Tour Ops Offer Early Booking Sales and Incentives
by Robin AmsterSave on 2014 MLT Vacations
MLT Vacations announced a 2014 Early Booking Sale on packages to Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Hawaii. The sale is available through Delta Vacations, United Vacations and Aeromexico Vacations. Travel agents can save clients up to 65% on the hotel portion of Delta Vacations or United Vacations packages and up to 50% on Aeromexico Vacations. The Aeromexico packages also include reduced airfares on the carrier. The booking deadline is Sept. 30 for travel between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2014.
TI Offers Early Booking Incentive
Travel Impressions is offering early booking incentives in advance of the upcoming winter opening of the new Iberostar Playa Mita on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. Three-night all-inclusive packages start at $670 per person, a savings of $408 per couple, for bookings received through Sept. 30 for travel from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014. The new all-inclusive resort will have eight bars, four specialty restaurants, a fitness center, tennis courts, full-service spa and Iberostar’s signature Kids Club.
IsramWorld Launches New ‘Value’ Subsidiary
IsramWorld introduced Vistas, a series of new value-priced travel experiences. Vista’s first e-brochure features 12 tours throughout the world including Brazil, Central Europe, Israel, Morocco, Peru, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Vietnam. The programs include accommodations, sightseeing, guides, entrance fees and transfers. “For quite a while, agents have been asking us for programs that don’t skimp on quality, but have fewer frills than our traditional, upscale product line,” said Ady Gelber, president and CEO. “Vistas was designed to fill that niche.”
Tauck Adds River Cruises for 2014
Tauck Tours introduced two new Seine River cruises aboard the ms Swiss Sapphire for 2014. Its Cruising the Seine Plus Versailles, Paris & London, priced from $6,790 plus airfare, features a two-night London stay and a nine-day cruise. The 10-day Rendezvous on the Seine program includes two nights in Paris and a seven-day cruise. Rates start at $4,590 plus airfare. The company also announced that its Rhone and Saone River cruises will sail aboard the newly-renovated ms Swiss Emerald. The ms Inspire and ms Savor, Tauck’s new and larger riverboats, are set to launch next year.
New Tours to Cuba
International Expeditions introduced two Cuba programs for 2014. The nine-day Classic Art & Culture of Havana program is an in-depth exploration of Old Havana and Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prices start at $4,998. The 10-day Complete Cuba tour surveys Trinidad, Cienfuegos, the Bay of Pigs, Vinales and Havana. It’s priced from $4,498. Both trips offer free-ranging discussions and local interaction focusing on Cuban life and culture.

