MailPound MAC CHAT

This week's MAC Chat features an interview with Dana McPherson, Senior VP of Platinum Seminars.  Platinum Seminars, Destination Europe and MailPound are hosting a Iceland Odyssey on March 11-14, 2010. Agents interested in more information on joining us can click here.

During the Golden Circle Tour, agents will experience first hand Iceland's majestic scenery. Which of the natural wonders, is your personal favorite? 
Well, actually I have two. The Strokkur geyser and the dual-folding Gullfoss.

What would you say is Iceland's greatest selling feature? 
Everyone wants to go there. It is exotic, enchanting and the people are warm and friendly.

What should agents expect to take away from the Icelandic Odyssey? 
A deeper understanding and appreciation of the country. It is a great stopping point for clients flying to Europe. Fly to Iceland, spend a few days and then continue to Europe. Icelandair offers a free stop over on some flights.

I've never been to an 'Ice Bar'. Can you describe what agents should expect? 
Well first, it is cold, really cold. I have been to several and all are unique. No worries about your martini getting room temperature. They do provide parkas which do help.

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. Should agents attending bring their bathing suits?? 
I would highly recommend it. There is also a world class spa that they may partake of. The Blue Lagoon is something that everyone must experience at once in your life or if you are Platinum Seminars, many times. Keeps you looking youthful. The water is like a natural Jacuzzi and the mud that you must apply to your body is completely white. Sort of like a do it yourself body facial.


Thank you Dana for that great interview!

This week's MAC Chat features our interview with Kristina Zito, Director of Sales and Marketing of Blue Waters Antigua. 

For more information:  www.bluewaters.net

What are the key selling features? 
We are a small resort of 106 rooms, varying catagories from Superior Hillside, to a b5 bedroom villa to a penthouse.

What will clients experience at your resort?
Your clients will experience pure relaxtion and warm hospitality.


Why should travel agents book their clients to your resort?
Travel agents should book their clients with us because we offer a true laid back Carribbean experience, we offer a private beach setting on an island that has all public beaches. guests are able to disconnect from their everydau life and reconnect with their loved one.

Do you have any current promotions you would like to share with us?
Blue Waters 2010 Getaway Special - USA
Book to stay at Blue Waters in a Superior hillside or Deluxe beachfront and enjoy a fantastic package of treats, including every 4th night free, plus champagne on arrival and 1 complimenatry summer getaway spa treatment package per guest per stay.

Check with your preferred tour operator for book by dates

Travel dates : For Stays completed between April 1 - December 15, 2010.

Cove Suites VIP Experience - USA
Book to stay in the Cove suites in 2010 and get the VIP treatment including every 4th night free, champagne on arrival, luxury town car transfers and 1 Cove VIP spa treatment package per guest per stay.
Check with your preferred tour operator for book by dates
Travel dates: For stays completed between April 1, 2010 - December 15, 2010


Who are the best target customers for travel agents?
All people are great customers to target. We have guests from 1 - 89 years of age. We are family friendly, however we do not have a  kids club available on property. 

Over 65 % of our guests are repeats clients! We have honeymooners as well as older couples who just want to sit , relax and do NOTHING!!


How can we book with Blue Waters Antigua?
You can book Blue Waters through your preferred tour operator or directly with us at www.bluewaters.net.

Thank you Kristina for that great interview!

This week's MAC Chat features our interview with Mitch Schlesinger, Director of Sales and Marketing, Voyages to Antiquity. 

 
Mitch Schlesinger, Director of Sales and Marketing
www.voyagestoantiquity.com

Who is Voyages to Antiquity and what makes you different?
Voyages to Antiquity is a new cruise line introduced by Gerry Herrod, the founder of Pearl Cruises and Orient Lines. It is unique in its singular focus of providing “Cruises to Classical Civilizations” of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean and Red Seas. The 9 itineraries (16 sailings) in 2010 visit ports even the most experienced traveler has never seen on an itinerary an d combines these fascinating destinations with the most extensive guest lecture program in the cruise industry.

What are the key selling features?
1. The 14 day itineraries visit anywhere from 14-20 ports per voyage
2. Fares INCLUDE shore excursions, gratuities, wine with dinner, roundtrip transfers and porterage and airfare from FREE-$199 including air taxes.
3. Most itineraries are one way allowing for more port calls and more time in each port
4. Overnight stays in many ports provide ample time to experience destinations without rushing
5. Open seating dining also provides a relaxed approach to port calls

Tell us about the Aegean Odyssey
1. The ship is being extensively renovated to reduce capacity from 570 to 380. This includes creating 82 BRAND NEW staterooms and suites (42 with balconies) in categories G-A providing Concierge Class services and amenities
2. There are also 12 designated single cabins.
3. Extensive enhancements are also being made to the Spa and Terrace dining venues.
4. All staterooms and public areas will be completely redecorated as well.
5. Dining features continental cuisine enhanced by regional foods and wines obtained during each voyage to further the destination immersion
6. As a reflection of the extensive onboard enrichment program, there is no casino, big ship entertainment or formal nights.

