Located in southern Kenya, near the Tanzanian border, Amboseli National Park is more than an afterthought to the great Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon. It has the “Big 5” of African animals to witness on safaris, large elephant herds, and is home to the proud Maasai tribe. Not to mention plenty of options for a few nights’ stay, from lodges to luxury camping.

The landscapes of Amboseli National Park range from the seemingly endless savannahs to the woodlands of acacia trees, to the swamps created by the runoff of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Impossible to overlook, Mt. Kilimanjaro is approximately 30 miles away. Views of this almost 20,000-foot-high mountain capture the attention and curiosity of travelers and locals alike–images memorialized in the minds of all who bask in the present scene. And particularly for those who enjoy photography.

On February 29, Collette announced that US travel advisors will earn an extra $100 for each booking made in March 2024. This applies to tours departing through March 31, 2025.

And, for the big questions, there is no limit on what US advisors can earn with this offer… and Collette has said the bonus cash will be paid out in April 2024, even if the travelers cancel their bookings. The booking must be active at the time of payout.

“We value travel advisors and want to see them succeed,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, chief executive officer at Collette. “This offer is one more way for us to show them our appreciation when they provide their customers with their expertise in planning a dream vacation.”

Adding to this, advisors will earn up to a $200 bonus with Collette’s Advanced Commission Program. These bonus cash payments are valid on new retail bookings only and are not applicable for group bookings.

For more information, please visit https://www.gocollette.com/en.

Collette, America’s oldest tour operator, passed another milestone in its 106-year history last week with the promotion of Jaclyn Leibl-Cote from president to CEO. She succeeds her father, Dan Sullivan Jr., who became CEO in 1990, and now will serve as executive chairman. Leibl-Cote is only the fourth person to take the top position since the company was founded in 1918 by Jack Collette. In 1918, the term “CEO” was not used; but Jack Collette was the equivalent for the time, the founder and owner. He ran the company until 1962 when he sold it to Dan Sullivan Sr., the grandfather of Jaclyn Leibl-Cote. She is the first female CEO of the company. Read the rest of this entry »

On dates ranging from March 17^th to October 11^th of 2024, Collette will be offering a special version of their ‘Memorials of World War II’ tour. The tour will focus on the 80^th anniversary of D-Day, June 6^th, 1944, during World War II.

The special tour will take the traveler through cities like London, where the traveler will learn about what is like during The Blitz and travel across the English Channel.

Also on the itinerary is France, specifically the first French town liberated from the Nazis, Saint-Mère-Église. While the tour ends in Paris, the city of light, with a dinner cruise along the Seine River.

And of course, a chance to experience the beaches of Normandy and honor the almost 9,000 Allied troop deaths when storming the shore.

“Throughout 2024, our travelers will have the opportunity to take this journey honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day, traveling along the same paths as the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who battled for European freedom on June 6, 1944. The visit to Normandy is always an emotional one. It is such a moving experience to set foot on the same sand as so many heroes did that day.”, said Jaclyn Liebl-Cote Chief Customer Experience Officer at Collette.

Tour prices start at $3,499, and Collette says there are plenty of spots for travelers available.

For travelers who daydream of wandering through streets filled with art, beauty and indulging in delicious Italian cuisine, Florence is a top destination to consider.

As you stroll through the charming city of Florence, you may feel like you have been transported back in time to the Renaissance era, and it is no wonder why it was the birthplace of the Renaissance. The city, nicknamed “the jewel of the Renaissance,” is located in central Italy and attracts millions of visitors each year.

Anything that happened before 2020, when COVID-19 knocked the world out of its orbit and made us all start over, is now ancient history.

For Collette, the Pawtucket, R.I.-based operator of guided tours worldwide, 2018 was its centennial year and marked a century since it was founded. Collette holds the title of America’s oldest existing tour operator.

After Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, announced her plan for tax cuts, the value of the country’s currency plunged. Now the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the British pound is outrageously good for American travelers. The dollar is now worth about £.90. That’s almost one for one. Considering that the pound was worth around two dollars as recently as the 2006-2008 period, that means the dollar has more buying power now in Britain than at almost any time in memory.

Alaska has become a bucket list destination for many travelers, and the reasons why are pretty clear. The 49^th state is home to awe-inspiring natural beauty, flora and fauna, the northern lights, a rich culture and history, and welcoming locals. With 39 mountain ranges, millions of lakes, and a surface area of nearly 600,000 miles, there’s much to see when you head “North to the Future,” per Alaska’s state motto.

For Collette, the century-old Pawtucket, R.I.-based tour operator, the removal of COVID testing requirements for entering the US was the opening of the floodgates for people to travel again. I spoke to some of the Collette people last week.

“As soon as testing requirements were dropped, we immediately noticed that our phones were ringing off the hook for international travel,” said Amelia Sugerman, senior manager of strategic communications. “Prior to that, 70 percent had been domestic. But when they dropped testing on June 12, in the five days following, the next Monday through Friday, 75 percent of the calls were Read the rest of this entry »

Part 2 of 2 in a series on how to cope with long telephone hold times. Read Part 1.

Gilligan might have regretted booking his three-hour tour on the S.S. Minnow that turned into a 60s TV show, but today’s travel advisors have come to rue their own travel nightmare: the four-hour telephone hold times involved in trying to reach some suppliers.

At AmaWaterways, chief marketing officer Janet Bava noted that call volumes skyrocketed when Europe loosened its travel guidelines in March. “We saw a huge influx in demand, and we had to staff up very quickly across the board. It was an issue, but we’ve been able to solve it.”

It took about two weeks to respond, she acknowledges; but now Read the rest of this entry »

Collette, global tour operator, launches a “Share Your Travel Moment” giveaway for travel advisors, in honor of travel advisor appreciation month. 

The giveaway, which is open to all travel advisors, can be accessed through Collette’s Travel Agent Network page on Facebook.  Once a travel advisor joins the page and posts their favorite travel moment, they will be entered to win a $1,000 travel voucher.

“Joining the Travel Agent Network on Facebook is a great opportunity to learn and share all the latest information about new tours, flash sales, and product offerings with your clients.” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and Chief Brand Officer of Collette. “

The winner will be announced in early June.  If advisors don’t want to wait until the giveaway is announced, Collette also offers 50% off land for advisory travel and 25% off land for companion travel. Bookings can be made beginning 180 days prior to departure.

The national parks of the western United States are wondrous sights that have been part of America’s charm since before President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service in 1916. Many of these parks, particularly those in the southwest, seem like a surreal and alien landscape to be held in awe. Eroded by time, they stand as monolithic reminders of the Earth’s vast history. The ways in which the traveler can enjoy these parks Read the rest of this entry »