Germany’s Cup Runs Over
With thousands visiting and more than a billion watching,
the FIFA World Cup is changing Germany’s image.
“The countless pictures that were broadcast from the area &
are a wonderful image promotion for the destination Berlin,” said
Hanns Peter Nerger, general manager of Berlin Tourismus Marketing
GmbH. “Consequently, this means an investment in the future, the
significance of which cannot be estimated highly enough.”
In honor of the event, the tourism industry of Berlin made several
preparations, such as a new railway station opened in the center of
the city.
Other attractions to welcome sports fans include the Reichstag,
the Brandenburg Gate, the Sony Center with the ZDF Arena, the
Potsdamer Platz and the Kulturforum. The city also helped carry on
the World Cup motto of “A Time to Make Friends.”
Throughout the four weeks of the World Cup, the Berlin hotel
sector maintained a 50-70 percent occupancy level. On the weekend
of the finals, however, the city reached its goal of a 90 percent
occupancy level.
Adding to the NEST
The Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) has
added three preferred suppliers to their list. Fare Buzz, Apple
Vacations and Avis are now available to home-based agents who
belong to NEST.
Fare Buzz offers rates that are 40-60 percent off published fares
on domestic and international travel, officials say. The
partnership with Apple Vacations will give NEST agents the
opportunity to offer clients value-priced packages in Mexico,
Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Aruba and the Bahamas.
Avis joins its sister company, Budget, as a preferred supplier for
NEST.
www.jointhenest.com
Air NZ Suspends Flights
Air New Zealand will suspend certain flights this fall.
Come Oct. 29, seasonal flights from Los Angeles to Christchurch,
New Zealand, will be suspended. In addition, the airline will
suspend its Auckland, New Zealand, to Singapore route on Oct. 2.
Clients affected by the route suspensions will be rebooked on other
flights or carriers. As of late October, the airline will be using
the Boeing 777-200ER on flights from Los Angeles to London-Heathrow
and Auckland, but will still use the Boeing 747 for the route
during the December-January high season.
Also in October, Air New Zealand will be offering a second daily
service between London and Hong Kong.
www.airnztravelagent.com
Booking United with Vax
Agents can now book United Vacations products on VAXPRO,
a version of VAX VacationAccess. VAX provides real-time access to
United Vacations’ air, hotel, car and features inventory, and
allows agents to set their own commission. The engine, integrated
with TRAMS ClientBase Plus, also has a “suitcase tool” that makes
it possible to quickly price up to 10 multiple itineraries for
clients and save them in one place. VAX VacationAccess also allows
agents to immediately send clients e-mail confirmations once a
product has been booked.
VAX provides agents with weekly hot deals and incentives via
e-mail, as well as with online help, interactive sessions and
technology updates.
United Vacations is also available on Apollo Galileo USA’s
LeisureShopper, Worldspan Tour Source and Amadeus Tour Source with
the vendor code UAV.
www.vaxvacationaccess.com
Swain Separates
Swain Tours is no longer a part of United States Tour
Operators Association (USTOA), company president Bob Whitley
announced recently. Ian Swain, president of the company, purchased
all ownership from Travel Corp. Deposits and payments made before
July 8, 2006, will be protected under USTOA Traveler’s Assistance
Program. Any deposits and payments made after July 7 will not be
protected.
www.swaintours.com
Kaitlyn Voyce
