--&#160;Elaborate Culinary-focused travel programs with interactive cooking classeslaunched to cater to travelers seeking the most authentic and immersive travel experiencesin high-demand destinations--Central Holidays presents food and wine itineraries across Europe, leveragingtheir European teams, Italy office, and decades of destination expertise to create elaborate experiential culinary-focused travel programs with interactive cooking classes. Programs designed to cater to today&#8217;s travelers who are looking to have the most authentic, immersive, and locally inspired travel experiences.&#8220;One of the most alarming difficulties we are hearing from travel advisors is how it has become ever more challenging to plan more intricate and involved itineraries across Europe &#8230;until they came to us! Luckily that is one of the sweet spots where our insider&#8217;s perspective, expertise, experience, contacts, and in-country teamsare displayed,&#8221; said Maria Jose Merino, VP of Product Development and Operations. &#8220;This is exactly why we are expanding our experiential and sustainable travel programs across several regions &#8211; particularly focused on showcasing the local culture revealed through their culinary delicacies, wines, and traditions. At each destination we include hands-on cooking experiences with acclaimed chefs and also cultural interchanges with the locals! Learn about their customs and secrets in the kitchen. Travel advisors are thrilled to work with us as an extension of their team to deliver the most meticulously planned, dream travel programs that their travelers are yearning to experience now.&#8221;From Italy and Spain to Croatia, Malta, and beyond here&#8217;s a glance at some of Central Holidays&#8217; most immersive culinary travel programs in Europe:<ul><li>Live and Eat Like a Local in Umbria with Chef Lorenzo</li></ul>Travelers will learn the secrets of Italian cuisine in Umbria's Orvieto on this 8-day culinary travel experience. Participants will enjoy visiting the local farmer&#8217;s market to shop for fresh ingredients, join in three hands-on cooking classes led by Chef Lorenzo at CasalePolegri in the Umbrian countryside, and savor delectable meals with succulent wines in captivating surroundings. Brimming with exclusive moments, this immersive food and wine-focused adventure also includes: a truffle hunting experience, tastings of artisanal cheeses, wine tasting experiences, tour of Buffalo Mozzarella Farm with mozzarella tasting, visits of medieval Montepulciano and Civita di Bagnoragio, plus so much more!<ul><li>Sardinia, A Paradise for Gourmets and Fine Wine Lovers</li></ul>Food and wine aficionados will love this 7-day culinary experience that celebrates Sardinia. Brimming with inclusions, travelers will love getting to know Cagliari on a walking tour, then taste the town&#8217;s flavors on a gourmet tour with tasting events.&#160; In historic Pula, a hands-on cooking class will be simply unforgettable as well as private guided tours and tastings of such farm-to-table Sardinian foods in as local cheeses, olive oil, and wines.&#160; Further along travelers will embark on a fishing tour that features a delectable lunch onboard.<ul><li>Barcelona For Foodies</li></ul>Barcelona beckons on this food and wine focused experience in Spain. Activities take travelers to discover one of Spain's most famous streets, Las Ramblas; explore the Gothic Quarter; take in Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces including Parque Guell and the city's iconic Art Noveau Sagrada Familia church; and snack on local favorites at Barcelona's most famous market,Mercat de la Boqueria. Participants will also join in a hands-on cooking class, including a market visit with lunch and drinks. This Barcelona adventure features two cava wine cellar tours with wine tastings, as well as a wine and tapas walking tour including tastings.<ul><li>Madrid for Foodies</li></ul>Foodies can indulge in a 5-day culinary travel experience that tantalizes all the senses in Spain&#8217;s lively capital, Madrid.&#160; This captivating program invites travelers to learn the secrets of Spanish cuisine with chef-led cooking class sessions, flavorful tapas experiences, and a half day cava cellar tour with brunch that will have participants exclaiming &#8220;Ol&#233;&#8221; with all the fervor of a native. Guests will join in insightful tours of Madrid and Toledo with expert guides, plus so much more!<ul><li>Wine and&#160;<a></a>Dine in Croatia</li></ul>Travelers will enjoy an exquisite, 6-day culinary-focused vacation in Croatia with cooking classes and tastings plus deluxe private touring galore! From Croatian wine tasting experiences in the hills of Skradin and in Ka&#353;telKambelovac to Split, the historic city built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace, unique experiences abound. Further along, guests will take a guided walking tour of old Dubrovnik and join in a hands-on cooking class and meal accompanied by wine tasting in the city.&#160; The adventure continues with a private-guided excursion to Ston and Korcula, featuring delectable oyster and wine tasting experiences.<ul><li>Malta, A Food and Wine Paradise</li></ul>On this inspired 5-day culinary travel experience, travelers will delve into the fascinating culture of Malta through its fabulous food and wine. Travelers will discover delicious Maltese cuisine and wine with a chef-led hands-on cooking class experience, featuring flavorful farm to table ingredients from the actual 600-acre farm just steps from the learning-kitchen. Further on, guests will tour Malta's Palazzo Parisio, and then visit one of Valletta&#8217;s top wineries including a tasting experience to indulge wine lovers.&#34;At Central Holidays, we have the unparalleled ability to meet the demand and customize travel programs for individuals as well as groups and ensure that they will all have a wonderful experience every step of the way.&#160; Additionally, travel advisors and group planners can start planning travel experiences for their clients now -- even for travel through 2024 -- to benefit from the astronomically high demand that the industry in currently experiencing,&#8221; said Adam Greis, General Manager of Central Holidays.Central Holidays&#8217; culinary travel programs, including day-by-day itineraries, can be viewed in detail at&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/">www.centralholidays.com</a>. For additional details or to become a preferred travel advisor partner for Central Holidays, call 1-800-935-5000.

Central Holidays PresentsCustomizable Food And Wine Itineraries Across Europe

Central Holidays is on track to close out the first quarter of 2023 with an impressive increase in group bookings that has surpassed the company&#8217;s pre-Covid sales by over 20 percent in Q1 (115 percent increase year-over-year). The company is seeing this increase being fueled by a number of trends including the demand for more customized groups, requests for a diversity of destinations, last-minute inquiries, and an influx of travel advisors newly seeking to get into the group travel segment. &#8220;We are seeing travel advisors leaning into group travel more than ever before. Equally, we are experiencing a dramatic rise of new-to-the-industry travel advisors eager to learn about group travel and starting to book groups. The numbers speak for themselves with bookings on pace to surpass our top performing pre-covid sales year,&#8221; said Adam Greis, General Manager of Central Holidays. &#8220;There is no doubt that the travel market has changed over these past few years,&#8221; continued Greis. &#8220;Nonetheless our time-honored experience and strength in group travel has propelled us to significant growth in the segment. In 2022 we saw people preferred to travel more in smaller family and friend groups, with an increase going back to groups of 30-40 travelers as the year progressed. That continued to be augmented by more private customized groups of 60-80 travelers on from there with the largest group we orchestrated last year reaching nearly 4,000 travelers. Interestingly, a trend we are seeing is that the majority of these groups are being driven by travel advisors &#8211; whether customized family travel, special interest, corporate, incentive, or other. Many advisors have come to realize the benefits of selling group travel and the flood gates have opened!&#8221; To help support travel advisors, as travelers continue to show the greatest comfort in traveling as part of a group, the company is making major investments in Technology and Training. Advisors can look forward to the upcoming launch of the company&#8217;s new website that will include a dedicated platform for travel advisors where they will be able to make and manage bookings, benefit from expert sources, and access marketing resources tailored to their agency. Additionally, Central Holidays will be introducing valuable training and development programs in the coming season including a webinar series, Familiarization Trip opportunities, and more one-on-one trainings presented directly to agencies by the company&#8217;s specialized travel industry sales team. With a 50+ year history and unparalleled experience in planning and delivering group travel as well as a brand specifically dedicated to the segment &#8211; called Group Travel Experiences by CH, Central Holidays is further working to keep the growth in group travel increasing by catering to the current trends that include: requests for a diversity of destinations and more customized experiences, as well as distinguished service on inquiries that range from last-minute requests to programs being planned deep into 2024 and even 2025. &#8220;From scheduled departures to many destinations, to a Groups offering that is always fully customizable, we are constantly creating itineraries based on specific requests,&#8221; said Maria Jose Merino, Vice President of Operations and Product for Central Holidays. &#8220;Plus, with offices in Italy and Egypt, and destination management affiliations in many of the most popular group travel destinations today &#8211; including France, Greece, Spain, UAE, South Africa, South America (Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands), and beyond &#8211; we have the unique in-country reach to develop itineraries for different destinations and enhance them to include services and products based on our expertise coupled with travelers&#8217; interests and preferences. It&#8217;s that personalized service that has been one of the cornerstones of our success for more than 50 years and keeps us going strong.&#8221; Agencies looking to plan a one-on-one training session for their team can contact Central Holidays Travel Industry Sales Vice President Margie Bell via email at&#160;<a href="mailto:mbell@centralholidays.com">mbell@centralholidays.com</a>. News about the new training and technology offerings will be announced in the coming weeks.

