Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, consisting of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, just 58 miles from Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. A true gem of the ancient world, it's home to 7,000 years of human history, an incredible culinary scene and beautiful beaches and dive spots. It's also well-positioned to welcome all types of travelers, from luxury clients to budget-conscious backpackers. Curious to learn more about Malta's travel specialist program? Click through the slideshow to learn more!  Adblock test (Why?)

The American Society of Travel Advisors has joined forces with Discover Puerto to host the 2023 ASTA Global Convention (AGC) in San Juan at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino and the Puerto Rico Convention Center, May 2-4, 2023.Based on member feedback, ASTA moved the AGC dates from late August to early May.ADVERTISING Trending Now Travel advisors who register for the 2022 AGC in San Francisco, August 24-26, 2022, by August 5 will be privy to $100 off the registration free for the AGC in Puerto Rico – and also receive early access to all sightseeing tours.ACG 2023 will include also include pre- and post- educational tours that explore Puerto Rico.“We’re thrilled to partner with our friends at Discover Puerto Rico for the 2023 ASTA Global Convention,” said ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby. “Puerto Rico has been a longstanding partner of ASTA. By hosting the Global Convention, Discover Puerto Rico is committing significant resources to support travel advisors who want to learn, or become certified, in selling Puerto Rico.”Added Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean, “We are delighted to partner with ASTA to host their 2023 Global Convention. “Travel advisors are at the core of our industry, and these days, in which we are imagining and creating new paths to reignite and reshape travel, we want to be facilitators of the process and support our great partners.”For the latest insight on travel around the world, check out this interactive guide.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter. Adblock test (Why?)

The Travvy Awards are returning for their eighth year in 2022 and voting is now officially open ahead of November's highly anticipated awards gala at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.This year's iteration of the Academy Awards of the travel industry, sponsored by Allianz Partners, Hotel Xcaret Arte and La Coleccion Resorts by Fiesta Americana, takes place on November 3 and will recognize the top suppliers, destinations, hotels and resorts, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, technology providers and attractions, among others across the industry.The TravelPulse and AGENTatHOME editorial teams have chosen the initial nominees in each category to be voted on by those who know them best—travel advisors, who can click here to cast their votes now.Last year, votes were cast in more than 140 different categories by thousands of travel advisor readers of AGENTatHOME and TravelPulse.com. In addition to being honored at November's awards gala, winners will be showcased in AGENTatHOME Magazine and profiled on TravelPulse.com"The Travvy Awards are all about honoring the best of the best in the travel industry," said Eric Bowman, Executive Editor for TravelPulse. "We are thrilled to be hosting and reconnecting with the best and the brightest in beautiful Fort Lauderdale this year."For the latest news and information about the 2022 Travvy Awards, sign up here to receive TravelPulse in your inbox every morning. Contact your Sales Director now to confirm a Sponsorship Opportunity; limited opportunities are available. Adblock test (Why?)

