Recommend May 2012 - (Page 12)

tour talk gets a head start in a global undertaking W taylor harker Worldwide Traveler, which was founded 10 months ago and is the newest tour operator to establish itself under the Flight Centre umbrella, offers a wide range of long-haul products from the U.S., with destinations in nearly every corner of the globe including the South Paciﬁc, Indian Ocean, Australia, Asia, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East. That’s quite a list for a company less than a year old. And due to a new partnership, Flight Centre now also operates GOGO Worldwide Vacations, known, for the past 60 years, for its Caribbean, Mexico, U.S. and Canada destinations. That partnership, in turn, links the Worldwide Traveler brand directly to GOGO, giving the new company a great impulse. “With the Flight Centre partnership, and the ability to offer long-haul destinations directly in our system, we decided it would be best to welcome a new brand into our portfolio so that the proper focus in both our staff training and marketing could occur,” says Pam Sytsma, brand leader for Worldwide Traveler and area leader for GOGO Worldwide Vacations. “Developing Worldwide Traveler has allowed us to deliver the best customer service to you, the travel agent, and create customized marketing pieces to help you close the sale on these often complicated bookings. Our sales consultants have a tremendous amount of knowledge to share with you, and they’re happy to share it. There is nothing easy about booking a 12-day tour through Asia as an FIT, but here at Worldwide Traveler, that’s what we enjoy doing.” While it’s true that the company has only been operational since last July, Sytsma insists that they bring more to the table than the typical start-up. “It’s important to know that while selling this product may seem fairly new to us, our parent company—Flight Centre—has been selling it for over 30 years,” Sytsma says. “Our training—and even some of our staff—come directly from them and our hotel partners.” Due to that association with Flight Centre and the access to its large portfolio of hotel partnerships worldwide, Worldwide Traveler holds a valuable position. “Our relationship under the Flight Centre brand has enabled us to book directly in our system and work with more hotels than almost all our competitors,” Sytsma told us. “Whether you are looking for a fully customized FIT package, or want to take a group tour you’ve found somewhere else and turn it into an FIT, we can do it all.” While all vacations offered through Worldwide Traveler promise topof-the-line hotels and resorts in super-desirable destinations, there are a handful of options that offer exclusive amenities far surpassing the company’s otherwise high standards. “My Time experiences are a unique option that invites Worldwide Traveler clients to enjoy their vacation more than ever before,” Sytsma tells us. “From the moment our clients touch down in their vacation destination, they’ll receive superior service and exclusive treatment that no one else can access. They’ll be treated to special touches, extra amenities and unique recognitions reserved exclusively for Worldwide Traveler customers, all at no extra cost.” These amenities include the likes of dedicated check-in and check-out areas, complimentary room upgrades based upon availability, a welcome drink, welcome gift in their room, resort/spa credits, priority status at restaurants, and late checkout. Currently, destinations that offer My Time experiences include Fiji, Bali and Vanuatu, with Thailand, Australia, and Indian Ocean experiences soon to follow. All of those are excellent perks for the client. But for the agent? Worldwide Traveler offers a one-stop shopping experience. “Our website highlights specials complete with suggestions for the destinations, must-do’s, and much more so your customer doesn’t miss a thing. By calling or visiting the site, we can provide a complete package including air, land, transfers, sightseeing and trip protection.” Get in, get out, get the package on the books. Doing the math—30 years experience + happy, helpful consultants + one-stop shopping—add to that the fact that Worldwide Traveler offers a “price beat guarantee,” which doesn’t just match another operator’s lower price, but beats it—it’s hard to ﬁnd an outcome where an agent wouldn’t come out with happy clients and a great experience. About packages and promotions, Sytsma says, “We always have a ton of specials going on. My recommendation is to go to worldwidetrav.com and pick one of the many specials we have listed there. And as a special to readers, mention this article and receive an extra 1 percent bonus commission for all new bookings through May 31.” Well, alright! As if they weren’t already deep into the market—considering Worldwide Traveler’s relatively short lifespan thus far, anyway—Sytsma dropped a surprise and a half when we asked about future plans for the company. “We are happy to announce the launch of South Africa to our product offerings, which began May 1. It’s a jungle out there, and we are thrilled to be selling it!” ■ contact information Worldwide Traveler: (866) 565-7348; worldwidetrav.com 12 may 2012 recommend.com http://www.worldwidetrav.com http://www.worldwidetrav.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Worldwide Traveler
Viking Longships Invade European Waters
In Chile: Going to Extremes
India Travel Planner 2012
Devon & Cornwall: England's Peerless Destinations
Israel & Jordan: The Wellspring of Spirituality
Top Golf Resorts: North America
Top Golf Resorts: Caribbean & Bermuda
Top Golf Resorts: Mexico

Recommend May 2012