Companies Honor Travel Advisors for National Travel Advisor Month
The travel industry is honoring travel advisors in the month of May.
May 5, 2021, is officially National Travel Advisor Day, and many companies are reaching out to travel advisors in order to express their appreciation and with special deals, rates and offers specifically for travel advisors.
Below are several companies honoring travel advisors:
AmaWaterways
The cruise line has announced special Advance FAM rates on 25 select sailings in Europe embarking October through December 2021. Travel advisors can now reserve a seven-night AmaWaterways river cruise more than five months prior to their departure, and with a new “Sail With Me” incentive, advisors are also able to earn back the cost of their stateroom by making three new FIT bookings on the same sailing. New client bookings under the “Sail With Me” bonus offer must be made May 1- 31, 2021.
American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
ASTA is honoring travel advisors with a special event on Facebook sponsored by Sandals Resorts. The event takes place live from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST, and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST.
Advisors can also take advantage of a special tool kit that provides social media images to share and celebrate with the industry, a Letter to the Editor campaign to engage with the consumer media and a grassroots advocacy portal to spread positive awareness with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is celebrating Travel Advisor Day with a special event and an exclusive rewards points offer.
“At Carnival, we know that we couldn’t do what we do without the amazing work that travel advisors provide for their clients each and every day,” said Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales & Trade Marketing Adolfo Perez. “For nearly 50 years, travel advisors have been with us every step of the way and now more than ever National Travel Advisor Day provides us with the opportunity to let our agency partners know how much they are valued and appreciated. They are true rock stars!”
Travel advisors can join Perez and Brand Ambassador John Heald for a travel advisor-themed From Adolfo’s Desk LIVE webinar on Wednesday, May 5.
Advisors can also receive 50 bonus rewards points in honor of National Travel Advisor Day if they are members of Carnival’s Loyalty Rocks! Rewards Program.
Villas of Distinction
Villas of Distinction is offering travel advisors up to $1,500 in bonus commission for National Travel & Tourism Week.
“More than ever, this past year we have enhanced our devotion to our travel advisor partners with the launch of our #WithYouToStay campaign in April 2020,” said
Steve Lassman, vice president villa product & agency relations for Villas of Distinction.
“We know the significant value travel advisors provide their clients and we want to reward that with added bonus commissions, rich promotions, heightened support, additional special events catered to them and more.”
Travel advisors who book their clients with Villas of Distinction from today until May 16, 2021, for travel between now and December 31, 2021, can earn a bonus commission of up to $1,500.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Atlas is celebrating travel advisors throughout the month of May.
“Atlas sincerely appreciates travel advisors and recommends all travelers work with a travel advisor,” said Carlos. “Our new Master of Bucket-list Destinations program provides our valued travel advisor partners with important information and resources to help them market and sell Atlas’ once-in-a-lifetime experiences to clients who seek an extraordinary return-to-cruise. While we spotlight the importance of travel advisors throughout this month, Atlas appreciates travel advisors every day of the year.”
Travel Advisors automatically qualify for special FAM fares after completing the first course and can earn up to $200 bonus commission on their first new booking after completing both courses.
Avanti Destinations
Avanti is honoring travel advisors on National Travel Advisor Day and during National Travel Advisor Month.
“Our travel advisor partners have been the cornerstone of Avanti’s success since our founding in 1981,” said Paul Barry, Avanti’s chairman. “We want them to know how much we appreciate their hard work.”
Avanti announced that any advisor who becomes an Avanti Certified Expert (ACE) by May 31 this year will be eligible to go on a FAM trip to London in 2022. Participants will also earn a $25 gift card for each passenger booked through May 31, 2021, with a deposit paid by that date.
Serenade Punta Cana Beach & Spa Resort
Serenade Punta Cana Beach & Spa Resort is honoring travel advisors on May 5 with special all-inclusive travel agent rates of $55 per person, per night, based on stays in a luxury Tropical Garden View room. Travel advisors can also bring their families, with rates for children at 50 percent off the $55.
Reservations need to be made by May 15, 2021, for travel September 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022.
“Travel advisors are the cornerstone for selling our new resort and with interest levels on the rise for booking leisure trips it is important for travel agents to experience Serenade Punta Cana for themselves so they can confidently sell the Serenade experience to their clients,” said Aimee Tejeda, director of sales and marketing, Serenade Punta Cana Beach & Spa Resort. “We have worked with travel advisors throughout this past year to keep them up-to-date with the resort’s soft opening and amenities. We hope they can take advantage of these special rates for our fall and winter seasons so we can meet them in person at Serenade Punta Cana.”
Travel agent reservations are made by sending an email to reservations@serenade.com.do and referencing code TADAYPROMO2021. Travel advisers must include their valid identification number at the time of booking such as IATA, IATAN, CLIA and TRUE. The offer is subject to certain restrictions.
Warwick Paradise Island-Bahamas
Warwick Paradise Island-Bahamas is honoring the important work of travel advisors during May. In recognition of Travel Advisor Day on May 5, 2021, in the U.S. and Canada, the resort is offering a free night, nightly appreciation rates to stay at the adults-only, all-inclusive resort and commission incentives throughout the year.
