Virtuoso Programs Customer Facing Web site along with Testimonials of Suppliers, Agencies

Feed: Actual Travel News
Posted on: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 23:08
Author: Actual Travel News
Subject: Virtuoso Plans Consumer Facing Website with Reviews of Suppliers, Agents

 

Virtuoso, the luxury travel network, unveiled plans to debut a consumer facing Virtuoso.com that will give customers of Virtuoso member travel agencies the chance to review Virtuoso travel suppliers and individual Virtuoso travel advisors. The announcement came at the Virtuoso Symposium being held this week in Buenos Aires, Argentina. "Up until now Virtuoso provided a set of tools to members that they used to go straight to market," said Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, in a session during the Symposium. "Now Virtuoso will go straight to market as the Virtuoso brand…never to book travel but to get people into the Virtuoso community so we can connect them with Virtuoso members." The move, described as a fundamental shift in strategy, is part of  Virtuoso's plan to attract more high-end customers through its website and other marketing devices. One way the group intends to do that is by introducing verified customer reviews of Virtuoso suppliers and agents. Another way is to have profiles Virtuoso's individual agents, complete with specialties, where they've traveled, agency experience and more. In addition, the website will have Virtuoso supplier product information and attractive photos of hotels, cruise lines and destinations in order to draw in potential customers. Virtuoso.com also will serve as an internal website where Virtuoso agents and suppliers can interact and communicate. The new website won't be unveiled to current or potential customers right away, but Virtuoso agents and suppliers are already testing it and suppliers will be able to access initial customer reviews as of June 20. The new website is expected to go live later this year. Virtuoso also has been busy collecting customer data from its member agencies so that it now has information for travel transactions totaling $15.5 billion since 2006. Indeed, Virtuoso has found that 10 percent of its member agencies' customer drive 54 percent of its sales and the top 1 percent of its customers average nearly $110,000 in annual travel spend. According to Upchurch, the idea is to segment this data to see who is selling what, when, where and how in order to better target luxury products for different client segments. Virtuoso also is gaining a much better handle on how much it produces for its preferred suppliers and at what rates.

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Radisson Hotel Chile

The 4-star Radisson Hotel offers comfort and convenience whether you're on business or holiday in Iquique. Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. Take advantage of the hotel's poolside bar, bar/pub, 24hr room service, room service, Wi-Fi in public areas. Designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, each room comes with in room safe, ironing facilities, non smoking rooms, mini bar, bathrobes. The hotel's peaceful atmosphere extends to its recreational facilities which include fitness center, outdoor pool. Discover all Iquique has to offer by making Radisson Hotel your base.

 

Address:

Radisson Hotel 

avda. costanera 3939

Iquique

Chile

Star: 4

 

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TRYP Málaga Alameda Hotel Spain

TRYP Málaga Alameda Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests in Malaga. The property features a wide range of facilities to make your stay a pleasant experience. Take advantage of the hotel's restaurant, room service, shops, 24hr room service, safety deposit boxes. Designed for comfort, guestrooms offer coffee/tea maker, daily newspaper, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, desk to ensure a restful night. Enjoy the hotel's recreational facilities, including sauna, fitness center, before retiring to your room for a well-deserved rest. TRYP Málaga Alameda Hotel is an excellent choice from which to explore Malaga or to simply relax and rejuvenate.

 

 

TRYP Málaga Alameda Hotel

Centro Comercial Larios. Avda. de la Aurora, s/n Malaga

Spain

 

Star: 4

Number Rooms: 132

Botswana toughens traveling principles

Johannesburg - Botswana will no longer accept emergency travel documents for routine visits to the country, the South African home affairs department said on Thursday.

In a diplomatic note to international governments, Botswana's government said: "The Republic of Botswana wishes to communicate a notice from the immigration department informing that travellers using emergency travel documents will not be admitted to Botswana for routine visits.

"Only those travelling under circumstances of emergency will be admitted under the authority of an emergency travel document."

The home affairs department issues emergency travel certificates to South Africans who have to travel urgently for deaths, sicknesses, and other emergencies.

Botswana said emergency travel documents would now strictly be limited to emergency situations, which had to be supported by documentary proof.

Home Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said South Africans wanting to travel to Botswana should make the necessary arrangements to acquire the appropriate documents.

