CCRA Focus on Home Based Agents top

CCRA International brings it home this season, appearing at two major home based travel agents events. We are returning to the successful Home Based Travel Agent Show & Conference in April, and we’re excited to sponsor and exhibit at the first Virtual Home Based Expo in May.

Home Based Travel Agent Show & Conference - in San Diego, April 27-30, features a Tech Forum highlighting a variety of topics, such as key websites for agents to better service their clients; how to promote properly through emails and a strong web presence; and a panel discussion with home based agents who have made it big working with today’s technology and tools. Beyond the seminars, panels, training and keynote speakers, the trade show gives travel agent delegates an opportunity to go one-on-one with more than 300 blue-ribbon suppliers. The weekend also promises sponsored meal functions, receptions and pre and post show FAM activities.

The four-day program includes accredited training by CLIA, OSSN, and Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance (NCMA), plus more seminars encompassing tours and cruises, romantic Pacific getaways, family and group travel, golf and spa vacations, faith-based sojourns, airline consolidators, profitable booking and legal tips. Produced by Travel Industry Shows and co-sponsored by OSSN.

To register, visit www.sdtravelshow.com.  Visit CCRA at Booth #109

The Virtual Home Based Expo – available online May 8-9, is presented by agent@home. Promising to be the largest travel agent show ever produced, the online event is a two-day, live interactive presentation brought right to your desktop. No travel is required, and you can hear from top suppliers, travel industry executives, fellow agents and more.

We hope you’ll plan a virtual visit to the CCRA International booth, and attend trainings in the Technology track, which CCRA will sponsor. You can learn hotel booking tips and selling strategies for maximizing your commissions.

The Virtual Home Based General Session topics include cruises of the future, finding new niche markets in travel, and technology of today and beyond for home based agents. Additional tracks will feature panels and speakers. The Expo “floor” will feature a variety of new and familiar suppliers in many categories.

To register, visit www.virtualhomebasedexpo.com.

Travel Will Benefit from Tax Rebates top

An Access America survey found that many Americans plan to use their federal rebate for travel -- early as this summer. In the survey, nearly 10 percent of respondents said they plan to use their federal rebate (up to $600 for individuals, $1,200 for couples filing together), on a vacation or other type of travel. "With a stimulus package valued at about $105 billion, the survey results suggest more than $10 billion could be directed into travel and tourism as early as this summer," said Mark Cipolletti, vice president for Access America.

In addition to travel, respondents cited plans for spending the money on every-day expenses such as groceries and gas (24 percent) and purchasing big-ticket items such as a car or electronics (nine percent). More than one quarter (28 percent) will pay-down debt, while another 15 percent will contribute the money to a long-term savings plan.  Two percent of respondents said they would contribute the money to charity or their church.

"These results reflect the schizophrenic nature of the economy, with many Americans needing the cash for day-to-day needs while others view the infusion as a windfall that they can use to treat themselves," said Cipolletti. Among households making $50,000 or more in income, 11 percent plan to travel, just slightly more than the 10 percent of households making $25,000-50,000 that indicated they would travel with the extra money.  Among those making less than $25,000 in household income, more than 60 percent plan to use the money for paying-down existing debt or spend it on everyday needs like groceries and gas.  The survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, an independent research company, March 3-6. Using telephonic interviews, 695 respondents were asked to choose from among seven options for how they planned to use their stimulus money. For more information, visit www.accessamerica.com. Published March 19, 2008

Impact of Recession on Travel Trends top

Excerpt from TravelMole Report, March 23, 2008

Two recent nationwide surveys agree: Americans are taking a hard look at vacation costs.

More than two-thirds of respondents to the most recent survey by Ypartnership, co-authored with the Travel Industry Association, said they had downsized their trips in some way during the past six months because of personal financial concerns.

And a survey just completed by AIG Travel Guard found that 47% of travelers polled plan to downscale their vacations to save money.

But while Americans may be cautious about how much they spend on vacations this year, they're not about to give them up.

"Trading down, not out: That's what we're saying," said Peter Yesawich, CEO of Ypartnership, "In the next few months we will see a transformation of vacations, not cancellations."  That means that increasingly value-conscious consumers are likely to seek cheaper transportation, lodging, entertainment and recreation. Some will take shorter trips.

According to the Ypartnership survey:

• 29% who are downsizing said they had taken fewer trips

• 16% selected less expensive lodging

• 12% stayed away fewer nights

• 11% drove a shorter distance to their vacation destination

• 7% changed destinations

• A tiny percentage reported bringing fewer people along on vacations

AIG Travel Guard's new Travel Beat survey says more than two thirds of the 300 polled said they wouldn't reduce the number of leisure trips they take in 2008; slightly more than half said they wouldn't cut back on the quality.  But 22% said they would eat in less expensive restaurants, and a slightly lower number said they would stick closer to home; another 16% said they would choose less expensive hotels than in the past.

Some segments of the travel industry are benefiting by the recession. More travelers are turning towards often less expensive tour travel, for example.

