|
|
|
In a career which has included several of the biggest vacation companies in the world, Chris has travelled to over 150 countries
In his Top Ten Favourite Places he selects his personal best destinations in a range of categories.
This week he picks his favourite “Beaches”. I tend to be maniacally active on my travels, but every once in a while even I get seduced by dazzling-white powdery sands lapped by rhythmic turquoise wavelets…. Rio and Provo, Tahiti and Thailand: these are among my top Ten.
1. Seychelles Like sparkling emeralds on blue velvet, these lush granite mountains in the Indian Ocean each have their own set of dramatic beaches, often backed with lush palms and studded with huge rounded granite boulders. I have spent time on four: Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and tiny Frégate, and each is idyllic.
2. St.Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida This part of Florida’s Gulf Coast regularly picks up the awards for the Best Beach in the U.S. and with good reason. There are a whole string of white sand beaches that range from crowded to deserted, and from adjacent to resorts to a ferry ride away. My favourites are Fort De Soto, Caladesi and Clearwater.
3. Grace Bay Beach, Provo,Turks and Caicos Provo, Turks and Caicos Grace Bay Beach on the island of Providenciales – or Provo to its many devotees – is 20 kilometers of beautiful, fine white sand edging spectacular clear, turquoise water and pristine coral reefs. I had a nose-to-beak encounter with Jo-Jo, the wild but friendly dolphin, off this beach.
4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Possibly the most famous beach in the world, Copacabana does not disappoint. These golden sands in the glamorous south zone of Rio de Janeiro offer surfing, swimming and diving plus sand volleyball or a barefoot soccer game…and of course: beautiful people watching, my favourite sport!
5. Pembrokeshire, Wales The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in southwest Wales links many wonderful beaches, but my favourite is Marloes Sands, a truly impressive and expansive beach with amazing rock formations. And that’s the secret of Pembrokeshire’s coast: the unending mix of broad beaches, rugged cliffs, islands and sea stacks.
6. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania Wineglass Bay, Tasmania This is a stunning beach located in Freycinet National Park, on the east coast of Tasmania. I hiked to a viewpoint high above to marvel at the most perfect curve of the whitest sand imaginable, fringed by azure water and lush green forest.
7. French Polynesia So difficult to choose between the famed black volcanic sand at Mahina Beach on Tahiti and the coral sand of Temae Beach on Moorea, but ultimately my vote goes to any of the numerous tiny, powder-beached ‘motus’ that dot the tropical lagoons of many islands in this part of the Pacific Ocean.
8. Gambia The Gambia I spent my honeymoon on the palm-shaded beaches of this tiny West African river nation, where long strands of dazzling sands shimmer in the tropical heat and then glow as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean. Look up this country in an atlas and then plan a visit.
9. Thailand Beaches The islands (100’s) and coastlines (it has 3) of Thailand boast so many beautiful beaches that you can find whatever your heart desires: solitude, glitz, soft adventure, culture, coral reefs and dramatic landscapes. One tip: choose the timing of your beach destination in Thailand carefully as the rainy season differs on each coast.
10. Antigua A small Caribbean island but one that fits an amazing 365 beaches into its crinkled coastline – one for each day of the year…so you can find the perfect one for you. Try Hawksbill. I haven’t seen them all yet, but I’m working on it!
By Chris Robinson. Host of the Chris Robinson Travel Show, CFRB 1010
|
By Matt Hannafin & Heidi Sarna
Traditionally, the rule of thumb is that the higher up your cabin sits in a ship and the more daylight it has, the more you pay; the lower you go into the bowels of the ship, the cheaper the fare. On some of the more modern ships, however, that old rule doesn't always ring true. On ships launched recently by Carnival, for instance, designers have scattered their most desirable suites on mid-level decks as well as top decks, thereby diminishing the prestige of an upper-deck cabin. For the most part, though, and especially on small ships, where cabins are virtually identical, cabins on higher decks are still more expensive, and outside cabins (with windows or balconies) are more expensive than inside cabins (those without). Outside cabins whose windows are obstructed by lifeboats will be cheaper than ones with good views.
Evaluating Cabin Size
Inch for inch, cruise ship cabins are smaller than hotel rooms. Of course, having a private balcony attached to your cabin, as many do, makes your living space that much bigger.
