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Working Together for More Business Success |
Dear Partners in Travel,
Welcome to our second newsletter issue for 2010!
We’d like to start by thanking you, our agent partners, for making the CCRAtravel.com hotel portal a bigger success than ever. For our first month in 2010, bookings on the portal are up 73%!
In 2009 our goal was to bring you a better portal by offering you a wider hotel inventory and more travel solutions. We added several partners last year, and brought on more hotels. Most importantly, we introduced COMMISSION/Express - the program that pays you 15% commission at tens of thousands of hotel worldwide; and pays those commissions on a weekly basis.
In this issue we are delighted to bring you another great article from our guest author Bill Todd. Read his article to learn about goal-setting for your business. There’s no time like the present to set goals for the New Year; it’s not too late.
Also, in this issue, remember to register for the exclusive CCRA webinar for CCRA agents next week. Join us and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts as we introduce you to Fairmont’s Famous Agents program. You will learn how to make the most of your bookings at all Fairmont hotels around the world.
As you know, in every issue we like to feature hot destinations and hotels, and this month is no exception. Check out this month’s Featured Destinations.
We always appreciate your loyalty to the CCRA booking program, and look forward to serving and supporting you in the future.
Sincerely,
Your CCRA Team
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Sales Goals, The MapQuest of Business Success
Written By: Bill Todd
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 The Dean and senior statesman of American sales trainers is Zig Ziglar. He reports that only three percent of people in the USA set business goals, and they are among the wealthiest people in the nation! The ability to set sales and revenue goals and committing to a set of action steps for their accomplishment is the master skill of any travel professional.
Setting sales goals is among the single most important skill that you can perfect. Goal-setting will do more to help you achieve the things you want from your travel business than will anything else you’ve been exposed to. Famous business author Brian Tracy says, "Setting well-defined goals enables you to channel your efforts and focus your energy toward something that’s important to you. Goal-setting gives you a target to aim at and enables you to develop the self-discipline to continue working toward your target rather than becoming distracted and going off in other directions."
When it comes to setting goals far too frequently, travel entrepreneurs inadvertently only pay lip service to it. When it comes to setting goals, they plan on doing it, they just never get around to dedicating the time required to accomplish this essential task.
Successful entrepreneurs also realize that of all the goals they will set, the revenue goal takes priority. Why? It’s the one goal that if you don’t achieve it, you just might not be around to talk about all the others you did hit. Your sales goal should have monthly, quarterly and annual targets. Every person who works for you should clearly understand each goal. More importantly, it is incumbent upon you to make sure they understand the exact role they play in achieving that goal. Each revenue goal must be challenging yet realistic.
The second most important task in setting goals is consistently celebrating when any goal is achieved. The habit of celebrating success, no matter how small, is a key component to long-term business success. Business psychologists tell us that the best way to ensure that our employees repeat the behavior that leads to success is to positively recognize and acknowledge it.
About Bill
Bill Todd is one of the travel industry’s most sought-after sales and marketing speakers and coaches. He is the co-author of the book Speaking of Success which also features best-selling authors Stephen R. Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People), Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager) and Jack Canfield (The Secret and Chicken Soup for the Soul). BTodd@BTodd.com | www.BTodd.com | 301.633.5856
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CCRA Webinar Exclusively for CCRA Agents:
Famous Agents Travel Agent Education & Rewards Program
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Join us for an exclusive webinar on Wednesday, February 10.
Fairmont Raffles Hotels International boasts an extraordinary collection of properties through three award-winning brands. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts delivers warm, exemplary service and an authentic expression of place. Raffles Hotels & Resorts, each a landmark in its respective locale, is distinguished by the ultimate in elegance and residential charm. Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts combines renowned Swiss quality with fresh contemporary design, and personalized service with charm and efficiency. For exceptional travel experiences, our 90-plus hotels and resorts promise the utmost in service and amenities, treating your clients to the best a destination has to offer.
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CCRA Webinar Exlusively for CCRA Agents:
Famous Agents Travel Agent Education & Rewards Program |
| Date: |
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 |
| Time: |
9:00 am - 10:00 am PST; 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST |
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 Join us February 10th to learn more about Famous Agents, the industry’s most exciting travel agent education and rewards program, and become an expert on our Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands. You’ll earn fabulous personal rewards and enjoy countless members-only perks.
The webinar will be presented by Nicole Bellefleur, Manager, Loyalty Marketing - FRHI.
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Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Receive
Tourism Cares' First Save Our Sites Grant
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Tourism Cares awards Friends of the Smokies $5,000 grant!
 Tourism Cares, the tourism industry’s premier charitable organization for preservation, conservation, restoration and education, awarded its first “Save Our Sites” special grant to the Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.
Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park assists the National Park Service by raising funds and public awareness and providing volunteers for needed projects in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sees more visitors each year than any other National Park in the country.
The Friends of the Smokies was chosen for this special $5,000 grant by enlisting its supporters to vote in an online poll as part of the Tourism Cares “Save Our Sites” 2009 grant selection. Seven sites competed in the six week on-line competition including Grand Canyon Trust; South Florida Audubon Society; The Mount, the home of Edith Wharton (MA); National Civil Rights Museum Foundation (TN); Tierra Nativa Community Ecotourism Program in Mexico; and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre.