"Our tour business is going through the roof," said Brad Anderson, co-president of America's Vacations Center in California, which specializes in escorted tours and cruises. Bookings of Contiki tours, for travelers ages 18-35, is "exploding," he added.

Report by David Wilkening

What Travel Agents Are Saying About CCRAtravel.com: top

“Our agency began using CCRAtravel.com last year after many “hotel only” bookings went unpaid. Since we began to use CCRAtravel.com, we have not had to deal with “nonpayment” of a hotel commission. The CCRA customer service is also a great asset…whenever one of our agents has called, their questions have been handled with the utmost professionalism. Their online training is also a great tool for new agents.”

Gina Hoyt, ACC President
Travel Traditions, Inc.
Kennewick, WA

“My friend had shopped around for a hotel for her trip to Costa Rica and found one that was approximately $107 per night. I told her I would shop around as well, to find the best deal. Sure enough I found the same hotel at the CCRA Net Rate price of $76 per night! I was able to add a 30% commission, and still save my friend money! Thank you for providing this site in which we can increase our commission and get paid quickly! I am a proud portal user!”

Sylvia Santana
Home Based Agent
Florida

CCRA Preferred Partners Go Green top

With Earth Day just around the corner on April 22nd and environmental consciousness growing everyday, we take notice of the larger hotel chains who are doing their part to “be green”. Many hotel chains have taken steps towards becoming more environmentally friendly.

The Hilton Chain built the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Enviornmental Design) property in the Northwest, in Vancouver, Washington. Some green-highlights include: using materials from within a 500 mile radius to support local growth and reduce transportation of materials during construction, fluorescent lighting in all areas, occupancy sensors to automatically turn lights off when meeting rooms are empty, Co2 sensors in meeting rooms to detect the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled from people and adjusting the airflow accordingly.

Fairmont has Green Teams in over 40 locations worldwide constantly looking for sustainable solutions for the hotel chain. In their Royal York property in Toronto, which is also the largest hotel purchaser of wine, the chain has implemented a Bag-A-Cork recycling program, providing bins to guests to recycle their wine corks. The Chain is also working on replacing all shower heads and toilets with water-efficient fixtures in all their properties.

In 2007 the Marriott chain was named the first lodging company to receive the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2008 Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators created new standards that will require 34 of the company’s managed golf courses throughout North American and the the Caribbean to become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries by the end of 2008. These sanctuaries will enable golf facilities to protect the surrounding environment.

IHG has developed ESCAP ENVIRO, a management tool to measure and internally benchmark the environmental performance of their hotels by energy usage, water consumption, and waste production. Hotels enter data on a monthly basis which can then be reported over time, by region and a wide range of other criteria. Based on the results of these monthly reports, the chain can work towards better environmental practices.

UK Best Western Hotels are also moving towards improving their environmental practices. They have recently joined the Green Tourism Business Scheme, a leading green business accreditation initiative. Together, Best Western and GTBS will work to create a plan to promote continual environmental efforts within the hotel industry.

This is only a sample of how some CCRA International Preferred Partners are doing their part to be green. To stay at any one of these eco-conscious properties or any of their sub-brands, visit  CCRAtravel.com.

ADVERTORIAL

Intimate Luxury at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort -
Naples, FL top

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort offers guests a luxury experience with the simplicity of unpretentious splendor and purity of unspoiled beaches. Guests will be inspired by the sweeping soft white beach with private Beach Butlers, crisp white cabanas along a cascading falls pool, exotic SpaTerre and stunning sunsets. The stylishly simple escape has captured a spot on the Great Hotels ranking of Travel + Leisure, and has recently been rewarded “Most Excellent Resort” for 2008 in the United States and Canada by Conde Nast Johansens.

“This award demonstrates that the resort continues to exceed guests’ expectations through world-class service and amenities,” said Ron Vuy, general manager of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. “We’d sincerely like to thank our dedicated patrons and valued travel professionals for their support and loyalty throughout the years.”

Your discerning, savvy customers who enjoy excellent accommodations and personal attention, will be thrilled by a variety of experiences, including the launch of the most romantic sunset dining program offering couples a chance for a romantic retreat while making the most out of a beautiful sunset. From providing a luxurious setting complete with candles and tiki torches, to exquisite cuisine and wine selection, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort becomes the perfect backdrop for watching a scintillating sunset with someone special.

Guests bid farewell to the day with the nightly tradition of the sunset bell ringing ceremony. Voted one of Travel Channel’s best beaches in the world, Vanderbilt Beach provides the perfect setting for a romantic moonlit stroll, while the resort’s fire pit is ideal for twilight talk and cocktails.

For diners preferring dinner without their toes in the sand, the resort offers private cabanas serving as an epicurean enclave. With a personal Cabana Butler, candles illuminated in the evening and a glimmering, moonlit view of the Gulf, passionate pairs enjoy four courses of sumptuous specialties and mouth-watering wines sure to provide adventure for tempted taste buds.

