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Fathom establishes preferred supplier agreement with Signature Travel Network

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2015 15 October 2015

Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel, today announced its agreement to become a preferred supplier with Signature Travel Network, one of the leading networks of retail agencies in the travel industry. The relationship will enable Fathom to market to a broad audience of purpose-driven travelers by leveraging Signature’s respected cooperative travel network of 205 members across 442 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

As a preferred Signature supplier, Fathom will reach travelers through a robust network of more than 6,000 front-line travel consultants globally who have proven track records of generating sales and driving market share for suppliers. Fathom will have access to an extensive range of discerning travelers who have long-term relationships with Signature and rely on the network’s travel professionals to identify distinctive and meaningful travel opportunities.

“As a company that has created an entirely new category of travel, it is important for Fathom to have savvy business partners to engage social impact travelers – many of whom have been hungry to make an impact, but have not known where to begin,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom. “The Signature travel professionals are known for having lasting relationships with travelers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences and we feel fortunate to have a preferred partnership with them to effectively connect with our target audience of travelers.”

Signature members represent a diverse grouping of retail travel companies, including many of the nation's top multi-location, market dominant organizations; single location boutique travel specialists; cruise-only agencies: and top internet-based marketers. Signature works with its preferred supplier network to provide its member agencies with access to a wide range of exclusive offers and benefits to help close sales and build client loyalty.

“We are pleased to welcome Fathom, a travel industry innovator, to our exceptional family of preferred suppliers,” said Alex Sharpe, president and CEO at Signature Travel Network. “No other company provides what Fathom offers, and we believe Fathom will be a tremendous asset to our portfolio.”

Fathom has potential to open new revenue streams for Signature members

Launched earlier this year, Fathom is a purpose-driven company enabling travelers to immerse, learn, serve and flourish while making enduring, sustainable contributions. Fathom exists for people who want to combine their love of travel with their desire to make a difference. Fathom is developing lasting collaboration with local organizations to enable systematic, long-term educational, environmental and economic development benefits in its partner countries. Beginning in April 2016, Fathom will make its maiden voyage to the Dominican Republic and intends to begin sailing to Cuba in May 2016, subject to Cuban approval, which we are confident is forthcoming.

Fathom travelers will have the opportunity to choose from the two destinations and a range of activities – from social impact in the Dominican Republic to educational and cultural exchanges in both countries – designed to have a positive, transformative effect on the lives of the travelers and the communities they visit. Fathom expects to initially attract 37,000 annual travelers who collectively could spend a total of more than 100,000 days a year either volunteering or immersing in educational and cultural exchanges in local communities.

Prices for the seven-day trips to the Dominican Republic start at $974 per person, excluding taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences, three on-shore social impact activities and related supplies. Prices will vary by season. To secure a spot on future sailings, a fully refundable $300 per person deposit is required for all cabin categories and occupancy levels. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $1,800 per person, excluding Cuban visas, taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences and on-the-ground cultural immersion activities. Prices will vary by season. To secure a spot on future sailings, a fully refundable $600 per person deposit is required for all cabin categories and occupancy levels. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. To reserve a spot on future sailings, travelers may call 1-855-9Fathom or through a travel professional. Learn more at www.Fathom.org.

SeaDream Yacht Club announces new 2016 Wine Voyages

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2015 15 October 2015

SeaDream Yacht Club announces eight Wine Voyages designed by new Wine Director Ida Dønheim taking place from May 7 through November 5, 2016. Continuing its commitment to award-winning culinary experiences, guests onboard these itineraries will enjoy a selection of the world’s most well-known wineries, exclusive and rare wine tastings, excellent cuisine and wine pairings at the popular Winemaker’s Dinner, in which a local grower or winery shares treasures from their own cellars.

“As SeaDream continues to set the yachting vacation standard, most recently recognized as the ‘Best Niche Cruise Line’ by the experts at Virtuoso, our team understands the importance of always innovating the guest experience,” shares SeaDream Yacht Club President Bob Lepisto. “Ida’s attention to detail in every aspect of the new Wine Voyages ensures the ultimate wine experience at sea and ashore pairing our outstanding culinary team’s service with the most scenic backdrops in the world.”

SeaDream I and SeaDream II will sail along the Mediterranean coastline visiting exclusive ports and harbors in Italy, Spain, Greece and France’s renowned wine country. Each voyage will offer heightened experiences for beginners and veteran oenophiles with itineraries that have been expertly curated by Dønheim, a seasoned chef and sommelier. Activities include visits to boutique vineyards; casual tastings organized throughout sailings to highlight local producers from regions visited; and in-depth tastings that focus on a specific topic, grape or region led by Dønheim, the winemaker or an internationally recognized wine expert.

A SeaDream guest favorite, the Winemaker’s Dinner will feature top cuvees and select wines offered in earlier tastings allowing guests to experience a proper food and wine pairing and how the wine changes character when served with food. This dinner will feature a specially crafted menu to complement the wine of the winery joining for the evening.

SeaDream Yacht Club’s Wine Voyage itineraries for 2016:

– Seven-day Barcelona to Nice Wine Voyage, departing May 7, 2016 aboard SeaDream II – including overnights in Monte Carlo, Monaco and St. Tropez, France; and visitng Sanary-sur-Mer, Sete, Cannes and Nice, France; and Barcelona and Roses, Spain.

