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

Holland America wins Environmental Initiative Award

Holland America Press Release 

Holland America Line and Krystallon Win 2007 Seatrade Insider Environmental Initiative Award

Seattle, October 18, 2007 – Holland America Line, along with Krystallon, a subsidiary of BP, recently won the 2007 Seatrade Insider Environmental Initiative Award for their innovative emission reduction technology installed on the ms Zaandam.

The emission reduction technology on the ms Zaandam has been installed in cooperation with several United States and Canadian government and regulatory agencies. Holland America Line launched the technology demonstration project, to show the feasibility of using sea water to “scrub,” or reduce, engine emissions on oceangoing vessels. Following several future months of collecting and studying the data, the study could dramatically change not only the cruise industry but the entire maritime industry by reducing ship engine emissions.

“It is very satisfying to be recognized for our leadership and making great strides with regard to the environment,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO. “This is an important project in working together with private and governmental organizations to find mutually beneficial advancements for our industry. We look forward to analyzing the data to see if this technology can be effectively applied to the operation of cruise vessels.”

“We are very pleased at being recognized for developing this innovative technology,” said Andy Osbourne, business development director, Krystallon. “We see a great potential for the scrubber in the future of the cruise industry and shipping to reduce emissions.”

The sea water scrubber system, developed by Krystallon, a subsidiary of BP, uses the natural chemistry of seawater to remove virtually all sulfur oxide (SOx) as well as significantly reduce particulate matter emissions. The sea water is then treated to remove harmful components prior to being discharged back overboard.

The price tag tops more than $1.5 million and includes assistance of $300,000 from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/West Coast Collaborative grant and a $100,000 contribution from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Other support for the project comes from the Port of Seattle, the Port of Vancouver and the B. C. Clean Air Research Fund, as well as Krystallon. Each government agency has representatives serving on a technical advisory committee that oversees the development of this project.

Holland America Line demonstrates its commitment to responsible environmental practices through a comprehensive fleetwide program that emphasizes compliance with all international environmental guidelines, waste reduction and recycling. The premium line has a history of embracing new environmental technologies such as state-of-the-art water treatment systems, shore power while ships are in port, and an internationally-recognized whale strike avoidance program

Seatrade-Insider

Filed under: Cruise Industry, Holland America