Companies Add Special Incentives to Help Boost Travel
USTOA Surveys Membership
Fewer than six weeks following the World Trade Center disaster, the United States Tour Operators Association -- whose members move more than 10 million travelers annually -- has polled its membership to find how companies are responding to a changed travel environment.
A representative sampling of 16 USTOA member companies reveals that:
- Of 12 responding companies, 8 -- or 66% -- have cut back on departures.
- Five companies out of twelve -- or 42% -- have responded by adding special packages or tours.
- Seven companies -- or 63% -- out of 11 responding have added special incentives.
Of responding tour operators, three each offered specials through December and through January respectively, with one company offering until November 30. Two companies extended their offers through March 2002, and one company through December 2002.
Hawaii and Europe proved the most popular destinations for special offers, with three companies offering specials to Hawaii, and four to Europe.
Below is a summary of some specials available.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
America West Vacations
"Vegas Vacations" package, 3 days
$96, Valid through November 30.
Includes airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Las Vegas,
and two nights accommodations at the Imperial Palace hotel.
Represents 45% savings over normal for this time of year.
Delta Vacations
Special "Fly Now, Fly FREE Later" 5 day packages
valid through January 31, 2002,
on air-inclusive packages from all Delta gateways to Orlando,
Hawaii, Mexico, California, and USA Ski packages.
Travelers receive one free airline ticket for future use. Package
includes air, hotel, hotel taxes and local transportation, plus
travel protection insurance (required).
Classic Custom Vacations
5-nights Hawaii, $672 land only. Valid through December
20.
Special package to the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on Maui, Hawaii.
Fifth night free, breakfast for two daily, and one category upgrade
to a shoreline view room
Runaway
"Big Kahuna" Special offer to Hawaii, valid
through January 31, 2002. One day free for three paid days; 2
free days for 5 paid days at Outrigger hotels. Land only, with
low air fares available from all US gateways.
Represents savings of up to 25% of normal prices for this time
of year.
General Tours
Panama Breeze tour, 6 days. $499, including air from
New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta. Valid through March
31, 2002.
Includes: Tour of Panama City, visit to Mira Flores locks of
the Panama Canal, and free time for optional activities. Special
rates for kids from $399.
Gateways: New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta
OVERSEAS
Sunny Land Tours
"Best of Europe" special incentive, 9 days,
$699 air inclusive from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington
Dulles. Valid through Jan. 31, 2002.
Round trip air on Lufthansa, 7 nights' accommodation with daily
breakfast, touring of Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.
Represents savings of up to $500 over normal for this time of
year.
Uniworld
Special "Imperial Europe" 8 - 11 day tours,
from $898 air-inclusive from New York. Add-on fares from all
major gateways. Through March 28, 2002.
Fully escorted tour visits Prague, Vienna, and/or Budapest with
accommodations in first class or deluxe hotels, dinners in local
restaurants, opera and concert performances.
Maupintour
Travelers making a new booking receive a "Share the Experience" 10% discount incentive for the traveler and companion, when required deposit is made by December. 31. The incentive applies to any 2002 Maupintour escorted vacation or independent MaupinWaterways European canal and river cruise beginning January 1, with travel completed by December 31, 2002.
Trafalgar Tours
"Trafalgar's Winter Breaks Companion Airfare Special" offers a 50% savings on the second person traveling. Valid for select departures on Trafalgar's Winter Breaks air-inclusive, escorted vacations on either American or Continental Airlines from any domestic gateway to Paris, London, Madrid, Frankfurt, Dublin, Lisbon, Rome or Milan, depending on the airline. Bookings must be made prior to December 31 for Trafalgar's Winter Breaks tours departing Nov 1, 2001 to April 15, 2002.
Tours include breakfast daily, some dinner, sightseeing, deluxe motor coach transportation, first class hotel accommodations and the services of a professional tour director. Represents a 50% savings on the second person's airfare over regular price for the same time frame.
Sita World Travel
Special offer 5% discount on selected air-inclusive
scheduled departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York
(JFK) booked and under deposit prior to December 31, 2001. Discount
is good for travel through Dec. 31, 2002 to Africa, India, the
Orient, and South Pacific.
Represents a savings of $150 - $500 off the regular price.
Not special, but still good value for this time of year
Pacific Delight
Hong Kong Kaleidoscope, 8 days/6 nights, $665 air inclusive from Newark, with free add-on air fares from 35 cities. Valid through March 31, 2002.
The locally hosted package, which represents significant savings, includes round-trip transpacific air transportation via Continental Airlines, choice of deluxe or superior first class hotels, round-trip transfers between airport and hotel, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges, a half-day Hong Kong Island tour; Bonus Museum Pass; daily complimentary cultural activities, and free $100,000 Automatic Flight Insurance for transpacific air reservations ticketed by Pacific Delight Tours.
For a listing of USTOA members and the destinations they serve,
consult the USTOA web site, www.ustoa.com. For a free copy of
"The Smart Traveler's Planning Kit," phone 1-800-GO-USTOA
(468-7862).
Public Relations Contact:
Linda Kundell Communications
(212) 877-2798, (212) 877-3387 fax
(For all other inquiries about USTOA, please contact USTOA.)
