June 26, 2003


FAMILIARIZATION TRIPS

PERQUISITES (PERKS) and BENEFITS

 

Some of the unique advantages enjoyed by travel agents are the benefits and perks provided to active agents by the industry travel vendors.  They range from a simple discount on an agent hotel stay, or car rental, to a major familiarization trip largely underwritten by a travel vendor.  Obviously, these courtesies are extended at the discretion of vendors to reward and familiarize agents with their specific products in the expectation that increased business will result from the courtesy.  We, as Independent Travel Agents must be motivated to repay the largesse of vendors with targeted, increased travel bookings of their various products.

  Many vendor offerings are available to all agents, others are restricted to IATAN or CLIA certified agents.  Fortunately for our ITAs, America’s Travel Companies has an active program leading to such certifications.  ITAs can also enroll in a number of “specialist” programs leading to specific rewards and discounts.  An excellent example of this is the Marriott Specialist Program.   Completion of the Marriott HSS training will earn certificates valid for $49 room nights at all participating Marriott hotels.  This program may be reviewed on the Marriott.com web site under the “travel agent” section.  The more training and travel bookings you complete, the better your opportunity becomes for free, or discounted travel and familiarization trips.

DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ: The FAM's listed in the ATC Fam Connection are offered for travel agents and their spouses/companions only. The FAM's are not offered to the general public. America's Travel Companies, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of dates, rates or statements provided by the tour operators, cruise lines, hotels, etc. offering the FAM.  FAM's are also date sensitive, which affects availability. Companion rates on some cruises and/or land travel may be slightly higher than the travel agent rate


MEXICO


Majestic Mexico Tours is offering a November fam trip to Mexico City.
Here is the information. Dates: 28 November 28- 1 December, 4 days/3
nights
Hotel Casa Blanca, Mexico City, Hotel Posada de la Mision Taxco

Friday, arrive in Mexico City, transfer to hotel, Evening Panoramic Tour

Saturday, breakfast in hotel, city tour and Saturday Bazaar, visit
Frida Kahlo Museum and Coyoacan neighborhood, continue to Taxco, spend
the night at Hotel Posada de la Mision, dinner included

Sunday, breakfast in hotel, walking city tour of Taxco, "The Silver
City" along cobblestone streets, continue to Cuernavaca for tour and
visit to Brady Museum, return to Hotel Casa Blanca in Mexico City for
final night

Monday, breakfast in hotel and return transfer for flight home

Costs: $69 agent, $89 companion
Space is limited. Airfare not included.

For more information, call 1-800-QUE-CHULA
or email us at <mailto:fam@mexico-tours.com&gt;fam@mexico-tours.com


ARUBA $100!!

4 nights for $100* During the Travel Agent Month program, it's the
perfect time to experience our perfect weather and perfectly friendly
island for yourself. All for perfectly fabulous prices, just for you.
For further information on Fam Trips, contact 1-800-TO-ARUBA.Valid for
travel thru December 15, 2003.


ST. THOMAS

The St.Thomas-St.John Hotel & Tourism Association invites you to our
Annual Travel Agent Month, during the month of August. Participating
hotels on St. Thomas and St. John are providing agents with three
complimentary nights along with amazing savings & offers from our
attractions, activities, and retail stores. There is no reason you can't
take advantage of this offer. Participating hotels on St. Thomas and St.
John are providing three complimentary nights, as well as savings and
special offers from island attractions, activities and retail stores.
Participating airlines offering AD75 airfares include American Airlines,
United Airlines and US Airways. For further details, visit
www.sttstjhta.com.


CANCUN

Fam trip from Los Angeles to Cancun via Alaska Airlines with rates
starting at $449 per person, double. Includes roundtrip air, hotel
accommodations and transfers. Rates are valid for four nights at the
Pueblo Bonito Rose in Los Cabos; Grand Melia Cancun; Occidental Grand
Nuevo Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta; and El Cid Castilla Beach in
Mazatlan. Valid through June 30, 2003. Airfare from other gateways can
be arranged.
Runaway Tours, San Francisco. (800) 622-0723; e-mail:
reservations@runawaytours.com.


ST. LUCIA

The Body Holiday at LeSport in St. Lucia and Rendezvous are offering
qualified (full-time)travel agents and a companion a special rate of $75
per person, per night for June-August. Sunswept Resorts is offering the
rate as an all-inclusive rate and includes all meals, drinks, sports and
activities. It also includes one spa treatment a day at The BodyHoliday.
For more information please call 1-800-544-2883 email:
reservations@theromanticholiday.com.


FLORIDA

The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Orlando is
offering a four night fam on September 16, 2003. Cost is $195 per
person, double single supplement is $50 . Includes hotel accommodations,
airport transfers, land transportation, mini trade show, some meals,
admission fees and sightseeing.. Orlando/Orange County Convention &
Visitors Bureau, Orlando.Contact: (800) 215-2213 or (407) 363-5842;
e-mail: domestic.travel@orlandocvb.com; Web: www.orlandoinfo.com/trade.


RED LION HOTELS

To celebrate the addition of 22 hotels, the Red Lion Hotel Chain is
offering a special $22 FAM rate through June 30, 2003.

FAM Rate Details:

*$22 FAM rate available for a maximum three-night stay with no
back-to-back stays.
*Promotion period is valid to 6/30/03.
*This special FAM rate offer is valid for up to three stays.
*Guests must present valid IATA # during the offer period.
*Subject to space and rate availability.
*FAM rate must be booked through 800-Red Lion. Provide code TAFAM when
making the reservation.
*There are no commissions paid on this promotion.
*This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotion.


Some restrictions may apply please visit www.redlion.com/tapromo for
details and a complete list of participating hotels.


