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Message From Headquarters Dear reader, Summer is here! It’s time to shop for your next pair of flip flops and prepare for splishin' and a splashin' in the sun. Are you ready for flip floppin’ down to the beach? In our destinations throughout Latin America you will enjoy spectacular scenery and climate all year round. After a day of indoor meetings get ready for fun outdoor aquatic activities. Perfect landscapes in which to develop cohesive activities. Our team of experts can develop a goal-oriented program for enhancing your company’s core values and goals. Would you like to polish factors amongst your group such as communication, group cohesion, motivation, time management, leadership, creativity, and planning? Then, leave it up to us to put together creative ideas for achieving the above. We have an array of options to suggest! Besides attaining your desired objectives, rest assured your attendees will have lots of fun while growing professionally. Some of life’s most treasured memories are made in flip flops, so what are you wading for? Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS President
About Us Our Vision: Associates: Preserve our company as the best place to work, so that our multicultural staff can thrive professionally and thus always perform their best. Customers: To offer an innovative high-quality service that exceeds all expectations. Partners: To continually consolidate our network of honest and successful partners. Revenue: To maximize the investment of our shareholders & help them gain good dividends. Planet: By means of our hard work instill in others the responsible management of resources.
Our Mission: To serve our customers supported on international certifications ISO 9001 and ADMC, thus ensuring 100% satisfaction to groups, conventions, incentives and special events customers. We create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees visiting each and every one of the destinations in which we operate.
Our Objective: Always aim for 100 % overall customer satisfaction.
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Year 9 Vol. 1, Issue 125
Visionary, Founder, Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS & Master Coach jmgarcia@ividmc.travel
Life is Better in Flip Flops
Vice-President Karla JIMENEZ kjimenez@ividmc.travel General Comptroller
Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel
Corporate Marketing and Francisco BAEZA, DMCP Business Director fbaeza@ividmc.travel Corporate Quality Director Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel
Managing Director Jorge OROZCO, DMCP —MyDay Travel jorozco@myday.travel
Corporate Headquarters Av. Acanceh 1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Q. Roo, 77500 Mex. Ph. +52 (998) 287-1700 www.ividmc.travel
Destination Offices: Mexico
Caribbean
IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic
rmijares@ividmc.travel
Cancun & Riviera Maya
Puerto Vallarta
Los Cabos
Cuba
Costa Rica
Panama
Colombia
Brazil
Argentina
Genaro ALMONTE, CIS
Regional Managing Director
galmonte@ividmc.travel
4-7 8 10-13 14-17 18 20 22 24 26
28,29
Quick Hits: Friends of the Maya Foundation
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Advertise with CommuniQuest
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The Customer’s Always Right
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Let’s Cook: Tequila Sunrise
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Dr. Travel Travel Tip: Be a Winner
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Central America
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, IVI DMC² Cuba Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit Alejandro DEBASA
Jaime NELO, DMCP Destination Manager jnelo@ividmc.travel
DQuest
Content and Editing Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel
Marketing Director
Page
Cover Subject
President Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS manolo@ividmc.travel
Contents:
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Panama Ligia VARGAS Regional Managing Director Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel lvargas@ividmc.travel
South America IVI DMC² Brazil Andrea MAJELA Regional Managing Director amajela@ividmc.travel IVI DMC² Argentina Jorge OROZCO, DMCP Regional Managing Director jorozco@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Yazmin ELOSEGUI Destination Manager yelosegui@ividmc.travel
Follow us on...
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© Copyright 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Cover Topic:
In Ventura Park Cancun the Wet’N Wild World is All About Fun! Wet’n Wild is one of the seven incredible worlds of Ventura Park Cancun. Located at the Southern end of the Cancun hotel zone, this aquatic world is a place of lush tropical vegetation where you'll enjoy pool, slides, a children's area, and restaurants. Dotted on a beautiful Mexican Caribbean beach, Wet'n Wild is fun for youths and adults. Start heading toward a unique experience and feel the adrenaline of our many famous attractions:
Fun and crazy water slides
Wave pool that generates waves up to 3 ft. (1 m) high
Inner tube slides
Exclusive pool for kids
Relaxing lazy river
Swim-up bars
Swimming with dolphins
Cancun & Riviera Maya
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Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Holbox Enjoy the experience of having a close encounter with the largest fish in its natural habitat. This tour operates from May 16 to September every year. It is better to go in the months of June to August since that’s when there is a larger concentration of whales in the area. Length: between 30 to 39 ft. (10 to 12 m) Weight: 15 tons Mouth size: width up to 5 ft. (1.50 m) Despite its colossal size however, it feeds on small fish, crustaceans, squid, and plankton.
