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Archive for November, 2011

November 21, 2011 by: George Dooley Travel Agent  

The reputation and quality of product is the most important factor when travel agents select a preferred supplier, new research released by ASTA says in its sixth annual Supplier-Travel Agent Marketing Report. The report says 94 percent of respondents ranked reputation/product quality as top criteria. This was also true when selecting a supplier at “point of sale.” The study provides a six-year trend on supplier relationships and travel agency booking channels by market segment, ASTA reports. “Savvy travel advisors understand that a satisfied client is a repeat client, so when it comes to working with preferred suppliers agents look to those with the best reputation and product line,” said ASTA President and Chair Nina Meyer. “Studies such as ASTA’s Supplier-Travel Agent Marketing Report provide travel agents and suppliers with a better understanding of each other’s needs and a guide to how to best work together for mutual benefit.” The report found that a strong relationship between suppliers and travel agencies is vital if both sides want to increase sales, ASTA notes. "A recurring theme in the survey results is the desire of agencies to acquire useful information about products. In most cases, that information is needed to determine the quality of the product as well as to help the agent sell the product to their client. Suppliers that provide the needed information in the best formats have an advantage," ASTA said. Among other findings:  use of preferred suppliers was highest for the tour (88 percent), travel insurance (86 percent) and cruise (82 percent) segments. GDSs remain the top booking vehicles for airlines (58 percent), hotel (41 percent) and car (55 percent). Forty-eight percent of agencies find agency incentive programs to be “moderately effective.”ASTA conducted its annual Supplier–Travel Agent Relationship Marketing survey to assist travel agencies and suppliers in understanding and benchmarking typical agency-supplier business arrangements. The survey covered preferred supplier relationships, booking channels used, incentives and the usefulness of supplier education programs. It is the only report of its kind that looks at preferred supplier relationships, booking channels used by agents, how incentives function, and the usefulness of supplier education programs from an agency point of view. The survey was conducted using the 2011 ASTA Research Family panel of agencies. The ASTA Research Family is comprised of a representative sample of ASTA member travel agency owners and managers. The report indicates a 95 percent confidence rate and an error rate of +/- 4.5 percent.

Visit www.ASTA.org

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ASTA: Supplier Reputation Is Top Criteria

It is needless to say that nothing can be compared to the pleasure of visiting different places. however, it involves huge cost. there are a lot of people, who like to travel but get scared about the costs, which may cut a big hole in their pockets. however, with diligent planning you can reduce expenses and enjoy the same facilities. So, here go my ideas.

1. Plan in advance: make a plan well in advance, nearly two to three months before the scheduled date of journey. this early planning involves fixing the destination and date of journey. consider visiting places during the off seasons; avoid school holidays and weekends for popular tourist destinations. Tweak your dates to find the best saving deals. Finally, prepare a date-wise travel schedule.
2. Get a rough estimate: Consult various websites to get a rough estimate of the cost. Major cost components are airfare, accommodation, food, local travel, tickets for various points of interests, and collecting mementos. Do not ignore any cost component. in your spreadsheet calculate the expenses involved for a single individual and then multiply it by the total number of persons involved. you will find the total expense. But there is no need to be afraid of the total amount. there are great travel deals to help you in reducing the cost.
3. Finding cheap flights: it is indeed easier than you could ever think of to find the cheapest flights. there are a lot of travel websites. They have integrated deal search engine. Simply enter your destination and journey dates. you can find a list of available flights. Tweak with the dates to find the cheapest rate. Remember airfares fluctuate widely depending upon the rush. Early booking will surely cost you less. make sure that all rates include applicable taxes.
4. Finding cheap hotels: to book a cheap hotel or resort, set your own rules. there is no point in booking super luxurious accommodations with many add-on features, which you will never use. your purpose is to enjoy the beauty of nature. So, consider a hotel as per your budget limit. now visit websites, which compare the rates of various hotels. consider all-inclusive packages instead of paying only for accommodation. These packages usually include charges for both food and accommodation. Do not consider a resort or condo, if you really do not need huge accommodation and luxury. Read reviews to learn about the customer services. Warmth of hospitality can reduce lack of many other facilities. But infrastructure alone cannot compensate for the lack of proper service.
5. Save on food: consider local restaurants of good reputation instead of placing your food orders at the hotel. to find out dependable restaurants, consult hotel reception, your guide, and local people. you will get the taste of local foods, which will also add extra fun. But never ever consume unknown foods too much. it may be unsuitable for you.
6. Save on shopping and mementos: Whenever we travel, we collect a few mementos. each destination has something cheap and unique as per its culture and tradition. These items can constitute great gift for the people around you. But instead of shopping right at the tourist hotspots, consider local super market. you are sure to save a few extra bulks.
7. Book tickets online: various travel destinations have popular tourist spots. Internet has enabled you with the opportunity to book tickets online well in advance and obviously at a discount price. So, book your tickets early.
8. Form a group: if you have like-minded friends or families known to you, form a travel club, visit places together, and you are sure to receive bulk discounts.
9. Look for deals: Probably you have heard before that various travel companies offer enticing deals. now it is your turn to checkout the deals and to save on your next travel plan.
10. Prepare budget & start booking early: this is the most important and final phase. the estimate you prepared earlier will help you to set your own yardstick. now you have got enough idea to find travel deals. you can find huge savings in flight booking, accommodations and other expenses by consulting relevant websites. Book well in advance as per your schedule to avoid last-minute price hikes.