“The events of this past year have demonstrated the importance of travel advisors as the trusted source for their clients' vacations,” said Benjamin Davis, general manager of Warwick Paradise Island–Bahamas. “Travel advisors play an instrumental role in returning clients to our resort and as a result, we support travel professionals’ efforts with year-round commissions up to 20 percent plus cash incentives per booking. We also offer the appreciation rates and free night so travel advisors can enjoy our all-inclusive experience as a vacation with loved ones,” Davis added.
Travel professionals can reserve their stay by using TAFR through the website. A valid IATA, TRUE or CLIA number is required. Travel advisor reservations have a flexible cancellation policy of 72 hours. The offer is subject to blackout dates and availability.
Appreciating Travel Advisors Today and Every Day
“Why should I work with a travel agent?”
This is a question I’ve received all too often over the past seven years of working in the travel industry. It’s a question that easily frustrates travel advisors, as they might have grown tired of answering it time and time again.
Over the years, I’ve realized a lot of people are truly clueless as to what travel agents do. They don’t understand the endless benefits of working with an agency. Well, I plan to continue answering this question enthusiastically whenever it’s asked as well as advocate for you, the heroes of the travel industry. Without you, this industry would look a whole lot different.
Travel advisors help clients day in and day out, and this was especially true in the spring of 2020 and the brutal months following. With little to no pay, agents spent early mornings, late nights and endless hours in between, canceling vacations, getting refunds, rescheduling flights, changing tour dates, etc.
When it might have felt like everyone else stepped back and closed up shop, travel agents went to work. Without you, clients might have lost a lot of money, time and sanity. Your clients appreciate you.
Travel advisors help suppliers throughout the year. They act as a bridge between travelers and the product, whether it’s filling hotel rooms, planes or cruise ships. Be sure to choose partners carefully and work with those that appreciate everything it is that you do. Reflecting over the past year is a great way to see which suppliers had your back and which ones might not have. Choose to work with the ones who appreciate you.
Travel advisors help make destinations into tourism hotspots. Most tourism boards are huge advocates for travel advisors because they know just how much agents play a role in connecting travelers to their destinations. Many destinations even host FAM trips for travel advisors to gain firsthand knowledge. Tourist destinations will always appreciate you.
It’s been a long, stress-filled year, but it’s no surprise you and your business are still standing. Travel advisors have shown their resiliency time and time again, and I am impressed with the way agencies have handled this hectic year.
My hope is that your devoted clients, suppliers, destinations and all travel partners not only appreciate you today on National Travel Advisor Day but every day and that inquiring travelers realize all the benefits that come from working with you.
Be sure to soak in the day and take advantage of the various perks companies are offering this month. Then buckle up and prepare for a busy season ahead. The travel comeback is coming, and 2021 is the year of the travel advisor.
The Importance of Working With a Travel Advisor To Book Your Vacation
Wednesday, May 5 is National Travel Advisor Day and there's never been a better time to be reminded of the importance of booking your vacation with the help of a trusted travel professional.
There are many benefits to working with a qualified travel advisor but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some of the lesser-known advantages, including travel advisors' ability to keep their clients safe by updating them on the latest travel advisories and entry requirements as well as booking them with travel suppliers who are emphasizing guest and customer safety, whether it's an airline blocking middle seats to allow for physical distancing or an all-inclusive resort offering free testing, operating at limited capacity with face mask requirements and other enhanced health and safety protocols in place.
Travel advisors also save their clients valuable time and eliminate the need to research airlines, destinations, hotels and resorts, cruise lines and tour operators as they can point you in the direction of the best supplier for you based on your needs, their own personal experience as well as legitimate feedback from their previous clients. There's no sifting through countless reviews—some of which may be anonymous, unreliable or incomplete—or having to browse website after website to compare deals that might even come with an unexpected catch.
By eliminating the more tedious aspects of planning a trip, travel advisors ensure that their clients stay on schedule in the booking process and don't miss out on the best time to book. Working with a travel advisor will never prevent you from participating in the exciting parts of planning and building out your itinerary.
In addition to time and the stress that inevitably comes when you feel like you're wasting it, travel advisors save you your hard-earned money by building a trip based on your budget and accessing exclusive discounts and perks that can lead to a better experience at a lower cost compared to if you had booked yourself. Since travel advisors are human beings and not search engines you can benefit from customization and perhaps even enjoy a few pleasant surprises, whether it's a bottle of champagne waiting for you and your significant other in your hotel room or an awesome restaurant recommendation in your destination.
The COVID-19 pandemic also has travelers considering travel insurance more often than ever before and travel advisors are there to answer your coverage and cost questions. In some cases, your advisor can use their connections with a supplier to get you out of paying annoying cancellation fees in the event that you can't go ahead with your trip for whatever reason. There have been numerous examples in the past of advisors fighting for their clients to secure them future credit so they can take their trip at a later date without losing out on their investment.
If you've yet to work with a travel advisor and aren't sure where to start, consider TravelSense.org. Here, you can search for an American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) verified advisor based on your destination of choice and trip type.