CCRA International Joins Partnership with Tripology top

CCRA is excited to announce our newest Travel Partner, Tripology. Tripology is a best-in-class lead generator for travel agents, which matches up high intent travelers with qualified, travel agent specialists.

Travel specialists create a profile specifying their specialties and Tripology will match them with travelers seeking a trip featuring those specialties. Travel specialists choose the traveler leads they want. It’s that simple. Tripology has received high praise from prestigious travel publications such as Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure.

CCRA is pleased to provide this fantastic service to help our agents protect their business against recession and win the loyalty of new travel clients. As an added incentive, Tripology will provide, exclusively to CCRA agents, up to five free leads ($25 value) through the end of the year!

Some Key Benefits of Working with Tripology:

1. Travel specialists have complete control over the leads they choose to buy
2. Cost-effective way to expand your business
3. Personal support along the way from knowledgeable Relationship Managers

To register, visit CCRAtravel.com or click here.

What Tripologists Have to Say:

“A recent referral from Tripology turned into great new clients.  They just booked a trip of a lifetime around the world. I never would have met these great new clients if I didn't sign up with Tripology.”
Karen B., Karen's Travel

“With Tripology I have been able to increase my business beyond just working in my local area. They have shown me they really care about the agents they are serving. They really do want to see you succeed and they listen when you have an idea or complaint.”
Jonathan H., Jon's Dive & Travel Services

“Tripology is my whole business. It is my calling card and brings in most of my leads.”
Jennifer B., The Tropical Travelers

Converting Leads Into Sales

Travel specialists, called Tripologists, can be categorized into three segments:
Users, Super Users and Fanatics.

• Users work with Tripology when they periodically need the incremental business. They self-report being able to convert 6% - 10% of the leads they buy.
• Super Users rely on Tripology to supplement their usual marketing. They self-report being able to convert 15% - 25% of the leads they buy.
• Fanatics use Tripology exclusively and consider it their only source of marketing. These Tripologists are true specialists and self-report being able to convert 70% of the leads they buy.
  

Which category will YOU belong to? Click here to see Tips for Success.

Contact Tripology

The Tripology staff is available to assist you from 9AM – 6PM EDT from Monday through Friday.

• Phone: 1-800-924-0722
• Email: contact@tripology.com

CCRA Returned to ASTA's THETRADESHOW top

CCRA International was happy to return this year to ASTA’s THETRADESHOW, Travel Retailing and Destination Expo, in Orlando, Florida.  The focus was on learning about new products and getting an education on new tools and resources to support them.

As the preferred Hotel Program Supplier to ASTA members, CCRA presented the newest features and benefits of the CCRAtravel.com hotel booking portal to agents. Patti Free, VP of Global Membership Services, and Nancy Freigher, CCRA Account Manager for ASTA, conducted a hotel booking seminar for ASTA travel agents, and presented custom group trainings at the three-day trade show.

“We were excited to introduce our newest version of our CCRAtravel.com Hotel Booking Portal this month. The newest feature agents were most excited about is the ability to book up to eight rooms at once,” said Patti Free.

ASTA reports that this year’s event drew over 2,000 registered attendees in spite of the threat of storms produced by Hurricane Ike. The attendees were serious-minded professionals interested in growing their travel business. There was a refreshing mix of new agents sprinkled in the mix of experienced agents, all of whom are primarily home-based.

One of the highlights of the conference was the Advocacy Dinner that spoke to the many successes of ASTA in protecting the rights of travel agents. The new president, Chris Russo, and board were introduced, and the out going president, Cheryl Hudak, was honored for her dedication and numerous contributions to ASTA.

World Religious Travel Expo top

Did you know faith tourism is a booming $18 billion industry? Destinations such as Israel and Jordan are experiencing record growth in 2008. As one in four Americans are interested in faith vacations, church and religious group travel is growing at double the rate of the overall tourism industry!

If you would like to continue your knowledge on faith based travel, we invite you to attend the World Religious Travel Expo October 29th. The World Religious Travel Expo is the most important gathering of the “Who’s Who” in faith tourism. Travel agents will network with the top wholesalers and suppliers in the faith tourism industry, while also receiving first-class education on the following travel services: Pilgrimage, Cruising, Leisure, Touring, Events, Missions, Attractions, Retreats, Adventures, and More!

