In This Issue

• Working to Make 2011 a Banner Year
• Notes from Liz: CCRA CashRewards - Avoid the "Peggy" Syndrome
• CCRA's Presence this Quarter
• Interest in Agents is Growing: Cash in on the Trend
• Tourism Cares Announces 2011 Academis Scholarship Offerings

Featured Destinations

• Marriott ExecuStay® Long Term Stays. Immediate Benefits.
• Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida
• The Roger is the newly redesigned, Midtown New York City hotel that dares
  to be different

Working to Make 2011 a Banner Year

Welcome to CCRA's March Newsletter. We hope your first quarter is shaping up nicely! We continue to see reports that travel agent business is on the rise, and are always delighted to hear success stories from our agents.

If you're one of the thousands of agents linked to CCRA in the GDS, remember, over 18,500 hotels are offering better than BAR discounts through the ccr/ccra rate code. If you're not linked yet, click here. For our non-GDS agents, all the ccra rates are also available in CCRAtravel.com where you can compare multiple inventory types around the world. Being a successful travel agent takes more then just luck - all though having a shamrock in your back pocket (or a great CCRA rate) doesn't hurt!

In this issue read Liz's important message about CCRA CashRewards. If you're signed up for this program, you're going to want to know this information. If you haven't signed up for the program, click here. It's free and guarantees more money in your pocket. Also be sure to read the article, "Interest in Agents is Growing," to learn the 6 important tips that will help your cash flow.

Last month we asked agents the question "Do you think the absence of American Airlines tickets from Orbitz, Expedia and Hotwire will drive more consumers to use travel agents?" 66% of the participants said "yes they do." We welcome your feedback on this topic, to share your thoughts on this visit our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Our March issue is full of ideas, programs and special offers that will help make 2011 a banner year.

Remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates and specials.

Enjoy the newsletter!

Sincerely,

The CCRA Marketing Team

Notes from Liz: CCRA CashRewards - Avoid the "Peggy" Syndrome

By now most of us have watched the Discover Card Peggy commercial about cash rewards programs - where a customer calls in to find out about their cash rewards and are either left on hold or laughed at when they ask for the cash. The majority of the time, it is because no one takes the time to learn about the program.

At CCRA we also have a wonderful cash rewards program. Many of our agents have benefited from and love this program. However, many of the checks we sent out at the end of 2010 were returned simply because agents did not take the time to update their information or enter a correct address.

So, before we go further into the year of 2011, I would like to insure we share our program "rules" with everyone and keep you all informed:

• CCRA CashRewards are not commission payments. This is an additional payment that is a reward for your loyalty to book on www.CCRAtravel.com.

• CCRA CashRewards are an accumulated amount program and is paid out quarterly as long as the amount is at least $25.

• CCRA CashRewards are accrued for consumed bookings only. Cancelled bookings are not rewarded.

• Agents are responsible to update their own account. We do not know if you moved and it is important for you to keep us up to date.

• If at the end of the calendar year, you have not accumulated a minimum $25, you will not receive payment and may be cancelled from the cash rewards program.

We hope this will help to insure you receive the full benefit of our program. Keep booking!

** If you feel you were due a cash reward in 2010, or that one of our returned checks might be yours, please contact us (after updating your account information) at service@ccra.com.

Sincerely,

CCRA's Presence this Quarter

CCRA Attends the Destinations Hotels & Resorts Tradeshow - In January, Benet Henderson, Director of Hotel Partner Solutions for CCRA, attended the annual Destinations Hotels & Resorts tradeshow in Charleston, SC. CCRA Travel Solutions and Destination Hotels & Resorts have enjoyed a successful partnership for several years.

A record number of hotels and suppliers were in attendance, which gave CCRA the opportunity to meet these hotels face-to-face, some for the first time; and to share the great news about the rebound of the professional travel agency market. DH&R is comprised of 36 unique hotels and resorts in the contiguous US. Book DH&R via CCRAtravel.com or in the GDS under their chain code DN.

CCRA ATTENDS ASTA PREMIUM MEMBER BUSINESS SUMMIT - This February, CCRA President, Dic Marxen, attended the annual Premium Member Business Summit held at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is the world's largest association of travel professionals. Members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc. ASTA is the leading advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public, and CCRA is a Premium Member of this internationally recognized and respected organization.

CCRA ATTENDS TRAVEL WEEKLY'S LEISUREWORLD 2011 - Both Liz Badras and Bill Lawrence from our CCRA team met with travel agents and travel suppliers at the Leisure World 2011 conference in Las Vegas in mid-February. Many of our CCRA travel agents had the opportunity to visit with us at our exhibit booth, and one very lucky travel agent, Lorraine Steubing from Main Street World Travel, was the winner of our giveaway prize, a new Kindle book reader.