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Sunset Hotel - Argentina

Stop at Sunset Hotel to discover the wonders of San Carlos de Bariloche. The property features a wide range of facilities to make your stay a pleasant experience. Service-minded staff will welcome and guide you at the Sunset Hotel. Each guestroom is elegantly furnished and equipped with handy amenities. Recuperate from a full day of sightseeing in the comfort of your room or take advantage of the hotel's recreational facilities, including outdoor pool, steamroom, sauna, fitness center, massage. For reliable service and professional staff, Sunset Hotel caters to your needs.

 

 

Address:

Sunset Hotel

Rolando 132

San Carlos de Bariloche

Argentina

Star: 4

 

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Marine Hotel - Dublin

Ideally located in the prime touristic area of Howth, Marine Hotel promises a relaxing and wonderful visit. Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. Business center, shops, restaurant, laundry service/dry cleaning, concierge are there for guest's enjoyment. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and convenient amenities like separate shower and tub, television, non smoking rooms, shower, in room safe. The hotel's peaceful atmosphere extends to its recreational facilities which include golf course (on site), indoor pool, sauna, garden, fitness center. Discover all Dublin has to offer by making Marine Hotel your base.

 

 

Addres:

 

Marine Hotel

Sutton Cross

Dublin

Ireland 

 

Star: 3

Number Rooms: 48

Airport Hotel

Set in a prime location of Florence, Airport Hotel puts everything the city has to offer just outside your doorstep. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Facilities like safety deposit boxes, concierge, nightclub, business center, disabled facilities are readily available for you to enjoy. Guestrooms are fitted with all the amenities you need for a good night's sleep, including shower, television, desk, air conditioning, complimentary bottled water. To enhance guests' stay, the hotel offers recreational facilities such as outdoor pool, fitness center. A welcoming atmosphere and excellent service are what you can expect during your stay at Airport Hotel.

Adress

 

Via Don Lorenzo Perosi, 39         

Florence

Italy

 

Start: 4

Frommer's Journey Manual Brand name Bought Back again Through Google

Arthur Frommer offers purchased back again their own Frommer’s Journey Manual through Search engines, as well as guaranteed to keep publishing the actual manual within electronic as well as conventional types, CNN Cash documented.

The sale came as a surprise, especially because Google just acquired the rights to the publication in August 2012 from publishers John Wiley & Sons. Last month, rumors came out that Google will no longer print the traditional Frommer’s Travel Guide books. And although the company never confirmed such reports, some writers were apparently told that upcoming titles wouldn’t see the light of day.

Publication will Begin Again

The 83-year-old Frommer’s decision to buy back his brand name will guarantee that the books will be published once again. He announced shortly after the purchase that some 40 titles are in the process of getting published. Half of those 40 titles will be available in e-books while the rest are going to be exclusive in traditional book form.

In addition, Frommer told the Associated Press that they will be operating the travel site www.frommers.com.

What Google would have Wanted

When Google acquired Frommer’s Travel Guide last year, they immediately integrated its content into Google+ Local  and other Google travel services. The company is hoping to expand its travel services through buying travel companies and review sites such as Frommer’s and Zagat.

From these two sales, Google was able to launch the Google Flight Search, which gives detailed information about all the flights available to your target destination. You can filter the search results in such a way that only the cheapest flights available will come out first.

This flight search service competed with Orbitz and Kayak, a report on CNN Money said.

Also, the purchase of travel guides allows Google to strengthen its local services since the reviews from locals about restaurants, shopping malls and popular hangouts will be readily available.

Google and Frommer in Partnership

Another report on PCMag said that aside from selling back the company to its founder, Google licensed certain travel content to Frommer. Google did not specify the details of the said license.

In a statement sent to PCMag, it only said that the company is focused on providing high-quality information to help people discover where they should go and what they should check out in a particular place.

Frommer did not respond when asked for comments about the said license. Details of the purchase, how much it is and the terms of the negotiations, were not divulged too.

Instead of competing with each other, the integration of Frommer travel guide with various travel sites and even other publications can really boost the global tourism sector. Now that airlines have started to offer budget-friendly rates, more and more people are inclined to check out new destinations and adventures.

