Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 - (Page 54)

HOTELS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52 breaker for a decision to show the customer.” Rose Marie Spatafore, owner of E-Z Travel in Ansonia, CT, says clients definitely see the writing on the wall. “I haven’t won any awards, but I did complete the Sandals courses offered to become an expert in hotels and received their certificates,” Spatafore says. “I frame the certificate and put it on the wall in my office. Clients sit and look at the different certificates. They always say, ‘That is why I come to you, because you are an expert.’ “I feel they [awards programs] are worth the time because they reward you for keeping up on the product, for being aware of what is current and happening,” Spatafore adds. “I am pleased that Sandals awards its agents. I would also like to see courses online.” A Form of Advertising Awards programs like STAR may be designed to grab agents’ attention more than their clients’. “They are really nothing more than today’s advertising medium, designed to attract the attention of the travel agent [to a brand], when there are so many options for them to recommend,” says Petersen. “If not for these programs, it would be other methods of advertising.” Penny Sheldon of Penny Sheldon Travel in Boise, ID, who’s won STAR awards for six years, says they are important marketing tools. “My clients are impressed with my knowledge of the properties and the extended service that I provide them,” she says. “This is an affirmation to them when I am acknowledged by the industry that I represent.” An award from a supplier serves as affirmation to agents, too. “I am rewarded for my hard work and dedication,” Sheldon says, “along with the honor of being in this elite group.” There were 275 agents from the U.S., U.K. and Canada at the Sandals festivities this fall. More than 50 U.S. agencies received the “Best of the Best Agency Recognition Award,” given—according to Sandals—to those that have “excelled and made an outstanding contribution to the Sandals, Beaches and Royal Plantation resorts” through sales of their products. Sandals also recognized the Top Suite Concierge Travel Agency in each region (Northeast, 54 | TravelAgent December 10, 2007 SHE’S A STAR: Sandals Resorts Chairman Butch Stewart (left) and St. Lucia’s Prime Minister, Stephenson King, present a STAR award to Jane Yarosh of Twinsburg Travel, which received several honors at this year’s ceremony, including being named one of the resort group’s Top 10 Travel Agencies worldwide “ Southeast, Midwest, West). This went to the agency whose suite concierge bookings represented the highest percentage of their overall Sandals bookings. Three of the winners— Honeymoons, Inc. in Atlanta, Twinsburg Travel & Cruises of Twinsburg, OH, and Penny Sheldon Travel—also were recognized at the worldwide level among Sandals’ Top 10 Travel Agencies. Twinsburg Travel also took home honors as Top Butler Suite Travel Agency and Top Booking Travel Agency Worldwide. Filling out the Top 10 Travel Agencies roster were Beach Bum Vacations, Enchanted Honey- award as Top Group Booking Agency), and Enchanted Honeymoons in Omaha won the Top Sandals Travel Agency award. Rising Star Makes Debut A STAR award was given to a Rising Star agency. Sandals this year introduced another program for agents who show promise as producers for the company. The first Sandals Rising Star Luxury Experience, taking place this month in Jamaica, comprises a week at Sandals and Beaches resorts in Ocho Rios, Negril and Whitehouse dedicated to learning the product and understanding what sets Sandals and Beaches apart from their competitors. The “up-and-comers” in selling Sandals and Beaches who are participating in the Sandals Rising Star Luxury Experience receive rigorous training on the resort group’s marketing efforts, upselling opportunities and partnership programs to grow business, and get an in-depth look at the Sandals and Beaches vacation experience. Sandals said this new initiative will promote the next generation of Sandals STARs— those agencies that have indicated potential to excel in sales and develop marketing initiatives to increase business for the supplier. I you for “They reward the product, keeping up on for being aware of what is current and happening. —AGENT ROSE MARIE SPATAFORE moons, Horizons Unlimited, TotallyTrips.com, Dream Vacations, ITravel2000.com and Vacations to Go. Other awards were given for most sales of each of Sandals’ three resort brands. Twinsburg won one of those as well, getting named Top Beaches Travel Agency. Travelennium/American Express in Memphis was cited as Top Royal Plantation Travel Agency (it also won a STAR ” ” CONNECTING YOU For a complete list of STAR winners and details on other hotelier awards for agents, visit www.travel agentcentral/awards http://totallytrips.com http://ITravel2000.com http://www.travelagentcentral/awards http://www.travelagentcentral/awards

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Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 Online Now From the Editor Contributors Europe: Liverpool, The Beatles Hometown, Is also Known for it's Maritime Heritage, Art and Architecture European Hotel Highlights Central and South America: What You Need To Know About Selling Quito, the Historic Capital City of Ecuador Pacific/Asia: Malaysia Seeks to Grow Tourism as it Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of it's Independence Spa Resort in Goa, India Caribbean: Venerable Jamaican Resorts Tryall Club and Half Moon Marry Contemporary Design and Old-Time Elegence Caribbean Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Your Gen-Y Clients Las Vegas News and Notes Hotels: Sandals' 6th Annual Star Awards Tours: Escorted and FIT Packages in Western Canada Cruise: Barging 101 Cover Story: Wyndham's Way Agent Profile: Casto Travel's Marc Casto Technology Transportation Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Carnival's Plans for the Future Fairmont Expands in Africa Liberty Travel/Gogo is Sold Turks and Caicos Developments The New River Cruise Line, Jewel How to Protect Yourself When a Tour Operator Shuts Down In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Destination Africa

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

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