Highlight Cozumel - our Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Destination!

60-Second Geography Cozumel
Twelve miles off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is the small island of Cozumel. It is just 30 miles long and about 10 miles wide; yet, it is home to some of nature’s most coveted treasures. Known as the Island of the Swallows to the Mayans, the island is today a major draw for visitors to the region. Crystal waters and soft sand beaches are protected by one of the world’s largest (and renowned for diving) coral reefs. In the middle you will find undisturbed jungle, dry arid flatlands and swampy lagoons. San Miguel is the main town and home to the majority of the residents of the island as well as the daily home of dozens of cruise ships and their passengers who call on the island.	Water is a key theme for any visit to Cancun and neighboring Cozumel. From scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, kite-surfing and deep-sea fishing, you will find it all. Cozumel is home to a number of indigenous species of birds, mammals and marine life. If diving and the beach are not your thing, you can explore the Mayan ruins, trek through the jungle paths and even take a dip in the cenotes—the island’s underground rivers and pools. And surprisingly enough, you can even ride a camel on the beach in Cozumel! Climbing Adventure Park. If the kids – or big kids – in your family are looking for something new to try in Cozumel, then the Climbing Adventure Park may be just the challenge for you. Operated by Alaska Mountain Guides from Haines, Alaska, the park boasts climbing walls, a zipline, abseiling towers and a great beach club with snorkeling for relaxing afterwards. Punta Sur Park. Stunning white sand beach with reef for drift snorkeling and crystal clear water at Punta Sur Park ecological reserve. Chankanaab Park. Famous natural park with lagoon, white sand beach, archaeological gardens, bar and restaurant. San Gervasio Mayan Ruins. San Gervasio is the most important Mayan archeological site on Cozumel Island. The religious center was built as sanctuary to the Goddess Ixchel. It was popular for many Mayans to visit once in their lifetime on a type of pilgrimage. El Mirador Lookout. Take in the rugged natural beauty of Cozumel’s east coast at El Mirador lookout. The sea has carved an arch in the rock which you can climb on top of for great views. Kiteboarding. Whether you’re new to the sport, or an unhooked pro, Cozumel Island in the Mexican Caribbean offers endless possibilities for kiteboarding. Olympic windsurfer Raul De Lille introduced kitesurfing to Cozumel and became the island’s first certified instructor.
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Doggone Fun! DogFriendly.com’s 2011 Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities to Visit In the U.S.

DogFriendly.com’s Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities in the United States for 2011 give you a wide variety of pet-friendly places to visit.
Portland Oregon tops DogFriendly.com’s 2011 list of the pet-friendliest vacation cities in the United States. Home to the famous and dog-friendly Rose Gardens and the Lucky Lab you and your dog would have a great time in Portland. These top cities are chosen for their pet-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, park, attractions, stores, dining and more. Here are the remainder of this year’s Top 10:
2. Chicago – Visit the Navy Pier, dine in elegance, cruise on a pet-friendly tour boat or walk the parks of the city.
3. San Diego – The country’s best dog beaches and trails and world class pet-friendly shopping centers.
4. Seattle – Take public transportation with your leashed dog. Many pet-friendly venues in a dog-friendly city.
5. Philadelphia – Get a famous cheese steak. See historic early American sites and stay in a downtown luxurious hotel.
6. Minneapolis – Great hiking trails and parks, pet-friendly dining. A pet-friendly atmosphere throughout.
7. Austin – Dog-Friendly parks. Outdoor cafes. Take tours and see the sites. See the Zilker Gardens and the Congress Street bats.
8. Alexandria/ Washington D.C. – See the capital’s sites, walk in charming Old Town, take a dog cruise on the Potomac.
9. New York – Luxury hotels welcome dogs, Central park beckons, off-leash parks everywhere. Shop the famous stores with your dog.
10. Indianapolis – Many historical sites, Nature preserves, trails and parks. Many of the cities tourist sites can be viewed with a dog.

Come Join The Fun!

Natural Disaster? Call a Travel Agent!