Central Holidays Sees Double Digit Growth In Group Travel Bookings Over Top-Performing Pre-Covid Sales

Central Holidays has announced the debut of its 2020 brochures for Egypt, Africa &amp; West Asia, and Latin America that round-out its virtually world-wide range of travel opportunities and add to its recently introduced new Italy and Europe brochures.&#160; Celebrated for its affordable luxury itineraries, uniquely presented by Central Holidays, the travel brand is constantly adding new offerings and enhancements to its range of vacations created by its team of destination experts.&#160;&#8220;Each travel program included in this just-released range of brochures is meticulously handcrafted by our destination specialist Product Managers.&#160; Christine Henriquez, who has traveled extensively throughout the region, developed the amazing experiences in our 64-page Egypt brochure.&#160; Maria Jos&#233; Merino and Ray Reynolds, both experts in the region, collaborated on the outstanding array of Latin America travel packages.&#160; And our fascinating expanded range of affordable luxury offerings in Africa and West Asia was planned by Maria Jos&#233; Merino with her in-depth insider knowledge,&#8221; said Lori Corless, Vice President of Marketing for Central Holidays.&#8221;New for 2020:In Egypt&#8230;Travelers can choose among Central Holidays&#8217; ultimate adventures throughout the country with an array of unparalleled new opportunities, including a spectacular 10-day &#8220;Egypt Sand &amp; Sea&#8221; program that takes travelers to experience ancient antiquities, amazing cities and sites, and the splendid beach resort town of Hurghada along the Red Sea; the new 13-day &#8220;Breezes of the Nile&#8221; that takes adventurers to share in the grandeur of Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile by land and river; and the ultimate opportunity to indulge your bucket list &#8211; visiting amazing destinations on a 10-day multi-country trip to &#8220;Egypt and Greece.&#8221; The 2020 Egypt brochure also showcases even more destinations where travelers can opt to extend their stay in this fascinating country, including El Ain El Sokhna, as well as in Israel, and in Greece.In Africa and West Asia&#8230;Travelers can enjoy new experiences, including: an in-depth luxury&#160;Israel Up Close and Personal&#160;escorted itinerary brimming with fascinating inclusions; two action-packed safari travel programs in Africa including the new&#160;African Expedition, featuring lesser known park reserve areas and Central Holidays&#8217;&#160;Big Five Adventure&#160;where travelers have the opportunity to view rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant in their habitats. For those looking for an off-the-beaten-path journey, they can try the company&#8217;s new&#160;Tanzania, the Cradle of Human Kind, or the new&#160;When in Zanzibar&#160;program, abounding with options to tailor-create the ideal vacation. Visitors can also consider venturing along on one of Central Holidays&#8217; UAE, Jordan, or Oman travel packages with delightful experiences to cherish and share.In Latin America&#8230;Argentina beckons with new itineraries, including outstanding culinary and inspired nature-focused programs.&#160; Travelers can enjoy the treasures of Peru, from its leading culinary accolades to new trekking programs and everything in between. In Ecuador and the Galapagos, guests can embark on the trip of a lifetime with experiences by land, sea, and along the enchanting Amazon.&#160; The excitement continues as Central Holidays also debuts a diverse new collection of vacations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Guatemala and includes popular favorites in Costa Rica and Panama too. From Iguazu Falls to Patagonia, and Machu Picchu to the colorful and vibrant capitals of Latin America, and beyond &#8211; the options abound!To view or download Central Holidays&#8217; new collection of brochures, visit&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE</a>.

Central Holidays Presents A World Of Unparalleled New Travel Packages And Experiences In Its Just-Released Collection Of 2020 Brochures For Egypt, Africa & West Asia, And Latin America

Central Holidays is pleased to introduce amazing savings on last minute travel deals in Europe and South America that are fully commissionable to travel agents.&#160; &#8220;Our company is composed of travel pros that know the destinations we serve intricately and who are able to negotiate incomparable preferred pricing. We are proud to say that this insight is reflected in our level of expertise on planning these trips and on the amazing value-added deals they present. We invite travel advisors and their clients to get the insider&#8217;s perspective into these countries traveling on our special last minute deals,&#8221; said Lori Corless, Vice President of Marketing for Central Holidays.Here is a glance at Central Holidays&#8217; exclusive travel deals:Multi-country Europe Specials &#8211; Travel by February 29, 2020:<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/Last-Minute-Travel-Specials--Europe">https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/Last-Minute-Travel-Specials--Europe</a>&#160;Barcelona, Madrid &amp; Lisbon7 Days from $1,070INCLUDED FEATURES<ul><li>First class hotel accommodation for 6 nights</li><li>Daily buffet breakfast</li><li>Private half day panoramic city tour of Barcelona with English-speaking driver</li><li>Private half day panoramic city tour of Madrid with English-speaking driver</li><li>Regular half day tour of Lisbon</li><li>Private arrival and departure transfers in each city</li><li>Document holder and luggage tags</li><li>Hotel taxes and service charges</li></ul>&#160;Madrid, Barcelona &amp; Paris7 Days from $1,441INCLUDED FEATURES<ul><li>First class hotel accommodation for 6 nights</li><li>Daily buffet breakfast</li><li>Private half day panoramic city tour of Madrid with English-speaking driver</li><li>Private half day panoramic city tour of Barcelona with English-speaking driver</li><li>Private half day panoramic city tour of Paris with English-speaking driver</li><li>Private arrival and departure transfers in each city</li><li>Document holder and luggage tags</li><li>Hotel taxes and service charges</li></ul>&#160;Europe Specials are priced per person, land only, based on double room occupancy. Price is valid for new bookings only for travel from now to February 29, 2020.&#160;Last Minute Travel Deals in South America &#8211; Travel dates through March 2020:<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/Last-Minute-Travel-Specials--South-America">https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/Last-Minute-Travel-Specials--South-America</a>&#160;Peruvian Classic Highlights &#8211; 7 Days from $1,889Save $190-$610 PPINCLUDED FEATURES<ul><li>Hotel accommodations for 6 nights</li><li>Daily buffet breakfast, 2 lunches &amp; 1 dinner</li><li>All transfers, touring &amp; sightseeing as follows:<ul><li>Via shared services on Travel in Style program</li><li>Via private car on Travel in Luxury program</li></ul></li><li>All excursions have a professional English-speaking guide</li><li>City tour of Lima</li><li>Full day tour of the Sacred Valley</li><li>Round trip train to Machu Picchu</li><li>Tour of Machu Picchu</li><li>Half day tour of Cusco and nearby archaeological site</li><li>Document holder and luggage tags</li><li>Hotel taxes and service charges</li></ul>Peruvian Classic Highlights winter travel deal is priced per person, land only based on double occupancy. Save $190 on the Travel in Style program or save $610 on the Travel in Luxury program. Offer is valid for new bookings only for travel from Jan 2 through Mar 31, 2020. Blackout dates apply.&#160;Cruising the Galapagos Islands on board Galapagos Legend, Coral I, or Coral II -- 4 or 5 Days from $2,190Choose from 2 great offers:<ol><li>Free round-trip air fare from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Island ($475 value). Available on the following 2019 &amp; 2020 sailing dates: Dec 8, 15 &amp; 16; Jan 22; Feb 2, 12, &amp; 23; Mar 8, 9 &amp; 11</li><li>A one category cabin upgrade on your cruise (valid on &#8220;Standard Plus Category&#8221;). Savings are $306-$501 depending on the ship, date of sailing and cabin category chosen. Available on the following 2019 &amp; 2020 sailing dates: Dec 4, 9, 11 &amp; 12; Jan 16, 19, 27 &amp; 29; Feb 27; Mar 12 &amp; 25</li></ol>The above Galapagos specials are priced per person, cruise only based on double occupancy. Offer is valid for new bookings only.&#160;All featured offers are not combinable with other offers/discounts/promotions, or for GROUP TRAVEL for which special rates apply. Additional restrictions may apply.&#160;To Book:Call 800-935-5000

