A travel agency owner explains why moderate regulation can be good for business. Regulation is a broad spectrum, from rules that provide basic governance in order to form a foundation to burdensome laws that make it impossible to function in a business or industry. The key when approaching a...
Scenic Ruby Sparkles
posted by Marc Kassouf
The Scenic Ruby offers top amenities and excursions and nearly everything is included The Scenic Ruby and its identical sister Space Ships stand out for their ability to accommodate larger floor plans of 205 square feet for most cabins, as well as for their amenities. Full step-out balconies, upgraded butler services and specialty dining are among the highlights of cruising on a Scenic ship. Space is the most amazing amenity of the accommodations onboard. Advise your clients not to be fooled by the cozy feeling they may have, as the immense convertible King bed in suites gives the illusion of a smaller cabin. High thread count white linens...
Turkish Airlines CIP...
posted by Marc Kassouf
A former road warrior shares his experience at the ultra-luxury CIP Business Lounge in Istanbul. Before owning a travel agency, I traveled extensively for corporate America, spending hours in lounges worldwide. I’ve seen lounges that are enclaves of calm in chaotic airports and enjoyed their...
Canada’s Eastern Gay Capitals
posted by Marc Kassouf
Travelers will find the Canadian capitals offer big-city and small-town delights. Story By Marc Kassouf • Photography By S. Nathan DePetris Along Canada’s coast, the cosmopolitan capitals of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa beckon to gay and lesbian travelers and provide communities rich with heritage, culture, attractions and nightlife. It’s no wonder that the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (www.iglta.com) counts dozen of hotels and even cities themselves as members. TORONTO • Gay Pride & Events Pride Toronto has grown in size and popularity. With over one million attendees, Toronto’s Pride festival and parade...
Maroma by Orient Express Surpasses Expectations
posted by Marc Kassouf
Maroma Resort and Spa lives up to its reputation for exceptional amenities, unique spa experiences and high-quality culinary offerings in the Riviera Maya From the moment clients are greeted by the transfer attendant at the airport, board a leather-trimmed SUV and are handed cold towels and bottled water, they will know that their guest experience at Maroma Resort and Spa, located on Maroma Beach in the Riviera Maya, will be superlative. It’s the small touches that define a true luxury property’s service, like the soothing guitar music that starts to play as the driver whisks them away and, then, the personalized greeting at the...
What I Got From ASTA...
posted by Marc Kassouf
Recollections of the American Society of Travel Agents’ Puerto Rico International Destination Expo (IDE) 2011 – Marc Kassouf of PRIDE Travel shares his experience from this year’s IDE and why YOU should attend next year in Peru! By Marc Kassouf I had the opportunity to attend...
Barcelo Maya Palace -refinement on the riviera
posted by Marc Kassouf
Luxurious guestrooms and a dizzying selection of dining experiences await at the Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe. Located midway between Playa Del Carmen and Xelha, Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe is the crown jewel of the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort complex. This luxurious all-inclusive property has the best of both worlds: the peaceful ambience of a boutique five-star resort with the perks of a megaresort close at hand. The main lobby is decorated with a cosmopolitan chic aesthetic reminiscent of Miami’s South Beach, providing many areas to mingle or sit back and relax. Lobby terraces and balconies are furnished with trendy yet inviting seating,...
Culture and Cuisine ...
posted by Marc Kassouf
Pride Travel’s CEO Marc Kassouf explores a temple and tastes northern Thai food in Chiang Mai. Outside the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, lies Chiang Mai, a more relaxed region to the North. Popular for its eco-tourism, Chiang Mai offers a variety of culinary and...
Visting Japan After ...
posted by Nathan DePetris
A first hand report on Tokyo and the surrounding area’s recovery in the aftermath of the disaster. When I was recently offered the opportunity to travel to Japan, I jumped at the chance to see how the tourism industry was recovering from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Seeing what...
Celebrating on the River with a Christmas Market C...
posted by Marc Kassouf
A Christmas Market cruise is a unique way to spend the holidays. With the holiday and Christmas market river cruise bookings starting to heat up, TAW has taken a look at some of the major river cruise lines’ Christmas market offerings, paying attention to unique or exclusive offerings to help agents differentiate products so clients can enjoy a more festive holiday. AmaWaterways AmaWaterways sails into the holiday season with several itineraries by which to ply the rivers. Offering your clients many departure options to see the Christmas market stalls and take part in the season, Ama’s ships are some of the youngest on the waters, with a...