PANAMA

Tara Tours Inc. announces their Educational Familiarization trip for
Travel Agents. American Airlines, the sponsor airline, will be taking
agents from the Gateway City of Miami to discover the rain forest and
beaches of Panama on August 20, 2003.


This 8 Day 7 Night program is $699.00 per travel agent based on double
occupancy. Spouse/Companion welcome at an additional cost. Fam trip
includes:

* A Tara Tours Escort

* Round trip international air from the gateway city of Miami on
American Airlines

* 2 Nights at the deluxe Intercontinental Miramar in Panama city

* 2 Nights at the Gamboa Rain Forest Resort in the Soberania National
Park

* 3 Nights at the super all inclusive Royal Decameron Beach Resort

* Train ride Panama city to Colon

* City tour of Panama City

* Visit to the Panama Canal/Miraflores Locks

* Nature tour and aerial tram in the rain forest

* All meals included

* All transfers, entrances and land transportation with English speaking
guides


For further information contact Tara Tours email: FamTrips@taratours.com
Phone: 305-871-1246 and Fax: 305-871-0417


CANCUN/RIVIERA MAYA 

Bahia Principe Akumal “All-Inclusive” $30 ppdo:
The Bahia Principe Akumal Resort is offering travel agents an all-inclusive rate of $30 ppdo.
Bahia Principe Resorts - Reservations 1-281-259-0549 www.bahia-principe.com


CANCUN/TULUM 

Bahia Principe Tulum “All-Inclusive” $30 ppdo:
The Bahia Principe Tulum Resort is offering travel agents an all-inclusive rate of $30 ppdo.
Bahia Principe Resorts - Reservations 1-281-259-0549 www.bahia-principe.com


CARIBBEAN, Palau 

Diving FAM 7 Nights $500 ppdo Land-only:
Land-only, transfers, accommodations on dive vessels for 4 -5 divers, 5 or 8 days of diving, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and much more.
Peter Hughes Diving – Contact Sue Hamilton at 1-800-932-6237 (305-669-9391) email sue@peterhughes.com www.peterhughes.com


DANUBE River Cruise 

9 Nights Amadeus Symphony Nuremburg to Budapest June 5 & 15th $661 ppdo Cruise-only:
Cruise-only. 9 nights on the brand-new luxurious MS Amadeus Symphony from Nuremburg to Budapest. Open to CLIA and IATA. Companion/spouse supplement is $100. Pre-cruise in Prague – 2 nights accommodations, tours and transfer to Nuremburg is $300.
Brendan Worldwide Vacations - Reservations 1-800-421-8446 email Kelle Geller at kgeller@brendantours.com www.brendantours.com


IRELAND 

Nov.-Dec. 16th “Emerald Package” 6 Nights $399 ppdo:
RT airfare from JFK, BOS, BWI, or DCA, 6 nights accommodations – 1 night hotel and 5 night Farmhouse B&B (upgrades available), weekly unlimited mileage car, full Irish breakfast daily, and more. Must be booked by July 15th. Open to non-travel agents.
Sceptre Ireland – Reservations 1-800-221-0924 www.sceptreireland.com


ITALY 

Sicily 7 Days Oct. 26th Land-only $725 ppdo:
Land-only. Transfers, 7 night accommodations at 3-4 star hotels, 3 meals daily, wine and mineral water with meals, English speaking guides throughout, transportation, sightseeing to Palermo, Monreale, Selinunte, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Acireale, Siracusa, Taormina, and Cefalu. Can be combined with either the Bay of Naples Tour or the Tuscany Tour. Single supplement is $100.
VIP World Travel – Reservations 1-800-323-7448 email mail@vipworldtravel.com www.vipworldtravel.com


MONTANA ROCKIES RAIL TOURS 

 3 Days June 7th 50% Off:
Land-only June 7th Spokane, Washington to Bozeman, Montana for 3 days/2 nights for a 500 mile journey through the Montana Rockies.
Montana Rockies Rail Tours - Reservations 1-800-519-7245 www.montanarailtours.com


NEW YORK CITY 

Doral Park Avenue Hotel $129 per room per night thru August 31st :
Stay in the Heart of Manhattan- The Doral Park Avenue Hotel close to Broadway, major department stores, and many other attractions is offering a rate of $129 per room per night plus tax based on availability for a deluxe room and continental breakfast. Offer good thru August 31st. This offer is open to non-travel agent guests as well. Must book online. Click the following Doral Online Booking.
Doral Park Avenue Hotel – Reservations 1-877-99-DORAL www.doralparkavenue.com


ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA 

Woolley’s Petite Suites “Weekend Travel Agent Rate” thru Dec. 31st $69 per night:
183 Deluxe one room suites with kitchenettes – refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker and wet bar, king size beds, double bed sofa, television with expanded cable, 2 telephones with voicemail and data ports, complimentary local and toll-free telephone calls, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, on-site cardiovascular fitness center, and morning paper daily. Fully cooked to order breakfast daily and Manager’s Beverage Reception each evening.
Woolley’s Petite Suites of Santa Ana - Reservations 1-800-762-2597 www.petitesuites.com


ORLANDO, Florida 

Red Horse Inn “Orlando’s Newest Theme Hotel” $54 per night thru June 30th:
Red Horse Inn located adjacent to Universal Orland is offering rooms for $54 per night with Free “Cowboy Continental Breakfast”, Free shuttle to Universal Orlando and Sea World. Open to general public.
Red Horse Inn - Reservations 1-877-936-4100 email sales@redhorseorlando.com www.redhorseorlando.com


ST. LUCIA 

Anse Chastanet Resort thru Oct. 31st $105 ppdo per day “Full Board”:
The Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia is offering travel agents a rate of $105 ppdo per day full board – breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner each day.
Anse Chastanet Resort - Reservations 1-800-223-1108 www.ansechastanet.com