Vacation Search 2.0

So instead of sending endless emails and waiting for customers to visit my website, I installed a tool known as TripBlip™. I’m a beta tester for this product and I think, for the customer, it is a great tool as well. 

TripBlip™ empowers the customer to take control of the message and shape it to fit his/her needs.  TripBlip™ enables the user to create up to three different trip profiles and when a vacation comes along that matches the profile, TripBlip ™ notifies the customer with a discreet message next to the TripBlip™ icon.  The customer can look now or later or not at all.  Offers can be deleted from the current page and will remain in a history area for a while and eventually will disappear.

It is easy to use, easy to download and, best of all,  the customer decides what to receive.  Instead of endlessly searching through weekly emails and travel websites, set the parameters and receive the offers that are of interest.

What I have found so far is that when one of my customers receives a Blip, the customer realizes that it is from me, can read through it and discuss it with me in person, by telephone or by email. I’ve had some consumer sign ups from people who I don’t know and they, too, are accessing offers and contacting my office by email.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

New Paltz Travel’s TripBlip™ 

 

 

Filed under: Abercrombie & Kent, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, International Travel, Social Media Tools, Summer Vacation, caribbean cruises, carnival-cruise-lines, popular vacation destinations, travel technology

World’s Largest Cruise Night

On Wednesday, October 17, Travel agents across North America will hold a simultaneous event entitled “World’s Largest Cruise Night.” The event promotes cruising and will offer a variety of seminars, Q&A sessions, videos and special cruise offers.

While the events will vary from agency to agency, all involve some education about cruise vacations. My company, New Paltz Travel, is opting for a “Virtual Cruise Night.” With the help of CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), we’ve put together a mini site on our main website, www.newpaltztravel.com. The site contains five short videos that show the variety that exists in today’s cruise vacation. Parties, children’s programs, culinary demonstrations and guest lecture events are some of the many activities offered to you on a cruise vacation. We have arranged special offers for customers opting to book and place their vacations under deposit before October 31 and, as a special bonus, someone can win an iPod Shuffle by entering our October Cruise Sales Event Contest.

Yes this is about sales and marketing. That is what business is about. In our case, we wanted people to be able to take a look at options in the comfort of their own home and contact us when they were ready to talk about their vacation. We’ve never pushed sales, (maybe that’s not the best way to run a sales business!) but I’ve always felt that we also act as advisors and advocates for our customers because we help them make good choices. We’ll be out and about on Wednesday night and you can bet that we’ll be talking about cruises!

Visit us at www.NewPaltzTravel.com and experience our “Virtual Cruise Night.”

Filed under: Carnival Cruise Line, Cruise Industry, caribbean cruises, carnival-cruise-lines, cruise agency, cruise group, cruises, group travel, honeymoons

“On Deck for the Cure” Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded its involvement with the “On Deck for the Cure” breast cancer fundraising initiative, adding one-kilometer walks and other activities to the majority of its fleet.

The program models a program introduced by Holland America Line that launched earlier this year.The fundraiser benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “On Deck for the Cure” has set a goal of generating $1 million toward breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

Carnival’s program includes 14 ships and includes all vessels operating cruises of seven days or longer and four and five-day voyages aboard the Carnival Elation from San Diego.

Guests who participate in Carnival’s “On Deck for the Cure” activities are encouraged to make a minimum $10 donation and partake in a one-kilometer walk around the ships’ jogging tracks.
Included with each donation:
1) a custom-designed T-shirt
2) a custom designed wristband

Pink lemonade signifies the color associated with breast cancer awareness and is served after the walk to all participants.

Vicki Freed, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and marketing says, “Through the tremendous generosity of our guests, the pilot program launched on Carnival Valor and Carnival Fascination has been an overwhelming success. “We’re sure this success will continue as we roll out this innovative initiative to other ships in our fleet and raise much-needed funds for this truly worthwhile cause,” she added.

“For the past 25 years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been on a mission to end breast cancer forever,” said Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing at Komen for the Cure. “Programs such as ‘On Deck for the Cure’ are an integral part of that mission, helping us reach millions of people everywhere with life-saving breast health messages and raising funds that support breast cancer research and community outreach programs.”

“On Deck for the Cure” activities are promoted via the line’s daily shipboard newsletter, “Carnival Capers,” as well as on in-cabin television programming.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement.

Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org
Carnival Cruise Line on newpaltztravel.com

Filed under: Breast Cancer Fundraising, Carnival Cruise Line, Cruise Industry, carnival-cruise-lines