Author: deb

Help Your Clients Save on Last Minute Summer Bookings

With so many methods for finding last-minute travel deals available at travelers’ fingertips, ranging from deal hunter apps to package aggregator websites to destination-specific booking engines, your clients might not be sure how to best go about planning an inexpensive, last-minute summer trip. Here are some key recommendations to help get them planning and on their way to enjoying one last, quick getaway before summer comes to a close.

Suggest They Stay Open

Advising your clients to remain open in terms of their travel dates and their destination can help them find the best last-minute deals. Many travel websites allow travelers to view fares for calendar months at a time so keeping their travel dates flexible will allow you to help your clients choose the best option for their budget. Most airlines include surcharges for flights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, so avoiding flying on weekends may be especially advantageous.

Some destinations, like Europe, are most expensive during the summer months while others, like Mexico, are more popular during colder times of the year and offer summer savings. Your clients’ dream destination may not be among the many last-minute deals available this season, so suggesting that they choose to book their trips to highly-anticipated destinations for when they have the time to enjoy the planning process can help them make the most out of their last-minute booking. Settling on a type of destination (such as a mountain resort, beach vacation or a new city) can work well for planning a last-minute trip. If your clients are feeling especially spontaneous, they might want to simply let the deals decide for them and try a destination they’d never think to visit otherwise.

Leverage Your Expertise

You’re one of your clients’ greatest assets; use your skills! Travel agents are able to book directly with travel suppliers and their reservation systems, meaning you not only have access to exclusive deals but you also have access to fares that your clients might not be able to find online. In combination with years of first-hand experience and specialty insight, a travel agent’s knowledge is invaluable to clients looking to take a last-minute summer trip.

Research the Market, Stay Tuned and Keep Your Clients Informed

There are plenty of great websites to use to search for and compare deals. Tech-savvy travelers can find a great package or piecemeal their trip together entirely online and a number of apps designed to deliver the best last-minute prices are available. For real-time updates, travelers can subscribe to alert services and monitor social media channels. With so many ways to stay informed, travelers should be prepared to buy when the right deal pops up, so be sure and let your clients know when you’re showing them a great find.

Use Their Points and Miles Wisely

If your clients are hoping to snag a last minute deal on airfare with rewards points or miles, its recommended to wait until a week prior to departure when airlines make unsold seats available to rewards members. If your clients don’t have a rewards or points account, it might not be too late for them to sign-up and take advantage of special offerings.

Call Suppliers Directly and Ask For Discounts and Upgrades

If your clients are booking their own airfare, speaking with the airline over the phone may grant them access to more flights than they’re seeing online. Booking hotels over the phone and asking for a discount can also result in unadvertised savings. If your clients are interested in free upgrades, not being afraid to ask for them might produce favorable results when they are boarding their flight, picking up their rental car and checking into the hotel.

Passing these considerations onto your clients could help them score the best last-minute deals this season and enjoy a spontaneous, unexpected trip before the end of summer. And don’t forget to offer a well-rounded travel protection plan from CSA Travel Protection before you finish the booking!

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

A384 17 07

Best 4th of July Events Worth Traveling to See that Your Clients Might not Know About

One of the great things about the 4th of July is that celebrating the holiday can be simple and relatively inexpensive while remaining memorable and fun. Though big cities like New York City, Washington D.C. and San Francisco are classic Independence Day destinations, there are a number of 4th of July celebrations around the nation that rival those of their big city counterparts. If your clients are looking to make their festivities a little more special this year and could use a last minute recommendation for 4th of July travel, we’ve put together a list of the best 4th of July events worth traveling to see.

Kaboom Town; Addison, TX

Over half a million people travel to this northern Dallas suburb that typically only houses 15,000 residents for this annual event. The firework display includes 3,500 pounds of fireworks and the Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s vintage military aircrafts, World Class Warbirds, perform an airshow complete with pyrotechnics. Addison features 200 eateries per capita, more than any other town in the United States, where your clients can catch a live broadcast of the half-hour-long display or grab a bite after the show.

Let Freedom Sing; Nashville, TN

“Let Freedom Sing” attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually and the city has been known to set off more fireworks than New York City, making it one of the nation’s largest fireworks shows. The Nashville symphony live accompanies this impressive display that’s best viewed along Broadway or in Riverfront Park. Event highlights include two free live music stages: Ascend Amphitheater and The Green at Riverfront Park featuring top acts and a free Family Fun Zone for little ones. Your clients will appreciate affordable flights and accommodations, too.