A roomy standard cabin is about 170 to 190 square feet, although some of the smallest are about 85 to 100 square feet. Disney has some of the more spacious standard cabins at sea, at 226 square feet. Celebrity's standards are spacious enough at around 170 to 175 square feet, with those on its Millennium-class ships sometimes as big as 190 square feet. Carnival's and Holland America's are about 185 square feet or more. By way of comparison, equivalent standard cabins on a good number of ships in the Norwegian and Royal Caribbean lines are quite a bit smaller -- try 120 to 160 square feet -- and can be cramped. Cabins on the small-ship lines such as ACCL can be very snug -- on the order of 70 to 100 square feet.
All the standard cabins on the high-end lines are roomy -- in fact, many of the high-end ships are "suite only." For example, on Silversea's Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, cabins are 287 square feet, plus a 58-square-foot balcony. Across the board, from mainstream to luxe, suites and penthouses are obviously the most spacious, measuring from about 250 square feet to more than 1,400 square feet, plus private verandas.
Most cruise lines publish schematic drawings in their brochures, with square footage and, in some cases, measurements of length and width, which should give you some idea of what to expect. (We also include square footage ranges for inside cabins, outside cabins, and suites in the cruise ship descriptions in chapters 6 to 8.) Consider measuring off the dimensions on your bedroom floor and imagine your temporary oceangoing home, being sure to block out part of that space for the bathroom and closet. As a rough guideline, within a cabin of around 100 square feet, about a third of the floor space is gobbled up by those functional necessities.
Now, while you may be thinking, "Gee, that's really not a lot of space," remember that, like a bedroom in a large house, your cabin will likely be a place you use only for sleeping, showering, and changing clothes.
The Scoop on Inside Cabins vs. Outside Cabins
Whether you really plan to spend time in your cabin is a question that should be taken into account when deciding whether to book an inside cabin or an outside cabin (that is, one without windows or one with windows or a balcony). If you plan to get up bright and early, hit the buffet breakfast, and not stop till the cows come home, you can probably get away with booking an inside cabin and save yourself a bundle. Inside cabins are generally neither as bad nor as claustrophobic as they sound. Many, in fact -- such as those aboard most of the Carnival and Celebrity fleets -- are the same size as the outside cabins, and most cruise lines design and decorate them to provide an illusion of light and space.
If, on the other hand, you want to lounge around and take it easy in your cabin, maybe ordering breakfast from room service and eating while the sun streams in -- or, better yet, eating out in the sun, on your private veranda -- then an outside cabin is definitely a worthwhile investment. They're also vital for smokers (though some lines prohibit smoking on cabin balconies). Remember, though, that if it's a view of the sea you want, be sure when booking that your window or balcony doesn't just give you a good view of a lifeboat or some other obstruction (and remember, there are likely to be balconies on the deck right above your balcony, so they're more like porches than actual verandas). Some cruise line brochures tell you which cabins are obstructed, and a good travel agent or a cruise line's reservation agent can tell you which cabins on a particular ship might have this problem.
Other Cabin Matters to Consider
Unless you're booking at the last minute (a few weeks or less before sailing), as part of a group, or in a cabin-share or cabin-guarantee program (which means you agree to a price, and find out your exact cabin at the last minute), you can work with your agent to choose a particular cabin. If possible, try to have some idea of what cabin category you'd like, or at least have a list of must-haves or must-avoids. Need a bathtub rather than just a shower? That narrows your choices on most ships. Want connecting cabins so you and your kids, friends, or relatives can share space? Most ships have 'em, but they sometimes book up early, as do cabins with third or fourth berths (usually pull-down bunks or a sofa bed). Almost all ships have cabin TVs these days, but a few don't. Want an elevator close by to make it easy to get between decks? Is the view out the cabin's windows obstructed by lifeboats or other ship equipment? Most important, keep cabin position in mind if you suffer from seasickness. A midships location on a middle deck is best because it's a kind of fulcrum point, the area least affected by the vessel's rocking and rolling in rough seas
|
|
1. You've Googled "Mexico vacation," and come up with 17.8 million responses. Need a little help editing those choices?
2. Remember when you used that obscure website to book your hotel, and when you got there you spent your beach vacation overlooking a parking lot?
3. How many hours were you on hold with the airline when your flight was canceled because of a snowstorm?
4. Did you really mean to spend your honeymoon at that resort whose one tiny pool was filled all day with 12 screaming children?
5. Who knew that when you booked that "villa" in Tuscany, it would be a small room with a kitchenette and no air conditioning? Funny, it looked much better on your computer screen.