Travel Deals – How to Find the Cheap and Best Rates on Travels

Actress Tori Spelling has written a touching love letter to her husband Dean Mcdermott to celebrate his birthday.

The former Beverly Hills, 90210 star decided to mark the day the actor turned 45 by laying bare her emotions in an open letter posted on her blog on Wednesday (16Nov11).

Tweeting the sweet note to fans, she writes, “A love letter to my soul mate on his birthday…happy birthday @deanracer”.

The full message reads, “Dean… I’ve known you my whole life. but only in my heart. I would dream of you for so long. So many represented you. my dad. Every Ken doll I ever played with. Every prince in every Disney cartoon. The lead character in every John Hughes film. not one guy I ever dated. And, then you became a reality. It took me 32 years to find you… you allowed me to be me. You’ve helped me achieve my dreams. I reach further knowing if I fall you’ll be there to catch me. You’ve given me the greatest gift I can ever know. The gift of motherhood.

“The three lives we’ve created together were made out of pure love. we will raise them with pure love. And, one day we will smile at each other knowingly as they each find their own soul mate. Thank you my love for the brilliant life we’ve created together. Thank you for making all my dreams come true. I love you.”

The couple wed in 2006.

Tori Spelling – Spelling Pens Open Love Letter To Birthday Boy Mcdermott

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Miranda Kerr remembers her first visit to a Victoria’s Secret store; she was 16, a foreign exchange student living in Virginia. “I was like, ‘Wow! this is like a wonderland. we don’t have anything like that in Australia,’” she recalls to new York magazine.

Several years later, she was blown away by the company again — but this time, it was because she was the first Australian model to get a contract with the brand. “I just remember the first time I met Adriana [Lima], she was so beautiful,” Kerr says. “I was like, ‘why would they want me? I mean, look at her. She’s incredible.’ and then I met Heidi and Gisele and I was like, ‘what am I doing here?’”

Now one of the company’s most recognizable faces — and the model who has the honor of wearing the $2.5-million “Fantasy Treasure Bra” in tonight’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — Kerr is more confident about her place in the fashion world.

“I always see myself as, like, equal to everyone,” she says of her fellow models. “I can’t feel bad about being who I am, just like the girl next to me can’t feel bad about being who she is. A rose can never be a sunflower, and a sunflower can never be a rose.”

In fact, Kerr hopes her attitude toward beauty resonates with her fans. “all flowers are beautiful in their own way, and that’s like women too,” she shares. “I want to encourage women to embrace their own uniqueness.”

