Ok so my husband says to me the other day, ” I want you to start planning our next summer trip”. So I am thinking this summer is  when our baby is due to be born. How am I going to plan a memorable summer vacation when the airlines will not let me fly (to far along with baby). The cruise lines won’t let me cruise either. And knowing how huge I’m going to be, I don’t want to be cooped up in a car driving trip for hours upon hours, listening to our kiddies say, “our we there yet, dad?” So I start doing what any good travel agent would do and Google fun destinations in our area that are great for family trips.

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HoneyMoons for Free is a Big Hit!!

This last weekend a few PTN agents took the Honeymoons for Free message to a local Bridal show and stole the show.  Participants made a bee-line past every other booth to get a chance to find out more about HoneyMoons 4 Free!!, and eventually book their Honeymoon or Destination Wedding from a Pro Travel Network Agent.

Every ITA now has their very own honeymoonsforfree marketing site.  Type in www.honeymoonsforfree.com/(yourusername)    The site now displays a clickable contact link: Your Honeymoon Specialist is “your name”.   Next week, PTN approved Honeymoonsforfree business cards and brochures will be available from the ITA back office.

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Celebrity Cruises Launches the Final Phase of
Celebrity Five-Star Academy for Travel Agents

Are you ready to be a Star? A Celebrity Five Star Agent, that is. The Five Star Level of Celebrity’s Five Star Academy launched last week. By completing all five stars, you will be recognized as a Celebrity Five Star Academy Agent.

As a Celebrity Five Star agent, you will receive an onboard value coupon book, a number of tools to help you grow your business, and monthly opportunities to win cruises, co-op dollars, and training for you and your team members. You will also receive a beautiful certificate and a Celebrity Five Star Agent pin.

Take off with Trafalgar Tours! They’re offering special airfares from only $454 per person when you book a Trafalgar European vacation. It’s such a great deal, you can’t afford not to go.

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Learn what every travel professional needs to know about British Columbia and Alberta from District Sales Manager, David Cook.

Who: David Cook, West Coast District Sales Manager

Where: From the comfort of your own office!

When: Friday, January 30, 2009

Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

What: David Cook, West Coast District Sales Manager of Collette Vacations will give you a behind-the-scenes look and expert know-how on select Collette Vacations tours to British Columbia and Alberta, a favorite destination of U.S.travelers. His presentation will include Collette’s NEW Beautiful British Columbia, Canadian Rockies by Rail and the Resort of the Rockies tours.

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NEW!  DEALS OF THE WEEK
Looking for the best deals from Funjet Vacations?  Start here.
Destination:  Punta Cana  |  Hotel:  Excellence Punta Cana (5) - All Inclusive
Pricing starts at 3 nights from $999.99.  Price Includes a Savings of $750 per Couple!
Destination:  Vallarta  |  Hotel:  Marival Resorts & Suites Nuevo Vallarta (4.5) - All Inclusive
Pricing starts at 3 nights from $599.99.  Nonstop Flights!  Earn United Mileage Plus miles!

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Here’s What’s Happening on
Vayama for Travel Agents!

________________________________________
Greetings!
 
Here’s the latest news about Vayama for Travel Agents, one of the most useful tools on the internet to help travel agents book private rate airfare for their clients.

________________________________________
What exactly is a Private Fare?
 
Vayama for Travel Agents is a tool that offers you the chance to sell your clients something called private airfare. Given that this is not something found in a lot of places, the question has come up - what exactly is a private fare?

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CITC CREDIT APPROVED –
EARN ONE CREDIT PER WEBINAR ATTENDED

Title: RIU Hotels and Resorts
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST/9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PDT
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST/12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT

Title: Excellence Resorts
Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST/9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PDT
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST/12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT

Title: Majestic Hotels and Resorts
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST/9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PDT
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST/12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT

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You’ve booked an international cruise for your client. They’re ready to embark on a
fabulous overseas vacation of fun, sun and sightseeing. You’ve reminded them to pack
their camera; but did your remind them to secure the appropriate entry visa?
Some of the most decadent destinations require securing a visa well ahead of time.
Don’t let your customers get left behind. No visa, no voyage.
Since visa requirements change often and without notice, we recommend that you
regularly research any prerequisites international destinations may have on an individual
basis. This information is usually available online, or can be easily attained by contacting
the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country of interest.
Don’t watch your client’s ship sail off on adventure without them. Check the entry visa requirements
of all foreign destinations, every cruise, every time! Your client will thank you.
For more information on visa requirements:

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Fare Buzz has added Vacation Packages to its product line.