The Frommer journey manual is the trusted guide of each traveller available. However ideally, the actual rumored permit this obtained through Search engines may additional ensure that the organization} incorporate the actual nitty-gritty associated with travelling within an universal, information-packed manual guide (whether within livros digitais or even conventional print out format).

Ten excellent locations you can travel to with regard to Fifty dollars each day

Journey does not have to become a savings-draining proposal. Select the correct location and you may extend your own buck with regard to several weeks and even a few months, says Matt Kepnes  author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day (Perigee Trade, $15). Best of all, you don't have to sacrifice comfort. "I don't like to spend a lot on travel, but I have no desire to sleep on floors," he says. "The main thing is to stay away from big-box hotels, find local restaurants and take public transportation." He shares with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY some favorite countries to visit on the cheap.

Thailand

Although it's a popular destination, you don't have to spend a fortune in Thailand, Kepnes says. "There are still very, very cheap accommodations. You can eat local food for a dollar or two," he says. "If you're spending $50 a day, you're spending a lot of money." Even airfare within the country isn't very expensive.

Cambodia

Although it's in the same region as Thailand, this Southeast Asian country is even cheaper. "If Thailand is plugged in, Cambodia is unplugged. There are remote beaches and islands," Kepnes says. "The people there are some of the most amazing I've met."

An Indian girl skips as others perform exercises early morning at Khusro Bagh in Allahabad, India.(Photo: Rajesh Kumar Singh, AP)

India

The Indian subcontinent isn't easy for independent traveler , which is one reason Kepnes suggests focusing on a single region. "It's so gigantic. You can't cover India in two weeks. But that being said, it is cheap. You can have a great hotel there for 20 bucks." 800-953-9399;

China

If you avoid the major cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, China can be an incredible bargain, Kepnes says. "All these places are cheap if you do what folks over there do. If you walk into a local market, you're paying just a couple bucks for food. If you go to China and try to have a hamburger, you're going to have a bad hamburger and you're going to pay a lot for it."  

The Central American country of Belize offers Mayan ruins and memorable beaches.(Photo: Belize Tourism Board)

Belize

While it's not the cheapest place in Central America, Belize has plenty to offer and it still can be experienced for $50 a day, Kepnes says. He suggests staying away from the popular Ambergris Caye resort area, and instead seek out Mayan ruins and less-developed beaches. "It has nice weather. It's small. It's easy to get around. It's still a good value destination."

Romania

The former Soviet bloc country is not on many travel lists, but it offers fascinating medieval history, religious shrines and Black Sea resorts without the crowds. "I hate to use the phrase, but it's a hidden gem. You get these beautiful seaside towns that are a fraction of the price that you pay in Western Europe," Kepnes says.

Bulgaria

This Eastern European country has a fairly well-developed tourism structure and attracts travelers seeking beach vacations. But visiting still doesn't cost a fortune. Kepnes recommends the Black Sea resort town of Varna. "There are a lot of places the locals go."

If you're set on visiting Machu Picchu you can save by waiting to book your trip until you're in the area. If you're flexible with your dates, it may be 40% to 50% cheaper than booking in the USA

Peru

Most visitors come for the ruins, but there's much more to see in the South American country, Kepnes says "Outside Machu Picchu and Cusco, you'll find $1 meals. Up in the Amazon in the north, there are plenty of things to do." And if you're set on visiting Machu Picchu you can save by waiting to book your trip until you're in the area. If you're flexible with your dates, it may be 40% to 50% cheaper than booking in the USA, he says. peru.travel

Bolivia

The salt flats and sites around Lake Titicaca are a wonder to visit and extremely inexpensive, Kepnes says. "It's a huge tourist destination and there are nice places to go wherever you are. You get a Latin flavor and the food's really good, but because it's in the middle of a very poor country, it's kind of a deal."

Costa Rica

People in america really like Bahía Sana, however it is almost always disregarded an inexpensive spot to journey, Kepnes states. Still in case you avoid wide-ranging hotels as well as journey just like a nearby, it may be a good deal. It is very important eating in nearby dining places as well as understanding the actual two-tier tour bus program, meaning missing visitor instructors and in turn using nearby busses. "You could get within the tour bus any place in Bahía Sana with regard to ten dollars” this individual states.