WORLD RELIGIOUS TRAVEL EXPO
Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando, FL
October 29 - November 1, 2008

GENERAL INFO:
Members of CCRA International can attend this fall’s World Religious Travel Expo at the special promotional price of $49 (Regular price $250). In addition, this special CCRA International “Travel Agency Promotion” includes full access to all scheduled Expo meal functions at the Gaylord Resort. As this special savings is not advertised publicly or on the World Religious Travel Expo website, please enter the promotional code “CCRA” when registering online at www.religoustravelexpo.com.

REGISTRATION INFO:
ATTEND – CCRA WITH MEALS (CCRA Travel Agency)
This registration category is a special promotion that includes full access to any scheduled meal functions at the Expo. Who qualifies for this registration option? Any accredited travel agent who is a member of CCRA International.

What does the "Attend – CCRA With Meals " registration include? This registration fee includes admission entrance for 1 (one) person to attend the World Religious Travel Expo 2008 with full access to The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. This registration also includes any scheduled Expo meal functions.

To learn more about attending the Expo, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com.

ADVERTORIAL

The Strand Palace Hotel, London top

ADVERTORIAL

Guaranteed USD Rates at The Milestone Hotel in London
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The Milestone Hotel, a five star hotel overlooking Kensington Palace and Hyde Park, is simply considered the best. The hotel was voted #1 in London in 2008 by both Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure and won the World’s Best Service Award by Travel + Leisure in June 2008. Renowned for its impeccable service and described as a ‘country house in the heart of the city,' the hotel will impress your clients not only with service and style, but price!

The Milestone Hotel is offering your clients an exceptional deal with added extras and all at an affordable fixed US Dollar rate…guaranteed! This special offer, valid for travel through January 31, 2009 includes complimentary Continental Breakfast daily per person and VAT at 17.5%.

Here’s how it works - Book through your GDS or CCRAtravel.com.  The USD prices you see have been converted from our GBP price, and are guaranteed regardless of changes in the rate of exchange.  To help those dollars go even further, we have also included complimentary continental breakfast and VAT so we guarantee the price you see is all your clients will pay for their room.  Payment for accommodation taken on arrival and is charged in USD.  Incidentals settled on departure in the currency of their choice.

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

ADVERTORIAL

Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre top

Situated in the heart of one of North America's most dynamic cities is the Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre, Toronto's most unique boutique and lifestyle hotel. Offering luxury and refinement, the hotel pairs contemporary styling with modern architecture and sophisticated decor, all designed to present a calm and tranquil environment to soothe the mind, body and soul.

Named after the world famous Pantages Theatre, the Hotel's mission is to engage your senses through design, art, theatre, music and energy. From luxurious duvets and bathrobes, 400 thread count Egyptian cotton linens, to complimentary yoga mats and blocks, each of the 111 uniquely designed rooms and suites provide the perfect haven for guests seeking to retreat at the end of a busy day. This Consumer's Choice Award winning hotel offers many amenities to enjoy such as Pantages Spa, Fitness Centre, Business Centre, Room Service, ensuite washers and dryers, fully equipped kitchens, and wireless high-speed internet access.

Join us for our signature breakfast or relax later in the day in our famous Martini Bar. The ideal location for a tantalizing selection of concoctions and live entertainment, or dine at one of the many unique restaurants within a few short blocks of the hotel. Our Lifestyle Team is on hand to provide personalized guided tours or recommend Toronto's hidden treasures.

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

ADVERTORIAL

Hotel Telegraaf Receives Highest Media Travel Honor top

Estonia's Hotel Telegraaf has been named to Condé Nast Traveller’s Hot List 2008.

Condé Nast Traveller’s CNTraveller.com has named Tallinn’s Hotel Telegraaf as one of the world’s “65 most stylish, most innovative, most luxurious hotels.”

“How refreshing, in this age of e-mail,” reads CNTraveller’s review, “to find a hotel called the Telegraaf, housed in a 19th-century post office, with suites dedicated to Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell. But this 86-room property in the heart of the Old Town is anything but old-fashioned.”