Central Holidays Unveils Last Minute Travel Deals In Europe And South America

Central Holidays today announced the debut of its 2020 Europe brochure with authentically rich experiences in Greece, France, Malta, Spain, Portugal, &amp; Croatia, featuring inspired itineraries and ultra-personalized programs.&#160; Celebrated for its affordable luxury itineraries, uniquely presented by Central Holidays, the travel brand is constantly adding new offerings and enhancements to its range of vacations created by its team of destination experts.&#160; New for 2020 in Europe, Central Holidays is unveiling exciting new itineraries in Greece, France, Spain, and Croatia &#8211; on top of the range of new programs it recently unveiled in the brand&#8217;s dedicated Italy brochure.&#8220;With each program meticulously handcrafted by our Europe Product Manager, Roberta Micarelli-Yorrie who lived in Europe and has traveled extensively throughout the region, we are thrilled to share these travel programs &#8211; exclusively presented by Central Holidays &#8211; that take travelers to experience the magic of each destination,&#8221; said Lori Corless, Vice President of Marketing for Central Holidays.&#160; We also are very pleased to unveil more lesser known cities, towns, and villages as well as more one-of-a-kind moments that today&#8217;s travelers are yearning to enjoy and share.&#8221;A sample of what&#8217;s new for 2020: Central Holidays is introducing novel culinary vacations including &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Spain/SAVORY-BARCELONA">Savory Barcelona</a>&#8221; in Spain and &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Croatia/WINE--DINE-IN-CROATIA">Wine and Dine in Croatia</a>&#8221; that add to the brand&#8217;s vast range of food and wine programs.&#160; For those seeking a distinctive Iberian adventure, travelers can opt for the new &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Spain/Glories-of-Spain--Portugal">Glories of Spain and Portugal</a>&#8221; cruise program that showcases amazing Andalusia treasures and the Costa del Sol in Spain, plus the opportunity to step back in time in Silves and Monchique in Portugal.&#160; In France, the whole family is invited on the trip of a lifetime with the company&#8217;s innovative &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/France/FAMILY-FUN-IN-PARIS">Family Fun in Paris</a>&#8221; that showcases the iconic City of Lights from a kid&#8217;s point of view.&#160;Travelers can choose their ultimate adventure in Greece with an array of unparalleled new experiences, including a collection of outstanding romance and honeymoon programs and even more cruising options.&#160; &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Greece/Classical-Greece">Classical Greece</a>&#8221; invites travelers to embark on a distinctive 8-day mega-yacht vacation to explore Athens and some of the most spectacular Greek Isles. Travelers can sail the new &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Greece/ANTIQUITY-TO-BYZANTIUM">Antiquity to Byzantium</a>&#8221; cruise package, a Grecian voyage through history dedicated to the Golden Age of Greek civilization and beyond.&#160; Another new cruise package includes the &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Greece/ECLECTIC-AEGEAN">Eclectic Aegean</a>&#8221; that features two days in Athens and a 7-day cruise to enchanting ports in Turkey and Greece. Travelers can also opt for a multi-continent adventure by sea on &#8220;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Greece/THE-THREE-CONTINENTS">The Three Continents</a>&#8221; program that cruises to Europe, Asia, and Africa, traveling from Greece&#8217;s Athens to explore the treasures of Egypt, Israel's Holy Land, Cyprus's Limassol, the Greek island of Rhodes, and Turkey's Ancient Ephesus in Kusadasi.&#160;To view or download the new Europe brochure, visit&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE</a>.

Central Holidays Unveils The Ultimate Experiential Opportunities In New 2020 Europe Brochure -- Including New Travel Programs In Greece, France, Spain, And Croatia --

Central Holidays&#8217; Group Travel Experiences is unveiling a booking bonus of up to a $1000 gift card for new group bookings made with deposit by January 31, 2020. Travel advisors and group planners that book and deposit a group with a minimum of 30 travelers and minimum 5-night stay receive a $1000 gift card; for groups booked with deposit comprised of a minimum of 20 travelers and minimum 5-night stay, planners receive a $500 gift card. With full access to the knowledge and experience of the CH Group Travel Experiences dedicated team, group planners enjoy a great opportunity to deliver the ideal trip for their clients. Plus, not only are travelers rewarded with great trips, but travel advisors and planners are also rewarded with a $1000 or $500 gift card for themselves. The company&#8217;s group travel offerings continue to grow as more and more groups discover that they can enhance their knowledge and experience with their particular special interest while traveling to destinations throughout the world. No matter what a group, club, church, or family is interested in focusing on&#8230;with a special interest group tour, groups can live their travel dreams down to the last detail! Here&#8217;s a Look at Some Trip Ideas for Group Planners from Central Holidays&#8217; Group Travel Experiences: Food &amp; Wine Travelers can enjoy a culinary extravaganza in amazing world-class destinations. On these programs, guests will visit some of the finest vineyards across the globe to sample exquisite wines...savor traditional regional cuisine...experience the warmth and hospitality of locals that will make them feel at home...join in one of our cooking class itineraries &#8211; all while exploring each picturesque town, enchanting landscape and glorious city visited. Culture &amp; History Travel advisors can have their clients embark on Culture and History Programs throughout the world, with unforgettable visits to castles, places of worship, museums, gardens, and ancient buildings that have been unbelievably well preserved. They can experience the cultures of different countries by attending concerts, shows, or simply enjoying the regional food scene&#8230;learning about each place simply by sharing time there. Archaeology &amp; Ancient Civilizations On these inspired programs, travelers can: explore the Palace of Knossos in Crete or the ruins of Pompeii in Italy; discover the mysteries of Stonehenge in England or the archaeological wonders of Turkey; experience the vastness of the Roman and Greek Empires, or the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures in Eastern Europe; take a glimpse into the past in Egypt or enjoy a mind-blowing journey in Peru's Machu Picchu. Religious Experiences Central Holidays offers a full complement of itineraries to religious destinations. In Europe, experience the glories of the Vatican, and the religious sites of France, Portugal, Spain and Greece. Explore the Holy Land of Israel and learn about the religious significance of Egypt. For 2020, Central Holidays is presenting the Passion Plays in Oberammergau, Germany or Sordevolo, Italy &#8211; an ideal pilgrimage for groups. Additional group themes include&#160;Art and Architecture; Group Cruise programs, featuring river and seaborne sailings; and&#160;Incentives, Meetings &amp; Conventions, plus so many more! Gift card eligibility is based on a minimum number of travelers as indicated above, booked with deposit as part of a group with a minimum 5-night stay. This promotion is valid for new group bookings deposited by January 31, 2020 for travel before March 31, 2021. Not combinable with any other offers/discounts/promotions. Additional restrictions may apply. All programs can be customized to meet each group&#8217;s needs.

Central Holidays’ Group Travel Experiences Presents Promotion For Travel Advisors And Group Planners – Featuring Booking Bonus Of Up To $1000 Gift Card For New Group Bookings Made By January 31, 2020 –