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Cancun & Riviera Maya
Ceno
The word cenote derives from t
"abyss". They were sacred plac of rituals and ceremonies were
revolved around the sacred cen
they placed their temples on wonders. There they offered exchange for a vital element:
open arms. Come and discover
Xel-Há Get your snorkel gear & life vest ready and start exploring the crystal clear waters of the Riviera Maya! You'll even have the opportunity to witness the phenomenon of halocline & thermocline, a visual effect that results from the mixture of dense seawater with freshwater from rivers.
Snorkel
River tour
Caleta
Bay of Caprices
Mangroves
Cenotes
Swim with dolphins
Sea Trek
Snuba Caleta & Cenote
Cancun & Riviera Maya
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Rappel
Soar on fun zip li
Kayak surrounde
Snorkeling & scu
otes
tz'onot, a Mayan word meaning
ces for the Maya where all kinds practiced. The life of the Maya
notes as noted by the fact that
n the banks of these natural sacrifices to their deities in water. Nature awaits you with
r the cenotes, where you can:
ines
ed by exotic lush landscapes
uba diving
Cancun Underwater Museum (MUSA) This museum located between Cancun and Isla Mujeres is a breath-taking activity indeed. The more than 500 pieces located in the underwater galleries can be appreciated as well as the marine life that has been generated around them.
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Cancun & Riviera Maya
Cover Topic (continued...)
Las Caletas, Puerto Vallarta, Now Features WATER ACTIVITIES!
Some say that thinking will not overcome fear but
action will. And we agree! Our water activities in Puerto Vallarta are never still, rather, they are thrilling. And that’s where the fun resides. Take for example an amazing spot named Las Caletas, nestled at the South end of Paradise on Earth, Bahia de Banderas; WATER ACTIVITIES
have
been
incorporated
to
this
extraordinary day at the beach! We will not spoil the surprise with more details; you have to live it yourself!
The GREAT news is – these great rides will not cost you an additional dime, it is included in your
activity
action-packed
package! day?
Ready
Then,
for
contact
an your
IVI DMC² Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit
representative and say good riddance to fear!
Puerto Vallarta
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Puerto Vallarta
Cover Topic (continued...)
LOS CABOS & SEA OF CORTES The Sea of Cortes lends an opportunity to experience being immersed in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Named by the famed explorer Jacques Cousteau as "the world's aquarium", the Sea of Cortes is a 700-mile-long body of water embraced by mainland Mexico and Baja California.
World Class Beaches Stop at the stunning beach of Isla Partida, voted the most beautiful beach in all Mexico, and named by Travel Magazine as one of the top 12 beaches in the world. Bring your flip flops, sit back & relax.
Los Cabos
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Once in a Lifetime Snorkeling Experience Swim and snorkel in this stunning natural sanctuary amongst a breathtaking array of brightly colored tropical fish, manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, and sea lions to name just a few!
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Los Cabos
Amazing Nature Behold one of the most biologically diverse marine environments on our planet, a habitat that supports more than 900 varieties of fish and more than 2,000 species of marine mammals. Emphasizing this importance, UNESCO has declared the biosphere reserve of the Sea of Cortes, a World Heritage Site.
Los Cabos
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Whale Watching Most people do not have the opportunity to observe Humpback whales in the wild. The unique opportunity to observe these marvelous marine mammals in their natural habitat increases public awareness and appreciation of a unique wildlife that exists in places such as in the Sea of Cortes, Los Cabos Mexico. Come and see them!
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Los Cabos
Cover Topic (continued...) Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Cuba is an idyllic diving destination. Its crystal clear waters and a completely captivating marine world favor this practice. The warm and extraordinarily clear waters around the main island, and the more than 4,000 cays and islets that make up the Cuban archipelago, are certainly inviting. The diversity and pristine reefs are unrivalled almost anywhere on the planet. The secluded María la Gorda diving camp, on the western edge of Pinar del Río is famous for its stunning walls of black coral, teeming with sea life. Explore Cuba’s longest reef (the second longest in the world) off Camagüey’s Playa Santa Lucía, or swim alongside yellowtail snappers and queen angelfish off the coast of Jardines del Rey. Shipwreck seekers can head for the sunken Spanish warship off the coast of Santiago de Cuba in the south or dive to inspect the Neptune on the shores of Varadero. Also dive with impressive bull sharks in St. Lucia in the north. Other exciting water activities are gaining popularity in Cuba. Some of the thrilling sports that are most demanded are: kiteboarding, kayaking, surfing, etc. These kinds of activities provide a unique vantage point from which to gain insight into the seas and keys of Cuba.