– Six-day Monte Carlo to Civitavecchia (Rome) Wine Voyage, departing May 18, 2016 aboard SeaDream II – visiting Monte Carlo, Monaco; St. Tropez, France; and Portofino, Cinque Terre, Florence, Lucca, Porto Ercole and Rome, Italy.

– Seven-day Cannes to Civitavecchia (Rome) Wine Voyage, departing June 4, 2016 aboard SeaDream I – visiting Monte Carlo, Monaco; Cannes, France; and Portofino, Cinque Terre, Florence, Elba, Porto Ercole and Rome, Italy.

– Seven-day Civitavecchia (Rome) to Athens (Piraeus) Wine Voyage, departing June 11, 2016 aboard SeaDream II – visiting Rome, Capri, Pompeii, and Taormina (Etna) Sicily, Italy; Fiskardo, Kefalonia, Galaxidi (Delphi), Corinth Canal, and Athens (Piraeus), Greece.

– Seven-day Civitavecchia (Rome) to Nice Wine Voyage, departing September 10, 2016 aboard SeaDream I – including an overnight in Monte Carlo, Monaco and visiting Porto Ercole, Elba, Florence, Cinque Terre and Portofino, Italy; and Nice, France.

– Seven-day Nice Roundtrip Wine Voyage, departing September 15, 2016 aboard SeaDream I – visiting Nice, Cannes, Sanary-sur-Mer, Cassis and St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco and San Remo, Italy.

– Seven-day Civitavecchia (Rome) to Cannes Wine Voyage, departing October 1, 2016. – visiting Rome, Elba, Florence, Cinque Terre and Portofino, Italy; and Villefranche-sur-Mer, St. Tropez and Cannes, France.

– Seven-day Cannes to Malaga Wine Voyage, departing October 29, 2016 – visiting Cannes, St. Tropez, Cassis and Collioure, France; and Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena and Malaga, Spain.

Norwegian Cruise Line announces industry leading Affinity Group Program

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2015 15 October 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line yesterday revealed a brand new Affinity Groups Program for the North American market, offering the most flexibility and strongest amenities in the cruise sector. With this industry-leading program, Norwegian is now providing affinity groups with more choices to allow greater customization based on the type of group booked, as well as the most attractive tour conductor policy in the industry.

Effective for bookings beginning December 1, 2015 for sailings January 1, 2016 and beyond, the new program offers the strongest guaranteed amenities for the life of the group, along with highly flexible amenity options and a tour conductor policy that rewards partners for genuine affinity groups.

“With our new Affinity Group Program, we have designed a product to customize a cruise for every affinity group and create the most attractive package available for group cruisers,” said Nathan Hickman, vice-president of field sales for Norwegian Cruise Line. “We’ve listened to what our travel partners have said that their customers want from an affinity program, we’ve taken action, and we’re proud to unveil this industry-leading program.”

Norwegian’s new Affinity Group Program offers three, customizable guaranteed amenity options for groups of 7-199 staterooms, ensuring that every affinity group will have an ideal package built to their needs. Options include:

– An industry-leading tour conductor policy of two complimentary berths for every 14 paid guests; or

– A tour conductor policy of one complimentary berth for every 14 paid guests, plus the choice of an Ultimate Beverage Package* or Pre-Paid Service Charges for the first and second guest in each stateroom; or

– A tour conductor policy of one complimentary berth for every 14 paid guests, plus two choices from the following options per stateroom: 250 minute Internet package; $50 Per Port Shore Excursion Credit**; 20 Image Photo Package; $75 OBC; $75 Fundraiser credit; $75 bonus commission; Group Cocktail Party; or up to a Four-Day Specialty Dining Package***

Travel partners who are interested in more details on Norwegian’s new customizable affinity group program should contact their local business development manager or visit Norwegian Central (www.norwegiancentral.com).

Cruises to account for 10% of UK holidays in 2015, strong rise on last year

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 October 2015 14 October 2015

The popularity of cruises as holiday option has increased markedly in the UK this year and the positive trend appears to continue in to 2016,research commissioned by Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) shows.

Cruises account for 10% of the British holiday market this year, an increase of three percentage points from last year. “This steady growth looks set to continue with 13% of people stating that they are planning a cruise holiday in the next 12 months,” ABTA said in a statement.

Part of the growth of cruise holidays can be attributed to returning passengers; 80% of people who have been on a cruise stated that they would like to go again. "For people who have been on a cruise, the chance to see multiple destinations tops the list of things they value about cruise holidays with the on board facilities, including catering, entertainment and accommodation, also highly prized," ABTA said

Chinese travel websites retail cruises at premium over lines’ own sites

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 October 2015 13 October 2015

Websites of Chinese travel companies retail cruises at a substantial premium over the websites of the lines themselves, said Robin Farley, cruise industry analyst at UBS in New York, adding that a wider distribution network could bring down the prices in the future.

“Looking at average price/day for sailings departing in 10 days or less on Quantum of the Seas, for example, Ctrip is garnering 60% plus premiums vs. RoyalCaribbean.com (sold directly by RCL),” she said in a research note.

“For another ship, e.g. Voyager of the Seas, Ctrip is garnering close to 22% premium vs. what RoyalCaribbean.com asks for the same sailing in terms of average cruise price/day,” Farley said.

“So the margin made by some travel sellers in China seems quite outsized. And it is not direct sales from RCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd) that will bring those margins down, as we don't expect China to have much direct business, but rather it may be likely to come from other Chinese OTAs selling cruises as well - in other words, a wider distribution network for the cruise lines.