Fair St. Louis; St. Louis, MO

Self-proclaimed “America’s Biggest Birthday Party,” this free event releases 15,000 pounds of fireworks from July 2nd-July 4th and takes place on the site of the 1904 World’s Fair, 1,371-acre Forest Park. Festivities start with a fun run and continue for several days, including high-profile musical acts, air shows, exhibitions and educational activities.

Wawa Welcome America; Philadelphia, PA

The city that hosted the signing of the Declaration of Independence holds a week-long celebration prior to the holiday that includes a parade through the historic city center, local food events, movie nights, an Independence Day themed storytelling event and live music. Over half a million people gather for the final night of festivities featuring the largest free concert in the country and a 15,000 shell, 15 minute long fireworks show performed with the Philadelphia Museum of Art as its backdrop, home of Rocky Balboa’s infamous run up the east steps.

There are also a number of old-fashioned 4th of July events around the country your clients might not know about:

Bristol Fourth of July; Bristol, R.I.

The oldest, continuous 4th of July celebration in the U.S., “Bristol Fourth of July” started in 1785 with its first parade: a single Revolutionary War veteran. Today, the annual celebration starts three weeks prior on Flag Day, June 14th, and continues through July 4th with a variety of public activities including concerts and sporting events. The town hosts an annual Fourth of July Ball and Fireworks are held on July 3rd, though the parade remains the celebration’s focal point and features a number of attractions such as a drum corps show and firefighter muster.

Old Fashioned 4th; Oak Harbor, WA

Whidbey Island begins Independence Day with a parade and ends the holiday with an evening fireworks show. If your clients are traveling with little ones, they’ll probably want to stay the weekend and enjoy the carnival.

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration; Brunswick, GA

This free, annual event in historic downtown Brunswick features games and activities, a 30 minute fireworks show and your clients will even get to take home a free watermelon!

We wish you and your clients safe and happy travels this holiday wherever they may take you. When discussing potentially lesser known Independence Day destinations with your clients, don’t forget to remind them to help protect their trip investments and consider if they need medical or emergency medical coverage before they leave home. CSA Travel Protection can help; well-rounded plans with valuable insurance coverages and emergency assistance services are available for purchase against specific unforeseen losses up until the day before departure. Happy 4th!

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

A374 17 06

More Americans Have Summer Vacation Plans, But Duration and Budgets Decline

Generali Global Assistance, CSA’s designated service provider, releases annual survey findings on U.S. and European travel habits
 
U.S. Summer Vacation Plans 2017 Infographic

U.S. Summer Vacation Plans 2017 Infographic

New York – June 8, 2017 – After a dip in 2016, more travelers from the U.S. and Europe will be packing their bags and heading on a vacation this summer, according to an annual consumer survey conducted by Generali Global Assistance. The survey, in its 17th year, found that 66% of Americans plan to travel this summer, up five percentage points from 2016. That compares to 63% of Europeans who will travel this summer which is an increase of nine percentage points from last year.

The survey noted that although more people are travelling, they are doing so for a shorter duration. Americans will go on vacation this summer for an average of 1.4 weeks, down from 1.7 weeks in 2016. Europeans saw an even more precipitous drop from an average of 2.4 weeks in 2016 to 1.9 weeks this year. Brazilians checked in with the longest average duration in 2017 at 2.2 weeks.

Chris Carnicelli, CEO, Generali Global Assistance North America commented on today’s news, “The shorter travel durations are explained by sizeable decreases in traveler’s budgets this year. U.S. travelers are dropping their budgets by 20% to an average $2,679, while Europeans budgets are decreasing by 14% to €1,989. This is significant because budget once again ranked as the number one factor for travelers when deciding on a summer vacation location.”

Home Cooking

With budgetary constraints on the rise, travelers are unsurprisingly electing to vacation within the confines of their own borders this summer. This was especially true in France (63%), Spain (52%), and Italy (56%). By comparison, 41% of Americans said they would keep to the U.S. when it came to travel this summer. The most likely to venture beyond their borders are Belgian (16%) and Swiss travelers (20%). In fact, these are the only two countries where more travelers are planning to head to a foreign country than to stay within their own this summer.

