The Saint Lucia Tourist Board’s annual travel agent incentive program, Saint Lucia Agent Months (SLAM) runs through Nov. 30 and includes booking incentives and special rates on accommodations. American Airlines will offer discounted Carib Fam Star airfare for travel agents flying from Sept. 7 through Nov. 19. Air Canada Vacations will provide $450 economy-class flights from Toronto through Nov. 30. Discount fares are applicable for the travel agent and one travel companion. And agents can save 70% off standard rates via WestJet Vacations when they book and travel by Dec. 16; blackout dates will apply.
[email protected] HOTELS
RIU Hotels & Resorts has launched its first ever RIU awards in Canada for top retailers. The 25 top-producing agents based on 2015 sales will be whisked away to a “secret” RIU resort next June for a gala awards celebration and week of fun. To qualify, agents must be a RIU specialist, having completed the e-specialist program launched by the all-inclusive chain last fall, and register their bookings by the end of January 2016.
www.riuspecialist.com
BREEZES BAHAMAS
Travel agents and a guest are invited to a complimentary stay at Breezes Resort & Spa in The Bahamas, with the resort inviting them to “come discover for yourself why our beautiful resort remains a top choice of travellers everywhere.” Agents can stay up to four nights at no charge. Airfare is not included.
www.breezes.com/rediscover
DOMINICA, LIAT
Discover Dominica Authority is partnering with LIAT to offer US$100 savings on return airfare for travel agents and tour operators visiting Dominica. This limited-time special is available for LIAT flights from Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, and St. Maarten. The offer is available for flights booked and taken through Dec. 31. To book, send an e-mail to [email protected] and include “DOM Visit” in the subject line. In addition, several Dominica hotels are extending special offers to travel professionals who want to experience the Nature Island first-hand. These include: Fort Young: 50% off oceanfront rooms; The Champs: 40% off a minimum two-night stay. Use promo code LIATDDA2015; The Anchorage: 40% off rooms. Use promo code LIAT IP; Citrus Creek Plantation: Fourth-night free on cottages booked; Pagua Bay House (formerly Melville Hall): 25% discount on rooms. Use promo code FASTBREAK2015.
[email protected]
KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT
Honolulu’s Kahala Hotel & Resort is offering travel agents a special rate of US$325 per night this fall, including daily breakfast buffet for two at the beachfront Plumeria Beach House restaurant – a value of over US$84 per day.
www.Kahalaresort.com/TA
AMRESORTS
AMResorts has an innovation to its travel agent loyalty platform AMRewards. Over 17,000 registered travel agents can now enjoy an automatic booking bonus retrieval process by signing in to their AMRewards.com account. Within 24 hours, agents will see the credit added into their Visa prepaid card, which can be redeemed worldwide. Developed with direct insights from AMResorts’ Travel Agent Advisory Board, the loyalty program, has seen more than 150 million points collected and 113,000 bookings, which represents $2.4 million in redemptions. In addition to the automated booking bonus program with AMRewards Visa prepaid cards, AMResorts’ platform supports agents with other points-based features, including automatically-generated stay certificates for complimentary nights at any AMResorts property (based upon point qualification standards); co-branded marketing materials such as banner displays; and on-demand webinars and customized e-communications.
www.AMRAgents.com
KARISMA HOTELS
Karisma Hotels & Resorts has introduced new bonuses and enhancements to its Gourmet Inclusive Agent Rewards program and signature Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant program. They include: exclusive booking bonuses, innovative sales and marketing tools, personalized online profiles, invitations to fam trips, complimentary WiFi, 20% off spa services when staying at any Gourmet Inclusive resort, a welcome letter and amenity for clients, Friends & Family Travel discounted rates , and access to the Travel Agent Sales & Marketing Portal, a one-stop shop for tracking progress and registering bookings. Travel agents can register online to start earning points, and every month, one lucky winner will receive a three-night getaway for two at one of Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ properties. Enhanced recognition level enhancements are also available.
www.karismatravelagents.com
SANDALS
Agents booking clients to any Sandals or Beaches resort (a minimum seven-night stay) for travel by Nov. 22 can now earn a special “Fall Booking Bonus,” based on room category: US$100 for every Butler suite; US$50 for every Club Sandals/Concierge suite; US$25 for every Deluxe room. There is no limit to how much agents can earn and group bookings are also eligible. All bookings must be registered on Sandals’ travel agent portal www.sandals.com/tas. The Fall Booking Bonus applies only to bookings made directly with Unique Vacations. For further details, agents can contact their local BDM, call 1-800-545-8283 or visit:
www.sandals.com/tas
ARUBA HILTON
Certified travel specialists seeking a fall escape are being offered the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino’s “Travel Agent Incentive Program.” Through Dec. 22, the AAA Four-Diamond resort is offering discounted rates, American Express gift cards and other perks to loyal agents. Special incentives include a $25 American Express gift card for every five-night or longer stay booked at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino for travel through Dec. 22, while Aruba Certified Experts (ACE) agents can experience the beachfront resort with special rates: European Plan starting at $109 or Breakfast Plan starting at $129 per night. All other certified travel agents can enjoy European Plan rates starting at $129 or Breakfast Plan rates starting at $149 per night.