Central Holidays today announced the launch of its new 2020 Italy brochure with exclusive experiential travel opportunities for all ages of travelers in this 100-page publication.&#160; Celebrated for exclusive experiential itineraries, uniquely presented by Central Holidays, the travel brand is constantly adding new offerings and enhancements to its range of vacations created by its team of destination experts.&#160; New for 2020, Central Holidays is unveiling additions to their signature escorted tours, culinary tours, &#8220;fun for family and kids&#8221; travel programs, and rail journeys.&#8220;Our company is composed of travel professionals who know the industry and the destinations we serve intricately. We are proud to say that this insight is reflected in all of the programs presented in our new 2020 Italy vacations brochure &#8211; each meticulously handcrafted by our Europe Product Manager, Roberta Micarelli, a native of Italy who has traveled extensively throughout the region, and has been working with Central Holidays for more than 20 years,&#8221; said Lori Corless, Vice President of Marketing.From the level of expertise on planning activities, and attractions, to the food, hotels, excursions, and other requests that may come our way, we invite advisors and their clients to travel with us to get the insider&#8217;s perspective into this fascinating country and enjoy distinctive, one-of-a-kind moments that are standard features on our Italy vacations,&#8221; continued Corless.In 2020, Central Holidays is introducing superb new programs that take travelers to experience popular destination favorites as well as off-the-beaten-path treasures throughout the country.&#160; Here&#8217;s a glance at some of the fantastic new offerings presented in the 2020 Italy brochure:<ul><li>Our newest Premier Escorted Travel Program,&#160;Postcards from Puglia &amp; The Amalfi Coast&#160; On this small group experience, travelers will explore Puglia, known for its conical-roofed homes called &#8220;trulli&#8221; and open-air trattorias perfect for al fresco dining, and then delve into the Amalfi Coast, boasting some of the most iconic Italian coastal views and fragrant lemon-clad hills ideal for making the area&#8217;s world-famous limoncello.&#160;</li></ul><ul><li>An experiential culinary vacation on&#160;Italy&#8217;s Food Valley &amp; Fast Cars On this inspired new travel program, travelers will savor the finest Italian cuisine with hands-on tasting experiences that include celebrated foods in the Emilia Romagna region of the country &#8211; such as tortellini, prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano, and then get revved-up during an action-packed private tour of Maranello, including visits of the Ferrari Museum and Fiorano Track.&#160;</li></ul><ul><li>Fun for the whole family abounds with&#160;Family Fun in Venice, Florence &amp; Rome&#160; A new addition to the company&#8217;s family travel collection, this vacation is chock-full of unique activities and exciting excursions for all ages. With this series of programs, Central Holidays&#8217; goal is to make family travel fun and rewarding for the entire family and have travelers&#8217; children or grandchildren open up to new experiences as they get an insider&#8217;s look into some of Italy&#8217;s most popular destinations.&#160;</li></ul><ul><li>An exciting new train travel vacation,&#160;Italy by Rail - Venice, Florence, Rome &amp; Positano&#160; On this trip, travelers will discover the treasures of Italy at their own pace. The independent rail travel program takes travelers to some of the most iconic and highly requested vacation destinations of Italy with plenty of time to explore at their own leisure and experience the unique aspects of each city and village with time to focus on their own personal preferences along the way.</li></ul>&#160;Beyond all of that, the new 2020 brochure shares a sampling of the virtually endless travel opportunities offered by with Central Holidays, including:&#160;<ul><li>Small Group Tours&#160;&#8211; These vacations feature all of the benefits offered in Central Holidays&#8217; renowned signature Escorted Motorcoach Tours, plus exclusive inclusions as well as an intimate group size of a maximum of 16 travelers for even more personalized and in-depth experiences.&#160;</li></ul><ul><li>Mosaics&#160;-- Hand-crafted four-day travel packages meticulously designed and brimming with experiences and inclusions that artistically fit together like amazing mosaic art to create the most unforgettable masterpiece vacations.&#160; These are superb additions to virtually any Italy travel program for an even more enriching experience overall.&#160;</li></ul><ul><li>Romance and Honeymoons Collection&#160;&#8211; Central Holidays&#8217; collection of romantic travel and honeymoon packages cater to evolving trends for more active, experiential, and immersive moments that today&#8217;s travelers are wishing for on &#8220;couples vacations&#8221; &#8211; featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences, superb food and wine, unique excursions, time for relaxation, and much more!&#160;&#160;</li></ul><ul><li>Fly and Drive Vacations&#160;&#8211; Where travelers can make every turn all their very own!&#160; On these travel programs, travelers motor through the fantastic Italian countryside at their own pace with accommodations and select elements of their travels pre-planned for their ultimate convenience.&#160;</li></ul><ul><li>Rent a Villa&#160;or Home&#160;for the supreme &#8220;live like a local&#8221; experience.&#160; These authentically rich accommodation styles offer an excellent way to sample the country&#8217;s lifestyle, cuisine and culture firsthand.</li></ul>&#160;Plus, the new brochure presents attractive value-added benefits, savings on packages with preferred pricing negotiated by Central Holidays&#8217; Italy team, and early booking specials that travel advisors can pass along to their clients that are sure to motivate action.To view or download the new Italy brochure, visit&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE</a>.

Central Holidays Unveils The Ultimate Experiential Opportunities In New 2020 Italy Brochure -- Including New Additions To Their Signature Escorted Tours, Culinary Tours, "Fun For Family And Kids" Travel Programs, And Rail Journeys --

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are experiencing an uptick in travelers this month with an incentive travel group of nearly 5,000 passengers, the largest ever incentive group to visit Israel.&#160; Orchestrated by Central Holidays, the group is having a huge effect on boosting inbound travel numbers and revenue for the international destination.&#160; During the massive group trip, the long-established travel brand also presented the first-ever mega event at the Biblical site &#8220;The Valley of Ben Hinnom&#8221; and continues to receive rave reviews for attention to every detail as the trip proceeds.Central Holidays Group Travel Experiences organized all the elements of this &#8220;Supertrip&#8221; that took almost 5,000 salespeople and their families to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for Transamerica-owned World System Builder (WSB), a California-headquartered financial services marketing company, headed by Chairman Mr. Xuan Nguyen.The group of 4,907 travelers, currently traveling in Israel, are staying in a vast range of 20 hotels, traveling on 100+ buses, joining in splendid private excursions led by hundreds of English-speaking professional guides, and eating more than 90,000 meals as they enjoy six nights of meticulously planned incentive travel experiences in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.&#160; Altogether, the group is expected to contribute millions to the Israeli economy.&#160;&#8220;We are thrilled to be part of bringing this influx of travelers and tourism dollars to Israel via this grand-scale incentive travel group. At Central Holidays, we are proud to serve as WSB&#8217;s partner in creating these mega trips, and are pleased to see the number of participants surge from 700 passengers back in 2013 to nearly 5,000 travelers today &#8211; an increase that mirrors the ever-growing boom of incentive travel over the years,&#8221; said Baher Ghabbour, Chairman of Sakkara Group International, the parent company of Central Holidays.&#160; We look forward to continually developing more and more of these mega incentive travel groups as we have now for more than 45 years since our founding, and to helping create positive economic impact for more national and international companies and destinations worldwide.&#8221;Gala Event in The Valley of Ben HinnomAs an iconic piece in organizing this trip, the Central Holidays Group Travel Experiences team orchestrated three grandiose mega gala events in The Valley of Ben Hinnom, that converted the valley separating the Old City from the first Jewish neighborhood built outside of the Old City Walls into a spectacular celebration space.&#160; Situated right below Mt. Zion (Room of the Last Supper and the Tomb of King David) and outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, the verdant valley played host to these events for the incentive travel group&#8217;s thousands of guests.&#160;Here, Central Holidays Group Travel Experiences directed the comprehensive design and build of flooring, staircases, a performance stage with orchestra, electrical and lighting, dance floor, and catering kitchen.&#160; The event idea, design, and orchestration were monumental in every element. Eight stages were built over irregular ground of different heights. Overall, it took crews months to build the structure and complete the event space.&#160; Further, event set up included hundreds of tables and thousands of chairs, flowers, tableware, miscellaneous decor, and so much more.&#160; Every last detail, even the biblical era costumes worn by the event staff, was planned and executed.&#160; More than 500 service staff per event were employed to serve as hosts and wait staff for the multi-course meals and concerts featuring acclaimed performers that concluded in lively open-air, pulsing club-style events hosted by a celebrated Israeli DJ.&#160;Taking Touring to the Next LevelTo seamlessly deliver the most immersive tour experiences, the mega group&#8217;s travelers were divided into three sub-groups that visited Israel&#8217;s Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.&#160; Additionally, an &#8220;Elite Trip&#8221; to Greece was also designed by Central Holidays as an add-on to the week-long &#8220;Supertrip&#8221; with the company&#8217;s destination partner, Tour Greece.The leading incentive travel brand additionally presented guests with a selection of unique experiential excursions throughout their time in Israel.&#160; With input from Central Holidays' destination experts, each was developed to present travelers with an insider's perspective across a diverse spectrum of interests and preferences.&#160; Here's a glance at some of the special tours offered:&#160;<ul><li>CITY OF DAVID - TOURS OF BIBLICAL JERUSALEM &#8211; A journey through the underground tunnels from which the city was conquered, and residents fled.</li><li>MARKETS AND CRAFTSMEN IN THE OLD CITY &#8211; Beyond the holy places, a novel tour showcasing artistic traditions, fascinating corners, and special people.</li><li>FLAVORS, COLORS, STORIES AND FRAGRANCES TOUR OF MACHNE YEHUDA &#8211; A touring extravaganza full of flavors and fragrances in and around Jerusalem's main market with tastings of Georgian baked goods, hummus with pita, Israeli beer, sweet rogalach, and knafe hot from the pan.</li><li>CULINARY TOUR OF JERUSALEM'S OLD CITY &#8211; A food tour taking travelers to taste the flavors and traditions of Jerusalem&#8217;s ancient Old City including authentic coffee blends or mint tea, Armenian baked goods or kebab, halva or knafe, and hummus.</li><li>THE BIBLICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GALILEE &#8211; A faith-based program taking travelers to drive through the lower Galilee to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood.</li><li>THE DEAD SEA &amp; MASADA &#8211; An adventure highlighting natural wonders where guests descend 1200 meters (3,938 feet) through the wilderness of the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea</li></ul>&#160;Evolving Incentive Travel Planning to Concierge Level and BeyondDuring the introduction at each of the incentive group's gala events in The Valley of Ben Hinnom, Central Holidays was praised for the company's meticulous planning and execution of the countless details that came together seamlessly to deliver this trip of a lifetime.&#160; From the initial planning stages, through the booking phase, and on to the actual trip, the company was celebrated for its high level of personalized service throughout.&#8220;Two-and-a-half years ago we started with the planning to deliver this monumental trip.&#160; Since the day Israel was selected as the destination of choice by WSB we have exchanged more than 10,000 emails and have made 13 visits to Israel with the team to plan for and inspect every single element that has gone into the step by step building of this phenomenal group trip &#8211; from hotels, and restaurants to buses, attractions, and so much more.&#160; We have had 50 Central Holidays travel professionals from our office in New York and 20 team members from our SGI headquarters in Cairo working on each last detail and are thrilled &#8211; as with every Central Holidays trip - that all has come together so flawlessly,&#8221; said Ghabbour.As part of the included offerings from Central Holidays Group Travel Experiences, the company launched an easy-to-use website with booking engine for the group's travelers. Conveniently available 24/7, travelers were able to take advantage of Central Holidays' user friendly and secure booking engine online via the group's dedicated &#34;Supertrip&#34; website. As a full-service incentive travel company more than 45 years strong, Central Holidays handled all aspects of payment processing for the group as well as innovative program operations.&#160;For this group, Central Holidays created an electronic documentation procedure handled through an XML feed which allowed the travel brand to generate a QR Code for each passenger with all their travel details that was included in a badge for each traveler to utilize throughout their travels.&#160; This system additionally made it possible for the company to flawlessly manage and transfer more than 10,000 pieces of luggage for the group.Staff has been available 24/7 to assist travelers with all aspects of the trip.&#160;Beyond all of these elements, the group has been vocal in sharing their experiences via the hashtag created for the trip, #wsbisrael, featuring nearly 400 posts using across various social media platforms.For additional details, visit&#160;<a href="https://www.grouptravelexperiences.com/">www.grouptravelexperiences.com</a>.