Cuba
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Cuba
Cover Topic (continued...)
Catamaran Cruise “Cayo Blanco” This full-day excursion is one of the most popular activities in Varadero. Setting sail from the Marina Chapelin, a large comfortable catamaran will take you off-shore to enjoy the beauty of the turquoise waters surrounding Varadero’s peninsula; you can relax on the shaded areas or on the nets as the cat gently rides over the waves. The first stop is a coral reef where you can enjoy snorkeling (equipment is provided), then the catamaran drops anchor off the gorgeous and virgin beach of Cayo Blanco (a small deserted island) where you will enjoy a delicious lunch with several options: lobster, fish, shrimp, squid, chicken, etc. While enjoying your meal, listen to the sounds of live traditional Cuban music. You will have free time to swim in the ocean, play games, do some non-motorized water sports, or simply relax on the beach. This tour also includes 15 minutes of interaction with dolphins in Rancho Cangrejo (an open sea dolphinarium) and have fun performing different tricks with them. Afterwards, the catamaran sails back to Varadero while you relax on board. Departure: 8:30 am (may vary depending on hotel) Return: 5:00 pm (may vary depending on hotel) Maximum daily guests: No limit
Cuba
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Fishing The Gulf Stream along Cuba’s north coast is prime game-fishing territory. Sailfish, swordfish, tuna and marlin abound, and deep-sea fishing excursions can be booked in major resort areas at almost any time of the year. There are excellent prospects off the shores of Guillermo Key, where Hemingway spent so many happy hours; and Havana’s two marinas have excellent facilities for anglers. The Ernest Hemingway International Marlin Fishing Tournament is held here every June. Cuba offers excellent freshwater fishing inland as well, from fly-fishing in Ciénaga de Zapata, to angling for largemouth bass at Laguna la Redonda in Ciega de Ávila or Embalse Zaza.
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Cuba
If you are looking for a place to enjoy water as much as land, then Costa Rica is your choice! Surrounded by oceans and loaded with rivers, our country always has amazing activities to practice in or out of H2O! Costa Rica has 14 major river systems that begin in the volcanic mountain ranges and flow out towards: the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the San Juan River, and Lake Nicaragua. These rivers produce world-famous white-water rapids, as well as beautiful scenery along the banks. So, whether you’d like to take an easy float with the whole family down the river to spot amazing wildlife, or you’re looking for a Class-V rafting experience there will always be a river adventure for you.
Costa Rica
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Is the ocean your idea of water fun? Our tepid waters are alluring for sure! So go ahead and explore the many options we can offer: jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, and even some good power swimming. Or how about a fishing trip with your friends? Costa Rica is without a doubt one of the best fishing spots in the world, where you can have a very productive trip all year long! Want to go above and beyond? Just go below! Our nutrient-rich coastal waters offer a magical experience for divers and snorkelers alike. The clear sea offers visibility between 30 to 100 feet, guaranteeing you’ll spot all kinds of sea life. And now, for a relaxing end of the day we invite you to sit back and relax at our Sunset Catamaran Tour on the wonderful Pacific Ocean waters. This is one of our favorites tours for so many reasons: Good food, great music, amazing conversation with colleagues and friends, and top it all with the almost guaranteed sightings of turtles, dolphins, and whales. You will come back with some incredible pictures to show your friends and family for sure! Isn’t this the most tempting idea? We are here waiting for you, just jump in, the water’s perfect!
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Costa Rica
Cover Topic (continued...)
Panama, is internationally known for its beautiful islands and beaches, but noteworthy too are its fun water parks distributed throughout the country. Santiago de Veraguas, PenonomĂŠ, and Panama city are the main hubs for fun in the sun for water lovers. Our themed parks feature pools, slides of all kinds of colors and levels that will make you feel a rush of adrenaline. Other services provided by these parks include meeting rooms, hiking, spa, and much more.
