Advantages of a travel blog

There is a lot of new technology happening now. But none come close to how blogs are effecting the viewers online.

From a business point of view there is no easier way to get up to date information into your client’s hand.

From a Travel Agents Point of view

What better way to show your last trip or pictures of your last fam and start a dialogs with interested parties.

This is also an easy way to post specials from any type of travel or supplier.

From a suppliers point of view

The Internet has created an even playing field. What I mean, as an example the travel industry has gone to the net to sell tickets and are now competing against themselves for the same customers.

It is much easier for a destination supplier, (like a resort, museum, charter boat, etc.) to create loyal customers through an online interaction that keeps the traveler coming back to the web sites, not for a sales campaign but to keep updated with different activities and events.

By turning your customers into family members, you get to invite them back for a taste of the next new menu, sporting event or even to see new additions to your property with pictures and all.

I’m sure I will have more here in the future. So you-all come back soon.

Avis Rent a Car’s New Blog

Maybe I should say, Not so New Blog, it’s been around since January 2007.

Avis is putting a good team together to manage their blog: Eibhlin Payne- Head of Customer Support in UK, Stephen Spiers- Intranet Webmaster, Avis UK, and Xavier Vallee- Head of Marketing in UK. They all have pretty impressive resumes.

The site it self is customer focused. If you look at the topics there’s lots of information and helpful hints for using Avis.

There’s a topic “We try harder” (also the name of the web site), at first thought: It doesn’t work with the rest of the topics, but when I clicked on the link I was pretty impressed how Avis markets themselves with charities, fund raisers, and marketing through the years.

The blog itself uses Wordpress to manage the blog and the design is their own. I like Wordpress and use it myself, but that’s another blog.

As a travel agent you can feel safe about sending your customers to We Try Harder.

Puerto Rico Travel Experts Program

The certification program is open to all travel agents. To register, travel agents can either take an introductory e-test by visiting the website or looking online for scheduled Go to Puerto Rico presentations in their area.

After passing the test, to become a certified PRTE travel agents can sign up online for the 6 nights/7 day core program. During this on island program, travel agents will experience first hand the varied facilities and activities Puerto Rico has to offer their clientele.

Once the program is completed, travel agents will be fully certified and can enjoy numerous benefits: GoToPuertoRico.com.

Firewall Protection

What is a Firewall ?
A firewall uses a wall (of code) that examines data as it arrives and/or
leaves your computer, then determines whether it should be allowed to
proceed. It is not the same as antivirus software.

Firewall software

Today, home or small business computer offers numerous opportunities for
attacks especially now with wifi wireless network connections. Many home
computers store important information like credit card numbers, bank and
brokerage account numbers. Because most home computers have little or
no security, they become easy prey for hacker attacks.

Expanding the problem is the increase of always on connections to the
Internet, such as DSL, cable modems, and LAN systems that makes it easier
for your computer to be broken into.

When you are connected to the Internet, an IP address is used to identify your
PC and that IP address can be used to access your computer from the outside
world.

If you have a DSL, cable or a constance connection you have a fixed IP
address, you give potential Internet hackers all the time they need to
search for entrances to your computer and eventually take data, use your
computer to hack into somewhere else and even destroy your pc.

Download ZoneAlarm Pro Here

ZoneAlarm Pro has received more than several awards each year
for the last 3 years for their personal firewall. And just won “PC
World’s” 2003 Best firewall award.

ZoneAlarm Pro keeps your personal data and privacy safe from Internet
hackers and data thieves. Shield your system with this proven, award-winning
personal firewall. Firewall protection against worms, Trojans, spyware,
and 47 types of malicious email attachments.

ZoneAlarm Pro fire wall includes Cookie Control, in & out bound email
security, cashe cleaning, spyware removal and Ad Blocking for a faster,
safer Internet experience.

ZoneAlarm Tips

Wifi wireless network protection
Automatic wireless network detection helps you configure your Internet Zone to ensure that you computer remains secure without being interrupted each time a new wireless network is detected.

You can have Zone Labs security software silently include every detected wireless network in the Internet Zone.

Open Zonealarm go to firewall -> Main, move your Internet
Zone Security to high (stealth mode), click on the advanced tap at
bottom, and check Automatically put new unprotected wireless networks
(WEP or WPA) in the Internet Zone. Also move the Trusted Zone
to High.

Maui Specialist Certification

Voted Best Island in the World for twelve consecutive years by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Created by the Maui Visitors Bureau, you will find plenty of helpful information at the Maui Destination Specialist Prpgram.

 

Fiji Island cruise fam

Sails around the Fiji Islands visiting various destinations,
depending on the cruise itinerary selected.

Departures: Weekly through March 31, ranging in length from three to seven days

On the Fiji Princess, Yasawa Princess, Mystique Princess or Nanuya Princess, depending on length of cruise and itinerary selected.

Sponsor: Blue Lagoon Cruises, Lautoka, Fiji Islands.

Cost: Five itineraries are offered, ask about pricing.

Noteworthy: Rates are for lowest-deck accommodations with upgrades, subject to availability. Companions are eligible.

Contact: E-mail: reservations@blc.com.fj; Web: www.bluelagooncruises.com for itineraries.