6. No one explained to you that in July, it's winter time in Rio, and so you showed up there with nothing but five Hawaiian shirts and three pairs of swimming trunks.
7. How about the time you really needed a restful vacation, and you ended up in New Orleans during Mardi Gras and someone threw up on your shoes?
8. Yes, I guess that hotel must have used a telephoto lens when they took a picture of those guest rooms that you saw on their website.
9. I suppose contacting the Attorney General to resolve the fact that that Internet site has billed your credit card three times instead of once is the only route to take at this point.
10. It was definitely odd that there were no cab drivers at the airport at 3 o'clock in the morning when you finally landed in Costa Rica, but booking a transfer to your very remote hotel would have been a good thing to remember when you purchased your airline ticket and hotel online.
Ok maybe some are extreme - but do you really want any of these to happen to you? No? Maybe you should use a travel consultant.
|
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, celebrated the success of its top producing consultants by taking 34 associates, associates' guests, preferred partners, and TPI staff to the Aston Bali Resort, Bali, Indonesia, 14-21 October 2011, as part of the company’s annual Club Velocity trip for its top independent travel consultants.
Visiting Bali and surrounding areas for seven days, attendees enjoyed leisure, networking, and education components while celebrating their success alongside a handful of TPI staff, David Boigne, VP Specialty Brands, Thomas Cook Canada, and Morris Chia, TPI Chairman and CEO.
“We had an amazing time exploring the island, its warm people, interesting culture, temples, local villages, shopping, and relaxing on the beach and pool side,” exclaimed Carl Henderson, a Diamond-level TPI associate from Toronto, Ontario.
Exclusive to TPI Associates, the Velocity rewards program is designed to encourage consultants to gain industry designations, participate in TPI and preferred partner functions, and build their businesses through increased sales – all the while rewarding them with incentives such as the annual Club Velocity trip for TPI’s top-producing associates and their guests.
“The annual TPI Velocity trip is such a great reward from TPI and always so much fun with the other TPI Associates from across the country and head office staff,” said Henderson.
TPI’s 2011 Club Velocity trip was generously sponsored by, TPI preferred partners, Exotik Tours, Sunquest Vacations, Royal Caribbean International/Azamara Cruises, and RBC Insurance.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, has concluded its cross-country fall training series, entitled TPI 2011 Summit, attended by over 300 of the company’s travel consultants.
TPI 2011 Summit visited seven cities across Canada throughout September and October, bringing Associates in-person training from invited speakers, members of TPI’s management team, and preferred partners on need-to-know trends affecting the industry, new TPI program offerings, and best practices for business success. In addition, TPI offered an optional training add-on day for Associates to take part in one-on-one marketing workshops with TPI Training and Development Managers.
Keynote speaking at the TPI 2011 Summit was Terry Knox, a motivational speaker with clients throughout North America and Dubai, who spoke with TPI travel consultants about tools to enhance their personal and professional lives.
TPI 2011 Summit events were held in Dartmouth, NS; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC; Toronto, ON; Regina, SK; and Winnipeg, MB.
Preferred partners supporting the events included Thomas Cook Canada, Transat Holidays/Nolitours, Royal Caribbean International/Azamara, and Princess Cruises, as well as RBC Insurance, Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations, Trafalgar Tours, and many more.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, announces the details of its 2011 Regional Summit training and networking events taking place in major centres across Canada throughout September and October.
Attracting hundreds of TPI travel consultants each year, the TPI Regional Summit brings Associates in-person training from invited speakers, members of TPI’s management team, and preferred partners on need-to-know trends affecting the industry, new TPI program offerings, and best practices for business success. In addition, TPI offers an optional add-on day to interested Associates who wish to take part in additional training on various topics related to the success of their business.
Keynote speaking at the 2011 series is Terri Knox, a motivational speaker with clients throughout North America and Dubai, who will be speaking with TPI travel consultants about tools that will enhance their personal and professional lives.
The dates and locations of the TPI 2011 Regional Summit are:
10 September – Travelodge Hotel Dixon, Toronto, ON
12 September – Ramada Park Place Hotel, Dartmouth, NS
18 September – River Rock Resort and Casino, Vancouver, BC
21 September – Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton West, Edmonton, AB
24 September – Holiday Inn Macleod South, Calgary, AB
1 October – Ramada, Regina, SK
4 October – McPhillips Station Casino, Winnipeg, MB
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its annual TPI Manitoba summer barbeque in Winnipeg, Monday, 18 July 2011, at the home of David Wass, TPI Business Development Manager. Attendees included 33 associates, staff, and their guests along with Maurizio Mazzola, Trafalgar Sales Manager Ontario GTA Region and Key Accounts, who flew in from Toronto to join the festivities on behalf of the barbeque’s sponsor, Trafalgar.
