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Trade Bytes
Globus & Cosmos introduces 'I know Americas' certification programme
ETW staff - Mumbai
Following the success of India's first complete Europe certification
'I Know Europe' (IKE) the Globus brand family has launched India's first 'I
Know Americas' (IKA) certification programme.
"The IKE has brought our expertise in Europe to the
forefront in the past two years, and the year 2008 marking 80 years of our operation
is only added reason to launch the 'I know Americas' certification, through
which we are aiming to highlight the diversity of our vacation experiences to
the American continent," says Gauri Jayaram, regional director, South Asia
and the Middle East.
With a choice of over 100 vacations to North and South America,
the Globus family of brands has one of the largest selections of vacations to
the Americas for the Indian travel agent ranging from panoramic tours, Alaskan
cruises, Canadian rail journeys to self-drives and city getaways.
"With US visa policies easing out, a high natural demand
for that region, increasing direct flights to the continent, the lack of established
American NTOs and a shift in travel choices to exotic destinations like Peru
and Mexico, it is time that we take serious steps to upgrade the knowledge levels
for the region," continued Jayaram.
The programme will have various modules that will cover in-depth
destination knowledge on USA including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and
many of the South American countries. This programme, like its European version,
will continue to have interactive sessions in imparting the relevant information
and an examination at the end of the training to certify the agents.
With few established NTOs in India for this region, the Globus
brand is especially flying destination experts in from their product team in
the USA to train the Indian travel agents. Pamela Hoffee, vice president of
product and operations, who is part of this US delegation, is responsible for
developing and operating all of the company's North and South America products.
The 'I Know Americas' programme will be held in three cities
this year - at Bangalore, Mumbai and in Delhi. Eighty per cent of the seats
in each city are reserved and are on invitation-only basis, and the remaining
20 per cent are available for open registration from June 15 onwards.
| As part of their 80th anniversary celebrations, Globus
& Cosmos, one of the world's largest escorted travel companies, have
announced many new initiatives to benefit both the Indian outbound traveller
and their travel partners. The celebrations will include great savings,
discovery through new vacations and destinations, higher investment in consumer
activities and some unique opportunities for the trade to sample their vacations.
One of their unique opportunities is the launch of 'Steal a Vacation!',
wherein the travellers can avail of special savings on specific departures
each month, right until December 2008. Travellers can save up to US$ 600
a couple on the niche river cruising brand Avalon Waterways, upto $ 400
on a first class Globus Vacations in Europe and up to $ 300 on value brand
of Cosmos Vacations to both Europe and North America! The choice of tours
and departure dates is subject to change on a monthly basis and travel agents
will be appraised each month of the chosen new vacation so they can offer
the best deals to their clients.
Since a lot of Indians travel with their families
and friends, the Globus family of brands has also made it easier for them
to travel with savings even if the group is small. They are offering from
US$ 500 off on a group of five persons all the way to one person travelling
free for a group of eight people.
2008 is also an important year of focus on the
Americas for the Globus Family of Brands. To promote their North America
vacations they have introduced special price-offs of upto $ 200 per couple
on select Globus and Monograms vacations and free extensions on select
Cosmos Vacations.
Moreover, the company has attractive promotions
in place for the travel industry as well to induce trial of the vacations.
Travel agents can get a 75 per cent discount for themselves and a companion
on a North America vacation and a 50 per cent off on a Europe vacation
on selling just five passengers to these destinations.
Also, to mark this milestone of their 80th Anniversary,
Globus & Cosmos has launched an exclusive collection of Platinum vacations
for its premium brand Globus to both North America & Europe. They
include superior hotels which have been carefully picked for their location
and are more leisurely paced to allow travellers to immerse themselves
in the local culture. This is ideal for those who want luxury in escorted
travel. There is also a new range of destinations from an exclusive vacation
to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in North America, a new cruise
on the rivers of France, a heritage vacation to Germany, gourmet vacations,
including the food and wine experience and anniversary special departure
on some vacations.
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