Last month, the Travel A.L.L.I.E.S. Society played host to the fourth annual Female Leaders in Travel Conclave at El Cielo Winery in Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley, Mexico, and included 68 women whose travel agencies collectively garner sales of upward $1 billion annually.“In support of the Travel A.L.L.I.E.S. Society’s mission to grow the leader, this event focused on understanding that leadership post-pandemic is different and requires that leaders recognize they can no longer lead the same as they did pre-pandemic,” said Female Leaders in Travel Conclave CEO Jennifer Doncsecz, who is also president of VIP Vacations.ADVERTISING“One of the greatest leadership hacks I have learned from attending this event every year is that women are stronger leaders when they are supported and encouraged by other women and this event creates a safe space where women can feel that support and encouragement, even if they don’t realize they need it,” she said. Trending Now This year’s meeting also put the spotlight on “taking control of the narrative as leaders versus simply running in the hamster wheel each day,” Doncsecz said, adding that the group also created “a leadership vision, formally writing goals for leadership, which is different than writing down business goals.”The four-day event’s keynote speaker was Jennifer Zawadzki, CEO of Future You Project, who focused on creating a vision for leadership.“Other topics included advice on taking risks, methods to handling career disappointments, as well as tactics to combat habits/behaviors that hold women back,” Doncsecz said.During the event, which was held from June 4-8, Classic Vacations CEO Melissa Krueger received the organization’s Luminary Award.Dolores Lopez Lira, co-owner of El Cielo Winery, suggested hosting the event here, Doncsecz said.“Her determination and generosity came to fruition as this event and location was a resounding success.”The event also included executives from Classic Vacations, American Airlines, Globus Family of Brands, Travel Insured, ALG Vacations, Hard Rock AIC, Sandals/Beaches Resorts, Iberostar Resorts, Playa Resorts, Hawaii Visitors Convention Bureau, and Collette Vacations.For the uninitiated, the Female Leaders in Travel Conclave “began with 20 women who came together as a support group, so to speak,” Doncsecz said.“Beyond the number of attendees tripling, this event now has formal speakers, panels and leadership-driven content, and the added bonus is the support system that continues to weave through the event.”For its part, “the Travel A.L.L.I.E.S. Society’s foundation was rooted in the mission that began with Female Leaders,” Doncsecz said.Travel A.L.L.I.E.S. is the formal organization under which Female Leaders falls, with members who are both male and female, she added.For the latest insight on travel around the world, check out this interactive guide.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter. Adblock test (Why?)

Villas of Distinction is offering a new travel advisor booking bonus in the form of a $150 Visa gift card for every new booking made between July 10 through July 23, 2022 for travel through December 31, 2023.High gas prices have spurred the new travel advisor booking bonus. In addition to the bonus, travel advisors can offer clients a variety of deals from Villas of Distinction, including 20 percent off select villas in Turks & Caicos, 25 percent off select villas in Grand Cayman and up to 15 percent off select villas in Orlando, Florida, all for a limited time.ADVERTISING Trending Now “Every opportunity we get, we want to show appreciation to our travel advisor partners,” said Steve Lassman, vice president villa product & agency relations for Villas of Distinction. “To help alleviate some travel stressors for our valued advisors, whether they are taking a vacation or commuting to work, they can get a tank of gas on us." Travel advisors can learn more about the booking bonus on Villas of Distinction’s travel advisor-specific website. For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter. Adblock test (Why?)

Scenic Group is now offering an Advance Commission Program, guaranteeing commissions for travel advisors only 21 days after their clients pay in full at least six months prior to departure on all bookings made now through the end of the year on any Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises ocean or river cruise. Trending Now ADVERTISINGTravel advisors must be registered with Scenic Group USA to receive their advanced commission. Clients who pay in full six months or more before their departure date will also receive pay-in-full savings from Emerald and Scenic. “We are immensely grateful for the hard work and perseverance our travel partners have shown during two of the toughest years the travel industry has ever seen,” offered Ann Chamberlin, VP Sales, Scenic Group USA. “In an effort to thank them for their loyalty and reward their ongoing sales efforts as travel makes a comeback, we’ve launched this program to help ensure they will have money in their pockets faster.”The Advance Commission Program is open to all U.S.-based travel advisors and is limited to bookings made in United States dollars only. In the case of a cancellation, clients will be refunded their entire trip and the travel advisor must give back the advanced commission to the Scenic Group.For the latest travel news, updates, and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is already seeing results from its efforts on the Hill during its Legislative Day, June 23, 2022.Following the event, ASTA noted that it is seeing a real-time impact. So far, a total of 11 bipartisan cosponsors have been added to its priority bills: the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act (H.R. 6161/S. 3625) and the Visit America Act (H.R. 6965/S. 3375).ADVERTISING Trending Now The representatives include Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Garret Graves (R-LA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Ann Wagner (R-MO). “As we have said time and time again, in advocacy there is nothing more impactful than constituents coming to D.C. to meet with their legislators face-to-face,” said Eben Peck, ASTA's Executive Vice President for Advocacy.“Those who attended Legislative Day were critical to helping us move the ball down the field toward our advocacy goals, including restoration of the Employee Retention Tax Credit and the Visit America Act. Advocacy is a year-round activity, but Leg Day is absolutely central to what we do in Washington. We hope more advisors join us next year – June 20-21!”ASTA is already starting to encourage travel advisors to participate in next year's Legislative Day event, which will take place on June 20-21, 2023. Adblock test (Why?)