Incentive Travel Group Of Nearly 5,000 Passengers Orchestrated By Central Holidays Boosts Jerusalem And Tel Aviv Inbound Travel Numbers And Showcases First Ever Mega Event In Biblical Site "The Valley Of Ben Hinnom"

Central Holidays is pleased to unveil its new guide, &#8220;A Year of Traveling our Top Destinations&#8221;, presented with the expert knowledge and insider insight of the award-winning travel brand's destinations specialists.&#160; This useful guide features vacations exclusively offered by Central Holidays to its most highly requested destinations. Known for its specialized destination expertise and affordable-luxury line-up of diverse travel programs, Central Holidays is making it easy for agents to find the best program in the best time of the year for their clients via this novel guide.&#34;Your clients often wonder what month is best to visit a particular destination. They may have certain wishes, such as fewer crowds, more experiential things to do, or the best weather for enjoying each destination. As true destination experts, our knowledge and insight help you with our new guide. We have compiled our Top 12 Destinations for the year and provided recommendations on the best month to visit each one,&#34; said Maria Jose Merino, Vice President of Operations for Central Holidays.Central Holidays presents all types of travel opportunities and has artfully combined the best of the best in this online guide that can be accessed at&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/A-Year-of-Traveling-our-Top-Destinations">https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/A-Year-of-Traveling-our-Top-Destinations</a>.Here's at glance at the best guide for where to travel every month of the year:<ul><li>January &#8211; Costa Rica: Enjoy the best weather of the year for adventures in San Jose's bustling capital, on Guanacaste's beaches, and along the Arenal Volcano.</li><li>February &#8211; United Arab Emirates: Great weather and low humidity make both outdoor sightseeing in Dubai &amp; Abu Dhabi and desert safaris and excursions truly enjoyable!</li><li>March &#8211; Egypt: There are less crowds for sightseeing in Giza, Aswan and Luxor. The weather is comfortable, and hotels and ships have more availability.</li><li>April &#8211; Israel: The weather is wonderful this time of year as the streets come alive with meaningful experiences for both the Easter and Passover holidays.</li><li>May &#8211; Eastern &amp; Southern Africa: Enjoy great weather and fewer crowds. In Zimbabwe, the weather is mild and dry and stunning Victoria Falls are at their greatest volume.</li><li>June &#8211; France: The weather is very pleasant in all of France including Paris, Burgundy, Normandy and Provence, where the lavender fields are blooming.</li><li>July &#8211; Greece: The weather is great and the beaches are even better! We recommend Athens and island hopping in Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and more.</li><li>August &#8211; Portugal: The weather is wonderful and many festivals take place this month. Check out the August 15 feasts in the Azores plus the weekly running of the bulls.</li><li>September &#8211; Ecuador &amp; the Galapagos Islands: Great weather is to be had in beautiful Ecuador. We suggest taking a cruise to the Galapagos Islands where the wildlife is very active.</li><li>October &#8211; Italy: The weather is at its best this time of year and there are no school crowds. Enjoy so many events, including local harvest festivals.</li><li>November &#8211; Peru: This is an especially good time of year to visit Peru with fewer crowds in Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including Machu Picchu.</li><li>December &#8211; Spain: Enjoy warmer days in Costa del Sol and skiing in Sierra Nevada. Visit the Christmas market in Barcelona and spend New Year's in Madrid.&#160;</li></ul>

Central Holidays Unveils "A Year Of Traveling Our Top Destinations" Guide

Central Holidays is introducing its new collection of romance travel and honeymoon programs that cater to evolving trends for more active, experiential, and immersive moments on couples&#8217; vacations.&#160; The award-winning travel brand is unveiling exclusive new romance travel and honeymoon opportunities that combine amazing experiences, superb food and wine, unique and active excursions, time for relaxation, and much more.&#160;&#8220;Our destination specialists keep their pulse on the changing trends of romantic travel and honeymoons.&#160; Based on demand, we see travelers requesting and booking more one-of-a-kind or once-in-a-lifetime experiences.&#160; Our new collection of romance travel and honeymoon packages deliver exactly what they are seeking,&#8221; said Maria Jose Merino, Vice President of Operations for Central Holidays.&#160; &#8220;These programs are all about making memories that couples will cherish for a lifetime.&#8221;&#160;Across Europe and the Mediterranean, Egypt, South Africa, and Latin America, this new collection makes the most blissful romantic vacations in the world become a reality everyday with programs designed by Central Holidays. &#160;Here&#8217;s a look at what&#8217;s new:&#160;ITALY6-day Sorrento and the Romantic Island of Ischia&#160;&#8211; On this romantic Italy vacation, travelers will enjoy a full-day Sorrento and Positano tour by Vespa, an espresso break and limoncello tasting, a sunset boat trip from Sorrento with prosecco, a tour of Ischia, plus full-day sailing around the island.&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Sorrento-and-the-Romantic-Island-of-Ischia">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Sorrento-and-the-Romantic-Island-of-Ischia</a>&#160;6-day Enchanting Venice and Picturesque Lake Como&#160;&#8211; Full of private excursions, wine tasting experiences and more, vacationers on this trip will revel in the magic of Italy with included activities such as a gondola tour in Venice with musicians and a full day tour of Lake Como by private boat. &#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Enchanting-Venice-and-Picturesque-Lake-Como">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Enchanting-Venice-and-Picturesque-Lake-Como</a>&#160;EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN9-day Romantic Croatia&#160;&#8211; The dreamiest of honeymoons or romantic escapes awaits sweethearts on this Croatia vacation package including special experiences like a cruise with wine tasting, a Thai massage, and dinners with wine at acclaimed local restaurants in Hvar and Dubrovnik. &#160;&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Croatia/Romantic-Croatia">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Croatia/Romantic-Croatia</a>&#160;8-day Castles and Palaces of the Spanish Wine Region&#160;&#8211; This delightful Spain vacation escape takes guests to Madrid, Rioja, and Ribera de Duero, featuring stays in Paradores, visits of fairytale castles and palaces, and four wine tasting experiences for the most unforgettable memories.&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Spain/CASTLES-and-PALACES-OF-THE-SPANISH-WINE-REGION">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Spain/CASTLES-and-PALACES-OF-THE-SPANISH-WINE-REGION</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;7-day France's The Ultimate Romance Package&#160;-- Paris and the Chantilly Forest welcome couples on this trip with private guided walking tours of Saint Germain, Montmartre, or Marais; afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel; cheese and wine tastings, and even a stay in an authentic French Chateau.&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/France/The-Ultimate-Romance-Package">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/France/The-Ultimate-Romance-Package</a>&#160;In Greece&#160;the opportunities for picture-perfect romantic vacations abound! New for 2020, couples can enjoy the soon to be unveiled Romance &amp; Honeymoons in Greece Collection featuring: Athens, Mykonos &amp; Santorini; Athens, Mykonos, Paros &amp; Santorini; and Athens &amp; Crete.&#160;EGYPT7-day Nile Voyager Plus 3-day Hurgada Extension&#160;&#8211; This unforgettable Nile Cruise takes travelers to enjoy awe-inspiring pyramids, sights of antiquity, imposing monuments, and moments of relaxation on their plush river vessel.&#160; Plus, guests can extend their stay in the beachfront resort of Hurgada.&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Nile-Voyager">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Nile-Voyager</a>&#160;and&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Hurghada-Extension">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Hurghada-Extension</a>&#160;SOUTH AFRICA9-day Memorable Food &amp; Wines of South Africa&#160;&#8211; This dreamy South Africa vacation tour to Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and the Eastern Cape takes couples to enjoy exquisite food and wine, private game reserve safaris, fascinating excursions, and enchanting moments to be shared.&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Eastern-Southern-Africa/MEMORABLE-FOOD-and-WINES-OF-SOUTH-AFRICA">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Eastern-Southern-Africa/MEMORABLE-FOOD-and-WINES-OF-SOUTH-AFRICA</a>&#160;LATIN AMERICA8-day Tango to Samba&#160;&#8211; Couples are sure to fall in love all over again on this romantic adventure in Argentina and Brazil that takes them to experience nature, history, and culture by day, and musical moments of tango, samba, and bossa nova, plus delectable dinners by night!&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Latin-america-vacations/Argentina/Tango-to-Samba">https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Latin-america-vacations/Argentina/Tango-to-Samba</a>&#160;Couples and Newlyweds seeking to enjoy the experiences of a lifetime together can start the next exciting chapter in their love stories with these outstanding new Romance and Honeymoon travel programs.&#160; Call Central Holidays at 1-800-935-5000

