Travel Agent - July 7, 2008 - (Page 51)

HERE: The party heats up by the pool at Maxim Bungalows RIGHT: The Studio Bungalow features a large living room area with modern, custom-made furniture The minibar was even a surprise—it was unusually inexpensive compared to what other resorts charge. For example, a Presidente, the local beer, could be purchased for just $3 a pop while a pack of Marlboro Lights could be bought for $6. (We didn’t indulge, in case you’re reading this, Mom.) A Full Day After a great night of sleep, Susaña picked us up at 10 a.m. on the dot as promised and took us to Cabarete, a beach village about 45 minutes away that is known for its party-like atmosphere, and is sprinkled with restaurants and beaches along the entire strip. Before we arrived, however, we made Susaña show us a few car washes along the way since we didn’t believe his claim that the car wash in Puerto Plata is a place where locals drink, dine and dance until the sun comes up. We were wrong. If Dominicans could make a party out of washing a vehicle, we realized, they can make a party of out anything. We recommend booking Susaña’s services for clients looking for a driver who will show you Puerto Plata’s best-kept secrets, from rum shops that offer free samples to the best nearby beach parties. He can be reached at 011-809-5863531 or at mario_susana@hotmail.com. Since we arrived in the midst of a minor storm Thursday night, we were excited to see the sun blazing Friday afternoon in Cabarete. We weren’t sure if we were going to get sun like this for the rest of the weekend, so we abandoned the sun block (not recommended). When we arrived back at the resort, we took advantage of our scheduled spa treatment. We usually prefer a good, old-fashioned, deep-tissue massage, but considering I was now “Lobsterman,” I opted to go with the more subtle aromatherapy massage, which was excellent. A 25-minute session costs $60 and is enough to do the trick. We were covered in scented oils, rubbed down from head to toe and sent on our way to dinner with General Manager Jaime Basauri and Corporate Sales and Marketing Director Joaquín Dueñas at Maxim’s signature restaurant, Social. We ate everything from duck salad to lamb chops to roasted beets and goat cheese, but nothing topped the pork tenderloins served with port wine sauce and mixed dried fruits. But if you are still not sure what you want from the menu, the restaurant’s general manager Sean Mohammed, who actually prepares the recipes, is always more than happy to help. Program for Agents Over the course of our meal with the executives, we learned about some newsworthy items. Maxim is slated to launch a new website in early July geared toward preferred travel agents. The program is called the Elliott Preferred Travel Agent Program or EPTA (www.epta.com). Here, agents can register to become preferred Maxim agents and receive incentives from 15 percent commissions to $100 bonuses for every booking made in the low season. Visit Maxim Bungalows’ website for more information. Maxim’s second property, Maxim Bungalows, Juan Dolio, is slated to open in the fall. Although an official opening date hasn’t been released yet, we were told that the latest possible date would be early November. Unlike Maxim Bungalows, Cofresi Beach, which caters primarily to the leisure traveler, ages 25-40, this property is going to be geared primarily toward corporate clients and will be about 30 minutes from industrial Santiago, which is mostly a business destination. We also learned of Maxim’s plans to open a third resort in Turks and Caicos. No additional details were released to us, since plans are still being ironed out, but Basauri did confirm that Maxim is eyeing Turks and Caicos and also has plans to open more resorts in the Dominican Republic. Basauri and Duenas can be reached at 011-809-970-3364 or at joaquin.duenas@ elliottcorporate.com and jaime.basauri@ elliottcorporate.com. I July 7, 2008 TravelAgent | 51 http://www.epta.com

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Travel Agent - July 7, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Europe: History and a Scenic Landscape Define Normandy Pacific/Asia: Kuala Lumpur Offers Luxury Shopping and Hotels Hawaii: Honolulu’s Nightlife is as Dazzling as its Sunshine Canada: VIA Rail Offers a New Way to Enjoy the Great North Las Vegas: Hotels and Casinos Away From the Strip Florida: Hilton Daytona Beach Offers Budget-Friendly Packages Central & South America: Panama is Poised to Become a Hot Destination Mexico: The ME Cancún Targets an Upscale Clientele Caribbean: Maxim Opens a New Resort in Puerto Plata The Latest News and Notes from Dominica Cruises: A CLIA Study Offers Good News About Cruising Cartagena and Santa Marta Offer Two Different Sides of Columbia Cover Story: Wendy Goodenow Industry In Crisis: A New Report Offers a Gloomy Forecast for the Airline Industry Hotels: Prince Edward Island Celebrates Anne of Green Gables EZGuider: Vacation.com Launches a New Platform Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Opinion Consortia Can Be An Agent’s Best Friend MLT Expands Roles and Offerings Malaysia Continues Agent Push In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - July 7, 2008

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