SoCalASTA - American Society of Travel Agents Southern California Chapter

Consumer Awareness Tip of the Month: Traveling with Children

socalasta — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:00:56 +0000

Family vacations can create long-lasting memories and fun learning experiences for parents and children alike. But traveling with children can sometimes be a test of preparedness—and of patience. Whether you are traveling with small children or teens, ASTA has suggestions to help make the sometimes daunting task of preparing for a trip more manageable and fun for the entire family. Maintain a good sense of humor while traveling to give your family a vacation to remember. Remember that problems do arise and delays do happen, but being prepared and keeping ASTA’s Travel Tips in mind may help avoid hassles and undue stress.

AMSI Featured Product: FedEx

socalasta — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:20 +0000

When it comes to your business, reliability is key. FedEx has made its name by absolutely, positively delivering shipments on time and intact. That’s one of many reasons why you should Think FedEx First for all your shipping needs. Don’t forget to take advantage of your special ASTA member discounts of up to 26 percent* on select FedEx® service. To enroll in the discount program or learn more, go to enrolladvantage.fedex.com/4713 and enter pass code FYKD56 or call 1.800.MEMBERS (1.800.636.2377, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, M-F). Enroll today and start saving! (*Terms & Conditions.)

ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar Talks Critical Issues on Stuart Cohen Show

socalasta — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:47 +0000

Did you miss last month’s Stuart Cohen Show in which ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar addressed the most critical issues threatening our industry, the vital work ASTA is doing on your behalf and what steps you need to take today to protect your business and industry? Don’t worry–you can catch it again on ASTA’s Video/Audio library. In this 30-minute segment, Gonchar talks about why ASTA is the only organization that can effectively speak out on travel agents’ behalf and what ASTA is doing on behalf of the entire industry. Listen now.

New Exhibitors Added to the Fiji Sales & Product Showcase

socalasta — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:30:00 +0000

New Exhibitors Just Added!

Prizes, Buffet, Roundtables, and More…

The Islands of Fiji invite you to the 2012 Fiji Sales & Product Showcase hosted by SoCalASTA. This exciting event will take place on Thursday, February 16 at The Olympic Collection in West L.A. This is a perfect opportunity to learn from the experts how to sell more Fiji. Then meet in small groups with a variety of suppliers to find the products that match with your clients. Of course we’ll have lots of tropical food, prizes, and fun as well!

Supplier Exhibitors Confirmed — More to Come!!!

Destination World
Mana Island Resort
Matangi Island Resort
Vomo Island Resort
Koro Sun
Outrigger on the Lagoon
Castaway Island Resort
Royal Davui Resort

Note: This event is not an ASTA-exclusive event. All travel agents are welcome!

Click here to RSVP!

Event Schedule

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Networking & Buffet Reception Hour
6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Fiji Presentation & How to Sell Fiji
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Product Roundtables & Door Prizes

Only travel agents who are checked in by 6:30 p.m. will be eligible for the terrific door prizes at the end of the night!

For more information about SoCalASTA, call (213) 538-2782 or email chapter president Jason Coleman at president@socalasta.com.

Date:

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Time:

5:30 – 9:00 PM

Location:

The Olympic Collection
11301 Olympic Blvd.
(Olympic at Sawtelle)
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Click HERE for map

RSVP:

socalasta0212.eventbrite.com

Cost:

SoCalASTA Members: $25

NACTA & Non-Members: $35

Check Out These Updated, Customizable Consumer Ads

socalasta — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00:59 +0000

ASTA offers its members the chance to customize a variety of consumer-oriented ads, all promoting the value of using a travel agent when making their next travel plans. You can check out the latest batch of ads ready for customization here.

Come with us on a Hawaii Study Tour

socalasta — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:30:57 +0000

Travel to O’ahu With SoCalASTA!

The day we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! Registrations for the SoCalASTA O’ahu, Hawai’i Study Tour are now being accepted!

SoCalASTA invites all travel agents to join us for a destination study tour featuring an awesome itinerary, created and sponsored by the O’ahu Visitors Bureau and many of O’ahu’s top industry partners.

Monday, April 30 – Saturday, May 5, 2012

O’ahu Master Specialist Program

We will be staying at four properties on O’ahu:

The Mondern Honolulu
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Turtle Bay Resort
The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Don’t wait — there are a limited number of spots for this study tour, so get your application in right away.

Click Here to Register

Cost: The cost of this program includes airport transfers, accommodations, destination seminars, excursions, unique tours, and niche activities. You’re responsible for your own air to Hawai’i and some gratuities along the way. Everything else is taken care of for you!

SoCalASTA Members – $125.00 each
Non-Members – $175.00 each

Take $25 off if you are registered for the SoCal Scholars Hawaii Destination Specialist Program! Click here for more information about this program that starts February 16.

Click Here to Register

Questions? For more information about SoCalASTA, email chapter president Jason Coleman at president@socalasta.com.

Travel Insurance Video Now on ASTA.org

socalasta — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:00:31 +0000

Now available to members in ASTA’s E-Library is a recently recorded travel insurance webinar featuring industry veteran and U.S. Travel Insurance Association President-elect Frank Shellabear. Shellabear offers a valuable update on travel insurance products and industry trends and provides an informative “tune-up” for travel insurance programs, including key questions to ask when reviewing or implementing your insurance program and tips for fulfilling your program’s potential. To view the video or download the slide presentation, see Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know.

ASTA’s Reservation Assistance Fee Chart Has Been Updated

socalasta — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:00:06 +0000

ASTA’s Reservation Assistance Fee Chart has recently been updated and now includes phone reservation fees charged by vacation package companies. The chart also outlines fees charged by airlines when making or changing a reservation through an airline’s high-touch (telephone and airport ticket counter) direct channels. ASTA members can view the revised chart by visiting ASTA’s E-Library.

ASTA Webcast Explains Critical Aspects of New DOT Consumer Rules, Possible Impact on Agents

socalasta — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:33 +0000

Given the critical nature of new rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which went into effect on Jan. 24 and Jan. 26 and which could result in significant fines for non-compliance, ASTA is offering an on-demand webcast–free to all travel professionals–entitled “The Six Critical Things Your Must Know About DOT’s Consumer Rules #2.” This webcast, presented by ASTA’s in-house expert John Pitman, vice president of Industry Affairs, outlines the pending rules that will govern how fares and fees must be advertised.

Are you ready to sell more Fiji?

socalasta — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:30:01 +0000

Prizes, Buffet, Roundtables, and More!

The Islands of Fiji Invite You to a Product & Sales Presentation

SoCalASTA invites all Southern California travel travel agents to the 2012 Fiji Showcase on Thursday, February 16 at The Olympic Collection in West L.A. This is a perfect opportunity to learn from the experts how to sell more Fiji. Then meet in small groups with a variety of suppliers to find the products that match with your clients. Of course we’ll have lots of tropical food, prizes, and fun as well!