​​Of the survey respondents, 43 percent said world events such as terrorism, protests, and election results have had “little to no change” in their travel bookings for 2017 and 2018. Thirty-four percent of the respondents indicated their clients were placing a greater reliance on booking with a travel professional; 32 percent noted an increased interest in lesser-known destinations for their vacations; and 31 percent reported an increase in travel insurance bookings. Members could choose multiple answers for the question.

“These positive survey results tell us that in spite of some very challenging world events – both natural and manmade – most consumers are resolute in carrying through with their travel plans,” said Stephanie Turner, President & CEO of Brentwood Travel. “We’re particularly encouraged by the metrics that showcase a travel advisor’s expertise because this tells us consumers understand a professional’s value given our world’s ever-changing conditions.”

In addition, the appeal of experiential travel continues to resonate with consumers. When asked what is more important to the majority of clients – price or experience – the latter was the clear preference as 70 percent of respondents selected experience, compared to a distant 30 percent opting for price.
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Survey results also indicate 2018 to be a banner year ahead across all travel segments, with 66 percent of respondents expecting total travel bookings to increase compared to an already strong 2017 where 64 percent of those questioned expect bookings to be up this year. 

To find out how to book your next trip with one of our excellent Travel Consultants, please contact us at 314-439-5700 or via email. 

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the cruise industry are celebrated Plan a Cruise Month this past October. To highlight the vital role travel agents play in helping travelers navigate the sea of cruise vacation options, CLIA has released five reasons to book a cruise (or land vacation) with a travel agent, and not just any agent, but one that works at Brentwood Travel!

“Travel agents play an important role in the vacation experience for both new and seasoned cruise travelers and can help cruisers create the most unique and personalized trip,” said Cindy D’Aoust, President and CEO of CLIA, in a written statement. “Agents are an integral part of the cruise industry and those interested in cruising will find working with an expert leads to the best overall experience and vacation satisfaction.”

The Top Five Reasons to Use a Brentwood Travel Agent to Book a Cruise Vacation:

1. A Totally Tailored Trip: Today, there are more cruise vacation choices and experiences than ever before making it possible for travel agents to tailor trips to each client’s travel preferences. For example, Francophiles with a penchant for cuisine? An agent can help book a perfect Parisian cruise and maybe even provide tips for finding the best crepes and macaroons during onshore excursions.
2. In Expert Hands: Travel agents are a wealth of information with plenty of real world travel experience. Agents can provide incredible advice for making the most of a cruise like the best onboard cafes or cruise ship activities for children as well as expertise on travel insurance, dining times and cabin location.
3. Deals & Discounts: Many travel agents have access to deals and discounts that aren’t available to consumers booking directly. Agents sometimes have the ability to book in bulk so clients are privy to lower pricing for booking through an agent.
4. Perks & Personalized Travel: There really are more perks when working with travel agents! Many agents can offer clients incredible perks like complimentary bottles of wine, vouchers for free specialty meals, prepaid gratuities, and onboard spending money. In addition to fun extras, agents can also arrange personalized travel details for cruisers like gluten-free dining or post-cruise travel back home.
5. A Stress-Free Travel Experience: For a stress-free travel experience, travelers should contact a CLIA Certified Cruise Agent, which includes the entire Brentwood Travel staff. These accredited cruise counselors are committed to providing the best travel experience for every client every time.

Our knowledgeable staff of Travel Consultants are eager to help you book your next cruise or land vacation. To contact one of our specialists directly, please see our staff below: 
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​Article source: www.TravelAgentCentral.com