By James Shillinglaw
August 25, 2011 11:45 PM

What a week it’s been. First there was the earthquake here on the East Coast, and now we’re facing Hurricane Irene, which is taking aim at the Carolinas and then is expected to head up the East Coast this weekend.
Sure, the earthquake was nothing compared to what our friends on the West Coast have experienced in the past, but it scared a lot of people in Washington and New York. And it even had some tourism implications: Washington Monument was closed to tourists after cracks were found in the upper part of the structure. Fortunately, it wasn’t a serious quake, just unexpected for our region. I even joked with a friend that the folks in Washington always overreact to things like snow, earthquakes…and debt ceilings.
The hurricane, of course, is another matter. You’ll notice that nearly every one of our top stories in this issue of TravelPulse has something to do with Irene. We have stories on cruise lines forced to leave passengers in Puerto Rico, on cruise lines changing even more itineraries in the Caribbean, on resorts closing, and on Amtrak stopping service south of Washington, among other items.

Why do many people only discover or understand the importance of travel agents when a natural disaster occurs?

And if you’re searching for a travel agent connection in this column, well here it is. Why do many people only discover or understand the importance of travel agents when a natural disaster occurs? For the past few days, agents have been busy dealing with their clients’ vacation disasters – at least those who had booked trips to the Bahamas and other areas of the Caribbean affected by the storm. But that is exactly what agents do! They help their customers out in times of crisis.
I’ve been watching the Facebook posts of my travel agent friends and also seeing them tweet about the successes they’ve had rebooking clients to other vacation destinations (for example, one moved a client from a top resort in the Bahamas to another top resort in Mexico). Agents also had to help clients stranded at various airports in the Caribbean. Still others have been working to get their customers home early from areas that may be affected by the hurricane (it’s likely that airports from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast will be closed or will have extremely truncated service).

Last summer travel agents found their services suddenly appreciated when the Iceland volcano eruption stopped air service in Europe.

None of this is new. Last summer travel agents found their services suddenly appreciated when the Iceland volcano eruption stopped air service in Europe for several days (I was affected by that little disaster). But agents were there to rebook their customers and help get them home.
And let’s not only cite natural disasters. My thoughts are increasingly focused on the anniversary of 9/11 coming up in a couple of weeks. Air service in the U.S. came to a full stop for four days, but travel agents were there to serve their clients throughout (and I was one of those clients). I’ll have more to write about 9/11 and its effect on travel in a couple of weeks, but for now it serves as yet another example of how travel agents remain essential service providers in times of crisis.

Clearly President Obama is getting material for his speeches from someone who doesn’t understand the vital role travel agents play today.

Of course, yet another “disaster” of sorts for the travel agency trade came last week when President Obama basically put travel agents in the category of evaporating professions, even though, as I pointed out in my column last Friday, travel agency groups are actually creating jobs today. Clearly President Obama is getting material for his speeches from someone who doesn’t understand the vital role travel agents play today.
Maybe someday the general public will realize that travel agents do their job not just during times of disaster, but also often 24/7, 365 days a year. They work to serve their clients in good times and bad – and they really can’t be replaced by technology. Agents provide a personalized service that simply can’t be replaced.
James Shillinglaw is editor in chief of TravelPulse.

ASTA informs Obama that travel agents haven't been eliminated

By Johanna Jainchill

ASTA told the White House Thursday that travel agencies sell more than 50% of travel in the U.S., in response to President Obama’s statement on Wednesday that travel agents are among the jobs that have become automated.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Atkinson, Ill., President Obama said: “One of the challenges in terms of rebuilding our economy is — businesses have gotten so efficient, that, when was the last time somebody went to a bank teller? Instead of using an ATM. Or used a travel agent instead of going online? A lot of jobs that used to require people now have become automated.”

“While the President’s intention surely was not to disparage the travel agency industry, his statement makes clear the need for greater education and understanding of the important role travel agents play in today’s travel marketplace,” ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar said in a statement. “ASTA has communicated with the President to ensure he understands the contribution travel agent make to the economy.”

In the White House letter, ASTA said that the U.S. travel agency industry “is comprised of nearly 10,000 U.S.-based travel agency firms operating in 15,000 locations. We have an annual payroll of $6.3 billion. Most importantly, our businesses produce full-time employment for more than 120,000 U.S. taxpayers.”

The letter also stated that the U.S. travel agency industry processes more than $146 billion in annual travel sales, accounting for more than 50% of all travel sold, including more than 50% of all airline tickets, more than 79% of tours and more than 78% of cruises.
(source - travelweekly.com)

Aulani Grand Opening – 13 Days and Counting!