Negotiated, wholesale rates for vacation packages
Rates are 30-40% below retail rates
Air & Hotel Packages with the option to add Cars and Local Activities
Add your Mark up - Uncapped
Rates available to most US & Intl. Destinations
Instant Confirmations

Royal Caribbean ASAP

In light of current economic conditions and the impact on travel agents, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., has created an extraordinary support program expressly designed to help agents offset today’s business challenges. On the heels of suspending fuel supplements, the three brands today announced “ASAP,” or Agent Support Action Program.

The goal of ASAP is to help the agency community during this period and to encourage proactive activities that will not only help in these unique circumstances, but also ensure that agents emerge from the recession strong and prepared to take advantage of the upturn when it occurs.

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HOLA SUN EXPRESS NEWS
Packages starting from $398 from YYZ for travels between Jan 29 – Feb 1 on both 8% commission and regular commission. Book online at www.holacaribeagent.ca

Spirit Vacations

Don’t have a passport no need to worry the island of Puerto Rico awaits. Spirit Vacations, your low price vacation leader, is offering Kids Stay Free, Resort Credits, 40% off and more at various resorts. Guests can use the money they save to enjoy their optional features such as a rain forest or Bacardi rum tour! This offer is for a limited time so book now!

Destination(s): Puerto Rico
Departure City(s):  All Spirit Vacations Gateways
Valid Through: Spirit Vacations
Hotel(s): All
Travel Dates: February 1 - March 31, 2009
Book By: January 31, 2009

Complete Packages Include:

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Earn 16% Commission
Kick off 2009 right with 16% Commission - Last 5 days!
For the month of January, Future Vacations is offering 16% commission on the land portion of all packages - except Las Vegas at 13%. Valid on air-inclusive and land-only packages for travel through December 2009.
 
USVI Clients receive $300 gift cheque
USVI Invites you to Escape to the Extraordinary - Last 5 days!
Your clients can escape the cold and receive great savings on packages of 5-nights or longer. Clients receive a $300 American Express Travellers Cheque, the 5th Night FREE and a Coupon Booklet.

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Note to all PTN agents and Reps

Over the past 2 months and especially this month, the PTN administration department has received an unusually high number of inquiries regarding possible re-instatement of agents and/or reps who either quit or allowed their accounts to lapse.

Effective today, PTN is allowing any and all agents or reps to re-instate their positions without any penalty, including keeping any downlines or possible bookings.  Simply contact the PTN admin department for re-instatement. 

This is being done as a one-time offer, as a goodwill gesture, due to the excitement that has been generated over the incredible enhancements to the PTN program.

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Monday Night

Special Travel Training

PTN President, Paul Henderson will be conducting a special 90 minute intense travel training session.  This session will go from the basics to teaching you to earn $1,000s on your bookings. 

All new PTN travel marketing tools will be covered in this training also, such the Honeymoon Registry, Sabre cruises, PTN Business, RTA referral and lead tracking system and more. 

This will be an audio and visual hands-on “walk-through” on how easy it is to book travel.  Take notes.

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What’s Next With Freestyle Resolution and NCL U?
 
Join us for a Webinar on January 27
 
In this fourth webinar in their executive series,  join Scott Rogers, Senior Vice President of Marketing,  Amy Hiles-Maynard, Vice President of Marketing and for THE 1ST TIME EVER…NCL U’s STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT!  This webinar will give you BREAKING NEWS on the next phase of the Freestyle Resolution Sales Event as well as NCL U enhancements.

They’ll review the industry’s #1 Online Travel Agent Training program - NCL U - and then announce the biggest NCL U student contest YET!   Did you know that NCL U has nearly 8,000 students registered in only 6 months??  If you are not registered, you are missing the “boat”.

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Apple Vacations is pleased to announce that UA is bringing back the winter promotion with reduced fares to Mexico beach destinations out of LAX and SFO. The promotion is valid for travel now through March 31, 2009 and for ticketing through February 6, 2009.

Join us for Royal Caribbeans upcoming webinar series and learn how to make CruiseMatch work for you. CruiseMatch is their most powerful, most innovative booking engine tool that’s making it easier, more accurate and more convenient for you to do business with Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises. 
  
You’ll learn how to search and compare multiple itineraries, access real time pricing and availability, hold a stateroom, create individual reservations, service existing reservations and much more in just a few easy steps. Building and serving new business has never been easier or more rewarding. Travel Agent partners will have access to the same information that is available to their own reservations team.
Upcoming Webinar Sessions:

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Book a trip January 12 - February 28, 2009 for travel January 12 - November 20, 2009 and get $50 off any Domestic vacation or get $100 off International or Hawaii vacations. Use your MasterCard card and you’ll also receive a $50 MasterCard Gift Card.

 Save on stays at Planet Hollywood in Vegas!
Air and 4 nights from: $171 plus enjoy $40 in free match play, a $5 discount per person at the Spice Market Buffet, 10% off purchase of food or beverage at Planet Dailies, 2-for-1 admission for Planet Hollywood Spa ($25 value), and coupons for great savings on dining, shopping, and entertainment.

