The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is presenting a Costa Rica Study Tour this spring that goes beyond the…
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is presenting a Costa Rica Study Tour this spring that goes beyond the traditional Fam trip. The Study Tour is a new concept in travel agent destination education that allows travel agents to meet with local suppliers during a trade show, experience the destination through informative tours and destination specialist classes and sell Costa Rica to their clients upon their return.
ASTA`s Costa Rica Study Tour will take travel agents on an amazing journey through the country, but this trip won`t stop there. Agents will not only learn about what makes this destination so great, they also will discover how to market Costa Rica to their clients, said ASTA President and CEO Richard M. Copland, CTC. The Costa Rica Study Tour is a conference no travel agent will want to overlook.
The Costa Rica Study Tour will allow travel agents to become designated Costa Rica destination specialists, qualify for special incentive offers, gain Travel Institute (formerly ICTA) credits and receive first-hand knowledge of the country. In addition, upon completion of the Study Tour, the Costa Rica Tourist Board will forward participants consumer leads generated from nationwide advertising campaigns.
Two travel dates are available on April 25-May 2 or May 3-10. Agents may participate in one or both sessions. Agents can register for the eight-day conference for only $669 for a land-only package or $879 for a land/air package. Non-ASTA members should add a $100 non-member fee, or, to avoid the fee, they can join ASTA for 3-month Trial Membership for $50. Non-travel agent companions, add $158.
Agents can choose one of four tour packages: Ecological, Quetzal Quest, Adventure and Beach & Ecotour. Each includes official Costa Rica Specialist designation.
Ecological Tour: Agents will begin with a trip to La Paz Waterfall Gardens before their stay at Montana de Fuego Resort and Spa. The next morning, the group will take a forest canopy tourand visit the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa, ranked among the Western Hemisphere`s 10 best spas. The next two days are spent at the Laguna Lodge, with a boat tour along the canals and
hiking tour to Tortuguero Hill. The trip continues in the northern town of Sarapiqui and the Selva Verde Lodge with a white-water raft trip on the Sarapiqui River.
Quetzal Quest: The first stop is San Gerardo de Dota, a Talamanca mountain range community known for bird watching. After retiring to either the Savegre Mountain or Trogon Lodge, agents will set out on the quest for the famed Quetzal, considered as Latin America`s most beautiful bird. Agents will have an opportunity to take an ocean kayak tour and cruise, as well as relax on the beaches of Costa Rica`s Central Pacific coast.
Adventure: Agents will spend the first night in the heart of the central Pacific area at the Club de Mar Hotel & Condos, before visiting the Turuba-ri Tropical Park, with horseback riding or a canopy tour. They will have the chance to explore the oceans by canoe, snorkeling and white water rafting. Then, they will take a tour of the Doka Coffee Plantation.
Beach and Ecotour: The tours starts with a hike and Sky Trek canopy tour in the Monteverde Private Biological Reserve, one of the New World tropics` most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries. The second part of the tour takes place in the Guanacaste area, located on the Northern Pacific coast and includes plenty of time to explore the towns. Agents will be able to take in the natural beauty of the Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for its exotic wildlife.
For complete information and to register online, visit www.astanet.com/costa rica. Or call 1-800-ASK-ASTA (United States only) or 1-703-739-8795 (international).
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