The Elements of a Uniquely American Vacation Can Be Found in Naples, Marco Island and The Everglades Clients looking for a relaxing beach vacation in pristine surroundings that nonetheless offer a luxurious experience will do well to consider Florida's Paradise Coast -- a haven of natural and artfully crafted treasures that has evolved in and around the Everglades. Near the edge of this great American national park, visitors will find the sophisticated seaside city of Naples and the casually elegant Marco Island -- along with a distinctive local culture that embraces everything from art galleries and creative cuisine to golf and swamp buggy races to roadside attractions. This slideshow will explain some of the destination's most compelling features to inspire a vacation like no other. Adblock test (Why?)

Luxury travelers are booking their dream trips this summer. After two years of staying home during the pandemic, travel advisors are seeing high demand for bucket-list destinations, multigenerational vacations and unique experiences.Global Travel Collection (GTC) travel advisors have said that the United Kingdom is one of the most-booked destinations abroad. The top 15 include Italy, France, Israel, Spain, Switzerland, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Germany, followed by South Africa, Ireland, Australia, the Dominican Republic and Portugal.ADVERTISINGTravel advisors noted that their clients are ready to spend and that some are even booking multiple trips. “Europe is in high demand this summer, with destinations like Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy the most booked,” said Tiffany Bowne, with All Star Travel Group, a brand within GTC. “My luxury travel clients do a combination of experiences, like cooking classes, hiking/biking excursions and immersive activities connecting them to the place, as well as making sure they have dining reservations at the top spots.”Carolyn Consalvo of Andrew Harper, an agency that is part of GTC, noted that, in addition to Europe, beach vacations and Alaska cruises are popular with clients.“I would say most people are looking for destinations where they can be outdoors a majority of the time,” said Consalvo.Shayna Mizrahi, with In The Know Experiences, also part of GTC, pointed out that many people have turned their bucket lists into to-do lists. Woman walking along a wooden jetty in the Maldives. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / SHansche) “Many of my clients want to travel to their dream locations,” said Mizrahi, noting that these include destinations such as the Maldives, southern Italy’s Amalfi coast, Australia and Hawaii.Working remotely has also made travel to far-flung destinations more plausible for some.“The demographics of my most active luxury travelers today are young professionals, who now can work remotely from anywhere and are choosing to combine this with unique luxury trips," said Diana Castillo, with Protravel International of GTC. Trending Now Demand is high and that means that many people are having to pay a premium to get what they want, and today's clients are willing to do that.“The greatest challenge in selling luxury travel right now is the severely limited space and availability for flights and hotel rooms in the most desirable destinations,” said Leslie Tillem, with Tzell Travel Group of GTC. “We are seeing extraordinary demand in luxury travel across the spectrum, leading to a lack of availability at any price.”Travelers are also finding value in travel advisors who can often find and book exclusive, sought-after destinations for them saving them time and finding the unique activities and accommodations that they are looking for.“Your time is precious, and you want the assistance of an expert to help you plan your vacation,” said Angie Licea, president of GTC. “Our luxury travel advisors have years of experience putting together trips for their clients, as well as firsthand knowledge of the world’s most popular destinations. They stay on top of the trends in luxury travel and deliver concierge-level service. Plus, travelers have the comfort of knowing that there’s a human being they can call whenever they have a question or concern.” Adblock test (Why?)

Palladium Hotel Group and its various award-winning brands offer travelers luxe hotels and resorts located in some of the world's most sought-after destinations, including the Caribean, Europe and South America. Whether your clients are in the market for an adults-only all-inclusive vacation or a family-friendly property with all of the kid-friendly amenities, Palladium has you covered, and the Palladium Connect partnership program is here to make sure that partner travel advisors have all the tools they need to sell these resorts with confidence and get rewarded along the way. Adblock test (Why?)