Merry Christmas From The Travel Factory!

This will be our last entry in 2013; it’s been a full first year of radio show programs that morphed into a blog on our new web site, and it has been an exciting and interesting experiment.  Of course the behind-the-scenes person making it happen is my webmaster, Peter Beare from Nashville, TN.  Being technologically challenged as I am, he made the process a simple task; I just have to come up with something to say each week. . . and that is pretty easy to do in this business.  Something is always happening in the travel business!!!

One of the things that is happening is the proliferation of new ships in the river cruise market.  One example is Viking River Cruises who have recently announced that they intend to launch 14 new longships in 2014, after launching eight new ships this year.  An additional 14 ships are being projected in 2015.  Plus, they are going to get into the ocean cruise market in 2015 with the Viking Star, a 49,000 ton, 928 passenger ship that will cruise the Northern Europe and Mediterranean waters.  Another plus, they are planning a ship to cruise the Mississippi in 2015.  As our listeners and readers know, we had a river cruise experience this past November, and can certainly recommend that vacation option as one not to miss.  And. .. if you would like to travel with us next November, we are planning one on the Elbe River from the intriguing city of Prague to cosmopolitan Berlin. . just a tremendous experience! Give us a call for more details.

The American Society of Travel Agents has an occasional “ditty” that I enjoy reading called “Travel Sense”.  One this past week talked about four reasons travel is good for you. . .literally.  Just recall all your vacation travels, and see if you can relate.        

1. Travel benefits your learning.. .your education.. . your understanding culturally.
2. Travel contributes to your happiness in life; for the most part, it is fun
3. Travel encourages relationship building;traveling with friends,meeting new ones
4. Travel promotes wellness; as I have mentioned in previous programs and blogs, travel has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. . .so the admonition here for 2014 is to:  Start Traveling and Get Well!!!

One of the longtime members of the travel community recently passed away after several years battling cancer, and a leader of a cruise line reflected on her legacy of many years in our business.  She said some things that really resonated with me, especially reflecting on our relationship with our friends and clients here in the Big Country.  In essence, she said, our clients and friends who travel with us and refer others to us are helping us build our legacy, multiplying what we give to this world, allowing us to craft people’s very best memories. Reviews on licensed online casinos ,bonuses from the online casinos.  That’s the reason we enjoy our work!!!

Thanks to all of you for allowing The Travel Factory the pleasure of helping you manufacture the vacation of your dreams this year and through the years.  We can be reached at 4150 Southwest Dr, Ste. 120, or call us at 698-1421 or 800-760-4040. Or visit our website:  www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com.

A Very Merry Christmas. . .and Happy Traveling In The New Year!!!!!