New Opportunities Added to ASTA's IDE 2010

Certification seminar, hotels new to line-up

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. December 09, 2009

ALEXANDRIA, VA, December 9,2009 - Those planning to attend ASTA's upcoming International Destination Expo in Istanbul (April 19-22, 2010) now have an additional certification course they can attend, as well as several new hotel options from which to choose.

“ASTA continues to enhance the offerings for attendees to its International Destination Expo, presenting them with cutting-edge educational sessions and the chance to become a certified expert on Turkey and the surrounding regions,” said Chris Russo, ASTA's president and chair. “Nowhere else can today's travel agent find that kind of hands-on learning.”

The following educational session has been added:

Certification Session
Treasures of Southern Europe. Presented by Anna Fesmire, CTC, DS. Courtesy of The Travel Institute. Travel agents looking to strengthen their appeal to sophisticated upscale travelers will learn how to sell six countries in southern Europe—Andorra, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Malta, Monaco and San Marino—that hold attractions out of proportion to their size. Among the smallest and oldest countries in the world, these nations offer something for a wide range of travelers: summer and winter sports, luxury goods at bargain prices, distinctive cuisines that reflect their multi-ethnic populations and fascinating history as reflected in art, architecture, and cultural practices. Travel agents can expand their knowledge in this two-hour, interactive session then exercise an option to return for The Travel Institute's Destination Specialist test to verify their grasp of essential details.

Qualified travel agents and journalists who register to attend IDE also receive free accommodation for the four nights of the conference. New to the already listed five-star hotels are the:

• Marmara Hotel Taksim . Rising 20 stories, the Marmara Taksim is a deluxe five-star hotel for both business and leisure travelers who want the very best. The hotel, a landmark building, is at the center of the business, shopping, theater and entertainment districts in the heart of Istanbul, Taksim Square.
• Ramada Plaza Hotel . Walking distance from Taksim Square, the Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Center and Nisantasi, Istanbul's most in-vogue district, the Ramada Plaza is where comfort and aesthetic meet. The property marries cozy ambiance and high-tech facilities, featuring a self-controlled air conditioning system, satellite connection, LCD televisions with Pay TV and private TV channels, data port and WIFI access.
• Grand Cevahir Hotel . The Grand Cevahir Hotel and Centre has been designed to offer a combination of five-star technology with five-star comfort. It's located 18 km from Ataturk Airport and a few minutes away from Mecidiyeköy, Sisli and Taksim Square, which are significant business centers. Traditional Turkish cuisine is served in the Deliz and Sultan restaurants, which can serve up to 2,000 people in Europe's Biggest Ball Room.

Check www.ASTA.org/expo to register for IDE and see which hotels are available. For more information or to register, go to ASTA.org/events.

The mission of ASTA (the American Society of Travel Agents) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.