Throughout the summer months, TPI holds various events across the country for its associates to network and enjoy the warm weather.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its annual TPI Ontario summer barbeque in Toronto, Thursday, 16 June 2011, at the Mimico Cruising Club on Lake Ontario.
Guests included 68 associates and their guests. Sponsored by Trafalgar, Doug Patterson, Trafalgar President, joined in the festivities along with members of Trafalgar’s Toronto team.
Throughout the summer months, TPI is holding events across the country for its associates to network with their peers and enjoy food and fun in the great outdoors.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, is proud to announce that its staff, associates, and travel industry partners raised CAD10,000.00 between April and May 2011 for the City of Joy Foundation, Mexico.
The City of Joy Foundation offers assistance to many social programs in Mexico including but not limited to food, shelter, and education. The money raised by TPI will be used for a number of these initiatives, including education where it will specifically assist the Mano Amiga School in providing high quality education for over 1,000 pupils from economically sensitive backgrounds.
“We are honoured that TPI chose to support our charity and the money raised will immediately be put to good use in helping those who need it most. We are truly grateful,” said Anita Gallagher, Director, City of Joy Foundation.
As one component of the two-month fundraising effort, TPI associates (and their guests), staff, and travel industry partners took part in a walk-a-thon aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas during the 2011 TPI Annual Conference.
TPI wishes to thank its staff, associates, and travel industry partners who donated to the campaign, including a special thank you to Thomas Cook Canada, Royal Caribbean International, and Karisma Hotels for their generous donations.
The City of Joy Foundation (Fundación Ciudad de la Alegría) was founded to construct spaces, generate synergies, and strengthen actions in support of institutions which, with love and joy, promote the development and dignity of marginalized individuals and families, thus addressing the most pressing social needs of rapidly growing cities. More information is available at www.cityofjoyfoundation.org.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, held its 2011 Annual Conference, “Discover”, aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, 8-15 May 2011.
Attending the conference cruise were 195 guests, including 105 TPI Associates (and their 53 guests), 30 travel industry suppliers and partners, and 7 TPI Head Office staff. Sailing between Fort Lauderdale and Labadee, Jamaica, and Cozumel, conference attendees were invited to discover best practices for meeting the true potential of their businesses through their travel partners, associate peers, and head office support team.
Phil Sproul, TPI President, congratulated the assembled associates on their success and noted that TPI's overall travel sales were up 24% and travel commissions were up 25% for its fiscal year-to-date 2011, with the largest area of growth being cruise vacation sales (up 39%). He noted the continued desire among consumers for FIT and dynamic packaging, and the impact that has had on TPI's segmented travel sales.
Keynote speaker, Lisa Bauer, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean, started off the conference sharing tips on what Royal Caribbean International does to achieve customer service excellence and how every travel consultant can use what Royal Caribbean has learnt in their own businesses in order to achieve this same goal.
Associates took part in further educational sessions throughout the length of the cruise, including but not limited to site visits and breakout sessions hosted by TPI Head Office staff and TPI Associates. In addition to the educational component of the conference, associates took part in team building activities hosted by Thomas Cook Canada (in Labadee) and site inspections hosted by Air Canada Vacations (in Jamaica) and Sunquest (in Cozumel).
Over 85% of post-conference survey respondents said that the 2011 TPI Annual Conference either “Exceeded” (47% of respondents) or “Greatly Exceeded” (38% of respondents) their expectations.
"Discover" was generously sponsored by TPI Preferred Partners, including Royal Caribbean International, Air Canada Vacations, Thomas Cook Canada, Transat Holidays/Nolitours, Trafalgar/Insight Vacations/Contiki Holidays, WestJet Vacations, Sandals, Celebrity Cruises, RBC Insurance, Intrepid, hotelconnect, Carnival Cruises, AMA Waterways, Exotik/Boomerang Tours, Karisma Hotels, Alio, Tourcan Vacations, Kensington Tours, Collette Vacations, and Sabre Travel Network. Also in attendance were representatives from ACTA and CLIA.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, hosted an Orlando, Florida, familiarization trip exclusively for 51 of its consultants and their guests from across Canada, 3-7 May 2011.