Cobranding with Sandals

If you sell Sandals Beaches Resorts & Spas this is a great way to keep your customers in the know and let them take advantage of any specials on the Sandals Beaches web site. Yes, you still involved in the booking and you get the full commission.

If you already have an internet presence, whether it is a large web site or just a single web page, you will find the cobranding solution a great way to keep your Sandals and Beaches customers from going to other web sites.

How the Cobranding works:
Simply by adding a link on your site to the Sandals and Beaches site with your unique referral number. This referral number will add your name and phone number to each page on the Sandals or Beaches web site. When your customer makes an online booking an entry will go into your account and an email will be sent to you to full-fill the order.

There is a very simple registration
go to Sandals Cobranding page

Travel Seminar Norwegian Coastal Voyage

• Phoenix, AZ: June 20, Wed - Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa - 2400 East Missouri Avenue - Phoenix, AZ 85016 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Costa Mesa, CA: June 19, Tue - Orange County - Hilton Orange County / Costa Mesa - 3050 Bristol Street - Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Costa Mesa, CA: June 19, Tue - Orange County - Hilton Orange County / Costa Mesa - 3050 Bristol Street - Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Pleasanton, CA: June 26, Tue - San Francisco Area - The Hilton Pleasanton at The Club, 7050 Johnson Drive - Pleasanton, CA 94588 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Torrance, CA: June 27, Wed - Los Angeles Area - Doubletree Hotel Torrance/South Bay (formerly the Hilton) - 21333 Hawthorne Boulevard - Torrance, CA 90503 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• San Diego, CA: June 28, Thu - San Diego - DoubleTree Hotel San Diego - Mission Valley - 7450 Hazard Center Drive - San Diego, CA 92108 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Denver, CO: June 26, Tue - Loews Denver Hotel - 4150 East Mississippi Avenue - Denver, CO 80246 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Lynnwood, WA: June 21, Thu - Seattle Area - Embassy Suites Hotel Seattle North/Lynnwood - 20610 44th Avenue West - Lynnwood, WA 98036 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Clearwater, FL: June 19, Tue - Bascom’s Chop House - 3665 Ulmerton Road - Clearwater, FL 33762 - Lunch Seminar: 12.00 -1.30 pm - Optional Group Workshop: 1.30 - 2.30 pm
• Sarasota, FL: June 20, Wed - Troyer’s Dutch Heritage Restaurant - 3713 Bahia Vista Street - Sarasota, FL 34232 - Lunch Seminar 12.00 -1.30 pm - Optional Group Workshop: 1.30 - 2.30 pm
• Port Richey, FL: June 21, Thu - Golden Corral Restaurant - 8928 US Highway 19 - Port Richey, FL 34668 - Lunch Seminar: 12.00 - 1.30 pm - Optional Group Workshop: 1.30 - 2.30 pm
• Altamonte Springs, FL: June 22, Fri - Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouse - 800 East Altamonte Drive - Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 - Lunch Seminar: 12.00 - 1.30 pm - Optional Group Workshop: 1.30 - 2.30 pm
• Atlanta, GA: June 28, Thu - DoubleTree Guest Suites - 2780 Windy Ridge Parkway - Atlanta, GA 30339 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Cambridge, MA: June 21, Thu - The Charles Hotel - One Bennett Street - Cambridge, MA 02138 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• St. Louis, MO: June 19, Tue - Hilton St. Louis Frontenac - 01335 S. Lindbergh Blvd. - St. Louis, MO 63131 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Toms River, NJ: June 19, Tue - Ramada Inn - 2372 Route 9 - Toms River, NJ 08755 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Secaucus, NJ: June 20, Wed - Hilton Garden Inn - 875 Route. 3 East Service Road - Secaucus, NJ 07094 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Princeton, NJ: June 21, Thu - Courtyard by Marriot - 3815 US Route 1 at Mapleton Road - Princeton, NJ 08540 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Islandia, NY: June 28, Thu - Islandia Marriott Long Island - 3635 Express Drive North - Islandia, NY 11749 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Blue Ash, OH: June 20, Wed - Cincinnati Area - Embassy Suites Hotel Blue Ash - 4554 Lake Forest Drive - Blue Ash, OH 45242 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• West Conshohocken, PA: June 26, Tue - Philadelphia area - Marriott Philadelphia West - 111 Crawford Avenue - West Conshohocken, PA 19428 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 9.45 am
• Houston, TX: June 26, Tue - Hilton Houston Post Oak - 2001 Post Oak Boulevard - Houston, TX 77056 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Austin, TX: June 27, Wed - Holiday Inn Northwest / Arboretum - 8901 Business Park Drive - Austin, TX 78759 - Registration: 7.00 - 7. 30 am - Breakfast Seminar: 7.30 - 8.30 am - Optional Group Workshop: 8.45 - 9.45 am
• Toronto, ON: June 19, Tue - Toronto - 130 West Event Centre - 130 Dundas Street West - 2nd Floor - Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1C3 - Registration: 8.00 8.30 am - Breakfast 8.30 - 9.30 am - Optional Group Workshop 9.30 - 10.00 am
• Vancouver, BC: June 26, Tue - Vancouver - Sandman Hotel - Georgia Room - 180 West Georgia Street - Vancouver, BC V6B 4P4 - Registration: 8.00 - 8.30 am - Breakfast 8.30 - 9.30 am - Optional Group Workshop 9.30 - 10.00 am