — National Car Rental, the premier rental car brand for business travel, today announced the launch of its new Return Alerts to Emerald Club members to enhance efficiency, choice and convenience in their frequent business travel. The new service — offered to those renting two days or longer in the United States and Canada — sends an email alert to Emerald Club members four hours in advance of a scheduled car rental return. The alert features the return location address and airport name, a link to a map guiding the customer to the return location and the contact number to call if a reservation extension is needed. “When business travelers hit the road, speed, ease and options are top priorities,” said Rob Connors, assistant vice president of marketing, National Car Rental. “Return Alerts enhance the travel experience by providing travelers with automatic email notifications that remind them of their vehicle drop-off time and location, even in the midst of a busy schedule.” Return Alerts join other offerings introduced in the past year that specifically target Emerald Club members. Drop & GoSM is an expedited rental return process that allows customers to simply drop off their vehicle and have the receipt emailed to them. Customers who are registered for Drop & Go service will be informed by their Return Alerts if the return location is also a Drop & Go location. Emerald Club members also can receive Arrival Alerts, an email received when their flight lands that provides their reservation number, information about their National rental location and directions to the rental center.
Another major benefit to Emerald Club members is access to National’s “Emerald Aisle,” an exclusive section of the lot where members can select any vehicle as long as they reserve a mid-size car; members only pay the mid-size rate, even if they end up driving away in a larger vehicle. National operates more than 60 Emerald Aisle locations in the United States and Canada, including at the top 50 airports for business travel. These offerings are all part of National’s ongoing commitment to customer service. What’s more, they are a direct response to listening to the needs of business travelers. “Through ‘The Emerald Exchange’ — our online community of 300 Emerald Club members — we gather insights into what those customers demand from the car rental experience,” said Connors. “Listening to their feedback has led to innovations like Return Alerts, Arrival Alerts and Drop & Go. It’s also helped to make the National Car Rental brand an industry leader in ensuring customer loyalty, customer satisfaction and market share growth.”
For more information, visit www.nationalcar.com. To enjoy all the benefits of the Emerald Club, enroll online by visiting www.emeraldclub.com.
Travel Agent Professional
14
It’s True:
By Mitchell
Things Come in Small Packages! No
J.
, this is not a message reminding you to start your holiday shopping. It is a reminder that you should be reviewing the demographics and purchase patterns of your client database and focus promoting small ship and river cruise products to the applicable target audience.
Schlesinger
There are two invaluable benefits to you for taking the time to analyze your database and begin promoting small ship products:
Mitchell J. Schlesinger Vice President, Sales & Marketing Voyages to Antiquity m.schlesinger@voyagestoantiquity.com
For that portion of your clientele who are travel savvy, have covered many of the marquee destinations, including in Europe, have traveled for more than 10 days, spent more than $3,000 per person and are 55 plus: They are primed for that NEXT new, different, and enriching experience.
In many cases, they want to explore specific regions or individual countries in more detail. Since they would like a much more “up-close-and-personal experience,” this is where small ships and river cruises are the best alternative. Making sure that you are making your own clients aware of the myriad of opportunities available to them better insures that you retain these clients into the future. Not to be crass, but the benefit to you is clearly income…and you are in business to make money. Small ship, river cruise and luxury products are anywhere from mostly-to-fully inclusive, which means that you earn commission on virtually all aspects of the full cruise fare. Of course, with clients traveling longer distances and time, and spending more, this adds up fast. You are looking at selling staterooms in the range of $7,000-$20,000 per couple. At a minimum, you are earning $700-$2,000 commission per stateroom. That is the equivalent of selling 10-20 Caribbean cruises at $599 per person after backing out the NCFs. Some things to mindful of in order to be successful selling these products to your clients: Fulfilling expectations is EVERYTHING, especially when clients are going to spend $3,000-plus per person and have specifically selected a particular destination; (continued on page 16)
August 2012
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Avoya Travel/American Express Reveals Record Sales Performance Network of Independent Agencies More Successful Than Ever Before Avoya Travel® / American Express®, one of the leading travel companies in North America and beyond, today announced that the first two quarters of 2012 were its highest performing quarters in the company’s history. These achievements follow the company’s best year ever in 2011 and show the growth of the Avoya® Network of Independent Agencies, which is more successful than ever before. The first-half of the year’s recordbreaking results are based on all measures of success, including enhancing Avoya’s (www.JoinAvoya.com) extraordinary vacation experience for customers, growing the company’s new and repeat clients, and increasing overall sales performance. This growth follows Avoya’s remarkable 2011, which reported an all-time high for revenue and sales exceeding $200 million, as well as increased average commission earnings for its Independent Agency Network. “Avoya offers the ultimate customer experience, which creates a win-win for our customers, Independent Agencies, and preferred partners,” said Brad Anderson, Co-President of Avoya. “We are proud to be pacesetters in how travel will be purchased in the future and to offer incredible opportunities for our partners and independent travel professionals to achieve success.”