Holly Scott, Marketing Director for Friends of the Smokies, said "We are very pleased to receive the Tourism Cares grant to help fund the historic preservation work in the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The efforts of the thousands of people who voted for us will make a difference for the millions of visitors to our national park each year.”
The Save Our Sites grant will be used to help restore 19 historic buildings in the Elkmont section of the National Park, as part of a public-private initiative to restore and open up this section to public use.
“Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in our country, but it does not benefit from entrance fees,” Ms. Scott added. “That is why grants like this are so important. Preservation of historic structures, education programs for kids of all ages, and natural resource protection are made possible every year by those who support Friends of the Smokies to make our national park experience even more enjoyable."
Inaugurated in 2009, Tourism Cares’ ongoing Save Our Sites program gives travellers an opportunity to make donations while on vacation to give back to preserve and enhance natural, historic and cultural sites around the world that are important to save for future generations. The funds raised are then often matched by the company they are travelling with and those same travellers are given the opportunity to nominate sites that are of particular importance to them.
About Tourism Cares
Tourism Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity mission is to preserve the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic and professional development scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org.
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 SHERATON LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN
A warm southern California welcome awaits you at the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown. The hotel is an easy walk from LA Convention Center, LA Live and STAPLES center. Our recently completed renovations bring a vibrant uptown feel to the Downtown area. All 485 rooms and suites now feature rich burgundy highlights and retro 1940’s furniture in dark woods and glass, pleasing to the most sophisticated of eyes.
The Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown is the depot between business and fun that you have been looking for.
Feel the warmth, comfort and connection of the Sheraton, Los Angeles Downtown hotel.
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PORTA HOTEL ANTIGUA
 La Antigua Guatemala is located in the Valley of Panchoy in the mid mountain range of Guatemala, Central America, surrounded by three volcanoes called Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. It is world famous for its baroque architecture, numerous ruins of churches and monasteries, colonial history, the beautiful nature and it is particularly recognized for the coffee of this region. It was appointed Cultural Heritage of Mankind by Unesco in 1979.
In the November Issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, La Antigua Guatemala was chosen by more than 25,000 readers as one of the Top Ten Cities in the American Continent for Visitors. This historical and enchanting city is a place to get inspired, experience, learn and relax. Porta Hotel Antigua has also been chosen by the Magazine's Readers as one of the TOP 5 hotels in Central America and in 2010 we will be celebrating our 62nd anniversary.
The property underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment and expansion that was completed in 2008. In addition, in the spring of 2010 the Spa will open its doors featuring a mix of Guatemalan indigenous treatments combined with a European product line that will enhance each guest's experience.
Porta Hotel Antigua has 100 rooms all set on one level surrounded by lush gardens. Each room has distinct decorations and accessories from the picturesque towns of Guatemala, so the guests can appreciate the great Guatemalan textiles and handicrafts.
You can choose options for dining; Restaurant Los Moros, offering traditional Guatemalan dishes and international cuisine; and Bar El Conquistador. The property has two swimming pools and by the main pool guests on Sunday and official holidays can experience the sounds of live marimba.
Our convention center has 7 meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 420 persons. Our gardens and patios are the perfect setting to celebrate those social events, weddings and incentive trips.
GDS access codes:
Amadeus: XL GUAPAH Sabre: XL 80863 Worldspan: XL GUAPA Apollo/Galileo: XL 24295
Antigua Guatemala | Guatemala | Central America
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Enjoy a luxury break in Knightsbridge, London with “One Night Makes A Difference” at Jumeirah Carlton Tower and the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel.
| • Superior room accommodation |
| • Minimum stay of 2 nights |
| • Inclusive of full English breakfast for 2 |
| • Become a Sirius member and receive 2000 points per stay (enough points for a free night) |
| • 10 % commissionable to Travel Agents |
 Rates: From £200 per room per night at Jumeirah Carlton Tower and from £165 per room per night at the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel.
Terms and conditions apply and subject to availability.
Based on two people sharing and valid until March 31, 2010.
Jumeirah Carlton Tower
A hotel of ultimate luxury, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower is located in fashionable Knightsbridge on Sloane Street. It features 220 luxurious rooms and suites, a glamorous Champagne Lounge, award winning restaurant – The Rib Room and one of London’s premier health clubs – The Peak Health Club & Spa. Leisure facilities include a golf simulator, 20 metre indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms and an award winning Spa. The hotel also offers 9 meeting rooms designed to accommodate a wide range of functions, from cocktail receptions to dinners, themed events, wedding receptions and marriage ceremonies.
Contact Details:
Jumeirah Carlton Tower
On Cadogan Place | London | SW1X 9PY
Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel
Located in Belgravia Village, Knightsbridge, this chic boutique retreat is within walking distance of the exclusive shops on Sloane Street, including prestigious department stores: Harvey Nichols and Harrods. The hotel features 87 sumptuous rooms, including spacious suites on the dedicated all-suite 6th floor. Distinguished by its originality and style, the Mimosa Bar & Restaurant offers modern European cuisine all day with al fresco dining on the terrace during the Summer months. For private entertaining or small business meetings, the exclusive and flexible event room is available.
Contact Details:
Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel
21 Lowndes Street | Knightsbridge | London | SW1X 9PY
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