Travel Agent - May 26, 2008 - (Page 50)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 mended that they bring a digital camera, or anything that they have to carry and keep dry. Hands need to be free the entire time. After lunch, the adventure continues with a short hike through the rainforest to Acampa’s rappelling site at the top of a 60-foot cliff. From the edge, your clients will lower themselves down a rope alongside a waterfall into a cool pool below. After a final dip in the water, our guide took us on a walk to a zipline high above the Quebrada Rosa river. Acampa charges clients $150 for the entire day, including lunch and transportation to and from your guests’ hotel. Agents get a 15 percent commission and can either book directly online or by calling Sepulveda at 787-706-0695. Green Day Trips If your clients want some of the best Caribbean ecotours without leaving their resort, we recommend Tiamo Resorts (www.tiamoresorts. com) on South Andros Island in The Bahamas. What separates this resort from other ecoresorts in the Caribbean is its Nature Concierge Team, a squad of trained biologists. They take guests on daily trips exploring an array of natural attractions. Clients can experience Bahamas snorkeling, including the tropical underwater landscape of the off-shore blue holes, which are like underwater caves. Here’s why agents should also be eager to sell this very unusual property: This 12-acre Caribbean resort has just 11 beach bungalows, surrounded by 125 acres of naturally preserved wilderness. This definitely fits into the green resort category, especially since all bungalows are completely surrounded by trees and bushes, which means that during development, only the minimal number of trees was removed to make just enough room for the bungalows. When your clients look out their windows, they’ll see nothing but an array of exotic birds and coconut trees. There are no phones, TVs or Internet access at Tiamo. The goal is for guests to forget about the distractions of the outside world and solely devote their time to relaxing with their companions and with nature. Tiamo has 35 staff members for its 22 guests. Each private bungalow includes king-size beds, soft linens and wraparound porches. Guests can kayak or sail on the South Bight, view wild orchids and look for the endangered Andros rock iguana during a hike through several different ecosystems. Or if 50 | TravelAgent May 26, 2008 Eco-adventures allow visitors to enjoy the splendor of nature by rappelling, ziplining, hiking and other “hard” and “soft” activities your clients don’t want to move a muscle, they can simply kick back on a hammock and watch the tide roll in. As part of your clients’ stay, all meals, island transportation, light-adventure activities and biologistguided nature tours are included. Tiamo offers agents a 10 percent commission if they complete the transaction by credit card. However, if agents wire cash to the resort, they will receive a 15 percent commission. Rates range from $315 to $445 per person, per night, depending on the season. Agents can contact Mike Hartman, owner of the resort, at 242-357-2873 or mike@tiamo resorts.com. A tour of Sulfur Springs in St. Lucia was perhaps one of the best ecotours we’ve been on simply because of the length of the tour (about an hour) and the cost, $2.60. Sulfur Springs is one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Here, clients can experience the sights and scents of bubbling mud, never-ending steam and sulfur seeping from crater upon crater. The rotten-egg smell takes a little getting used to, but a true ecotourist will not only deal with the odor, but will eventually embrace it as part of the most unique green adventure one can take in the Caribbean. The price of admission, which is about the same as the cost of a beer in St. Lucia, includes a guided tour and a brief history lesson. To book directly, call Sulfur Springs at 758-459-7686. The best way to get to the volcanoes is via the Spirit of Carnival (www.carnivalsailing. com). This boat ride is a little pricey—costing about $100 per person—but in one shot, a client can see Sulfur Springs, as well as the best view of St. Lucia’s national attraction, The Pitons. These are the gorgeous twin green mountains made famous in the movie Jurassic Park. The cost of the ride includes a full-day tour of the island from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Bonaire National Marine Park, known as CONTINUED ON PAGE 52 http://www.tiamoresorts.com http://www.tiamoresorts.com http://www.carnivalsailing.com http://www.carnivalsailing.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - May 26, 2008

Travel Agent - May 26, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Las Vegas: New Luxury Lounges and Gourmet Restaurants Lure Non-Gambling Vacationers Europe: Bettoja Hotels Provide a Personal Touch in Italy Pacific/Asia: Kyoto Blends History and Culture in a Serene City Pacific/Asia News and Notes Mexico: Food and Service Entice at Four All-Inclusive Riviera Maya Hotels Special Supplement: The Best of Portugal with Pestana and Pousadas Mexico Deals Caribbean: Region Makes Great Strides in the Ecotour Niche Caribbean News and Notes Cruises: A look at the Swiss Sapphire River Cruiser from its Christening and Inaugural Sailing Norwegian Cruise Lines offers something new Cover Story: Selling Golf Hotels: Golf Resorts with the Budget Golfer in Mind Resorts on Florida’s Gulf Coast Offer Getaway Deals for Summer and Fall Going for Gold: Hertz Incentive Program Encourages Agents to Book Car Rentals Tours: Summer Tour Packages Make the World Affordable for Your Clients Agent Profile: Connie Majors Goes the Extra Mile Members Know: American Express Joins the Networking Bandwagon Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar What Makes a Professional Agent? Hawaii Tourism Adjusts to Changes Asia is the Hot New Cruise Destination The Latest Caribbean Trends In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 26, 2008

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