It's always a pleasure to meet with our travel agents and to review our new commission opportunities, training seminars and special programs available to all. We'll announce further tradeshows where our team will be available – stay tuned for dates and locations.

Interest in Agents Is Growing: Cash in on the Trend
Written by: Marilee Crocker

This is the second in a Travel Market Report series about the resurgence of the traditional travel agent.

When researchers noted a small but significant increase in consumer use of travel agencies not long ago, it sent a clear signal to travel agents: A shift in the zeitgeist is creating an opening that spells opportunity.

Consumers (well, some of them) are wearying of do-it-yourself travel. They are feeling starved for time and tired of the endless hours online involved in planning and booking a vacation. (See "Consumer Interest in Agents Rekindles, Sparks Opportunities," Travel Market Report, Feb. 17, 2011.)

"All of that is good news for the travel agency community," said Peter Yesawich, CEO of YPartnerhsip. "Increasingly more consumers will be looking for assistance provided by traditional agents."

The question is, how can travel agents capitalize on this shift?

For the answer, address the issues and concerns that are driving consumers into agents' arms, Yesawich advised. He sees two fundamental causes at work: our growing desire to save time; and the complexity of travel planning in light of an overwhelming array of choices.

Click here to read the full article and learn the 6 most important tips, from Yesawich and others, on how to cash in on the growing consumer interest in working with traditional travel agents.

Source: Travel Market Report; Marliee Crocker, February 17, 2011

Featured Destinations

The key to achieving balance on the road is finding a temporary housing provider that understands the importance of maintaining a lifestyle while providing the tools that drive performance. For stays of 30 days or longer, Marriott ExecuStay excels at making the entire experience not just comfortable, but comfortably normal.

At Marriott ExecuStay, we know that when people are compatible with their surroundings, they are happier and more productive. That's why we'll find the perfect temporary space – in a beautifully furnished apartment, not a hotel – to fit your clients' needs and provide them with exactly what they need to focus, prioritize and perform at their highest potential. Located in both high-rise and garden-style buildings, ExecuStay apartments offer a more residential experience that makes guests feel right at home. Plus, ExecuStay is often a more affordable option than a traditional hotel for long-term stays, making it a terrific value.

And since ExecuStay is part of Marriott® International, a trusted hospitality leader for more than 80 years, your clients can expect that every location is held to the highest standards of service and Marriott's renowned commitment to quality.

Book your clients into a Marriott ExecuStay apartment and everyone benefits:

Guest Conveniences

• ExecuStay's furnished and accessorized studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments are located in 700 urban and suburban apartment locations in over 300 cities in the United States.
• Apartments are ready for move-in usually within two business days.
• All units feature luxurious Elite Dreamer® bedding, full kitchens with essential cookware, basic utilities, LCD TV and DVD player, free Wi-Fi and high speed Internet access and laundry facilities in the apartment or on-site.
• Fitness facilities are available at most locations
• Bi-weekly housekeeping service
• 24-hour customer care

Marriott Rewards

Marriott Rewards®, the award-winning loyalty program, provides the opportunity to earn free vacations at more than 3,300 locations worldwide. ExecuStay guests can earn points for the entire length of their stays.

Easy Booking Systems

• Convenient booking capability via Apollo, Sabre and Galileo, using EE or EM chain codes
• 235 locations with photos on GDS with more added each month
• Online booking capability through ExecuStay.com

Best of all, Marriott ExecuStay offers fast-paying commissionable rates to travel agents for the first 29 nights of a client's stay.

ExecuStay gives travel agents an even greater opportunity to provide the right solution for their customers. See why at ExecuStay.com.

Loews Miami Beach Hotel - flaunting a "SoBe style" fusion of cosmopolitan and Art Deco influences - creates beachfront elegance for the authentic hip. Located in the "heart" of South Beach, the hotel recently completed a $50 million renovation including a completely redesigned lobby with an aquarium wall, re-invented guestrooms and bathrooms, porte cochere entrance, new SoBe Scoops ice cream parlor and Splash boutique. This summer the final part of the renovation will be complete with brand-new, permanent structure poolside cabanas.

For families traveling to South Beach, Loews Miami Beach Hotel is the place to be, the only true family-friendly hotel in South Beach and recently ranked #4 by Parents magazine in the top 10 Beach Resorts for Families.

The hotel boasts many kid-friendly amenities and programs including interactive children's menus, with healthy options, where children check off their selections.  Preston's Brasserie and Sushi SoBe takes family-friendly dining one step further by offering DVD players so kids can watch movies during their meal. Daily poolside activities such as hula hoop and water balloon relays, limbo dances, potato sack races and musical chairs guarantee plenty of fun in the sun. 