As the 4th most visited destination by clients of TPI’s travel consultants, Orlando (and Florida overall, with Fort Lauderdale as the 10th most visited destination) plays an important role in TPI’s current business as well as in its future business with fiscal 2010 year-over-year visits to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale up 9% and 2% respectively.
As part of the familiarization trip, TPI travel consultants sampled some of Orlando’s accommodations, finest cuisine, and main attractions, including but not limited to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Studios Orlando.
The TPI Visit Orlando Fam was generously supported by Visit Orlando (www.visitorlando.com) and was organized and escorted by Christal Bauer, TPI Western Canada Training & Development Manager, and Penny Martin, TPI Ontario Training & Development Manager.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, has released the results of its 2011 Annual Associate Survey.
As the largest single measure of how TPI services rate year-on-year with its travel consultants, the survey gives important measurable insight into how the performance of TPI's support and program offerings match up with travel consultant expectations.
The voluntary survey was submitted by 320 TPI Associates between 25 March and 9 April 2011, representing a 39% increase over the 230 respondents of the 2010 survey.
Sample general findings from the survey include but are not limited to:
• 96% of respondents (compared to 90% in 2010 and 88% in 2009) either “Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” with the statement, “Overall, I am satisfied and happy to be working with TPI.”
• 95% of respondents either “Agreed” or “Strongly Agreed” with the statement, “TPI listens carefully to my inquiries and responds in a caring, knowledgeable, and helpful manner.” This question was not asked in previous surveys and as such has no comparison figure.
• 93% of respondents either “Agreed or “Strongly Agreed” with the statement, “I would recommend becoming a TPI Affiliate to existing travel consultants who are not currently with TPI.” This question was not asked in previous surveys and as such has no comparison figure.
• 54% of respondents have over 5 years of experience as a travel consultant (including 29% with over 10 years of experience as a travel consultant). This question was not asked in previous surveys and as such has no comparison figure.
Following the release of the survey results, individual department managers and their teams are tasked with ensuring that the results of the survey are reviewed and suggestions incorporated into existing services and programs where appropriate.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of travel and tourism companies (www.iascorp.ca) and The Chia Group (www.thechiagroup.com).
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
WINNIPEG, CANADA – Celebrating its fifth consecutive year of record-breaking results for its exclusive Velocity consultant rewards program, Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, announces expanded program rewards and the location of its much-anticipated Club Velocity trip for top-producing consultants and their guests.
Highlights of the recently-announced Velocity standings include:
- An increase to 332 participating Associates for the 2011 reward year, up 24% from 268 Associates for the 2010 reward year, and
- The number of Associates in the three highest tier levels of the program (Platinum, Diamond, and Elite) increasing by 14% over the 2010 reward year results, including a 41% increase in the Platinum (highest) level.
Due to the continued growth in the sales of consultants within the program, expanded Platinum level (consultants with more than $90 000 in commission per calendar year) rewards are being introduced, including but not limited to greater access to marketing dollars (up to a $2 000 value per year).
Built as both a motivational and incentive program, TPI Associates gain status in the various Velocity reward tiers through participation in TPI and TPI Preferred Partner functions (such as the TPI Annual Conference, preferred partner trainings, etc.), by receiving certifications and designations (such as those offered by CLIA, CITC, etc.), and by earning points through their yearly commission volumes.
In return for their acceptance into the various Velocity reward levels, Associates have access to such rewards as higher commission levels, complimentary registration in a variety of TPI programs (such as the TPI Annual Conference), and a complimentary land package for the Associate and a guest on the annual ultra-exclusive Club Velocity trip – in 2011 taking Associates and their guests to Bali, Indonesia. Previous reward trips took Associates and their guests to Jamaica, Barbados, and the Mediterranean.
More details on TPI’s exclusive Velocity consultant rewards program can be found at www.tpi.ca.
__________
Since its founding in 1994 by Morris Chia, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to independent travel consultants and agencies. Backed by a head office support team of over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 800 TPI Associates are available to provide full-service travel solutions to leisure and corporate travelers. More information is available at www.tpi.ca and www.tpiworldwide.com. TPI - We'll Take You There
TPI is a member of the I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp. group of companies. www.iascorp.ca
-30-
Contact: Tim Morgan, Corporate Development & Communications Manager, I.A.S. - Independent Agency Services Corp.
Tel: 1-204-987-3336 Fax: 1-204-987-3338 E-Mail: tmorgan@iascorp.ca
|
|