Avoya accomplished its first and second quarter results by continually enhancing and evolving its renowned vacation experience for customers and supporting its Independent Agency Network. The company also focused on building its social media presence on Facebook and growing sales with even more new and repeat clients. Other recent contributing developments in the past year include: • Releasing the first-of-its-kind Instant Commission™ program, which allows Independent Agencies to receive commission immediately after deposit is made on a booking; • Introducing its Path to Success Campaign focusing on Shared Success™; • Launching its text message system to connect travelers across the globe with live Independent Agencies; and • Creating new educational resources for Independent Agencies
to offer an even better customer experience. “Avoya Travel and its professional Network of Independent Agencies are having a remarkable year by continuing to deliver first-class customer service to travelers worldwide,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales for Celebrity Cruises. “We strongly support Avoya Travel’s dedication to its customers, which time and time again results in top sales performance, and we look forward to growing our partnership for years to come.” Avoya has a long-standing reputation in the travel industry for being one of the top-producing travel companies worldwide. The company has been a part of the American Express Travel Representative Network for over 20 years, which provides Avoya customers and Independent Agencies extraordinary travel benefits.
About Avoya Travel/American Express: Avoya Travel® /American Express® (www.JoinAvoya.com) is one of the largest and most awarded travel companies in North America and beyond. As an American Express Travel Representative for more than 20 years, Avoya® is deeply committed to Integrity and Professionalism™, quality service, and success in every aspect of planning vacations and cruises. With hundreds of Independent Agencies in its Network, Avoya provides exclusive discounts, amenities, and first-class customer service to travelers worldwide.
Travelers interested in booking their next vacation should call 800-753-1463 or visit www.AvoyaTravel.com. For customers located in Canada, call 866-935-4051 or visit ca.AvoyaTravel.com. Travel agency owners and professionals interested in growing their business should contact JoinAvoya at 800-521-2597 or visit www.JoinAvoya.com.
Travel Agent Professional
16 These clients are more intelligent and will have many more questions about the shore experiences for the destinations selected. Have your clients tell you specifically what they want to see and experience and be prepared to advise which cruise product provides the best opportunity to fulfill these desires; They will also need to understand how the small ship and river cruise experience differs onboard from larger ships; Ultimately, they need to understand that the travel experience that they are seeking can BEST be fulfilled selecting a small ship/river cruise. As this a destination driven purchase, it is critical to explain the benefits of more ports visited, more time in port, ability to visit ports that bigger ships cannot call at, and a much more pronounced opportunity for destination immersion, which is key to their purchase decision;
Most importantly, guide the client, but let them make the final decision. They want your expertise, but want to feel in control of the ultimate purchase so that they feel completely comfortable with the decision. Travel is “habit forming” — in a good way, of course. And the same way your clients fell in love with cruising at a younger age applies even more so as they mature and become more experienced. The reaction to visiting the great cities/sites/regions of the world only serve to create cravings for the next great travel experience. And once they experience this on a small ship with fewer guests, they will be hooked. The benefit for you is the multiplier effect of selling higher priced cruise products yielding significantly higher commission. By becoming skilled at promoting and selling these products, it will seem like the holidays have come every day…for your clients and you.
(continued on page 18 )
August 2012
Sh o w ca s e Alamo Rent A Car & National Car Rental Launch Partnership with Asiana Airlines Car Rentals Through Alamo and National Provide Asiana Club Miles Aug. 2, 2012 (St. Louis) — Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental today announced the launch of a partnership with Asiana Airlines. The agreement will immediately allow members of the Asiana Airlines frequent flier program, Asiana Club, to earn hundreds of miles when renting from any participating Alamo Rent A Car or National Car Rental location in the United States or Canada.