Rejuvenating mind, body and soul, the resort touts a 4,500 square-foot SpaTerre, guiding spa goers on a sensory stimulating journey. With Thai- and Indonesian-inspired rituals and traditional outdoor Japanese Relaxation Tubs, SpaTerre promotes a combination of health (body), peace (soul) and relaxation (spirit), creating a tranquil and refreshing experience.

SpaTerre’s new Zents line of fragrance and body care lets guests mix and match fragrances to compliment their individuality and beauty. With the winter season in full swing, SpaTerre specialists being to focus on incorporating the fragrance into treatments that warm body and spirit from head to toe including hydrating, detoxifying and remineralizing stressed skin with a Caribbean Seaweed Body Mask, or warming and softening skin with a Milk and Honey Body Wrap. Visitors with tired muscles are encouraged to let the heat of a Hot Stone Massage penetrate deep, leaving them relaxed and rejuvenated like never before. Other spa enthusiasts choose to hold on to a hint of summer with a Sunless Bronzing treatment.

Capturing a spot on the coveted Condè Nast Traveler Top 50 Golf Resorts in 2007, LaPlaya is proud to have one of the newest golf courses in Naples, the Bob Cupp par 72 designed LaPlaya Golf Club and host the prestigious David Leadbetter Golf Academy.

To Book the best rates at CCRA Partner Hotels, visit CCRAtravel.com.
Or in the GDS, select the CCR rate code in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan or CCRA in Galileo.

ADVERTORIAL

Award Winning Decadence at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa - Miami, FL top

Nestled among verdant palms and overlooking the ocean, Grove Isle Hotel & Spa has secured its spot, or should we say spotlight, on a private island off the coast of Miami. This boutique hotel has raked in the awards and accolades in 2008, from being named one of the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine to being listed in Coastal Living as one of the top ten seaside retreats, Grove Isle Hotel & Spa is bashfully accepting the praise by striving to surpass expectations with every guest they greet.

The way Grove Isle greets their guests is actually how the engaging experience begins. That tedious check-in process you find at 99.9% of hotels has been thrown out the window at Grove Isle. Upon arrival you are met at your car and while the valet parks it, guests are escorted directly to their room all the while being able to make dinner, spa and tennis reservations with the help of the concierge guiding them through the garden-lined walkways.

That is the beauty of this 49-room luxury hotel and spa. It is gorgeous; a definite hot spot for the in-crowd and the well-to-do, but Grove Isle has a flavor, a confidence that comes from being happy. It is like that popular girl in high school. You know the one. She is beautiful and you would love to hate her but she is so nice, makes you feel so good and heck, you want to be her friend and she wants to be yours.  You say hello and she says hi back, next thing you know you're giggling and eating ice cream together.

Well, at Grove Isle that is how you will feel — welcome, special and part of the in-crowd. One exception is the ice cream would be replaced with molten lava cake. Pizza traded with kobe beef served on a sizzling 15 million year old salt rock and soda pop would no longer be on your wish list. Try instead a refreshing Mojito, deep rich red wine or a bottle of bubbly.

You would think the decadence would end there. How much more can such a friend give? But she has more to offer. She likes sports and pedicures too. Is she too good to be true? It seems so, but Grove Isle is no illusion, just a fantasy island come true. The tennis courts, with night-lights and clay surfaces, overlook the stunning yachts. After a cardio tennis class, private lesson or friendly match, guests can rejoice in their victory by indulging in the therapeutic spa treatments offered at SpaTerre. Don't you feel good already?

To Book the best rates at CCRA Partner Hotels, visit CCRAtravel.com.
Or in the GDS, select the CCR rate code in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan or CCRA in Galileo.

ADVERTORIAL

The Rubens at the Palace in London top

For a weekend full of fun, excitement and adventure in London, stay at The Rubens at the Palace and explore the magic of this great city.

The Rubens at the Palace is a four-star luxury boutique hotel located opposite Buckingham Palace Mews and enjoys full view of spectacular pageantry from the comfort of the hotel’s lounge. Renowned for its personal and friendly service and a superior standard of luxury, the Rubens is close to St. James’s Park, The Mall, Green Park and Houses of Parliament and within easy reach of West End theatres.

Valid until December 31, 2008

Kids Weekend includes:

• Family accommodation - king-size bed and pull out sofa bed
  
• Tour of the hotel, including the kitchen so you can help prepare lunch for Mum & Dad
• Special children's menu available
• Fluffy child-size bathrobes and slippers to keep
• Welcome pack with games
• Kiddies packed lunch each day
• English breakfast each morning for everyone
• Special turn-down treat each evening ... but only if the kids have been good!

Offer is based on 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years sharing a King Room, including full English breakfast and added extras. Either a sofa or rollaway bed will be provided in room for children. Package is subject to a minimum stay of two nights (Fri/Sat/Sun).

Junior Suites and Executive Suites are also available and accommodate 2 adults and 1 child.

To Book the best rates at CCRA Partner Hotels, visit CCRAtravel.com.
Or in the GDS, select the CCR rate code in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan or CCRA in Galileo.