Las Cumbres Water Park! Adventure in the City! This amazing water park, located in one of the most famous and popular shopping and residential areas of Panama City, offers visitors different activities to chose from: Slides, pools for young and old; and a lazy river, where you can appreciate the nature that surrounds the park. This park also has certified lifeguards, and for those who want to stay in the area and enjoy more fun splishin’ and a splashing’ there is a hotel with 114 rooms! Without a doubt, Las Cumbres Water Park is ideal for those not wishing to travel so far in order to spend an unforgettable day.
Panam a
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Italia Guadalupe Water Park In the province of Veraguas, northwest of the Panama City, specifically in the area of Santiago, is found one of the newest interactive water parks. It is located within La Hacienda hotel, which is characterized by a faรงade inspired by Old Western styles. The park has a snack restaurant, water slides, outdoor and indoor meeting areas, certified lifeguards and swimming pools of all sizes. But there's more! Italia Guadalupe also has a casino, a restaurant called Italita featuring Mexican specialties. The three meeting rooms are all furnished and have the audiovisual equipment you need for your meeting.
The Camping Resort Awaits You Just 10 minutes from Panama City and 40 minutes from the province of Colon, is the Hotel Camping Resort, one of the first water parks in the country. Camping Resort is the only water park in Panama featuring a wave pool, which makes it even more appealing. Ride on jumper boats and on giant inflatable ducks, and enjoy the various slides for all ages! There is also a lazy river for those who like calmer waters. It has a stopover hotel with 57 rooms. The resort is ideal for enjoying all the options of fun and adventure that only the Hotel Camping Resort can offer.
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P anama
Distributed throughout the country, Colombia has a wide variety of water parks to please everyone. Colombia has always been known in the region as a precursor in the creation of new theme parks full of fun, thus attracting more tourists each year. Medellin, Doradal, Bucaramanga, Cartagena de Indias, Bogota are among the many options that visitors have to spend an unforgettable day splishin’ and a splashin’.
Acualago Water Park! This water park is located in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga. It is one of the most renowned parks in the country. It was created by both the local authorities and private companies with the aim of building spaces for wholesome recreation and family entertainment. It has different pools for all ages. It has water slides that reach almost 38 mph (60 km/h) and a 80 ft. (25 m) thrilling free fall! The park receives about 5,000 visitors a day.
Colom bia
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Piscilago Water Park This park is located on kilometer 105 on the Bogotá – Girardot route, and only 5 minutes from Melgar. It is a one of a kind theme park, famous not only for it fun water rides, but also for the fairground rides and all kinds of attractions for families. The region is characterized by a semi-warm climate with average temperatures of 82°F (28 °C). It has parking for 700 vehicles and even a supermarket! The water recreation area has 6 pools, 9 water slides and a stunning lake surrounded by endemic nature, and a small zoo.
Immerse Yourself in Parque de las Aguas of Medellin Las Aguas water park is located in Medellin. This park is surrounded by Rio Grande, one of the largest rivers in the city; this attracts many visitors. Las Aguas park offers many types of pools: recreation, wave, diving, children, and a lazy river. Spanning over twelve acres, Las Aguas is an exceptional park, perfect for enjoying the nice Medellin weather. Good for recreation, sports, family enjoyment, wholesome association, and for the promoting environmental values.
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Co lombia
Bรณia-Cross (River Tubing) Jump on an inner tube and let the waterway take you on an incredible fun ride! The BรณiaCross is one of the most fun & exciting activities that can be done in Brazilian white waters. The activity is safe since you will be accompanied by professional kayakers to ensure both your fun and safety.
Places such as Presidente Figueiredo, located about 67 miles (107 km) from Manaus, has the perfect waterway for this kind of activity. The Bรณia-Cross is usually done in rivers where fish abound. The forest that surrounds the river is an attraction in itself; beside the intriguing flora, there are all kinds of colorful birds, and mammals that go to the river to drink water.
Brazil
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Kite Surfing Ever since the ‘80s, Brazil is notorious as being
the
perfect
place
for
practicing
kitesurfing. Along the whole Brazilian coast, the wind is always favorable for the ones who love this practice. With a board fastened to your feet and the arc-shaped kite, it’s possible to make the most extreme maneuvers. Jericoacoara is one of the best places in the country for this activity. There are other beaches off the northeast region. For example to the North of the country you will find Presidente Figueiredo, it is another terrific spot due to its vast lakes and river rapids.