Journey Advantage Network Hits a house Run with regard to ALS

Travel Advantage Network, a vacation accommodations program, devoted charitable efforts throughout the month of February to the ALS Association (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as the Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"My brother was diagnosed with ALS in 2010 and I have since watched him battle with this terrible disease, all the while keeping a smile on his face. I want to help get researchers one step closer to finding the cause and a cure for ALS," said Michele Sartain, Travel Advantage Network accounts payable specialist.

Every month, a Travel Advantage Network employee selects a charity for the company to support and plans events for employees to participate in to help raise funds for that cause.  

To raise funds, Sartain held several silent auctions which included baseball tickets to an Orioles game, passes to the Sports Legends & Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore and Ripley's Believe it or Not® tickets. There was also a Fat Tuesday bake sale, pay-to-wear-jeans to work day and raffles for gift cards, movie passes and a Kindle Fire HD.  Over $1,500 was raised for the ALS Association through the Travel Advantage Network monthly charity initiative.

"The amount of support I received from my fellow employees and the company has been truly wonderful.  It has meant so much to my family that we are able to help raise awareness and funds for ALS with the support of Travel Advantage Network," explained Sartain. 

Travel Advantage Network has been dedicated to charitable giving since its inception. In 2012, the company raised more than $15,000 for various local and national charities. For more information about Travel Advantage Network and its monthly charitable efforts

Since 1992, Travel Advantage Network, a vacation accommodations program, has helped families and individuals create lifelong vacation memories. Travel Advantage Network is the proud recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Maryland's prestigious Torch Award for exemplifying high business standards and professional integrity, as well as the Maryland Chamber of Commerce's Philanthropy in Business Award for outstanding and innovative commitment to local and national charities. Travel Advantage Network is a recipient of SmartCEO Magazine's 2008 and 2009 Future 50 Award, recognizing the fastest growing companies in the greater Baltimore area.

 

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Sai Kaew Beach Resort

Sai Kaew Beach Resort

 

Stop at Sai Kaew Beach Resort to discover the wonders of Koh Samet. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Take advantage of the hotel's tours, meeting facilities, restaurant, poolside bar, salon. Each guestroom is elegantly furnished and equipped with handy amenities. Recuperate from a full day of sightseeing in the comfort of your room or take advantage of the hotel's recreational facilities, including spa, outdoor pool. Sai Kaew Beach Resort combines warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance to make your stay in Koh Samet unforgettable.

 

Star: 4

Number room: 155

 

Address Sai Kaew Beach Resort

                                                                               

8/1 Moo 4 Tumbon Phe Muang

Koh Samet

Thailand

 

 

 

Individuals are Remarkably Annoyed Regarding Google's Non-Easter-Themed Design

A handsome picture of legendary American labor leader Cesar Chavez replaced the second "o" in the Google logo on Sunday, a tip of the hat that Google users thought amounted to ignoring Easter. The users were not happy and took their rage to Twitter, where tweeters slipped into all-caps and threatened to switch to Bing. People disapprove of Google's often whimsical doodles all the time, but this weekend, the Cesar Chavez tribute, pegged to would have been the activist's 86th birthday, appears to have struck a nerves. Easter is one of those holidays that some people (read: religious Christians) take more seriously than others, and it's not hard to see how they might take Google's slight seriously. It also didn't help that dozens of people thought that Google was paying tribute to Hugo Chavez, the recently deceased long-time dictator of Venezuela, rather than Cesar Chavez, the civil rights activist. 

This is a surprise because Google tends to avoid strong religious themes on the doodles. In fact, the company hasn't had an Easter-themed doodle since 2000. Last year, for instance, it saluted the 200th birthday of Robert Bunsen of Bunsen burner fame. Despite the backlash, the company tried to play it cool. "We enjoy celebrating holidays at Google but, as you may imagine, it's difficult for us to choose which events to highlight on our site," a Google spokesperson told Business Insider on Sunday evening. "Sometimes for a given date we feature an historical event or influential figure that we haven't in the past." Easter already had it's time in the spotlight.

Google wasn't winning too many friends on Sunday otherwise. The company's April Fool'w joke wasn't terribly well received. Long story short: Google jokingly announced that it had launched Google Nose, a new technology that lets you smell search. It actually sounds pretty awesome. Unfortunately it's totally fake, unlike that ill will over the Easter-free doodle.