In This Issue

• CCRA Brings You Great New Benefits This Fall
• Notes from Liz: It's All About You
• To Increase Sales - Start Celebrating This Lousy Economy
• U.S. Department of Transportation's Expanded Airline Passenger Protections Take Effect
• Tourism Cares Awards Professional Development Internships

Featured Destinations

• Experience what Asian dynamics can offer at the Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong
• In the heart of Shanghai, The Langham Xintiandi blends the essence of the past with modern comforts
• Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport's enviable location and top-notch services earns awards

CCRA Brings You Great New Benefits This Fall

Dear Partners in Travel,

As we say goodbye to Summer and head into Fall, we also welcome the new changes at CCRA. This month we are pleased to announce the launching of the newest program from CCRA Travel Solutions – Safety Net®! This new program is a fresh twist on our original "Net Rate" program. Not only have we given the icon a brand new look, but take a look at the great new benefits we've added as well:

• Blocked space at 60,000 hotels worldwide - 24/7
• Highly competitive net rates
• Space is available often same day
• Online confirmation directly at CCRAtravel.com
• Passive segment capability

And ...

• You can still mark-up your own commission on these net rates!

Remember, Safety Net® includes all the features and benefits of our existing Net Rates. Safety Net® is now available on CCRAtravel.com, start booking today!

Once you have had a chance to review the new Safety Net® program, enjoy the rest of the newsletter. This month we are proud to feature Langham Hotels in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Xintiandi. These luxury hotels are part of the CCRA hotel program, and are available through CCRAtravel.com. Read their advertorials to see what's happening in China!

Also in this issue read about the new consumer protections for airline passengers established by the U.S. Department of Transportation. These protections have recently gone into effect, and will make flying more convenient and hassle-free for air travelers nationwide. This will be a great article to keep on file for your travelers, ... we're sure they will be happy hearing how much more convenient flying is.

Lastly – Bill Todd is back with another educational/informative article. This month he talks to us about celebrating our success during these troubled times, and how to continue to increase sales. We always appreciates Bill's helpful hints on how to have continued success in the travel industry.

Enjoy the newsletter!

Sincerely,

Your CCRA Team

Notes from Liz: It's All About You

Whew! Summer is just about a distant memory and now we are getting ready for all the Holidays that will be upon us before we know it! Not only that, but this is travel industry tradeshow season. In the coming weeks there is ASTA's THETRADESHOW in Las Vegas, Nexion's annual CoNexion Conference in New Orleans, the Home Based Agent Show in Boston and the end of the year Luxury Travel Show. Are you attending any of these?

Our portal manager and customer service representative, Jeff Kirk, will be in New Orleans at the annual CoNexion conference, Sept 8 - 10. This is Jeff's first attendance at this tradeshow, so be sure to stop by and say hello to him! He will be at #15 in the Jefferson Room.

I will be at ASTA's THETRADESHOW in Las Vegas, Sept 11 – 13. THETRADESHOW is on the 11th and 12th, so if you are there, please be sure to stop by and say hello! Pam Miller, one of the newest additions to our team will also be at The Tradeshow with me. Many of you know Pam as a travel industry icon and I am sure you will want to stop by to say hello to her as well. We will be in Booth #805.

CCRA does not travel to all tradeshows, but we make our best effort to attend some of the major conferences and love speaking to agents for the great feedback you offer while we are there. For those that do not know much about us, it is a great opportunity to see us "up close and personal".

We look forward to meeting you at one of these shows and having the opportunity to know you better.

Sincerely,

To Increase Sales - Start Celebrating This Lousy Economy

It's hard to stay positive when we're inundated with bad news about our sluggish economy. That's why I recommend that all travel industry managers, sales professionals and entrepreneurs start looking for every opportunity to celebrate success at the office. The habit of celebrating success, no matter how small, is a key component to long-term business achievement. Social psychologists tell us that the best way to ensure that our employees repeat behavior that leads to success is to positively recognize and acknowledge it.

It is not surprising that 65% of Americans report not having received any positive feedback on their work during the last year. Catching people doing something right is a daily habit that is consistently practiced by successful travel business owners and managers.

According to Dr. Bob Nelson, author of "Keeping Up in a Down Economy", "Entrepreneurs should constantly recognize employees for their progress towards the achievement of preset revenue goals. The recognition must be ongoing to reinforce the employees natural need to feel they're doing a good job in the workplace.