Central Holidays Introduces Fresh New Romance And Honeymoon Collection Of Travel Packages Developed For Evolving Trends

Award-winning travel brand Central Holidays is pleased to announce that its vast range of travel programs is now available via the thousands of travel agency websites powered by Passport Online.&#160; As Central Holidays continues on its growth and expansion path, this new affiliation makes it even easier for advisors to book the company&#8217;s diverse collection of travel programs to destinations throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, Africa and West Asia, and Latin America.The partnership with Passport Online ensures that the millions of travel consumers who reach out to travel advisors and shop on their agency websites for vacations have the most up-to-date information and pricing for the company&#8217;s amazing trips.&#160; The flexibility offered by the Passport Online system affords agencies the option to highlight certain brands and prioritize the search result listings, making sure their clients receive more accurate responses to their inquiries. The system also provides agencies with websites, marketing solutions and social media presence, amounting to a one-stop website and e-commerce shop. Adding Central Holidays travel programs increases Passport Online&#8217;s agency customers&#8217; offerings in the experiential travel market, with exclusive programs offered in the world&#8217;s most popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations, including some of the most unique and authentically rich itineraries available in the market today.&#8220;Central Holidays is dedicated to continuous improvement in how we interact, serve and satisfy our clients and partners.&#160; This new partnership with Passport Online further showcases our ongoing commitment to supporting the travel advisor community and making it easy for them to do business with us,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member.&#160;&#8220;As the leading leisure technology provider for the travel agency community, we are committed to providing our customers with access to the best suppliers in the industry. We are thrilled to welcome award-winning Central Holidays to the portfolio and to provide our travel agency clients with access to up-to-the-minute tour content as well as the ability to share that content with their customers through websites, email marketing solutions and social media,&#8221; said Jeanne Colombo, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Passport Online.Via the Passport Online system, the millions of unique consumer visitors a month browsing their preferred travel professional&#8217;s website will now be able to access information about Central Holidays&#8217; global travel opportunities while remaining on the advisor&#8217;s website to help the agent boost their earnings.&#160;About Passport Online:Passport Online is the leisure travel industry leader in website, web content, email marketing, and social media solutions. Passport also offers state of the art booking engine solutions for b-to-b and b-to-c needs. A major distribution channel for leisure travel suppliers to connect with the leading consortia, retail agencies, professional home-based agent networks, and their clients, Passport Online enables millions of consumer shopping sessions on thousands of travel agency websites. For more information, visit www.passportonlineinc.com.

Central Holidays Announce Partnership With Passport Online

Central Holidays is unveiling an innovative concept in touring &#8211; small group escorted tours that feature exclusive activities and excursions for the most immersive of destination experiences. These superb programs deliver all of the benefits offered in Central Holidays&#8217; renowned signature Premier Escorted Motorcoach Tours, plus exclusive inclusions and an intimate group size of a maximum of 16 travelers for even more personalized and in-depth experiences. &#8220;In response to requests from repeat guests, Central Holidays has developed this exciting new concept in escorted touring where travelers can enjoy all of the worry-free advantages of the company&#8217;s signature escorted programs, with the addition of activities and excursions ideally suited for smaller groups such as unique culinary experiences &#8211; from the opportunity to savor famed Neapolitan pastries and limoncello in Sorrento, to a traditional cappuccino break in Rome, or the chance to taste delicious gelato at one of the city&#8217;s first gelaterias in Florence,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. &#8220;On these new small group tours, it&#8217;s all about experiences that truly take you to live the magic of Italy like a local with the added perk of sharing these moments of a lifetime in the intimacy of a small group.&#8221; Central Holidays&#8217; signature escorted travel programs in Italy feature: complimentary wine, mineral water and coffee or cappuccino with lunches and dinners in specially selected restaurants. As well, all Central Holidays Escorted Tours in Italy feature the &#34;Hear Clear&#34; personal audio system, allowing you to hear all the details about the places you visit, even when standing 60 feet away from you guide. Add to that bonus sightseeing, centrally located hotels, and the most time at leisure to delve into a city, town or village on your own, and you see just how many benefits you&#8217;ll enjoy on a Central Holidays Italy Escorted Package. All of this, plus splendid new experiential inclusions are all included in the company&#8217;s new Small Group Escorted Tours. Here is a glance at the programs now offered as part of Central Holidays&#8217; new Small Group Escorted Tours: <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Magnificent-Italy-and-the-Amalfi-Coast">Magnificent Italy &amp; the Amalfi Coast</a> <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Splendors-of-Sicily">Splendors of Sicily</a> <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Italys-Northern-Highlights">Italy&#8217;s Northern Highlights</a> <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Italys-Southern-Splendor">Italy&#8217;s Southern Splendors</a> <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Italys-Sunbelt-Rome-and-the-Amalfi-Coast">Italy&#8217;s Sunbelt, Rome &amp; the Amalfi Coast</a> <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Best-of-Italy">Best of Italy</a> <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Grand-Tour-of-Italy-and-Sicily">Grand Tour of Italy &amp; Sicily</a>

Central Holidays Develops Progressive Small Group Escorted Tours Featuring Exclusive Experiential Activities

Central Holidays is proud to unveil its redesigned website this month. The completely responsive site, viewable across devices from desktop computer monitors and laptops to tablets and mobile phones, is located at Central Holidays&#8217; URL of www.centralholidays.com, and contains new features such as improved navigation, a beneficial &#8220;Find an Agent&#8221; functionality, 2019 e-brochures, and tons of new content &#8211; including infographics, interactive maps and more &#8211; to help travel advisors find the best trip for their clients. &#8220;A cornerstone of our time-honored success at Central Holidays stems from listening to and nurturing relationships with our travel advisor partners. Our updated website is a product of those relationships and serves to further demonstrate our commitment to the travel advisor community and to providing customers with the travel experiences of their dreams each and every time,&#8221; said Lori Corless, Vice President, Marketing for Central Holidays. &#8220;We have received tons of feedback from our travel advisor partners, and we are very pleased with the redesigned navigation, responsive design flexibility, and fresh content that is now available to them at CentralHolidays.com,&#8221; continued Corless. CentralHolidays.com is a powerful resource for travel advisors. It enables them to peruse a broad range of travel opportunities to find the perfect fit for their clients &#8211; all online. Visitors to the site will find helpful information on the brand's travel programs and hotels, compelling travel articles and news, beautiful videos and fascinating infographics, as well as insightful information about the countries and cities Central Holidays serves and the novel excursions and experiences they offer in each destination. Advisors can delve into products and destinations on a deeper level with the product of the month feature, interactive maps, destinations at-a-glance, and coming soon&#8230;distinctive travel tips that they can share with their clients. Further supporting the travel advisor community, the new website includes a robust &#8220;Find an Agent&#8221; feature that has been very well received by the company&#8217;s travel advisor partners. Additionally, via the e-brochure feature at centralholidays.com, advisors can preview, download, or order a printed version of any brochure directly online from the brand&#8217;s comprehensive line of artfully designed brochures. As well, advanced technology incorporated within the new site enhances and improves communication with advisors.