This past October, my boyfriend Scott and I went on a trip to Negril, Jamaica to experience the pure luxury of Couples Swept Away.  This is my second trip to this magical island and my boyfriend’s 14th time and we were spoiled and pampered at this all-inclusive resort perfectly located on Seven Mile Beach. 
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Traveling with Apple Vacations to Jamaica made our journey easy and relaxing.  We were able to take a non-stop chartered flight from St. Louis to Montego Bay with XTRA airways.  The flight was 3.5 hours and we landed around 12:30pm, right on time to make the most of our first day in Jamaica.  
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​We decided to use Club Mobay which is a fast-track service and is something we highly recommend.  Our meet and greet representative, Wayne, met us right at the entrance to the airport with a warm smile and our names easily visible on a large sign.   He then guided us through the lines of people waiting through immigration, customs, and the baggage claim and straight to a private lounge where we waited for our van. 
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​The lounge also had a kid friendly area for families complete with toys and electronics which I know I would I would have used if we had our kiddos along for the trip.   We had enough time to enjoy a cool drink and some yummy snacks when we were told our van was ready to take us straight to our resort.  

The ride to Negril only took about 45 minutes and we listened to reggea music and watched the beauty of the island unfold before our eyes.  Once we arrived at Couples Swept Away, I knew right away it was a place designed to please the eye and soul.  The colors of the lobby were soft and serene and the sound of palm trees blowing in the breeze was hypnotic.

​We were invited into an open air room with comfy chairs and given glasses of champaign which made us feel very VIP.  A representative of the resort gave us an overview of the property including the location of their six restaurants and how the resort worked on a cashless system.  In other words, we were encouraged to lock up our wallets in the safe provided in our room as they would not be needed during our stay.  

We were then given the key to our garden verandah room and took one of many lush paths to discover our new home for the next week. 

Accommodations
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Our room was very tranquil and featured high ceilings, ceiling fans, and a large covered porch that had an amazing jungle view.  It was just a quick one minute walk to the beach were we were always greeted with the turquois water of the Caribbean.  There were plenty of beach chairs available as well as large rafts that could be brought straight out to the water to float on the waves.  As much as Scott loves being on the beach, the sun is not always very kind back to him and he was relieved to find several shady  areas with straw-covered umbrellas.  

Food

The food at Couples Swept Away was a major highlight during our stay.  We loved the options at the full buffet for breakfast which included omelet stations as well as traditional Jamaican dishes such as fried plantains.  A real treat was Seagrapes Cafe which served vegetarian options and was located beach side.  The sweet potato chips were addictive and we also discovered delicious coco bread which is stuffed with cheese and peppers and served with a ginger chutney sauce. 

For dinner, we tried two of the specialty restaurants: Lemongrass and Patois Patio which served delicious Meditterrian entrees.  Lemongrass was our favorite and required a reservation which was easy to schedule with a quick visit to the front desk.  The food was ala cart and Thai inspired and the flavors and portions were all spot on.  The view was just as equally incredibly as it looked over the pool and was lit with lanterns and tiki torches.    

Activities

Even though we never left the resort, there were plenty of activities for us to try.  Excursion schedules are posted daily and you just need to sign-up one ahead to take part.  Scuba diving has been on my travel to do list and the resort offered a FREE class to get a taste.  We started out getting suited up and had a lesson of essential skills in their pool.  Once we completed that and felt comfortable, we were led to a shallow area near the beach where we saw starfish.  It was a huge thrill!

We also enjoyed a glass bottom boat ride out to the reef.  Our guide was very entertaining and informative on the types of sea life we were able to see including all types of coral, sting rays, and even a sea turtle which can be rare to view.   During the day there was a menu of classes offered throughout the resort including basket weaving, wood carving, jewelry making, and morning yoga.  

We also enjoyed the martini bar which always had a fun crowd watching the bartenders make a variety of mixed drinks.  The martini bar also had a perfect view of the dance floor where different entertainment groups including reggae bands, dancers, and steel drummers would perform nightly. 
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One evening, we enjoyed a bonfire on the beach which included wine tasting and live guitar music.  It was a perfect and romantic way to end a day in paradise.  

The Vibe

I would highly recommend Couples Swept Away as a place for couples to unwind and reconnect.  The people were incredible friendly and we enjoyed making instant friendships with other guests and the staff at the resort.  No matter where you were, you could hear singing and laughter and I felt like it was a place where I belonged and wanted to stay for a long time.