Looking for agent promotions and incentives? We’ve narrowed down some of the top picks from FAM trips to special fares and prizes.
FAMs
Itching to explore the canyons of southern Utah? Red Mountain Resort in St. George, UT is offering two 3-day FAM trips on March 13-17 and June 26-30. The package starts with a property tour and welcome dinner and includes deluxe accommodations; three meals daily; guided morning hikes through the canyons; unlimited fitness classes; cooking demonstrations; and a 50-minute Sagestone customized massage.
“We put together our travel agent FAM weeks for agents to experience Red Mountain Resort with other career travel agents and so that this synergy will in turn making them stronger spokespeople for our active destination retreat,” says Lori Munk, director of sales at Red Mountain Resort. “We hope that they not only have a better understanding of Red Mountain and all we offer for their clients, but that the agent also experiences wellness in a way that improves his or her own life on a daily basis.”
The resort is set on 55 acres of black lava gardens and mesquite, and features 82 rooms and 24 villa suites. It’s also located near Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks and Snow Canyon State Park, and tours can be arranged. Other resort amenities include three whirlpools; spiral labyrinth and walking trails; an adventure concierge; indoor and seasonal outdoor pools; and outdoor excursions.
FAM rates start at $150. For more information, visit redmountainresort.com.
Promotions
Agents in the midwest who are interested in visiting a destination in Europe can experience airberlin and its refurbished economy class cabins with this fare deal. Rates from Chicago to Berlin start at $249 and rates for other destinations such as Budapest, Copenhagen, Krakow, Vienna and Zurich start at $274.
The offer must be booked by Jan. 31 for travel between March 23 and May 13. For more information, visit airberlin.com.
Agents can offer their clients hotel amenities with Charleston Place Hotel’s scratch-and-win ticket promo. When booking clients at the hotel, they can give one of the cards that has a guaranteed amenity, such as a “stay one night, get one night free” offer or breakfast for two at Palmetto Cafe. The cards are good through Dec. 31.
“We offered this program last year and it was so well received we decided to run it again in 2013,” says Karen Chesler, travel industry sales manager at Charleston Place Hotel. “It’s a great way to provide a little gift with bookings that the client would not have received had they not booked through their travel agent.”
In terms of package deals, the Spring Selections package is available for travel March 1-June 15 with rates starting at $395 per night. It includes accommodations, complimentary wireless Internet access, daily newspaper and choice of one of the following per night: $100 food and beverage credit; $100 spa credit; Schooner Pride 2-hour sunset sail for two with two drinks pp; a Gullah Tour exploring the history of black Charlestonians and a signed copy of “Gullah Images”; Charleston culinary tour; or behind-the-scenes tour of Calhoun Mansion, a museum and the largest privately owned home in Charleston.
To receive the cards, call (843) 724-8136. For more information about the hotel, call (800) 383-2335 or visit charlestonplace.com.
LOT Polish Airlines is giving agents the chance to win prizes when they book and register any LOT ticket issued in the U.S. or Canada from now through March 31. When agents book Elite Club (business class) or Premium Club (premium economy class), they’ll be entered to win the grand prize—two business class tickets to any city LOT flies to; a Tumi carry-on bag; an iPad; noise cancelling earphones; and $1,000 cash. Monthly prizes include a new iPad or $500 cash, and weekly prizes include a Kindle Fire or $100 cash.
For more information, visit lottravelagents.com.
Online Tools
TRAVELSAVERS has launched a new social media platform, Social Connect, making it easier for travel agents to create social media strategies.
“We recognize the importance of incorporating social media into a marketing strategy but are also aware of our travel professionals’ busy schedules,” says Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer of TRAVELSAVERS. “Social Connect was developed specifically to address this issue. To the consumer, it looks as though their travel professional spent hours putting engaging content together when in actuality, it was nearly effortless for them.”
With the new platform, agents can customize content and share it on social networks, as well as in the form of postcards and flyers. For more information, visit travelsavers.com.
United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA) is also interacting with agents via social media with the launch of its Twitter campaign #TravelTogether. Participants who submit their favorite group travel photos on Twitter using the hashtag or @USTOA can win a $50 gift card, and photos will be posted on the USTOA facebook.
In addition, USTOA will be launching a series of live monthly Facebook chats called “Coffee Chats.” The 45-minute Q&A will be with a top executive from a member company. Next month, Richard Launder, CEO of The Travel Corporation, will host the chat on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. EST. For more information, call (212) 599-6599 or visit ustoa.com.
