Bonne Amie Travel Becomes Preferred Sandals Specialist (PSS) Agency
When Sandals Resorts launches their Preferred Sandals Specialist agency campaign on April 1, 2004, Bonne Amie Travel will be one of only 500 agencies nationwide designated as a PSS. With this designation, Bonne Amie Travel receives recognition not only from Sandals as a loyal partner, but are also recognized by the industry and the consumers as Sandals experts. PSS agencies are focused on the Sandals product, regularly visiting properties, attending corporate functions, workshops, conventions and other events.
(PRWEB) March 17, 2004 --When Sandals Resorts launches their Preferred Sandals Specialist agency campaign on April 1, 2004, Bonne Amie Travel will be one of only 500 agencies nationwide designated as a PSS.
With this designation, Bonne Amie Travel receives recognition not only from Sandals as a loyal partner, but are also recognized by the industry and the consumers as Sandals experts. In order to become a PSS, Bonne Amie Travel is required to have a Certified Sandals Specialist on staff: Owner, Aimée J. Ricca, CTA, ACC, DS became a CSS last year, after completing the required 12 hour educational program.
PSS agencies are focused on the Sandals product, regularly visiting properties, attending corporate functions, workshops, conventions and other events. To keep the PSS designation, Ricca is required to visit all of the Sandals resorts throughout the Caribbean within 3 years, including the Beaches properties, Grande Sport and Royal Plantation.
"I just returned from St. Lucia where I inspected Sandals St. Lucia, Sandals Halcyon, and Sandals Grande," explains Ricca. "I have plans to visit Sandals Royal Bahamian next month and Sandals Antigua in November. I'll probably wind up visiting many of the properties in Jamaica by the end of the year as well."
Anyone planning a vacation to the Caribbean will benefit from Ricca's added expertise. "My Caribbean Destination Specialist designation along with my first- hand experience allows me to assist my clients in selecting the perfect destination and resort for them . . . Even if it is not a Sandals property," said Ricca.
As a PSS agency, Bonne Amie Travel is recognized within every department of the Sandals organization: "We have relationships with many of the resort managers and staff: This insures VIP treatment for our clients," explains Ricca. "Often our clients receive rooms in preferred locations, upgrades, extra amenities, advance restaurant reservations, and spa appointments."
In addition to being a CSS, Ricca received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She has also been certified by a number of associations and tourist boards. Among her many certifications are: Certified Travel Associate, Accredited Cruise Counsellor, Caribbean Destination Specialist, ASTA Family Travel Specialist, Disney Specialist, Florida Specialist, Cayman Islands Specialist, Puerto Rico Travel Expert, Hawaii Destination Specialist, and Aruba Certified Expert.
Ricca's highly regarded expertise has resulted in being featured by Cruise Trade magazine and quoted by Travel Trade, Associated Press, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, and The Camden Herald. She is also the Cruise Expert for InetVacation.com, answering readers cruise questions. Additionally, Ricca is one of the owners of Cork Restaurant in Camden, Maine and a member of The Travel Institute.
Bonne Amie Travel has been in business since 2001 and specializes in luxury vacations and cruises, serving clients nationwide. Bonne Amie Travel is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association, American Society of Travel Agents, Association of Retail Travel Agents, Platinum Luxury Society, Better Business Bureau, Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce, and designated as California Seller of Travel (CST 2064669-40). Bonne Amie Travel is recommended by Brenda Elwell, travel industry veteran and author of The Single Parent Travel Handbook. In 2003, Bonne Amie Travel acquired the US division of Dreamtime Journeys, an international transformational travel company.
For vacation consultations, call 207- 273-3158 or toll-free 1-866-302-0036. Bonne Amie Travel may also be contacted via its website: www.bonneamietravel.com or it's new Sandals focused website: www.luxuryvacationheadquarters.com.
Sandals Resorts is the largest operator of luxury, ultra- inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Sandals has a total of 11 couples-only properties, including six in Jamaica, three in St. Lucia, one in Antigua and one in Nassau, Bahamas. In 1997, Sandals opened Beaches Negril, in Jamaica, welcoming singles, couples and families of all ages. Since then, another four resorts have joined the Beaches Resorts portfolio: Beaches Turks & Caicos Resorts, Beaches Sandy Bay in Jamaica; Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club, and Grande Sport Villa Golf Resort & Spa by Beaches (for adult families with children 16 years and older). Sandals also owns Royal Plantation Spa & Golf Resort, a British Colonial-inspired, 5-star Jamaican hideaway located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
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