YOU ASKED, WE FOUND: STAR LOOKS

• Miranda Kerr,
• Models

Miranda Kerr Didn’t Always Find Herself Beautiful

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ELMSFORD, N.Y., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Amscan Holdings, inc. today announced a new licensing deal with the National Hockey League (NHL®) to become an official licensee of celebration-based products. to provide NHL fans with more opportunities to celebrate hockey and all of their favorite teams, Amscan will now design, manufacture, and sell

new hockey-themed party supplies, including officially licensed tableware, favors and decorations. Fans can find this extensive line of NHL® party supplies at Amscan’s retail partner, Party City, and on PartyCity.com.

“Amscan is excited to add the NHL to its professional sports licensing strategy,” said Barry Morin, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Licensing, Amscan. “Our retail partners have experienced a tremendous demand for team-specific party supplies, and our growing partnership with the NHL affords Amscan the opportunity to service that demand in Party City stores coast-to-coast.”

“Our fans will now have more reasons to celebrate with their favorite NHL team,” said Dave McCarthy, NHL vice president of integrated marketing. “Whether it’s a game day viewing party, birthday party or hockey team celebration, they’ll now be able to find quality, festive and fun party supplies at Party City.”

For more partnership information, visit Amscan.com or PartyCity.com.

About Amscan

Amscan Holdings, inc. is a global company that designs, manufactures, contracts for manufacture and distributes over 40,000 party good products, including paper and plastic tableware, metallic balloons, accessories, novelties, gifts and stationery to over 40,000 retail outlets.  Amscan Holdings, inc manufactures and distributes its products through various subsidiaries including Amscan inc., Anagram International and Ya Otta Pinata.  Amscan Holdings, inc operates retail party goods and social expressions supply stores in the United States and Canada under several names including Party City, Halloween City, Factory Card Party Outlet and Party Packagers.  Amscan Holdings, inc. has offices worldwide, with locations in the United States, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Asia and Australia.

About the National Hockey League

The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America.  Today, the NHL® consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League’s international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other major professional sport. the NHL entertains more than 250 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, MTG and NHL Network™) and radio (NHL Radio™, Sirius XM Satellite Radio).  Through the NHL Foundation, the League’s charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer™ and NHL Youth Development, and supports the charitable efforts of NHL players. for more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League.  all Rights Reserved.

SOURCE Amscan Holdings, inc.

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RELATED LINKShttp://www.Amscan.com

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amscan-teams-up-with-the-nhl-to-offer-consumers-officially-licensed-party-supplies-134669663.html

Amscan Teams Up with the NHL® to Offer Consumers Officially Licensed Party Supplies

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Do you like to travel? Are the exhorbitant cost of international flights keeping you from traveling more? have you wanted to travel to another country but are afraid of the cost involved in getting there? The good news is that, if you are smart and don’t mind doing some research, you can easily find cheap international flights and so that you will have more room in your travel budget. After all, the more room you have in your travel budget, the more money you will have for souvenirs! We will discuss in this article some easy tactics for saving a ton of cash on internationa flights.

Talk to a travel agent. So many people are acting as their own travel agents and booking their own flights online, travel agents have to work really hard to compete for business. believe it or not your travel agent may be able to offer you a better deal than you can find on your own because they really want your repeat business and they are really competitive now. There is still great need of travel agents. The reality is travel agents are coming back into style just like a bad pair of jeans. Travel agents are skilled at booking your trip with all of the amenities you might need. Watch out for the discounts that are out there. These are worth being checked into. These airlines are just as safe as commercial airlines. Of course they probably don’t offer all the frills of a larger airline but they will still get you where you need to be. You may be able to save a bit of money by chartering a smaller airline.

If the price of your ticket goes down after you buy your ticket you can usually ask for a refund. So many people can get cheap international flights just by asking for a refund so that they end up paying the same price as other people do. If you cancel your ticket and repurchase it at the lower price you may save money if you get a refund. There are discounts everywhere; you just have to ask for them. If you are scared to ask for what’s yours your will not get the best rate.