Central Holidays Launches Newly Redesigned Website - New Website Is Completely Responsive, User-Friendly, And Brimming With Fresh Content -

Central Holidays has unveiled its 2019 Africa and West Asia brochure featuring travel programs packed with exclusive experiences to destinations throughout Africa and West Asia, including travel to Eastern and Southern Africa, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The award-winning travel brand is also introducing Oman as a new destination offered with fascinating new travel packages to this welcoming country. The just-released 68-page publication is stylishly designed to inspire travelers with affordable-luxury itineraries and stunning imagery. The new brochure presents 25 inspired itineraries, including Central Holidays&#8217; signature escorted travel programs, hosted vacations, and independent travel packages, as well as enriching religious pilgrimage travel programs, exotic African safari experiences, plus much more! New for 2019, Central Holidays is unveiling eleven distinctive new programs that take travelers to share in unforgettable moments of a lifetime throughout popular destination favorites and off-the-beaten path cities, villages, and towns. Here&#8217;s a glance at some of the new offerings presented in the new 2019 Africa and West Asia brochure: <ul><li>Four authentically rich new programs throughout South Africa that offer exciting game drives, fascinating excursions, and abundant opportunities to share in the area&#8217;s culture, nature, and culinary delights &#8211; including a new food and wine focused South Africa program as well as a new Zanzibar program where travelers will revel in coastal wonders and the area&#8217;s fascinating Swahili culture</li><li>Two enriching new religious programs in Israel &#8211; one focused on the Highlights of Christianity and another that showcases Jewish Legacy</li><li>A new independent travel adventure in the United Arab Emirates called &#8220;Mirages of Dubai&#8221; that takes travelers to enjoy a splendid desert safari, a dhow dinner cruise, an enriching full day tour of this enchanting destination, plus much more</li><li>Two new vacations that share the mystique and history of Jordan with visits to awe-inspiring sights such as the lost city of Petra, a city carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans</li><li>Two newly introduced travel experiences in Oman that welcome travelers with great local warmth and genuine hospitality and takes them to delve into its exotic wonders, flavorful food, and splendid culture</li></ul>The new brochure presents attractive savings on packages with preferred pricing negotiated by Central Holidays&#8217; product development pros that are sure to motivate action. To view, download or order the new Africa and West Asia brochure,&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">click here.</a>

Central Holidays Releases New 2019 Africa And West Asia Brochure

ice - Florence - Rome <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/ITALYS-SOUTHERN-SPLENDORS">Italy&#8217;s Southern Splendors</a> 14 Days from $3,968 Rome - Sorrento - Palermo - Agrigento - Ragusa - Taormina <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Italys-Sunbelt-Rome-and-the-Amalfi-Coast">Italy&#8217;s Sunbelt, Rome &amp; the Amalfi Coast</a> 7 Days from $1,686 Rome &#8211; Sorrento <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Magnificent-Italy-and-the-Amalfi-Coast">Magnificent Italy &amp; the Amalfi Coast</a> 12 Days from $3,173 Venice - Florence - Rome - Sorrento <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Best-of-Italy">Best of Italy</a> 10 Days from $2,535 Florence - Rome - Sorrento <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Mediterranean/Italy/Grand-Tour-of-Italy-and-Sicily">Grand Tour of Italy &amp; Sicily</a> 19 Days from $5,732 Venice - Florence - Rome - Sorrento - Palermo - Agrigento - Ragusa &#8211; Taormina Rates &amp; Conditions: Prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy. One gift card awarded per booking. This offer is valid for new bookings of two or more passengers on select departures. Length of promotion is based on availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Call 800-935-5000 for details. About Central Holidays Italy Premier Escorted packages: Unparalleled in the affordable-luxury travel category, Central Holidays&#8217; Italy Premier Escorted packages feature the Central Holidays Signature Dining Plan that includes most meals (breakfast daily &#8211; plus many lunches and dinners) served in hotels and local restaurants. In addition, wine, coffee or cappuccino and mineral water at lunch and dinner are included in the tour price, which can save hundreds of dollars per person! Extensive sightseeing and bonus touring are included as well as the services of a professional, English-speaking tour director throughout the itinerary. Central Holidays carefully selects centrally located hotels, First Class and superior first-class, that are within walking distance from many attractions. Staying in the heart of each city makes it easy to stroll to nearby restaurants, caf&#233;s, entertainment venues, and attractions during time at leisure, offering vacationers the maximum time and flexibility &#8211; not to mention additional savings on transportation &#8211; to explore and enjoy each stop along a trip. To Book:&#160;Call 800-935-5000.

TRAVEL AGENT BONUS MEDIA ALERT - Central Holidays Introduces Travel Agent Booking Bonus

Central Holidays today announced a significant increase in the momentum of bookings for 2019 and year-over-year growth in bookings of 43+ percent. The company is additionally sharing insight on some of the world&#8217;s most high demand destinations for travel to help boost travel agent business. &#8220;With more than 45 years in delivering affordable-luxury travel programs for individuals, families, and groups, we have the expertise and resources to remain on our high growth path that has driven us to an increase in revenue of more than 25 percent year-over-year from 2017 to 2018 and an even more impressive increase thus far year-over-year from 2018 to 2019 of more than 40 percent. The future is bright and Central Holidays is well positioned in the marketplace with a distinctive range of travel products and a highly engaged travel agent partner base. We look forward to introducing new initiatives that cater to travel advisors and their clients, continually demonstrating our commitment to the travel agent community and to providing customers with the travel experiences of their dreams,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. Focused on long-term strategic priorities, the award-winning travel brand is very pleased to share that demand for some of the most popular destinations continues to increase &#8211; such as travel throughout Italy and Greece. This year the company is also seeing a marked increase in demand for travel to France once again. As well, the diversity of Latin America continues drawing more and more travelers and Central Holidays is meeting that demand with new programs that truly share the authentic cultures, customs, food, and experiences offered in each destination. Further to these exciting trends, demand for travel to Egypt is increasing by leaps and bounds. From a tourism perspective, Egypt offers travelers not only iconic and intriguing ancient antiquities and a fascinating culture to explore &#8211; including many new excavations and recent finds that have been uncovered, but also fantastic beach resorts for relaxation and rejuvenation. Above and beyond other travel companies, Central Holidays is uniquely positioned to share this mesmerizing destination, backed by its parent company Sakkara Group International (SGI) that owns and operates an expansive fleet of Nile River cruise vessels, hotels and resorts, as well as a fleet of buses and limousines &#8211; and SGI maintains offices and comprehensive destination management services throughout Egypt to deliver the very best in travel. &#8220;The outlook for travel in 2019 is very positive and the travel industry should certainly be looking forward to even greater things to come,&#8221; said Ghattas. For sales inquiries, the company&#8217;s dedicated travel industry sales team can be reached as follows: Maria Di Rocco, CTC, MCC Regional Sales Director, Northeast Call: 973-901-4664 Email: mdirocco@centralholidays.com Giovanna Cilia-Wheatley, CTC Regional Sales Manager, Mid-Atlantic Call 800-935-5000 ext. 5364 Email: gcilia-wheatley@centralholidays.com Lynn Seleck, CTC Regional Sales Manager, Southeast Call: 386-871-0810 Email: lseleck@centralholidays.com Margie Bell, CTC National Sales Manager &amp; Mid/Southwest Region Call: 847-949-4890 Email: mbell@centralholidays.com

Central Holidays Reports More Than 40 Percent Year-Over-Year Increase In Bookings -- Announces Top Trending Destinations And Strong Outlook For 2019

