Travel Agent Tip: Take Advantage of These Specials

One of the most common questions asked of us as travel agents is, "Do you get any good deals?"

The answer? "Yes." And you can to!

Morris Murdock Travel is going to host our 13th Annual Travel Show January 30-31 at the South Town Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.

“We are so excited to host the travel show again,” said Becky Potts, the President of Morris Murdock. “For the past fifty years we have been the leader in business, leisure, luxury, escorted tour, and meetings and incentives travel. Through our success we have developed associations with some of the top names in the industry and now they are returning to Utah to offer visitors to our show incredible discounts and special offers.”

Did you catch that? Incredible discounts and special offers. Ok, I'm in!

“The show is an especially great opportunity for travelers looking to save a bit of money this year,” Becky continued. “Given these economic times, travelers are getting more careful with their money. They want to get the best value possible, but also feel assured that they are getting the vacation of their dreams. With all the knowledgeable travel specialists that will be on hand at the show to answer questions and assist travelers in finding the best rates available, visitors to the show can get the vacation they’ve always dreamed of in an affordable and worry-free way.”

So at the show itself we'll have over 60 international travel-related companies such as Princess Cruises, Holland America, Funjet Vacation, Trafalgar Tours, and Royal Caribbean will be on hand to offer you these exclusive rates and to inform the public (i.e. anyone looking for some huge vacation savings) about unique travel opportunities.

Visitors to the show will enjoy free destination and product seminars by industry experts, hourly prize giveaways, exclusive vacation deals, and live entertainment provided by Disney Street Dancers, a Mariachi band, Polynesian performing groups, the musical troupe On Stage Alaska, and special travel presentations on the main stage. Special appearances are planned by local personalities including former television anchor Dick Nourse and the Utah Jazz Bear.

“This show is the only one like it in Utah,” said Vanessa Christensen, our show coordinator. “Visitors can come and take advantage of vacation packages and prices that aren’t available anywhere else. They can also enjoy the free seminars, live entertainment, and have the opportunity to win big in our prize giveaways.”

Admission to the show is $5 for adults, $4 for Seniors 55 years and older, and under 17 are free. Show times are Friday January 30th from 3:00pm-8:00pm and Saturday January 31st from 10:00am-4:00pm.

Just FYI, our 2008 show was attended by over three thousand visitors and generated more than $1.6-million in sales over a two day period. The sales were THAT good.

So as you look over your 2009 vacation day schedule and wonder how to finally take that vacation you've been dreaming about, come stop by our travel show and we'll help you make it happen. Isn't it time you got out to see the world up close?

Best places to ring in the New Year

It's every city's favorite excuse for a party. Here are a few spectacular ways to ring in 2009.

1. Bangkok-

If Times Square's light show doesn't cut it for you, head to the capital of Thailand, where a 52-foot-high Greeting Ball Tower signals the arrival of midnight.
Outside of the giant CentralWorld shopping mall, about 500,000 revelers join hands to count down to the New Year.
Earlier in the evening, events include seven concert performances by Thai stars.

2. Berlin-

Despite temperatures of around the freezing point, Berliners host an open-air New Year's Eve bash, and the city claims that it is the largest such party in the world.
Roughly one million merrymakers pack the nearly mile-and-a-quarter-long stretch between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate. Colorful lasers illuminate the sky while music, mostly pop and dance, blares from giant speakers.

3. Edinburgh-

The Scottish capital toasts every New Year with a four-day festival called Hogmanay (pronounced hog-muh-NAY).
On the Monday before New Years 2009, a torchlight procession along Princes Street whisks a giant wicker lion to Calton Hill, where it's torched.
Then on New Year's Eve, indie rockers like Glasvegas blast away in the streets, while more mainstream rockers like Paolo Nutini perform at the Princes Street Gardens.
Nearby, there's a ceilidh, a traditional Scottish party where locals dance gigs and reels to a piper's beat.

4. Las Vegas

Vegas lives up to its rep as a party town on December 31, with lunatic stunts, a massive light display, and performances by well known entertainers.
The Strip hosts the free portion of America's Party, an extravaganza with a fireworks display launching from various spots.
On Fremont Street, folks pay $20 a head to see Tribute-Palooza, a set of eight bands that imitate major acts like U2, Kiss, and Elton John.

5. New Orleans

As in years past, New Orleans puts its own twist on New York City's ball drop.
Its spotlit gumbo pot drops from the Jax Brewery at midnight. Its fall prompts a nightlong bar crawl in the historic French Quarter.
This year, is the 75th anniversary of the Sugar Bowl, and the football matchup takes place on January 2.
Expect a football theme for most of the weekend's events. For example, in Jackson Square after the gumbo pot drop, a light-and-sound display will synchronize the fight song of each team playing in the Bowl this year with the appearance of each team's colors in the sky.

6. Sydney

Because of its location, the Aussie capital is among the first major cities to greet the new year.
The city will synch up its pyrotechnics with colorful lighting effects on the arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Revelers gear up earlier in the day. Waterfront events attract crowds of Sydneysiders in T-shirts and shorts.

Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., aircraft will run hourly flyovers above Sydney Harbour Bridge.
After 9 p.m., 55 illuminated ships circuit Sydney Harbour, foreshadowing the barrage of light and sound to come.

Holiday Travel Tips

Before you leave to catch your flight (and you should leave early), It's worth remembering, that there are several steps you can take to minimize delays and stress at the airport.

Program important numbers on your phone as well as have a list written down in another place in case you loose your phone. This way, when a foot of snow is dumped on your holiday travel plans, you can react immediately and find an alternative. Also, pack your gifts wisely, and remember that wrapped gifts in your carry-on will likely be unwrapped by TSA officials (you can even ship your gifts directly to the recipiant). Be creative with other difficult to pack items (like skis) and weigh the cost of baggage fees versus shipping costs. And last but certainly not least, don't feel bad about shopping last minute at the airport.

It has been predicted there will be a slight drop in overall travel this Christmas. Only 8.1 million travelers out of 63.9 million are flying, that means a lot of people are driving—some 52 million people, to be exact.
For all the road warriors out there here are some tips for a safe drive.

• Getting caught in a storm is a nightmare, but you can feel safer by preparing a winter emergency kit for your car, which includes a sandbag, shovel, blanket, first-aid kit, flares, flashlight, waterproof matches, chains, food, and water.
  
• Be sure that your car is equipped with a spare tire and jumper cables.

• It's important that your vehicle is in tip-top shape before you hit the (possibly icy) roads. Make sure to get the oil changed, add snow tires, and have a complete run-through of brakes, ignition, and battery systems.
  
• Check the interstate weather forecast to avoid any possibly dangerous storms on your travel route.
  
• Check with your car insurance to see if you have roadside assistance for emergencies, and program the number into your cell phone. This way if you do require towing or a jumpstart, you have somewhere to turn.
  
• Slow down and be alert. Make sure that you are well rested and that you keep a steady pace, so you arrive at grandmother's house in one piece.

Stay safe and
Happy Holiday Travels!