SushiSkool, offered every Saturday, demonstrates the art of sushi, chopstick tricks and sushi etiquette for the entire family (taught by the hotel's masterful sushi chefs).   Pottery Barn Kids SoBe Kid's Camp, the perfect haven for children, Kids Camp features comfy Pottery Barn Kids furniture and accessories, including a 1950's style kitchen, toys galore, Nintendo Wii, arts and crafts, and more. PBteen Cabana a private retreat for teens and tweens offering lounge furniture, dvds, daily wii competitions and more, all away from mom and dad. Adventurous families looking to explore South Florida will also find a plethora of attractions nearby, including, Jungle Island and the Miami Children's Museum.

The hotel just minutes away from the best shopping, dining and nightlife the destination has to offer, showcases 790 stylish rooms and suites, more than 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and function space, a palm tree lined promenade, oceanfront sparkling pool, hourly poolside pampering, Elemis Spa and Fitness Center and seven restaurants and bars including Sushi SoBe and the famous Emeril's Miami Beach.

For all the best rates at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, visit CCRAtravel.com. For the best rates in the GDS, select the CCR rate code in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan, or CCRA in Apollo/Galileo.

Quietly confident and cosmopolitan yet colorful and fun, The Roger is the newly redesigned; a Midtown New York City hotel that dares to be different. Witness a vibrant blend of Rafael Viñoly architecture, brilliant color palettes, and exuberant textures in the heart of Manhattan's fashionable Murray Hill neighborhood. A well-kept secret among savvy travelers, this hotel features gracious hospitality in an exclusive setting. A deft blend of urban cool and genteel comfort, The Roger weaves stylish design elements with familiar comforts and warm hospitality.

Our Superior King rooms offer bold infusion of color and design; a space that is both stimulating and relaxing. Enjoy either a king or queen bed complete with down bedding, plasma TVs, gourmet mini bar selections, and Aveda spa products.

For all the best rates at The Roger, visit CCRAtravel.com. For the best rates in the GDS, select the CCR rate code in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan, or CCRA in Apollo/Galileo.

Tourism Cares Announces 2011 Academic Scholarship Offerings
Non-profit continues its commitment to educating future leaders of the travel industry

Tourism Cares is pleased to announce the opening of its 2011 Academic Scholarship offerings for students of travel-and-tourism or hospitality-related programs of study. The current endowment Tourism Cares manages, which includes the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN), and NTA Scholarship Funds, totals nearly $2 million. This year 62 Academic Scholarships are being offered, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and totaling more than $88,000.

Undergraduate level and graduate level students, who will be enrolled in school fall semester, may now apply for these merit-based scholarships through the Tourism Cares website, http://www.tourismcares.org/scholarships, which links to the Tourism Cares on-line Academic Scholarship application. Both the website and the on-line application provide Academic Scholarship eligibility criteria and required documents. The application deadline for the Tourism Cares Academic Scholarships is Friday, April 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm Eastern time. Academic scholarship recipients will be announced late May.

The Tourism Cares scholarship awards help support the education of the future workforce of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry, which is vitally important to maintain its high level of professionalism. All academic scholarship recipients are invited to participate in the Tourism Cares Experience the Industry Student Program at NTA's Convention to be held during the week of December 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the event, students shadow travel industry mentors during business appointments; participate in discussions about career paths; and take advantage of networking and learning opportunities.

Justin Wusinich, of Temple University's School of Tourism & Hospitality Management, and winner of the 2010 NTA Dave Herren Memorial Scholarship, was one of the students who participated in the Tourism Cares Experience the Industry Student Program last fall at the NTA Convention in Montreal, Canada. He wrote "Thank you again for the opportunity to attend the NTA Convention. This was a major stepping stone in pursuing my future career. I had a great time and loved seeing Montreal and traveling to Canada for the first time. I took much from the people I met and the network I built. I have followed up with all of my contacts and hope to stay in touch with them in addition to Tourism Cares during my career."

Tourism Cares will open the 2011 Professional Development Scholarship offerings on Friday, April 15, 2011. Application will be on-line only and the application deadline will be Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm Eastern time.

Tourism Cares is a non-profit public charity whose mission is to preserve the travel experience for future generations. It accomplishes this by mobilizing the travel and tourism industry and travelers to give back to society through grants to natural, cultural and historical sites throughout the world; through academic and professional development scholarships for students of hospitality, travel and tourism; and through the organization of volunteer efforts to clean up and restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For more information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.TourismCares.org.

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