Obtaining a cheap international flight doesn’t have to be exasperating. The truth of the matter is, if you are brainy when you shop, then it shouldn’t be difficult for you to find an inexpensive flight. Truth be told, there are more reasonably priced flights than you probably realize. With some scrutinizing and drudgery you’ll probably discover a flight to just about any destination for the price you are hoping to pay.

Advice how to sell a timeshare and specialized website for easy selling and buying your timeshare:

Book International flights Cheap

A meeting of lawmakers from all parties in Parliament to discuss the dispute collapsed Tuesday morning, and the national legislature was forced to adjourn for a second day in a row because of the deadlock.

Sitaram Yechury, a legislator from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), called the policy “disastrous” and accused the government of blind-siding its opponents by pushing the new rules without consulting Parliament.

“The demand of the whole opposition is that the decision should be revoked,” Murli Manohar Joshi, a leader of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, told the Press Trust of India.

The new regulations don’t require parliamentary approval, but to set up shop, foreign retailers such as Wal-Mart and Tesco must get approval from the government of the state where stores will be located.

Five state leaders have already made it clear they’re unwilling to let in foreign companies. two of the Congress’ main coalition allies also oppose the policy, though they said they would not quit the government over the dispute.

As the argument raged, Ikea chief executive Mikael Ohlsson visited India to evaluate the new rules. he could make an announcement regarding Ikea’s investment plans as early as Wednesday, Ikea spokeswoman Josefin Thorell said.

Ikea has long wanted to come to India, but declined to do so under the old investment rules, which required it to work with an Indian partner.

Addressing a meeting of the Congress party’s youth wing, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the regulations would improve transportation and storage of food supplies and lead to the creation of new jobs.

“I urge you to spread awareness about this across the country,” he said Tuesday.

Communist Party-controlled trade unions have threatened to strike Thursday and at least one lawmaker from the rightwing Bharatiya Janata party has even threatened to burn down foreign big-box retailers.

The opponents of the policy, which would allow big foreign retailers to set up supermarkets only in major cities, say it threaten millions of India’s small traders.

India’s Commerce Minister Anand Sharma has said that the change will be a boon for both consumers and farmers rather than a threat to small store owners. he said the new rules would edge out unscrupulous middlemen who eat into the profits of the small farmers.

Sharma said it would also bring down the cost of food for everyone, eliminate spoilage that claims up to 40 percent of all fresh produce, and create millions of jobs.

In a move that was widely perceived as capitulation to its critics, the Ministry of Commerce on Monday said that to take advantage of the new investment rules, foreign companies must source at least 30 percent of manufactured and processed products from “Indian micro and small industry.”

Last week, it had said such sourcing must come from “micro and small enterprises, which can be done from anywhere in the world and is not India specific.”

“There is a change,” Ministry of Commerce spokesman Dheeraj Singh said Tuesday. The new rule is “mandatory,” he said, declining to discuss the reason for the shift.

The change could violate India’s World Trade Organization obligations, which prohibit mandatory local sourcing requirements to the extent that they disrupt international trade, said Nishith Desai, founder of Nishith Desai Associates, an international tax and corporate law firm based in Mumbai.

Associated Press Writer Erika Kinetz in Mumbai, India contributed to this story.

Copyright 2011 The associated Press. All rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ruling party lawmakers fail to persuade others to accept changes to Indian retail policy

If you are looking for a girly party theme for your little girl’s celebration but have enough of the Hello Kitty and Disney Princess party theme, you can consider getting these Strawberry Shortcake party supplies — with a refreshing new look

You may have noticed already, but Strawberry Shortcake and her friends have a complete makeover as recent as 2009. there is more focus on pink and the girls are more stylish and pretty. not surprisingly, the strawberry shortcake and friends are becoming a strong alternative to the princess theme when it comes to the girls’ favorites.

Let’s Start with Party Invitations And Decorations

First of all, check out this lovely Strawberry Shortcake party invitation The card has a pretty design with Strawberry saying a friendly you are invited. this design matches with the paper plates, cups, napkins and other strawberry shortcake party supplies.