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Discover a new age of sail, where the traditions of the past are combined with the modern comforts and amenities of the present. Perfect for cruising in casual elegance. On board you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, friendly crew, and international cuisine, all in pampered comfort. If you’re a boating enthusiast, you can choose to lend a hand hoisting the sails, you can climb the mast, or you can just lay back and let the crew do all the work.
From $3651ppdo
Includes:
Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles via Tahiti Nul
US/Airport Taxes/Security Charges/Fuel Surcharges
Meet & Flower Lei Greeting on arrival
Transfer to InterContinental Tahiti
1 nt InterContinental Tahiti standard room
Transfer to pier to board the Star Flyer
7 night Society Islands Cruise
  Commodore Deck, Outside Cabin (Category 4)
  All meals
  Ship’s watersports program (except SCUBA diving)
  Port Charges
Transfer to InterContinental Tahiti
Dayroom use InterContinental Tahiti standard room
Transfer to Airport with Shell Lei farewell

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Congratulations!!

PTN Agents once again prove that PTN training is the best!!  As of today, PTN has the highest average commission (26%), of any other partner agency. 

These are not PTN commissions, but these are the commissions that you are charging and earning.  Awesome!!

Sooooooooooooooo…
 Welcome Pro Travel Network agents!

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Add Magical Gifts to Any Celebration Vacation
When you are helping plan a celebration vacation for your Clients, you can offer a wide variety of magical experiences and mementos to help them make truly special memories. But with so many options, where do you begin? Here are some suggestions to help maximize your sales and the service you provide to your Clients.

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AQUA PALMS & SPA - 48 Hour Sale: Available to book on Tuesday and Wednesday only. Not combinable with any other specials.

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Apple Vacations

What’s New in Jamaica

Fun Holiday Beach Resort 2 Negril

Jan 15-Apr 30 4 nts from $199*

Jan 15-Apr 30 7 nts from $349*

This beachfront resort boasts non-stop entertainment. Guests will enjoy live reggae shows, limbo dancing, fire dancing, a swim-up bar, jet skiing and banana boat rides. For relaxation, take a dip in the swimming pool or soak in the hot tub. Feast on Jamaican, International and seafood cuisine.

Moon Dance Cliffs 4 Negril

Jan 15-Apr 30 4 nts from $619*

Jan 15-Apr 30 7 nts from $1069*

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CITC CREDIT APPROVED –
EARN ONE CREDIT PER WEBINAR ATTENDED

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Become a destination expert with these VirtualU events:

Temptation Resorts
January 22, 1:00 pm CST

• Sell the exciting Temptation Resorts’ unique ambiance for adult guests 21 and over for a contemporary take on the all-inclusive holiday!
• Search for and compare itineraries for multiple vendors, save them in a suitcase, and then confirm a reservation.
• Participate toll-free for a chance to win a 3-night stay for 2 at the new Temptation Resort & Spa in Los Cabos!

VAX VacationAccess Adventure*
January 28, 12:00 pm CST

• Match your customers with adventure trips available from over 1,500 tour operators.

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CITC CREDIT APPROVED –
EARN ONE CREDIT PER WEBINAR ATTENDED

RT - QRT - RM

“Double” Bonus

All RTs both new and old, regardless of rank may earn the special 2009 Kick-Off Bonus!! 

1) All new RTs whose start date is 1/20/09 - 1/31/09, will earn a double bonus by:

a) Achieving Q-RT within 10 days of start date, by earning $100 in direct sales bonuses and recruiting 2 RTs (This pays an additonal $100 Fast Start Bonus for a total of $200)

and

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Last chance for your clients to Cruise the Galapagos Islands in 2009. Only 4 cabins left!!!
And don’t forget… past Cruise West guests receive the Quyana 5% savings.

The Enchanted Islands of Darwin
9- to 14-night Cruise from Quito to Guayaquil

Cruise the remarkable island ecosystem of the volcanic Galapagos, sitting 650 miles west of Ecuador. See the unique and abundant wildlife, some of which are found nowhere else on earth. In the company of naturalist guides, aboard the Isabela II, the most luxurious vessel cruising the Galapagos Islands, you’ll scout for blue-footed boobies, pink flamingos, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, tiny penguins and flightless cormorants, to name just a few of the many species that call the Galapagos home.

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Future Vacations

Deals Of The Week

Earn 16% Commission

Kick off 2009 right with 16% Commission
For the month of January, Future Vacations is offering 16% commission on the land portion of all packages - except Las Vegas at 13%. Valid on air-inclusive and land-only packages for travel through December 2009.