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Brazil
Argentina’s unique beauty is reflected in its lakes and in its vast Atlantic Ocean. This uniqueness provides the ideal setting for practicing aquatic sports, and activities such as canoeing, kayaking, surfing, and windsurfing. Mentioned here are some other prominent aquatic activities in Argentina.
The Great Adventure at Iguazu Jungle Explorer Boundless and inexplicable, the Iguazu Falls invite all to embark on an expedition of adventure tourism, where in powerful boats, you burst into the inferior Iguazu River Canyon, in order to see the Brazilian and Argentinian cascades, and La Garganta del Diablo.
Tigre and Delta In Tigre, you can visit Puerto de Frutos where you will find the very best gaucho handcrafts in Buenos Aires, and art pieces. You will also be able to sail the labyrinth of the channels and the streams of the Delta on a comfortable boat.
Argent ina
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Fishing in Rio de la Plata Rio de la Plata (Silver River) is located between Argentina and Uruguay, and this is the place where you can do the best fishing in the area, just 30 minutes away from the harbor, you will find different fish like dorado, tararira, and Iberian nase fish.
Playa Bonita, San Carlos de Bariloche This place is visited daily by numerous residents, tourists, lovers of aquatic sports, and by those just wishing to spend a relaxing day at this beautiful beach. Inside Playa Bonita’s facilities you will find snack bars, a la carte restaurants, canoe and kayak rentals, surf school, and scuba diving instructors. You can enjoy the sun, the breeze, and the water while you practice some of the waters sports featured here.
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Arg entina
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Sale of Handcrafts Program Community Footprints & Ritz Carlton Cancun
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Advertise with CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest Advertising and promotional opportunities are now available in CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest. Sponsorship placement opportunities are limited and are reserved on a “first come, first served” basis. We invite you to advertise in our vastly distributed Incentive Travel Digest which is already available to over 10,000 avid readers. These readers are dedicated members, stakeholders, and fine suppliers. The Incentive Travel Digest is an inviting 'cover to cover' read, ensuring eye-catching and successful advertising. Click here to receive more information
IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mx Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email: ivicorp@ividmc.travel Serving the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry since 1986. Find us in over 40 destinations throughout:
The Customer is Always Right I know Kim Savransky loved working with Marla. Fernando and the team (Gabriel and Angel) are excellent to work with, great customer service. Thank you. Ms. Kim Savransky | Program Project Manager
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Mexico Cuba Dominican Republic Belize Guatemala El Salvador Honduras Costa Rica Panama Colombia Brazil Argentina Chile
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this magazine, please contact Francisco BAEZA: fbaeza@ividmc.travel
The Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail made of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup and served unmixed in a tall glass.
It's time for another tequila sunrise...
Served:
Ingredients:
3 oz (6 parts) Orange juice
1 1/2 oz (3 parts) Tequila
1/2 oz (1 part) Grenadine syrup
On the rocks, poured over ice
Standard garnish: Orange slice & Cherry
Preparation: Pour the tequila and orange juice into glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Do not stir. Garnish and serve.
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Travel Tip: Be a Winner Sometimes travel is easy, sometimes it’s not. Remember, you don’t have to win all the time to be a winner. Even top basketball players only make about half their shots. Even Michael Jordan doesn’t make every shot. And he certainly didn't set any records when he played baseball. On the other hand, Babe Ruth was the number one strikeout king, as well
as the home run king. You can’t hit it out of the park every time you swing! Most airlines have a better on-time record than that. So, even though your flight may be canceled or delayed occasionally, if you concentrate on your overall average of on-time (or near on-time) takeoffs and touchdowns, chances are you will be an overwhelming winner. “There are only two emotions in a plane; boredom and terror.” -Orson Welles (Taken from page 143) James Feldman, (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized professional motivator, author, television host, and radio personality. His company Incentive Travelers Cheque Int’l provides individual and group incentive travel awards for many Fortune 500 companies. His book “Doctor’s Travel Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and invaluable travel guide whose purpose is not to tell you where to go, but rather to help you get ready for the adventure. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom with our readers, who from time to time must deal with lines, cancellations, lost luggage, and a person in the adjacent seat making extensive use of the air sickness bag. Reprinted by permission from the Author: jfeldman@itcheque.com
THANK YOU FOR READING Like life in general, the M&E Industry seems to move at the speed of light. As a committed B2B partner, we aim to help you keep up with the latest industry news and opportunities. CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and analysis that you need, with a lair for what's hot, relevant, and interesting. I wish you the best of success in your quest, whatever it may be. Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
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