Why? According to Forbes.com "The happiest employees are 180% more energized than their less content colleagues." Recently Sears conducted an 800-store survey that confirmed the impact of employee attitudes on the bottom line. When employee's attitudes improved, both customer satisfaction and revenue immediately jumped. In short, praise is priceless and costs nothing! Personal recognition from a manager is the number one motivating incentive sited by workers today." What are you waiting for?

Bill Todd
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 new 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). Todd has served as vice president of sales and industry marketing for the 5000+ franchises and seven global brands of Choice Hotels International, and was vice president of sales and marketing for Marriott International's Corporate Lodging Division. BTodd@BTodd.com | www.BTodd.com | 301.633.5856

U.S. Department of Transportation's Expanded Airline
Passenger Protections Take Effect

New consumer protections for airline passengers established by the U.S. Department of Transportation have recently gone into effect, and will make flying more convenient and hassle-free for air travelers nationwide. The new consumer protections, finalized earlier this year, include requirements that airlines refund baggage fees if bags are lost, increase compensation provided to passengers bumped from oversold flights, and provide passengers greater protections from lengthy tarmac delays.

"The Obama Administration believes consumers have the right to be treated fairly when they fly," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "The Department of Transportation's new passenger protections will help ensure that air travelers receive the respect they deserve before, during and after their flight."

Effective August 23, 2011, airlines will be required to refund any fee for carrying a bag if the bag is lost. Airlines are already required to compensate passengers for reasonable expenses for loss, damage or delay in the carriage of passenger baggage. Under the new rules, airlines must now prominently disclose all optional fees on their websites, including but not limited to fees for baggage, meals, canceling or changing reservations, or advanced or upgraded seating.

The new rules also double the amount of money passengers are eligible to be compensated for in the event they are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight. Previously, bumped passengers were entitled to cash compensation equal to the one-way value of their tickets, up to $400, if the airline was able to get them to their destination within a short period of time (within 1 to 2 hours of their originally scheduled arrival time for domestic flights and 1 to 4 hours for international flights). If they were delayed for a lengthy period of time (more than two hours after their originally scheduled arrival time for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights), they were entitled to double the one-way price of their tickets, up to $800. Under the new rule, bumped passengers subject to short delays will receive compensation equal to double the one-way price of their tickets, up to $650, while those subject to longer delays would receive payments of four times the one-way value of their tickets, up to $1,300. Inflation adjustments will be made to those compensation limits every two years.

The Department of Transportation's new rule also expands the existing ban on lengthy tarmac delays to cover the international flights of foreign airlines at U.S. airports, and establishes a hard four-hour time limit on tarmac delays for all international flights at U.S. airports. It also extends the three-hour tarmac delay limit for domestic flights, currently in place only at large-hub and medium-hub airports, to flights at small-hub and non-hub airports as well. All carriers subject to the tarmac rule will be required to report lengthy tarmac delays to DOT. In all cases, exceptions to the time limits are allowed only for safety, security or air traffic control-related reasons. Carriers must also ensure that passengers stuck on the tarmac are provided adequate food and water after two hours, as well as working lavatories and any necessary medical treatment.

Additional measures under the new rule will take effect January 24, 2012, including:

The final rule, proposed rule and comments are available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2010-0140.

Featured Destinations

Cosmopolitan Hong Kong is often described as a place where East meets West, reflecting the unique cultural mix of the Chinese roots influenced from its time as a British colony. The fusion of east and west also characterizes Hong Kong's cuisine, where dim sum, hot pot and fast food restaurants coexist with haute cuisine; balancing a modernized way of life with traditional Chinese practices. The pearl of the Orient is also recognized as a global centre of trade and entertainment hub, which serves as a shopping paradise for tourists around the world.

Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong blends trendy sophistication and contemporary chic to create a modern and uniquely alluring five-star hotel. Rising 42 stories, it is located in the vibrant heart of real Hong Kong. The 665-room hotel is directly connected to the 300-shop Langham Place Mall and the Mongkok metro station.

Described as 'Art gallery masquerading as a hotel' by Time Magazine, it houses more than 1,500 contemporary Chinese art pieces. Its restaurants and bars offer variety in style and culinary artistry, including the two Michelin-starred contemporary Cantonese restaurant Ming Court, The Place that features international flavors and magnificent buffets, Tokoro, the vibrant Japanese Robatayaki grill alongside its Whisky Bar, The Backyard with stunning alfresco dining and cocktailing at its best, and a sophisticated bar and internet zone, Portal – Work & Play where the Resident DJ offers a mix of evening entertainment. The hotel's edgy Club L lounge gives you the space to be yourself, where if the mood takes you, there's fun in the replay zone, relaxation in a massage chair and 24-hour refueling for the body.

