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	<title>SoCalASTA - American Society of Travel Agents Southern California Chapter</title>
	<link>http://socalasta.com</link>
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		<title>Consumer Awareness Tip of the Month:  Tipping Etiquette</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Tipping etiquette can be very confusing while on vacation. Whom should you tip? How much? Do you need to tip at all?  Never fear! Consumers can take the guesswork out of tipping at airports, train stations, hotels as well as tipping tour guides, cruising and more.  Take a look at this tip guide for more [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/consumer-awareness-tip-of-the-month-tipping-etiquette-2/</link>
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		<title>AMSI Vendor Spotlight: Excel</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Excel&#8217;s ASTA Gold Plan Offers High Quality Phone Service Savings.  Cost conscious? Excel&#8217;s ASTA Gold Plan is worth checking out with extremely low long-distance rates within the United States and to more than 235 countries. There are no day or time restrictions and no minimum usage requirements. Excel&#8217;s next generation network delivers the business-grade quality [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/amsi-vendor-spotlight-excel/</link>
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		<title>New website unveiled for ASTA’s Travel Retailing &amp; Destination Expo</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Visit our new website&#8211;thetradeshow.org &#8211;to see this year&#8217;s exciting program and all-star lineup of speakers and register today before rates increase. Want to increase your connections, knowledge and product portfolio to grow profits and run a more effective business? ASTA&#8217;s Travel Retailing &#38; Destination Expo (Los Angeles, Sept. 7-9) is designed exclusively for top domestic [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/new-website-unveiled-for-asta%e2%80%99s-travel-retailing-destination-expo/</link>
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		<title>ASTA Smartphone App</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ASTA membership? We have an app for that. ASTA recently launched its latest benefit&#8211;an app for iPhones, Androids, and Blackberries, providing members with access to top-rated member services no matter where they are. You get real-time access to association news, member directories, ASTA event info, critical industry alerts, and more.]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/asta-smartphone-app/</link>
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		<title>ASTA guide helps agents choose a new supplier</title>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most challenging tasks an agency has is determining what products and services to sell. In a business in which travel agents often have little control over the end product, choosing a reliable travel supplier is crucial for ensuring the satisfaction of your clients and the success of your travel agency. To assist [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/asta-guide-helps-agents-choose-a-new-supplier-2/</link>
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		<title>Travel agents build long-term relationships, says USA Today article</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A recent article&#8211;Travel Concierge Services Are on the Rise&#8211;that appeared in USA Today on the increase in travel concierge services being offered by airline and credit card companies quotes ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar as saying: &#8220;When you work with a travel agent you know upfront who is making the arrangements,&#8221; he says. &#8220;A travel agent [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/travel-agents-build-long-term-relationships-says-usa-today-article/</link>
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		<title>Consumer Awareness Tip of the Month:  Women Traveling Alone</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Now more than ever, women are traveling by themselves for business or pleasure. And although their reasons for traveling are similar to their male counterparts, women traveling alone have very different concerns. From safety issues to cultural variations, women travelers encounter a variety of difficulties that can be avoided if the necessary precautions are taken. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/consumer-awareness-tip-of-the-month-women-traveling-alone/</link>
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		<title>AMSI Vendor Spotlight: Save up to 30% on UPS shipping</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Logistics saves money.  Take advantage of special savings on UPS shipping offered to you as a member of ASTA. You can now save up to 30% on air and international shipping services.   For complete details or to sign up, click here or call 1.800.325.7000.]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/amsi-vendor-spotlight-save-up-to-30-on-ups-shipping/</link>
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		<title>Win for Agents: Minnesota Legislature Passes Insurance Licensing Legislation</title>
		<description><![CDATA[“Passage of this bill is a win-win-win for travel agents, travel insurance providers and consumers alike,” said ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar. “It provides a workable solution to unnecessary licensing problems and inconsistencies that make it difficult for travel agencies, especially those that are small businesses, to conduct business. Now, thanks to efforts of ASTA’s Minnesota [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/win-for-agents-minnesota-legislature-passes-insurance-licensing-legislation/</link>
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		<title>New DOT Guidance on Full Price Advertising-What You Need to Know Now</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently issued an industry guidance letter regarding DOT’s Consumer Rules II that includes new guidance. Since that time, the DOT has found that some carriers that breakout taxes and fees have misclassified these charges. Given the critical nature of these rules &#8211;which could result in significant fines for non-compliance—it is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://socalasta.com/new-dot-guidance-on-full-price-advertising-what-you-need-to-know-now/</link>
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