Are there any special savings for the inaugural season?
For sailings from 5/17-8/23, we are offering:
1. $1,000 savings per stateroom (double occupancy)
2. FREE Air from over 70 N. American gateways.
3. NO Single Supplement (all sailings except 5/4, 9/7 & 11/12 and excludes cats A, B, & E)
4. ONE category upgrade within ranges N-I and G-D
5. FREE 2 night pre-cruise hotel stay with purchase of cat G and above
All above offers are capacity controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

Who are the best target customers for travel agents?
1. Experienced international travelers over the age of 55
2. Clients with a history of traveling 12+ days and spending $3,500 + pp
3. Particularly strong for clients previously purchasing river cruises or any other small ship experience
4. We are seeing a very pronounced crossover from clients with 12+ day land tour experience
5. Clients with affinity affiliations including alumni, history, art history, archaeology, religious travel
6. Luxury and ultra luxury guests who will not find these itineraries anywhere else and will find the Concierge Class in cats G-A very accommodating.


Thank you Mitch for that great interview!

This week's  MAC Chat features our interview with Sophie Field, Senior Marketing Manager Accor North America. 

 

For more information visit: www.accorhotels.com

What are some of the key selling features of Accor Hotels?
From luxury to economy, the Accor brands portfolio meets all expectations. All over the world, you are going to find the quality you expect with hotels that are standardized or more unique to enjoy your stay as you like.
Accor Hotels offer a range of multiple services from a unique moment relaxing in the hotel Spa, the pleasure of a night with the comfort and softness of the SoBed, a unique view of the Eiffel Tower or a dedicated high technology team to guarantee the success of your business meeting...
Accor Hotels are located all over the world in the most attractive areas close to tourist activities and popular locations to enjoy your vacation or your business trip. We leave you the choice: discover the biggest cities, enjoy the beach or the mountains or choose the convenience of an accommodation close to your airport. 

What will clients experience at your hotel? 
Clients will experience a dedicated staff always ready and willing to maximize their experience. They will also enjoy a range of cultural specialties through the hotels’ restaurants and bars, the comfort of the rooms designed and furnished to ensure the client has a wonderful night. 
With Accor, major player in all segments on 6 continents, you have the guarantee of a wonderful stay thanks to its professional experience all over the world since 1967.

Why should travel agents book with Accor hotels for their clients?
With Accor Hotels, you always have a solution to meet your customers’ expectations with an offer and a range of brands, destinations and locations that allows you to answer every need.

Do you have any current promotions you would like to share with us?
Yes, we have our Special Travel Agent Rate program where agents can benefit from industry discounted rates of up to 50% off for private stays.
Also discover our A|Club loyalty program that offers recognition and rewards by earning points and redeeming them at over 2,000 Accor hotels around the world or with our partners.

To learn more about our special offers and specific solutions, please visit our specific websites dedicated to corporate, meetings and leisure professionals.

How can we book Accor Hotels?
To book, it is easy, visit accorhotels.com, use the GDS chain code RT or call 1-800-515-5679.
If you are a Travel Agent, visit travelagencies.accorhotels.com or call 1-800-221-4542.

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you Sophie for that great interview!

This week's  MAC Chat features our interview with Ms. Mihaela Nedelcu, Director of E-Commerce Development for K+K Hotel George London. 

 
For more information visit: www.kkhotels.com

What will clients experience at your hotel?
Our guests will enjoy a dream holiday in a refined combination of luxury, charm and style. Bathed in light, with a wonderful view of the garden, our stylish breakfast restaurant is an open invitation to a great breakfast experience: a wide variety of high-quality dishes, including many regional specialties; fresh fruit and a touch of luxury - sparkling wine! Among the few hotels with a private large garden, guests will benefit from a truly unique oasis of peace and tranquility in the center of the city. 

What extra amenities does your hotel offer?
The amenities offered at K+K Hotel George combine the needs of both leisure and corporate travelers: free WIFI in public areas & access to internet lounge fully equipped with printers; free local phone calls; international daily newspapers in the lobby; tea &coffee in all rooms replenished daily; complimentary access to fitness room & sauna. 

Do your rooms have free WiFi /Internet access?
As we understand our customers’ needs to communicate and have permanent access to information, all rooms at K+K Hotel George benefit from LAN high speed internet access completely free of charge.

Do you have any current promotions you would like to share with the Travel Agents?
We highly value the Travel Agents appreciation of our property, therefore we’re delighted to offer promotions such as “Great rate and Value”: Discount and added value, “Weekend rate including breakfast”: Discounted promotion, the “Sunday arrival special” which offer a discounted stay for all Sunday nights’ arrivals or the “Corporate rate” for the business travelers. Browse for K+K Hotel George during the year to have access to the best promotional rates! 

How can a Travel Agent book K+K Hotel George?
Via GDS using our codes: Amadeus: LONGEO Galileo: 7200 SABRE: 15398 Worldspan: 4031

Thank you Mihaela for that great interview!

This week's  MAC Chat features our interview with Theresa Doyle, President of Andiamo. 