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, will offer a new way to vacation in Hawai'i when the Resort welcomes its first Guests on Aug. 29 – less than two weeks away! Aulani is located on the island of O'ahu and is perfectly placed just far enough from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, but close enough for your Clients to enjoy the world-class entertainment for which O'ahu is known. Situated in an idyllic beachfront setting, the Resort is nestled between lush green mountains and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Aulani is the perfect Hawaiian vacation for your family, created by the family experts at Disney. Here your Clients can climb aboard a tube and glide through misty caverns on an enchanting water slide. Set sail on a catamaran for dolphin-spotting and whale watching, and party poolside with favorite Disney Characters at an all-ages celebration. Learn the secrets of Disney animation while painting an Aulani-Exclusive Animation Cel, and join Uncle for hula, games and music at the Aulani Starlit Hui. From toddlers to teenagers, Aulani features a variety of programs and activities that your Clients' families can enjoy together.

Summer Ends Early, Airlines Offer Deals

By RICK SEANEY, CEO of FareCompare

Aug. 3, 2011

Guess what? Summer ends early this year: on Aug. 22, to be precise. At least it does according to the calendars the airlines use. And that's good news for you.
If you haven't had a chance to plan a trip yet or you've decided your only option is a staycation, congratulations are in order. You were clever enough to wait for the "magic departure date" that ushers in a season of savings. You might also save yourself an X-rated adventure in the security line (and more on that in just a bit).

Maybe there's nothing inherently magic about Aug. 23, but it is the date many airlines have settled on this year to mark the beginning of their fall season; fall, of course, is when airfare prices start to drop and sometimes even plummet.

Note to shoppers: Many airlines begin their fall season (for departures, remember) on Aug. 23, while others start on Aug. 24. To figure out your airline's sweet spot for savings, use an airfare shopping site with a flexible date option so you don't miss out these deals.
There's definitely a method to this madness: Airlines spend millions to learn passengers' purchasing habits, and they know that most opt for summer vacation flights from late June through mid-August, and will pay whatever it costs to fly then.
Well, almost. A couple of summertime airfare hikes fizzled this year, but in general, summer is peak season for U.S. carriers and that's when they rake in the bucks. Until mid- to late-August, that is.
It doesn't take an Einstein to figure it out. In many parts of the country, kids head back to school in late August. Likewise, many potential passengers use the last weeks of summer to do all those chores they kept putting off. I mean, who wants to clean out the garage in July when you could be barbequing or watching the latest Harry Potter flick?
Which is what the airlines are doing, metaphorically speaking: They are getting ready for autumn. Consider the most recent big Southwest sale: good for travel beginning Aug. 24. Virgin America's last sale? Good for travel starting Aug. 23. Savings vary from a little to a lot.
Example: I looked at prices over the weekend on United Airlines for round-trip flights between Los Angeles and New York with a return on Aug. 22; the cheapest fare I found was $459; if you start traveling the very next day, your fare drops $80. It can drop even more on Southwest if you move your trip from early August to early September.
Bonus time: The fall airfare season ushers in delights beyond a bigger wad in your wallet, including better deals at hotels and shorter lines at popular attractions like Disney World. The herd thins out by late August and I'd like to say planes will be emptier, too, but I can't. The whole reason airlines do this seasonal discounting is to fill up their planes to stay in business. However, I can just about guarantee there will be fewer kids kicking your seatback on fall flights.
Even better (and this is a biggie): You may have a sweeter security experience. That's because the Transportation Security Administration is starting to install new software in those body scan machines to replace the so-called "naked picture" images that have driven so many passengers crazy. Perhaps you heard about the role-reversal incident earlier this month in which an apparently enraged Colorado woman was accused of groping a security agent.
The new security software has two advantages: It makes you look like a cartoonish cookie-cutter image, and you can see it for yourself. No more agents holed up in a "secret" room, viewing a somewhat graphic portrait of your parts behind locked doors; your Gingerbread Man-like picture will be family-friendly, from what I've seen. Look for the software upgrades in the next few months.
So start packing. Enjoy some of that fall foliage. But don't wait too long. When the leaves disappear, the airlines usher in the most expensive time of the year to fly. Think turkey, cranberries, stuffing...