If you are more creative and want to venture into DIY, then you can consider getting all the balloons, crepe streamer, curly ribbons and craft people in the following colors: passionate pink, baby pink, green and lime green (that’s right, no more red color) if you have time, it will be a great idea to prepare some giant strawberry-shaped paper cutout and stick it all around the walls with sticky tacks. or you can hang them up as danglers have fun decorate the room with these wonderful colors and transform the place into a strawberry playland.

Strawberry Shortcake Party Supplies

But to make sure the guests know it’s all about Strawberry shortcake, you can still pick a few of your favorite party decorations in this theme, be it the banners, danglers or centerpiece for the party table. you can certainly get a set of the cups, plates and/or napkins for each guest, but what I find really special is this Strawberry Shortcake party pick — it can be used either as picks or dessert / cake toppers. Better yet, they can be easily stored and reused for your next celebration. And the best thing is that they are incredibly cheap at $0.3 each

Strawberry Themed Party Games

I personally think coloring pages are the classic and time-tested party activity for girls at this age. Imagine they paint and color their favorite characters, and have loads of fun comparing their creations. you can even hold a coloring contest — e.g. the most creative, the most colorful, the most of everything. as long as all the guests are covered and they all get a small gift for their achievements.

Another party game for this particular party theme is a classic game with a twist — the Strawberry Shortcake version of the Pinning of tail to the donkey. instead of using the pins and the tail, the children are going to use strawberry stickers. The one who manage to stick the strawberry closest to the target (strawberry shape in dotted line) is the winner. not only that this party game kit is more appropriate for the theme, the use of stickers instead of the pin is much safer. Give it a try

Strawberry Shortcake Party Favors

Lastly, let me talk a little bit about party favors: my favorite is a pair of strawberry-shaped sunglasses for the girls, but you can also pick and choose the stickers, confetti, loot bags, and many other gift ideas for the little guests.

Strawberry Shortcake Party Supplies – A Refreshing Choice For Girls’ Parties

Not too long ago, I made my first holiday to Boston for a sight-seeing tour of the New England states which I had scheduled. I traveled in October when the leaves were falling, and if I really could encourage any time of year to travel to New England, it would be in the fall.

I started off my tour by touring around the town of Boston itself and visiting every one of the famous sites and a couple of fun places, like the tavern the location where the show Cheers had been shot and Fenway Park. The thing I loved the most about Boston was that it’s certainly a modern city, however it very much features a historical feel to it all at once.

Once I decided to travel to New England, I had no clue just how nearby everything would be. I am coming from Texas, and I expected to have to drive many hundreds of miles to get from one state to the next, but it really was not like that at all. I had been able to experience plenty of each state on my seven-day expedition, devoting one day to Boston, another to the rest of Massachusetts and the rest to the other New England states.

I went down to Rhode Island soon after I used my first 2 days in Massachusetts and journeyed around the smallest state in the union. I traveled and experienced Providence, after that went to the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket.

I next went to Connecticut, going to see the Stratford Point lighthouse and then to check out Fort Nathan Hale. after I 1st chose to visit New England, I knew that I would certainly rent a car simply because I desired to drink up the scenic beauty, and there definitely was lots of that.

Following Connecticut, I went up through Massachusetts and into Vermont, where by I made it a special point to go and see the state house in Montpelier with its golden dome. I additionally sampled some of the local maple syrup before I went East to New Hampshire.

New Hampshire was a must for me when I chose to travel to New England, because I was accepted to Dartmouth University yet never actually proceeded to go. I simply had to see the campus once in my lifetime, and it had been every thing I dreamed it to be.

My final stop had been Maine, in which I raided a number of the nearby fishing communities for seafood and made a trip up to Acadia National Park, that has probably the most gorgeous scenic views I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

I journeyed back to Boston and went to Logan Airport on the last day of my vacation. to go to New England is really to see probably the most breathtaking and historical parts of our nation. I’d definitely recommend going in the fall.

A Visit To New England Is a Must During The Fall