www.arubacaribbean.hilton.com
GOWAY
Goway, in conjunction with the Japan National Tourism Organization, is giving away a trip to Japan. Bookings through Nov. 30 will result in an entry to win a trip on Goway’s five-day “Tokyo and Kyoto Highlights” tour, including air from Vancouver. Goway and the JNTO will also buy one winning agent per month a sushi lunch for his/her office (up to a maximum of 10 agents). The offer is valid on all new bookings made on a minimum package purchase of $2,000 anywhere in Japan between now and Nov. 30. Agents can register bookings at:
http://gowayagent.com/japan
PALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP
To recognize its loyal travel agent partners, Palladium Hotel Group has launched Palladium Connect, an online portal and partnership program providing tools to help understand and sell Palladium experiences with exclusive member-only rewards, including cash, benefits, gifts and trips. Through December, agents who sign up for Palladium Connect will receive a special $50 cash booking bonus. Palladium Connect enables agents to earn rewards in a variety of ways, including booking hotel reservations at Palladium for their clients, inviting other agents to register with Palladium Connect or becoming a Palladium Pro Specialist by enrolling in Palladium’s e-Learning Program. Keeping track of bookings and projecting the total value of how much each agent earns is straightforward and easy to access on the platform.
www.PalladiumConnect.com
CALABASH COVE, ST. LUCIA
Saint Lucia’s Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, a 26-room beachfront boutique hotel, has introduced year-round travel agent rates. Qualified agents can save up to 50% off standard room rates depending on time of travel. Agent rates through Dec. 20 start at US$250 per room, all-inclusive, per night, based on double occupancy. Adding to the allure, agents can save up to 50% off flights during Saint Lucia Agent Months (SLAM), taking place through Nov. 30. To learn more call 1-800-917-2683 or e mail: [email protected]
COCONUT BAY, SAINT LUCIA
Travel agents booking Saint Lucia’s Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa will earn $50 branded e-vouchers, free nights and more when they join CBAYREWARD$. The new, simplified agents rewards program replaces the resort’s Sterling Agent Program. Agents now enrolled in the Sterling Agent program will automatically be enrolled in CBAYREWARD$. Participating agents receive their choice of a $50 prepaid MasterCard, Amazon.com or iTunes e-voucher for every booking of five nights or more in a Premium or higher room category. For every seven-night booking in an Oceanview room category or higher, agents also receive one free night towards a Coconut Bay all-inclusive getaway. In addition, CBAYREWARD$ members will earn up to 15% commission on all direct bookings and Coconut Bay will have special amenities presented from the agent to their clients in room on arrival, including a welcome letter, a bottle of sparkling wine and a fruit plate.
www.cbayresortrewards.com
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal Cruises has brought back its popular “Sell 3/Sail Free” and “Sell 6/Sail PH” incentive programs for agents. The promotions reward agents selling three staterooms on any of the 2017 World Cruise segments with a complimentary voyage for two; and those selling six staterooms with luxurious Penthouse accommodations for their voyage. Agents can choose to sail on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity voyages from April-December 2017, excluding Holiday sailings.
www.crystalcruises.com
AUTO EUROPE
Auto Europe is extending its “One Free Day of Car Rental for Travel Agents” awards program with every client booking in 2015. These Free Day Coupons can be redeemed for car rental services for the agent’s personal use in Europe or redeemed against any current promotion that Auto Europe may be offering. In addition, agents can take advantage of hugely discounted rates by up to 50% off car rental services for their own use at any of the locations that Auto Europe services worldwide. Prestige/Sports car rental services, Chauffeur services and Mercedes Benz rentals saving up to 50% off rates may vary and is dependent upon the location of the rental. The One Free Day Car Rental Coupon is earned by the booking agent and cannot be transferred.
www.autoeurope.ca
GOWAY
Goway has negotiated special travel agent rates on some Africa tours. They are valid throughout 2015, and in some cases, the agent rate is reduced by more than 50%. Also on offer are partner rates if the agent wishes to take a non-industry companion, or special single rates if they are travelling solo. The idea is that once agents experience the destinations, the “Goway way,” they will be completely confident in recommending them to their clients. As an example, the agent rate for Goway’s eight-day Essential Kenya is $1,370, compared to the regular selling price of $3,456. For the Essential Tanzania Safari, agents pay $1,255, compared to the normal selling rate of $3,230.
www.goway.com
INTERNATIONAL PLAZA
Toronto’s International Plaza Hotel + Conference Centre Toronto Airport reports that for every 10 stopover rooms an agent books, he or she will receive a complimentary room night, including parking. Those interested must book a stopover rate for clients. The rates are $119 a night with parking and $109 a night without parking. The hotel has a complimentary airport shuttle service. Rates are commissionable at 10% and valid through December. Blackout dates may apply. Complimentary room nights can be redeemed up to April 30, 2016.
www.internationalplazahotel.com
HERTZ
To thank travel agents for their loyalty, Hertz has launched the “Hertz Agent Gold Rewards” program – a loyalty program designed to reward agents for the value they bring to the car rental company. Agents simply enroll at www.hertzagentgold.com to receive a unique “AGR” number which they can include in the appropriate GDS field when booking. Each qualifying rental of three days or more earns 10 points which are banked in the agent’s personal Agent Gold Rewards Account. Points can be redeemed for a variety of reward choices including gift cards, items for the home or office, event tickets, as well as free car rental day certificates. There are also opportunities throughout the year to earn bonus points.
www.hertzagentgold.com