Month: March 2019

 Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, is launching the 2nd edition of its annual “Global Partner Appreciation Event” beginning March 4th to demonstrate the invaluable support it has received from and extend the gratitude it feels toward the travel advisor community worldwide.

Set to run between March 4 – 31, 2019, the line’s global sales teams in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia will reinforce and strengthen their commitment to travel partners through a robust schedule of activities, including seminars, webinars, conferences, events, and in-person meetings. Taken together, the activities will offer opportunity for the teams to share stories and details of developments from Seabourn, including new itineraries and company news. The series of events provided by Seabourn ensure that travel advisors understand the cornerstones of the “Seabourn Difference” and are fully equipped to grow their own business, increase luxury sales, and identify new to cruise guests.

“Our travel advisor partners have long been invaluable to Seabourn, and we want to continue to support their growth and success,” said Chris Austin, Seabourn’s senior vice president of global marketing and sales. “This 2nd annual Global Partner Appreciation Event offers our teams the opportunity to share stories, news and promotions with our partners so that they are up-to-date and armed with the latest information on Seabourn to share with their clients. Above all, the event is a great way for us to thank our partners and show them that our appreciation for their support, commitment and advocacy grows stronger every year and will continue into the future.”

As part of the current “Global Partner Appreciation Event,” Seabourn is offering a nearly month-long promotion with a number of benefits on select Seabourn sailings, including:

• Complimentary Veranda for Ocean View or two or three Veranda Suite category upgrades.
• Up to USD$1,000 shipboard credit per suite (Penthouse or Premium suites only).
• The Appreciation Event further includes a bonus commission of $250USD ($325CAD) for booking a Penthouse Suite and $500USD ($650CAD) for a Premium Suite.
• Travel advisors can earn additional rewards when they check out the newly relaunched Seabourn Academy training program and become a graduate, including special fare pricing and continuing education credits.
• Enhanced group amenities during the event to help secure more business.

The promotion is applicable to select summer 2019 and winter/spring 2020 sailings and certain restrictions apply.

A pioneer in ultra-luxury cruising, for over three decades Seabourn has earned wide acclaim and numerous accolades from cruise industry observers, travel professionals and travelers alike since launching its first vessel in 1988. Seabourn introduced luxury travelers to a fleet of intimate ships that emulated the world’s finest yachts. Now, with an active five-ship ultra-luxury fleet and two new purpose-built ultra-luxury expedition ships on the way, Seabourn presents to its guests curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning experiences in the newest and most consistent fleet in the industry.

Seabourn continues to represent the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all 100% ocean front; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award- winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations, including marquee cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways.

Guests who sail on Seabourn will continue to find a number of innovative offerings and programs, including partnerships with a select group of companies and individuals whose dedication to superior quality, exceptional service and consistent customer satisfaction matches Seabourn. These programs include 'An Evening with Tim Rice', the new evening entertainment experience created exclusively for the line in association with Belinda King Creative Productions; Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being; and The Grill by Thomas Keller, reminiscent of the classic American restaurant from the 50’s and 60’s. Exclusive to Seabourn, The Grill is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, focusing on updated versions of iconic dishes. Guests will be treated to table-side preparations of Caesar salad and ice cream sundaes, as well as a range of other favorites like premium steaks, whole roasted chicken, and Lobster Thermidor, presented à la carte.

Source: www.seabourn.com

South African Airways (SAA) has enhanced connectivity for its customers travelling to, from and beyond the West Africa region following the successful completion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Africa World Airlines (AWA), the airline’s Ghanaian partners.

The CEOs of SAA and AWA, Mr Vuyani Jarana and Mr John Quan, respectively, today officially signed the MOU at the Ghana Ministry of Aviation in Accra, Ghana.
Hon. Joseph Kofi Adda, the Ghana Minister of Aviation, officiated at the event.

The MOU allows the two airlines to enhance their relationship through synergies that include code sharing, franchising and any other related projects.

“As part of our turnaround strategy, we are constantly looking at ways of improving our customers’ travel experiences. This agreement gives our customers seamless connections from Johannesburg into more destinations in Ghana and other West African destinations.

“The agreement augments SAA’s popular and successful Ghana operations and offers customers a host of additional travel options in Ghana as well as further afield in the African West Coast region.

“As the leading carrier on the continent, our aim is to improve air travel connections on the continent through partnerships and this agreement with AWA goes a long way towards improving intra-African travel,” says Vuyani Jarana, SAA CEO.

“This agreement with South African Airways will help consolidate Africa World Airlines’ position as one of the leading airlines in West Africa. We are excited by the potential that this African partnership can deliver, and are confident that it will be a win-win relationship for both sides,” says John Quan, AWA CEO.

SAA and Africa World Airlines formed a relationship in 2015, which resulted in the commencement of the Accra to Washington Dulles flights.  SAA operates daily flights between Johannesburg and Accra, with four of the flights continuing onwards to Washington; and the other three flights continue onwards to Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

SAA’s relationship with AWA has since grown from the original commercial co-operation into the new interline commercial agreement, which became possible when SAA finalised technology integration with AWA in November. The interline agreement allows the acceptance of each other’s customers and access to each other’s network.

SAA customers will fly from Accra on SAA operated flights and then connect to further destinations on flights operated by AWA.

Over the coming months the interline agreement will evolve into a code share agreement.

SAA customers will then travel on one ticket from Johannesburg to Accra, or from Washington to Accra, and onwards to a number of destinations such as Kumasi in central Ghana, Tamale in the north, and Takoradi in the west. SAA customers will also be able to connect from Accra to Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria, Freetown in Sierra Leone, and Monrovia in Liberia.

In turn, customers of Africa World Airlines travelling from Ghana, Lagos, Abuja, Freetown, and Monrovia, are able to travel on one ticket from any AWA point of origin and connect onto SAA international flights to either Washington D.C. or Johannesburg, or further on the SAA network.

With effect from April SAA increases the frequency from Accra to Washington to five flights per week. SAA offers the only nonstop flight between Ghana and Washington D.C. and convenient connections to / from over 100 cities across the U.S. and Canada through its Star Alliance partner, United Airlines via Washington, D.C.-Dulles.

Source: www.flysaa.com