About Alamo Rent A Car
“We are pleased to partner with Asiana Airlines and begin to offer a wide variety of quality services for its loyal customers,” said Jerry Mosiello, vice president of International Business Development for Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates Alamo and National along with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand. “Global travelers consistently enjoy the convenience and choice available at Alamo and National, as well as the helpfulness and friendliness of our customer service representatives. We look forward to serving new and returning members of the Asiana Club.”
tions throughout the United States,
With annual revenues of $14.1 billion and more than 70,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings operates, through its North American regional subsidiaries, more than one million cars and trucks, making it the largest car rental service provider in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet. Alamo Rent A Car — the largest car rental provider to international travelers visiting North America — is a value-oriented, internationally recognized brand serving the rental needs of airport leisure travelers, while National Car Rental serves the daily rental needs of the frequent airport traveler. Asiana Club members renting from Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental at any of the participating U.S. and Canadian locations will earn 500 Asiana Club miles per qualifying rental. As a special launch promotion, Alamo and National are also offering a 20 percent discount off rental rates until Sept. 30, 2012. To qualify for the promotion, members must make an advance reservation using the Alamo ID code number of 7015977 or the National ID code number of 5030341 and, to earn Asiana Club miles, present their membership card at the time of rental. For further information and to make a reservation, please visit www.alamo.com, www.nationalcar.com or www.us.flyasiana.com.
Founded in 1974, Alamo Rent A Car offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer experience at the most popular travel destinaCanada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. In addition, Alamo customers in the U.S. are able to conveniently choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport. Alamo also serves as the official rental car of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. For more information about Alamo, visit https://www.alamo.com/. For more information about Enterprise Holdings’ environmental stewardship and long-term commitment to the sustainability of its business, visit www.enterpriseholdings.com/sustainability. This news release and other Alamo announcements are available at the Enterprise Holdings press room.
August 2012
Showcase
The Affluent Traveler Collection’s Portfolio of Preferred Suppliers Grows With Five New Additions The Affluent Traveler Collection (ATC) continues to expand its list of the world’s finest preferred travel suppliers with several recent additions, ranging from elite boutique hotels and private villas to renowned tour operators. From guided hikes and room upgrades to complimentary breakfast and outdoor yoga, clients of ATC’s licensed travel advisors will now be privy to an even greater variety of exclusive experiences and special perks. New preferred suppliers include: • The Phoenician (Scottsdale, Arizona) is a AAA Five Diamond resort that features a $25 million art collection, 27 hole championship golf course, four star spa and award-winning afternoon tea. Guests can stroll through the hotel’s two acre cactus garden, enjoy an audio art tour or indulge in one of the resort’s 10 restaurants and lounges. • Los Sauces Casa Patagonica (Santa Cruz, Argentina) sits at the gateway of Glacier National Park in Patagonia. The boutique hotel offers travelers a truly authentic experience with Patagonian cuisine, paintings from well- known Argentinean artists and individually designed rooms, each with its own name. • Classic Vacations, a top luxury wholesaler, tailors vacations to Australia, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Europe, Fiji, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand and Tahiti to meet the needs of discerning clientele. Its commitment to excellence means that travelers can expect a unique vacation experience with world-class accommodations and the highest level of service. • ME Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain) offers a prime city center location, fine Mediterranean cuisine and a zen-like spa with an extensive treatment menu partially derived from Mayan and Aztec rituals. The hotel’s Aura Managers, who are ME Barcelona-aficionados and city specialists, are on hand to ensure guests experience only the very best. The Affluent Traveler Collection, one of 19 brands owned by American Marketing Group, Inc., is an elite marketing organization that provides its licensed travel advisors with a range of products, tools and services including marketing expertise, cutting-edge technology and training opportunities. Through its relationships with the world’s best travel suppliers, The Affluent Traveler Collection’s licensed travel advisors have access to an enriched amenities program and a variety of exclusive offers. Its semi-annual magazine, The Affluent Traveler, is distributed in more than 15 countries and is available by subscription, through licensed travel advisors of The Affluent Traveler Collection, at major bookstores, on newsstands, in select airport lounges and in the guestrooms of all Affluent Traveler Collection preferred hotels. For more information, visit www.theaffluenttraveler.com. For more information about The Affluent Traveler Collection, agencies and suppliers can visit www.theaffluenttraveler.com, email info@theaffluenttraveler.com, or call 877?645?6351.
Travel Agent Professional
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