posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 31
Sitting aboard my cozy LAN flight from Buenos Aires, I enjoyed some of Argentina’s famous chocolates, a nice cup of tea and anxiously awaited our arrival into Bariloche. With each turn of the engine my inner outdoorsman began to emerge and I could feel us approaching those beautiful Andes Mountains. When the wheels finally touched the runway I rushed out of the plane, eager to catch that first sight of the Andes and Lake Nahuel Huapi bordering Bariloche. One glance was inspiration enough to quickly get to a hostel, drop off my bags, and head out into the rugged outdoors.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 27
Travelocity has announced the beta launch of the RoadTrip Wizard, a new tool that streamlines and simplifies the road trip planning process. First to launch the RoadTrip Wizard platform, Travelocity customers can now benefit from a new way to plan every aspect of their road trip all in one place - a task that previously required multiple Web sites. This tool is available through an alliance with LeisureLogix, a new travel and navigation services company.
“Road trips are a part of the American culture,” said Andres Fabris, vice president of business development, Travelocity. “What our customers were missing was one place to plan their road trips based on what they want to see and do. The RoadTrip Wizard will not only fill this gap, it will also allow them to personalize plans based on what they want to get out of their trip.”
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 27
1. Why/ How did you become involved in the travel/ tourism industry?
A part time job in a hotel many years ago has lead to career spanning more than 25 years. I have worked for small and large hotels, national hotel chains, for a tour operator and for the past 10 years for the Tunica CVB. Best lesson I’ve learned is don’t focus on selling a room, a tour or even the destination. Instead sell the experience and the memories to be had.
2. What advice would you give to a group travel organizer to recruit someone who has never experienced a group tour and would like to try it?
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 27
Hotwire, a service that allows consumers access to discounted air, hotel and rental car inventory is having some success in attracting small groups. The service is simple to use - select your destination and the services you require (air, hotel, car) and Hotwire quotes rates that are often far below what suppliers charge directly. The “catch” so to speak, is that you don’t know the service provider until after you put your credit card down. That being said, Hotwire represents top brands that have excess inventory to unload, but don’t want to ruin their brand pricing inventory. The author has used their services dozens of times for individual travel and small groups - with 100% satisfaction.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 24
Kisad Road in Baguio has a new posh hotel that just opened a few weeks ago. Burnham Suites lies at the end of Kisad Road right at the top of Burnham Park. It is a promising 7-storey five star hotel which gives you the feeling of actually staying on a condominium unit.
Since, the hotel just opened a few weeks ago, expect some minor kinks in terms of services and facilities. But as it is last weekend the hotel is pretty much a good place to stay when you are in Baguio. It
posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 20
Cross Country International (CCI) is offering two exciting new riding vacation packages in California – the California Northern Coast Trail and the California Wine Country Trail Ride.
“After a day of riding along the beautiful California Coast, there is no better way to spend the evening than returning to a good meal, fine wine and the conversation of friends,” said Cross Country International President Karen Lancaster. “That is exactly what our visitors can look forward to with either of these new vacation packages.”
The California Wine Country Trail Ride incorporates sun drenched vineyards with exquisite vintages and regional cheese. Who says you need to learn French to revel in the pleasures of Vin et Fromage?
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 20
Southwest Airlines Vacations now offers one-night packages to several destinations, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa Bay, San Diego, Seattle, New Orleans and Los Angeles, with plans to introduce one-night packages in all Southwest Airlines Vacations destinations by the end of this year.
Customers who will benefit from these great new package offerings are:
• Customers looking to fly in the day before a cruise and stay one night, or stay one night after their cruise returns to port
• Customers looking for a quick getaway
• Customers wanting to meet with friends and family in destination
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 14
ReviewAnalyst to Provide Hotels Simple Monitoring of Online Reviews
New Tool from Standing Dog Interactive Launches with 100 Properties
DALLAS (October 10, 2007) – Standing Dog Interactive has launched ReviewAnalyst, an online dashboard for tracking consumer-generated hotel reviews, videos and images on popular travel and social sites. A simple and affordable platform, offered for $99 a month, ReviewAnalyst has already signed up over 100 properties from Omni Hotels, Rydges Hotels & Resorts and Ocean Properties Limited.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 11
About a year ago my wife and I went to the movies to distract us from a difficult period in our lives. I had no way of knowing then that one day I would end up in a shoe shop in downtown Buenos Aires wearing a Carlos Gardel hat while strutting the tango snugly against various young Argentine women in tight clothes. And not just with my wife’s permission, but it was her brilliant idea in the first place.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 3
Posted in , Best hotel, Traveler news, Car Rental
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