 
Theresa Doyle, President
http://www.goandiamo.com

What does Andiamo mean and what do you specialize in?
Andiamo means let’s go in Italian and we specialize exclusively in the 20 regions of Italy. Our most popular destination is: Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast and Sicily. Also becoming more popular are Cinque Terre and the Lake District.

What is the Andiamo core product?
Our core product is Flexible Independent Travel (FITs). Our motto is Italy Your Way. Our sightseeing can be done privately and we also offer small groups. We provide hotels, transfers, sightseeing, cooking classes, winery visits and pre and post cruise arrangements. We provide the travel agent with a high end proposal that can be sent directly to your client.

Can you provide information about your escorted tours?
 Andiamo features 4 escorted tours that are all guaranteed departures and run as small groups: Amalfi Coast Splendour, Tuscan Culinary and Wine Delight and 2 Sicily tours.

Who is the Andiamo client?
Our client is the travel agent and not the direct consumer.

What is your commission structure?
We pay 12% on escorted tours and we present our FITs with 12% but we are flexible on this amount and can add service fees and our groups are presented NET.

Thank you Theresa for that great interview!

This week I sat down with Tomoyasu Kakegawa, Area Director of Revenue & E-Commerce for Hotel Maya in Long Beach, California.

  For more information visit: HotelMayaLongBeach.com

What will clients experience at your hotel?
Hotel Maya is the first distinctive full-service, luxury, Long Beach boutique hotel, located on the scenic downtown waterfront. A fusion of Latin American waterfront resort and modern Southern California style, Hotel Maya embodies the romantic, eclectic, and vibrant lifestyle of Long Beach. With a multi-million dollar renovation recently completed, Hotel Maya offers four-star hotel service and amenities, with striking ocean and skyline views of downtown Long Beach and the Historic Queen Mary.

What extra amenities does your hotel offer?
All of our beds feature exquisite pillow-top mattresses, fluffy duvets and down pillows. Enjoy 37” HTDV flat-screen TVs, MP3/iPod stereo adaptors and complimentary HBO. Most of our guest rooms have a private balcony with a great view. The Great Rate and Value promotion includes free parking, and free WiFi.

Do your rooms have free WiFi/Internet access?
Yes all guests can enjoy free WiFi.

Do you have any current promotions you would like to share with the Travel Agents?
Absolutely! Our Great Rate and Value promotion offers rates starting at $99, and includes free parking. The Great Rate and Value promotion is 15% commissionable.

How can a Travel Agent book accommodations for their clients at Hotel Maya?
Via GDS using our codes:

Simply go to Reservations, click on the Travel Agents tab and register. Go to Promotional rates and look for Great Rate and Value. Please enter Rate Access code MAIL to access this rate. 

Thank you for joining us Tomoyasu and telling us more about Hotel Maya in Long Beach, California.  Have an excellent day!

On this very special edition of MAC Chat, I sit down with MailPound's very own Bob Maier (CEO), and Mirko Ilich, President & CEO of Traveling Times, Inc. (TTI). 

Jessica: Welcome Bob and Mirko. Before we begin, please tell us a little bit about your individual companies. 

Mirko: TTI has been in business for over 36 years servicing the promotional needs for the travel & tourism industries worldwide, through innovative marketing, publishing and design. 

Bob: Our parent company started in 1970 providing database publishing services for a variety of companies. In the early 80s we started working with several travel publications including Hotel & Travel Index, Official Hotel Guide, The Official Cruise Directory and others. 

Jessica: Strategic alliances play a crucial role in growing businesses today. What was the driving force that led to the strategic alliance of MailPound and Traveling Times? 

Mirko: We feel that each company can offer something that the other was missing, thereby creating a mutually beneficial partnership and a win-win business entity through The Emmediate Contact Plus. 

Bob: Our company has prospered by focusing on what we do best. Over the past 40 years our "areas of expertise" has evolved but our focus on serving our clients has not changed. In Traveling Times we found a company with complementary skills and the same dedication of serving our clients.

Jessica: In your opinion, what is the collaborative advantage of this alliance for both travel suppliers and travel agents? 

Mirko: Each will be able to promote their companies more efficiently and effectively, through strategic and targeted marketing plans that we both provide. Travel agents and travel suppliers will reach a larger audience and it will also be more affordable. We are now a one-stop marketing resource for e-commerce, communication, publishing and design for agents and suppliers. 

Bob: Mirko has pretty much said it all, as he often does. I would only add that the fact that we have both serve travel suppliers and travel travel sellers providing complementary services. Our alliance will offer both savings and and innovation to our partners in travel.

Jessica: What are some of the goals and major objectives of your strategic alliance? 

Mirko: We've always guaranteed our clients an unsurpassed level of service and expertise. With this new alliance we are just continuing our promise to always stay a step ahead of the competition, creatively and now technologically. 

Bob: Selling travel has to be the best job in the world if you have the tools you need to succeed. Consumers are very demanding and with the Internet, they have access to huge amounts of information. More than they can actually handle. So as Mirko says, we need to offer services that keep our clients ahead of their competition.



Thank you Mirko and Bob for sharing the details of this new strategic alliance with us. We all have a lot of great things to look forward to!

Please feel free to submit your comments below. Have an excellent day!