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Traveling for Fun, Adventure & Relaxation Blog Writing Contest - $1,000 Cash Prizes

travel and vacations — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:41:46 +0000

» Win Free Cruise Vacations Contests and Giveaways

Share your travel experiences!

» Would you like to share your travel experiences from a fantastic (or not so fantastic) trip or vacation you are currently on or took in the past?

» Do you live in a popular (or not so popular) travel destination and would like to share what makes your town or city special with other travelers?

If you answered yes to either question above, you could become the lucky winner of the CruiseTrust Vacations and Trendy Traveler Community "Traveling for Fun, Adventure and Relaxation Blog Contest".

Contest Winners will be selected in 3 categories

At the end of the contest, CruiseTrust staff will determine the winners of the CruiseTrust Vacations' Traveling for Fun, Adventure and Relaxation Blogs Contest.

One First Place Winner in the category "Best Travel Blog" will receive $500.
One First Place Winner in the category "My Favorite Trip or Vacation" will receive $250.
One First Place Winner in the category "My Hometown / Destination Business is a Great Travel Destination Because..." will receive $250.

How to enter the Traveling for Fun, Adventure and Relaxation Blogs Contest:

Step 1:

Like Trendy Travel Community on Facebook, Follow @TrendyTravelers on Twitter. Updates on this and other contests will also be posted to these pages.

Follow @TrendyTravelers

Step 2:

If you are already a member of Trendy Traveler Community, sign in to myAccount and start blogging.

If you are not yet a member, sign in with your Facebook or Twitter account or register for a free account.

What can I blog about in the Trendy Travel Blogs?

Vacation and travel blogs can cover just about any topic related to travel, vacations, traveling, activities, stays etc. In addition, topics could include:

Share why you love/like traveling and give an overview of your travel experience.
How long you've been traveling, number of trips and vacations you've been on etc.
Share your experiences on a past or present trip, cruise, travel tours, hotel and resorts stays etc.
Using words, pictures and videos, share what you have done, seen, your likes, dislikes etc.
Share / show the activities in your home town, city which make it a great destination for travelers / vacationers.

How will winners be determined?

Each user blog will be reviewed by CruiseTrust Vacations staff and three winners will be selected for 1 first place prize in 3 different categories.
Winners will be determined based on several criteria including:
- The inspiration nature of the blog posting or postings.
- The number and quality of blog entries.
- The completeness of each user blog including the use of images and videos in entries.
- The number of times blog entries have been shared by other members / readers on social media and related sites.
- The number and quality of comments added to blog entries.
CruiseTrust Vacations staff will at their sole descretion determine the winners and all decisions are final.

How can I promote my blog so that more people share my links?

Share a link to your blog with your family, friends and fans on Twitter, Facebook etc.
Add a link on any other blog or website you have to your Trendy Traveler Community Blog.
Add a link to your blog to your email signature.
Send an invite to your friends to check out your blog and share the link with their friends.
Ask your friends to vote for your blog / entries as their favorite by clicking the social media links on your blog / entries and sharing your links on their social media pages.

Contest Dates

Contest begins at 12:00 a.m. EST on March 2, 2012

Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on August 31, 2012

Contest preview period ends 11:59 p.m. EST on March 1, 2012*

See Traveling for Fun, Adventure and Relaxation Blog Contest Rules

* Blog entries made in TrendyTraveler's Travel Blog during the contest preview period are subject to the same qualification and eligibility rules as entries made during the contest period.

This contest is listed on the following contest directories...

Ten Reasons It's Best to Use a Travel Agent

travel and vacations — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:33:54 +0000

The following is an open letter from Joseph A. Watters, President of Crystal Cruises to newspaper and magazine travel editors.

Dear Travel Editor,

"Why should I use a travel agent?"

As a veteran travel executive, that's a question I'm often asked. Today, with the overwhelming number of sources for travel information (the Internet, cable television, newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, etc.), it's no wonder the consumer is confused. Yet that's precisely why the services of a professional travel consultant are more valuable than ever.

In January, the television news magazine, 20/20, reported the results of a test in which travel agents beat consumers at uncovering the best airfares. However, it is much more than the "lowest fare" that provides the compelling argument for a good travel agent.

The best thing an agent can do is to match up a traveler with the vacation that's right for them. The professional travel consultant builds relationships with their clients to learn their interests and lifestyles, as well as their dispositions.

Some of the important services provided free or for a nominal charge, by travel agents:

1. Distilling the product information:

Through an on-going and time-consuming process of familiarization, continuing education and customer feedback, the agent becomes a travel expert.

2. Investigating and supplying competitive information:

No single supplier is going to advise a consumer that a better route or a better fare is available on a competing carrier.

3. Staying abreast of the most current and timely promotions:

Via daily faxes, agent-only e-mail transmissions, and their relationships with their district sales managers, agents are obtaining the most current promotional information.

4. Analyzing the current promotions:

The cheapest is not always the best.

5. Clarifying the fine print, such as cancellation penalties and restrictions:

Again, the benefits of a professional's experience can save a traveler money . . . and headaches.

6. Making recommendations for travel-related options:

Travel agents share the to pack.

7. Simplifying the research and subsequent transaction:

Like a personal shopper, agents can provide one-stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, cruise accommodations and hotel stays - with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier.

8. Enhancing the trip with value-added benefits and amenities:

Agents can add to the client's experience by sending a bottle of wine, providing a special land package, a specific escort or other customer amenities.

9. Using their clout to obtain the best possible in seemingly impossible situations:

Whether it's airline seats, hotel rooms or cruise space, the travel agent has more buying power than the consumer.

10. Getting problems resolved:

The agent serves as the consumer's advocate in the event something inadvertently goes wrong.

The use of outside service providers for many transactions, such as tax preparation, isn't questioned. Similarly, if one is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, as well as a good chunk of valuable leisure time, it makes great sense to use a professional.

I hope you'll consider sharing this information in future consumer interest columns.

Sincerely,

JOSEPH A. WATTERS President

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