USVI Clients receive $300 gift cheque

This Winter, USVI Invites you to Escape to the Extraordinary
Your clients can escape the cold and receive great savings on packages of 5-nights or longer. Clients receive a $300 American Express Travelers Cheque, the 5th Night FREE and a Coupon Booklet.

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When a vacation is coming to its end, don’t we all wish for that extra day? This year, give your clients the longer vacation they deserve – at no extra cost – with these “stay 7, pay 6″ promotions Luxury Retreats currently has available on private villas in warm-weather destinations around the world:                             

Every 5th Night is FREE (select resorts in Jamaica)
That’s right. Stay for 5 - pay for 4. Stay for 10 - pay for 8. It’s that simple. For every 5 nights you stay at select SuperClubs resorts, they’ll give you 1 night absolutely free. Rates start at $125 with 5-night stays starting at just $500*.

Every 4th Night is FREE (in the Bahamas)
That’s right. Stay for 4 - pay for 3. Stay for 8 - pay for 6. It’s that simple. For every 4 nights you stay at select SuperClubs resorts, they’ll give you 1 night absolutely free. Rates start at $139 with 5-night stays starting at just $417*.

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Insurance Commission Increased to 20%

E.E.I. Travel has increased commission on all travel insurance policies from 10% to now 20%. In addition, E.E.I. Travel is now offering insurance coverage for all items in an itinerary, including any products purchased from a 3rd party vendor. The increased insurance program allows agents to not only earn more on bookings, but also cover all items in their clients’ itinerary.

Call now and book your next E.E.I. Travel vacation.

EEI Travel offers customized vacations and air-inclusive packages.

A La Carte Product
Airfares (Coach & Business Class), Hotels, Car Rentals, Sightseeing, Transfers Rail, Vouchers

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Join us for a WEBINAR on
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Join us for a look at the newly renovated Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio and see why Conde Nast Traveler described this hotel as “luxury for half the price” in their July 2008 issue.

In addition to details of its $65 million dollar renovation, you’ll also hear personal testimonials from Travel Agent colleagues that stayed at the property in October during a recent FAM.

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing
information about joining the Webinar.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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Latest Package Specials

Exclusively for VacationCentral.net Agents

Apple Vacations

Save up to 50% off Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana
Punta Cana and La Romana — 3 Nights All-Inclusive from $449.99
Save up to 40% on Cancun and Cancun`s Riviera Maya
Starwood Sunsational Savings Plus

Funjet Vacations

Spend Less, Experience More Sale — Last Week to Book
Nationwide Pricing (book by 1/22)

Future Vacations

For January Earn 16% Commission
$200 Rebate on Packages to Nassau Paradise Island
Save up to 60% Plus 1 Night FREE with Sandals Resorts

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HOLA SUN EXPRESS NEWS

The snow keeps coming and coming – Book your vacation today and soak up the sun in CUBA! Package Specials below:

Book online at www.holacaribeagent.ca (Both RESTOURS and SIREV screens available for booking)

Oasis Las Morlas -VARADERO

ALL INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORT

Jan 30/ DBL/1 week

$568+$205

Villa Cojimar  - CAYO COCO

ALL INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORT

Jan 25/DBL/1 week

$688+$205

Carisol Los Corales  - SANTIAGO DE CUBA

ALL INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORT

Jan 25/DBL/1 week

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Scheduled Air Departures from SAN FRANCISCO

Mexico Book by

Jan 30!

SU/MO, Feb 1-Mar 30 4 nts

RIVIERA NAYARIT

Vallarta Palace 6-Goldenå from $999*

ALL-INCLUSIVE!

RIVIERA MAYA

Xpu-Ha Palace 5å from $1049*

ALL-INCLUSIVE! $100 golf credit & $100 spa credit per room, per stay.

Moon Palace

Golf & Spa Resort 5-Goldenå+ from $1119*

ALL-INCLUSIVE! $100 golf credit & $100 spa credit per room, per stay.

Aventura Spa Palace 6-Goldenå from $1129*

ADULTS ONLY (18+) ALL-INCLUSIVE! $100 golf credit & $100 spa credit

per room, per stay.

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Azamara Journey

14-Night Western Mediterranean

September 13, 2009

Barcelona, Spain • St. Tropez, France • Monte Carlo, Monaco, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy • Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Sorrento, Italy • Valletta, Malta • Tunis, Tunisia • Mahon, Menorca, Spain, Palma de Mallorca, Spain • Barcelona, Spain

Ocean View from: $3,879CAD

7-Night Mediterranean

April 25 through May 16, 2009

Ports may include: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy • Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy, Portofino, Italy • Monte Carlo, Monaco • Bonaficio, Corsica • Athens, Greece, Santorini, Greece • Dubrovnik, Croatia • Venice, Italy

Ocean View from: $2,809CAD

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