“We’re of course are very pleased,” said the Hotel Telegraaf’s General Manager, Michael J. J. Stenner. “This is not only a great honor for the hotel, but it is recognition for Tallinn, as well. Everyone in the community should celebrate.”

Stenner drew attention to Condé Nast’s specific mention of Tallinn in its review: “…like its sibling hotel, The Three Sisters - is a good example of how Tallinn successfully combines a sense of history with 21st-century comforts.”

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

ADVERTORIAL

Palm Springs Landmark Transformed top

Palm Springs Landmark Transformed Making Old Hollywood New Again!

The Rejuvenation of THE RIVIERA RESORT & SPA after $70 Million Facelift

Once a celebrity playground to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, The Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs which is owned and managed by Seattle-based Noble House Hotels & Resorts, nears completion of an estimated, $70 million rejuvenation. While Noble House will continue to honor the iconic hotel’s storied past and grand history, the revitalization will transform The Riviera into an ultra chic, premiere destination resort in Palm Springs.

Paying respect to its heritage, the design team vigilantly re-invented the property’s classic elements while giving the resort a new contemporary sizzle by adding fresh new design concepts and up-to-date amenities. Black and White portraits of their classic celebrity clientele and oversized, dramatic French and English mid-century furniture are complimented by contemporary crystal chandeliers and abstract paintings of icon Marilyn Monroe in each guest room. Elegance meets attitude prevails throughout, as the Riviera Resort & Spa defines both classic and contemporary. Guest accommodations have been revitalized with marble bathrooms, flat screen plasma TVs, wireless internet, separate work and contemporary living areas, signature in-room bath amenities and private patios or balconies with breathtaking views.

The resort will feature 406 beautifully redesigned luxurious guestrooms and opulent suites, acres of lushly landscaped gardens and courtyards with intimate fire pits, sparkling pools, a signature five-star dining venue, and their award-winning signature spa, SpaTerre. This will be the first time in its history that The Riviera Resort & Spa will offer this exclusive spa and salon, SpaTerre. Slated to be one of the largest spas in Palm Springs proper, SpaTerre will specialize in cross cultural and global treatments inspired by exotic Indonesian, Thai and Balinese rituals. The Riviera’s 12,000 square foot SpaTerre will feature 18 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, retail boutique and full service hair and nail salon. SpaTerre at The Riviera will also feature a rare and expansive Watsu pool, making it one of only five hotels in Southern California to offer the unique treatment.

The Riviera’s signature restaurant, Circa 59, under Executive Chef Adam Votaw also promises a five-star dining experience. Circa 59 brings an ultra high-end coastal version of a steakhouse to The Riviera, offering the best in upscale seafood dining in a dynamic setting of unparalleled style and sophistication. In addition, The Riviera offers the swanky Starlite Lounge and The Side Bar.

The Riviera will also feature more than 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including - 10,000 square feet of outdoor space. With its beautifully landscaped courtyards and gardens, The Riviera will have the ability to accommodate small, intimate receptions and events or grandiose gatherings.

In addition to offering an array of activities on property including two pools and two exclusive retail boutiques, the resort is conveniently located to some of the area’s most renowned golf courses and is within minutes of downtown Palm Springs and its renowned shopping.

To Book the best rates at The Riviera Resort & Spa, visit CCRAtravel.com.
Or in the GDS, select the CCR rate code in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan or CCRA in Galileo.

ADVERTORIAL

Taj Hotels Score Highly with Condé Nast top

TAJ HOTELS RESORTS & PALACES SCORE HIGHLY IN THE 2008 CONDÉ NAST
TRAVELLER UK READERS’ TRAVEL AWARDS

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is delighted to have scored highly with the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK in this year’s 10th Readers’ Travel Awards. Taj’s luxury properties have been recognised within the following categories: Overseas Business Hotel, the World’s Top 100 and Overseas Leisure Hotel in Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.

A long running favorite with Condé Nast Traveller, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai is delighted to put another feather in its cap by not only scoring the top spot in the Overseas Business Hotel category, but also ranking 23rd within the World’s Top 100 for the best travel experiences worldwide. Built in 1903, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai is an architectural marvel and brings together Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. Offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, the hotel is a gracious landmark of the city of Mumbai.