Sandy Beaches vs Concrete Jungles

While the seaside is the favorite destination of European travelers and 63%, the most sought after for U.S. travelers this summer will be urban locations at 46%. For Americans, the beach ranked number two on the list of favorite destinations at 43% followed by the mountains (46%), the countryside (24%), and touring (23%). Spain ranked as the highest in terms of European countries where travelers showed a penchant for urban travel at 43%, an increase of 16 percentage points over 2016. For Americans, Paris ranked as the top city that travelers wished to visit at least once in their lives, with New York City and London tying for second. For Europeans, the top choice was New York City with Paris and Rome rounding out the top three.

Out of Office: Set it and Forget it?

During vacation, Americans are the most connected to their work – only 56% will completely unplug from their job. Europeans are significantly better with 68% saying they will unplug, but that is down five percentage points from last year. Travelers from the U.K. are the best at setting work-life boundaries, as 70% will completely disconnect while on vacation.

Heads in Beds

Hotel stays are still the most popular form of lodging amongst Americans (57%) and Europeans (47%) alike. However, other types of accommodations are becoming more popular with travelers. Americans are more likely to seek out free-of-charge options like staying with friends or family at 32%, compared to 22% of Europeans. However, Americans are less likely to use person-to-person rentals or exchanges at just 18%. This form of accommodation is second behind hotels for Europeans at 35% and, is actually the most preferred lodging for the French at 42% – the only group for which hotels are not the number one option.

Within the rental/exchange segment, there are some differences by country. The French are the most interested in rentals of a private house or apartment from an individual, but are significantly less interested in renting a room in a private home or being part of a home exchange. Brazilians are the most likely to rent a single room in a house at 34% and Americans and the Swiss are tied in terms of utilizing home exchanges (19%).

A Walk on the Wild Side

New travel practices that are more in touch with nature are also becoming more en vogue. Americans are more likely to engage in these types of adventures than their European counterparts across the board. Camping is the most popular activity for both demographics with 48% of Americans and 23% of Europeans having slept in a tent under the stars. Additionally, 40% of Americans have slept in a cabin (vs. 18% of Europeans) and 20% have gone on an eco-tourism trip designed to explore nature while minimizing harmful human impacts (vs. 13% of Europeans).

Along the same lines, Americans and Brazilians are a bit more adventurous when it comes to alternative lodging choices not involving nature. For Brazilians, the practice of staying in a local’s home while traveling is widely accepted as 41% have done so compared to 30% of Americans and 24% of Europeans. The same hierarchy holds true for hosting travelers in their own homes, with 18% of Brazilians, 14% of Americans and just 7% of Europeans having engaged in that practice.

Under Review

Checking online reviews has become common practice among travelers on both sides of the pond. For Americans and Europeans (both 31%), online peer reviews are now the third most important factor when it comes to choosing vacation lodging. For Americans, the number one determining factor when selecting lodging is the location, while Europeans prize value and price. Amenities and pictures of the place rank four and five respectively for both demographic segments.

Carnicelli concluded, “Americans who plan to travel this summer indicated that when they travel, they are typically covered by some form of an insurance protection policy for risks such as lost or stolen baggage (59%), medical coverage for themselves or family (69%), vehicle breakdowns (70%), or a transportation accident (64%). They are less likely to have policies that cover a transportation strike (33%) or the risk of a natural disaster (37%). Interestingly, the most common reason given for not buying travel insurance was that they didn’t think to do so. For those purchasing insurance, the number one way they will do so is through their credit card companies. While this is a completely viable way, there are also a lot of misconceptions about travel insurance that persists in the market place – one being the level of coverage that plans that may be included with your [clients’] credit cards provide. I would encourage all travelers to take a close look at their policies wherever they purchase them and make sure that they are inclusive of everything they may need on their trip.”

Methodology

The 17th edition of “Summer Holiday Plans” survey was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Europ Assistance and Generali Global Assistance between March 28 and April 21, 2017. The survey was conducted online for 10,000 consumers in 10 countries, with 1,000 consumers taking the survey per country.

About Generali Global Assistance

Generali Global Assistance, also doing business as CSA Travel Protection and Europ Assistance, has been a leading provider of travel insurance and other assistance services for more than 25 years.  The Company offers a full suite of innovative, vertically integrated travel insurance and emergency services, identity protection solutions, and beneficiary companion services.  Generali Global Assistance is part of the multinational Generali Group, which for over 185 years has created a presence in 60 countries with over 76,000 employees.  Our success has been built on the foundation of trust that clients have placed in our ability to provide assistance in the most difficult of circumstances.