Whilst it's time to relax, the Traditional Chinese medicine-inspired Chuan Spa, perched on the 41st and 42nd floors, offers more than 60 treatments to rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. Begin your journey by enjoying the Chuan Tri-bathing Ritual featuring saunas, steam rooms, onsen shower and Oriental hot tubs. Then transcend the candle-lit staircase beside a gently flowing water wall to restore peace and harmony.

Come experience what Asian dynamics can offer!

To book this hotel, visit CCRAtravel.com and book the C rate category. For the best value in GDS rates, select CCR in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan or CCRA in Galileo.

Located in the heart of Shanghai's vibrant Xintiandi entertainment district, The Langham Xintiandi is set amongst a host of stunning attractions, international restaurants, glamorous designer boutiques and entertainment venues.

The hotel perfectly blends the essence of the past with modern comforts, offering views of Xintiandi's historic Shikumen housing, while at the same time indulging you with exquisite amenities. The hotel's elegant 357 guestrooms and suites offer a haven of tranquility and feature innovative touches such as internet radio and complimentary international telephone calls via Skype.

When it comes to dining, be tempted by sumptuous Cantonese and Shanghainese delicacies on offer at the hotel's signature restaurant Ming Court. Choose from nine private dining rooms with views overlooking Xintiandi, perfect for entertaining business clients or family celebrations; or dine in the intimate surrounds of Ming Court's a-la-carte dining room.

The hotel's ideal location in Xintiandi also offers an abundance of dining choices. Step outside the hotel and you are surrounded by international and local restaurants, bars and outdoor cafes.

When you are ready to take a break from the buzz of Shanghai, simply retreat to The Langham's Chuan Spa. Chuan means a serene course of water and the Chuan Spa facilities are modeled to reflect this harmony using the principles of Feng Shui. The foundation of Chuan Spa's signature treatments is Traditional Chinese Medicine and the five elemental forces of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. In addition to TCM, The Langham Xintiandi's Chuan Spa will also offer pampering spa treatments for both men and women, using Chuan's own range of essential oils as well as world-renowned Thalgo products.

To book this hotel, visit CCRAtravel.com and book the C rate category. For the best value in GDS rates, select CCR in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan or CCRA in Galileo.

Since its runway debut in autumn 2010 Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport, has been busy winning awards, including 2011 Skytrax Best Airport Hotel in China, thanks to its stylish looks and refreshing personality.

Its fine collection of 372 guestrooms, including duplex-style lofts, offers the ultimate in urban modern living with sleek interiors and gadgetry. Its expansive Club L Lounge, spread out over two levels, invites self-indulgence in exclusive Relax, Refuel, Replay, and Revitalise zones. Its four restaurants and bars stimulate the senses and satisfy the cravings with deliciously innovative cuisine in exquisite and entertaining surrounds. Its 2,695 sq m of bright and beautiful function space, featuring an 800 sq-m ballroom and 20 multi-function rooms and boardrooms, provide the perfect playground for successful events both large and small.

Positioned a minute from the iconic Terminal 3, 10 minutes from the New China International Exhibition Centre and Tianzhu Industrial Park, and only a 15-minute Airport-Express-Railway-ride from the city hub, Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport's enviable location, top-notch services, impressionable gallery of contemporary local art, and advanced technological offerings make it the place to be and be seen in China's culturally rich and fascinating capital of Beijing.

To book this hotel, visit CCRAtravel.com and book the C rate category. For the best value in GDS rates, select CCR in Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan or CCRA in Galileo.

Tourism Cares Awards Professional Development Internships
Supporting aspiring professionals in travel and tourism

Tourism Cares, the tourism industry's premier charitable organization for preservation, conservation, restoration and education is pleased to award $2,000 in Professional Development Internships.

The internships are funded by Luxury Travel Advisor magazine, and are offered to applicants who intend to enter the travel and tourism industry and seek to intern at a luxury travel agency. The award funds may be used to support the internship and related expenses.

Tourism Cares is pleased to announce the following 2011 Professional Development Internship recipients: Tiffany Kassem and Emily Schneider

"Luxury Travel Advisor is proud to be a donor to the professional development internships in partnership with Tourism Cares," stated John McMahon, Vice President/Group Publisher of the Questex Travel + Hospitality Group. He added, "We believe in encouraging and offering opportunities for young professionals or those looking for a career change in the travel field to promote positive future growth in the industry."

Read full article here.

Interested students or professionals are encouraged to check the Tourism Cares website for details on the 2012 offerings and application information at www.tourismcares.org/scholarships early next year.

Back to Top
© CCRA International, Inc. 1995-2011