The magnificence of Rambagh Palace, Jaipur has been ranked the highest amongst hotels in India and the colonial grandeur of Taj Malabar, Cochin, has also been acknowledged within the Overseas Leisure Hotel in Asia and the Indian Subcontinent category. Situated close to the main shopping areas and historical monuments of Jaipur, the Rambagh Palace is an architectural masterpiece. The former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Rambagh Palace has 90 rooms that allow guests to relax in the lap of regal luxury. Situated on the Willingdon Island, which has a magnificent view of the Cochin harbour and beautiful backwaters, the Taj Malabar is a fine blend of old-world charm and contemporary amenities.

The splendid Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur is the only Indian Hotel to be featured in the Romantic Retreats Hotel category in a special section. A spectacular synthesis of western technology and more than one Indian architectural style, Umaid Bhawan Palace is a magnificent edifice built entirely in golden yellow sandstone.

The 10th Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards relies on its audience to nominate the best travel experiences across the globe. The winners are selected by an independent research company, which receives a mass of responses from readers choosing the ‘cream of the crop’ in a variety of categories including hotels, airlines, tour operators, spas and destinations. The full award listings appear in the October 2008 issue.

As one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, Taj remains committed to reflecting the heritage, culture and innovation of the Indian subcontinent through its authentic hotel destination experiences. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, Taj continues to innovate itself as the authentic Indian luxury hotel company and a dynamic international brand.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's largest and finest groups of hotels, comprising 61 hotels in 42 locations across India with an additional 16 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury.  The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai.  Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business house.

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

ADVERTORIAL

The Royal Horseguards Receives £16 Million Refurbishment top

The iconic London hotel, The Royal Horseguards is benefiting from a £16.3m investment from owner Guoman Hotels, the deluxe hotel group with properties across central London. Built in 1884 in the style of a French château on the Embankment of the Thames, the Royal Horseguards is one of London’s landmark hotels with magnificent views over the Thames.

The refurbishment of The Royal Horseguards will see all 280 bedrooms across nine floors transformed into state-of-the-art luxury accommodation by early 2009. New features will include built-in iPod docking stations in every room, plasma TVs in the bathroom, mood lighting, free wi-fi access in every bedroom and surround sound as standard. The bedroom balconies will also open up to overlook the Thames. The refurbishment also includes the addition of a Guoman Club Lounge - a standard that allows executive guests to work or relax within discreet and private surroundings.

Bars & Restaurants
Restaurants at the hotel include One Twenty One Two, named after the famous telephone number of Scotland Yard, the Waterfront Terrace Room, overlooking the River Thames, The Lounge perfect for afternoon tea, and the Piano Bar. A new conservatory restaurant is planned to be built onto the terrace to offer a private area for guests to dine and enjoy views across the Thames.

One Whitehall Place – Meetings & Events
Connected to The Royal Horseguards, One Whitehall Place is one of London’s most prestigious conference and banqueting venues and has enjoyed a refurbishment in excess of £1m. Offering a choice of fifteen private suites, some of which overlook Whitehall Gardens and the Thames, the venue accommodates private and corporate meetings and events for 12 to 340 guests.

About Guoman Hotels
Guoman Hotels is a collection of deluxe hotels located in central London, including Charing Cross, The Cumberland and The Tower. While each hotel in the portfolio has its own unique identity and style, each provides the highest levels of comfort and service to its guests. Guoman has identified three more properties to be re-launched under its brand, following a total investment in excess of £150 million – The Royal Horseguards, The Grosvenor, which was previously Thistle Victoria, and Thistle Marble Arch.

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

Portal Tip - Now Book Up to 8 Rooms! top

Now available on CCRAtravel.com is the ability to book up to 8 rooms at once! Once you have selected your city and dates, use the drop down menu to select the number of rooms you are looking to book.

Then select the number of guests in each room, including children if necessary. Click, Search.

When the search is complete, the only results listed for hotel rates are Internet Discount Rates and CCRA Net Rates . Scroll down until you find the price and star rating you’d like, then click, Check Availability.

Compare the CCRA Net Rates and Internet Discount rates and select the best rate available.

If you select the CCRA Net Rate, don’t forget to add your commission! Then, Book It!

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