Media Contact

Jay A. Morakis
M Group Strategic Communications (for Generali Global Assistance North America)
Telephone: 212-266-0191
Email: jmorakis@mgroupsc.com

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

A364 17 05

How to Help Your Clients Get Ready for Hurricane Season

Nearly half of Americans are planning to take a vacation this year and most domestic and international travelers are heading to warm weather destinations with many traveling during the spring and summer months. As your clients look forward to relaxation and abundant sunshine this season, it’s wise to note that some of the most popular places to visit in the U.S.— such as Florida, South Carolina and the beautiful coastlines of Hawaii—are also prone to hurricane-related travel risks. Through it’s rare that vacation plans are affected by natural disasters, helping your clients prepare for such events and ways bad weather might affect carefully planned itineraries can help them trust that you’re attending to each aspect of their trip.

When is Hurricane Season and What’s Qualifies as a Hurricane?

Hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th and typically peaks in mid-August to late October. Once an event has a wind speed of 39 mph it is considered a tropical storm, and when a storm’s wind speed surpasses 74 mph the event then qualifies as a hurricane according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Travel Tips and Emergency Preparation

Here are some helpful tips that your clients traveling during hurricane season or to hurricane-prone areas might want to keep in mind as they plan for their trip:

  • Hurricanes and adverse weather can disrupt flights and your clients may be separated from their baggage. Travelers can minimize this inconvenience by packing necessities in their carry-on bags. Our travel insurance plans can reimburse them for the purchase of necessities if their bags are delayed for more than 12-24 hours, depending on their plan.
  • It’s tempting to completely unplug on vacation, but advance warning about hurricanes is not always guaranteed. We recommend travelers keep up-to-date on the latest information about possible storms before and during their trip. Clients who planned ahead and purchased travel insurance have Trip Cancellation coverage available should they need to cancel their plans due to a covered event.
  • If your clients are truly concerned about a hurricane impacting their travel plans, they may want to consider taking a cruise to their destination as cruises are more flexible than flights and can detour to alternative ports.
  • Travelers whose vacation destination is located in a common hurricane zone might want to learn how to prepare for an emergency in case they unexpectedly get caught in a storm’s path. FEMA has created a dedicated website that describes how travelers can prepare by making a communication plan for their travel party, creating a kit equipped with necessities and knowing their resources so they can stay informed during the event.

Staying Up to Date about Potential Hurricanes and Natural Disasters

  • FEMA, NOAA and regional resources, including state emergency response team sites like Florida’s, are good places for your clients to look for information about any storms approaching or impacting their destination.
  • The Weather Channel’s Hurricane News section is another great resource where your clients can see if any storms are on the horizon and to get an idea of what the hurricane season has in store for travelers.
  • Travelers can also refer to the United States Landfalling Hurricane Probability Project to learn the probability of a hurricane or named storm making landfall in a specific county.

Travel Insurance and Hurricanes

Our travel insurance plans provide coverage for a number of weather-related events your clients might encounter during hurricane season, such as mandatory hurricane evacuations, flight delays and/or cancellations and their personal home being made uninhabitable by a hurricane or natural disaster. Travelers who purchase protection plans also receive access to our 24/7 emergency assistance service.

A travel protection plan could make the difference between your client recouping some or all of their costs should hurricane-related mishaps occur. If your client purchases insurance, we recommend they always travel with a hard copy of their Description of Coverage/Policy so they can contact us, even if they can’t access the internet.

Once a hurricane is forecasted or it becomes evident that a storm will impact travel to your clients’ destination, the event is considered foreseeable. This means the insurance plan can no longer be purchased to cover financial losses that your client might suffer as a result of that specific storm. For this reason, it could be beneficial for your clients to purchase travel insurance sooner rather than later.

Armed with these hurricane preparedness tips, informational resources and a travel protection plan, your clients can leave on their vacations knowing they have options should a hurricane unexpectedly interrupt their plans. Though the chances of this happening are slim, being prepared is just one more reason for your clients to know they’re in good and hands and relax during vacation.

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as Generali Global Assistance and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on Generali Global Assistance’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

A362 17 05