Backed by Egypt-headquartered parent company Sakkara Group International (SGI), Central Holidays today announced exciting Egypt-focused initiatives to meet the booming demand for travel to this fascinating country. The award-winning travel brand is unveiling new experiential travel programs in its just-released 52-page Egypt travel brochure, increasing agent commissions on Egypt Bookings to 15 percent, and introducing a team of Egypt Specialists highly experienced in the destination. &#8220;Over the past year we have seen a significant increase of 289% in bookings to Egypt, and we expect that trend to keep going strong in the coming years,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. Egypt continues topping charts in acclaimed consumer research findings that reveal outlook for travel in 2019. In fact, CNN Travel just named Egypt number 2 among the top 19 places to visit in 2019 in part for new excavations that have been unearthed over the past year.&#8221; &#8220;This phenomenal growth is not only wonderful for the tourism industry of Egypt, but also for travelers, as we are thrilled to be introducing splendid new experiential travel programs created by our highly knowledgeable Egypt destination specialists and delivered by our very own destination management teams in Egypt. We invite agents and their clients to enjoy the vast benefits of discovering the magic of Egypt with the true destination experts of Central Holidays and our parent company SGI,&#8221; continued Ghattas. Here are some of the new Egypt initiatives that Central Holidays is launching: New Programs Unveiled in 2019 Egypt Brochure In 2019, Central Holidays is further expanding travel experiences throughout Egypt with newly hand-crafted additions to its robust range of offerings; featuring six new Land &amp; Cruise escorted programs, including three multi-country experiences that most travelers include on their &#8220;Life List&#8221; of places to discover. Among them are a &#8220;Nubian Treasures program&#8221; that takes travelers from the pyramids of Cairo, to Luxor&#8217;s Valley of the Kings, with a 4-night Nile River Cruise and a 3-night Lake Nasser Cruise visiting the Valley of the Lions; and a program called &#8220;Egypt&#8217;s Spectacular Journey&#8221; that takes travelers to embark on an in-depth exploration of Cairo, Luxor, Abu Simbel, and Alexandria including a 4-night Nile River Cruise. Increased Commissions to Celebrate Egypt Growth As part of Central Holidays' efforts to continually support the travel agent community, the company is announcing an increase in commission for Egypt bookings to 15 percent, one of the highest commission levels in the industry. Introducing Egypt Destination-Specialist Team To meet the boost in demand and create the most authentically rich Egypt programs available, Central Holidays is introducing an Egypt Destination Specialist Team led by: Christine (Eulo) Henriquez, Egypt Product Development Manager for FIT&#8217;s, and Adam Greis, Manager of Central Holidays&#8217; Group Travel Experiences, and including other highly knowledgeable call center team members and operations staff. Christine (Eulo) Henriquez started with STI Travel in Hackensack, NJ in 2006, an SGI travel brand that became part of Central Holidays Travel Group in 2012. Adam Greis, an American born to Egyptian parents, joined Central Holidays in 2014 and is deeply passionate about his heritage and the group travel business in general. Backed by Egypt Based Sakkara Group International Central Holidays is proud to be backed by the strong, global buying power of Sakkara Group International (SGI), owners and operators of an award-winning worldwide portfolio of successful hotels, cruise providers, and international tour companies established for more than 45 years. In Egypt, beyond other providers, SGI owns and operates an expansive fleet of Nile River cruise vessels, hotels and resorts, as well as a fleet of buses and limousines &#8211; and SGI maintains offices and comprehensive destination management services throughout Egypt to deliver the very best in travel. To view, download or order the new Egypt brochure,&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">click here</a> For Central Holidays FIT&#8217;s, call 800-935-5000&#160; For Central Holidays&#8217; Group Travel Experiences, call 866-613-5599 or visit&#160;<a href="https://www.grouptravelexperiences.com/">www.grouptravelexperiences.com</a>

Central Holidays Innovates To Meet Booming Demand For Egypt Travel -- Expands Egypt Experiential Programs, Increases Agent Commissions To 15% On Egypt Bookings, And Introduces Egypt-Specialist Team --

Central Holidays&#8217; specialized Latin America team has negotiated incomparable preferred pricing and is pleased to introduce amazing savings on two last minute Peru travel deals. These enticing offers are fully commissionable to travel agents. Here is a glance at Central Holidays&#8217; exclusive Peru travel deals: <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Latin-america-vacations/Peru/PERU-IN-THE-LAP-OF-LUXURY-BY-PRIVATE-CAR">Peru in the Lap of Luxury</a>&#160;&#8211; Savings of $580 pp 8 Days &#8211; Lima - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco Regular price is from $5799, Sale price is from $5219 - 10% DISCOUNT Exclusive experiences, luxury moments, and unparalleled exploration are here on this Peru in the Lap of Luxury - by Private Car travel program. The quintessential way to uncover the history, mystery, and mystique of Peru&#8230;travelers will explore the enchanting cities of Lima and Cusco with an unparalleled luxury train experience to Machu Picchu. Adventurers will&#8230;delve into Lima&#8217;s old world capital brimming with Spanish architecture and pre-Spanish treasures&#8230;have exquisite culinary experiences at Lima&#8217;s many &#8220;cevicher&#237;as&#8221; or popular street food steak skewer stands&#8230;journey to the past discovering the Casa Aliaga colonial mansion and Larco Museum&#8217;s pre-Colombian treasures&#8230;learn firsthand about Andean weaving techniques&#8230;savor a five course dinner at Sacred Valley&#8217;s Killa Wasi Restaurant presented by a renowned chef paired with exquisite sommelier recommended wines. Next, travelers will board the exclusive Belmond Hiram Bingham luxury train to Machu Picchu and on to Cusco after a couple of days of discovery. The experience of a lifetime awaits as travelers will explore the lost city of the Inca&#8217;s &#8211; Machu Picchu, Peru&#8217;s most important archeological site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Guests can relax and rejuvenate with dinner and a stay at Belmond Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Along their explorations, travelers will discover Sacred Valley&#8217;s Pisac archaeological site, showcasing the largest complex of agricultural terraces of the Inca Empire, and marvel at Sacsayhuaman, an Inca building known for its massive walls of hewn stone. <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Latin-america-vacations/Peru/PERUVIAN-CLASSIC-HIGHLIGHTS">Peruvian Classic Highlights</a>&#160;(Travel in Luxury program using Belmond properties) &#8211; Savings of $530 pp 7 Days &#8211; Lima - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes - Cusco Regular price is from $2899, Flash Sale price is from $2369 &#8211; 18% DISCOUNT The most important treasures of Peru await travelers to discover on this 7-day/6 night &#8220;Peruvian Classic Highlights&#8221; Travel Program. Adventurers will explore the enchanting cities of Lima and Cusco and have a lifetime experience exploring the lost city of the Inca&#8217;s &#8211; Machu Picchu, Peru&#8217;s most important archaeological site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Mystifying and enchanting archaeological complexes welcome travelers, including Pisac in Cusco&#8217;s Sacred Valley that showcases the largest complex of agricultural terraces of the Inca Empire. Travelers will delve into The Temple of the Sun and fortress of Sacsayhuaman; complex of Qenqo with its stone labyrinth and sacrificial alter; and Puca Pucara, an architectural marvel of rooms, waterways and aqueducts. Along their journey, guests will experience Lima&#8217;s old-world capital brimming with Spanish architecture and pre-Spanish treasures. Amazing moments of discovery beckon in Peru on this 7-day travel experience. Restrictions<ul><li>Booking Window: Paid in full by January 20th, 2019</li><li>Travel Window: January to February, 2019</li><li>Valid: FIT bookings only, no groups About Peru:</li></ul>Peru beckons with an unparalleled diversity that continues garnering the country acclaim and popularity as an ever-growing-in-demand travel destination. Born from an extraordinary civilization forged by the Incas, whose traditions and customs live on in its many villages and towns&#8230; and brought to more modern-day adulation for its cosmopolitan cities, brimming with splendid restaurants, bars and lively nightlife &#8211; Peru offers unending treasures to enjoy. Marvel at enchanting archeological complexes &#8211; from the remarkable Seventh Wonder of the World, Macchu Picchu&#8230;to Cusco&#8217;s Sacred Valley, featuring some of the largest complexes of agricultural terraces of the Inca Empire. Delve into The Temple of the Sun and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman with its stone labyrinth and sacrificial altar, or head along to Puca Pucara, an architectural masterpiece of rooms, waterways and aqueducts. To Book:&#160;Call 800-935-5000

Central Holidays Unveiled Last Minute Peru Travel Deals Featuring Savings Of Up To $580 Per Person

Central Holidays has unveiled its 2019 Mediterranean brochure featuring a robust array of authentically rich travel programs throughout Greece, Spain, Portugal, Malta, France and Croatia. This just-released 124-page publication is exquisitely designed to inspire travelers with affordable-luxury itineraries and dreamy imagery. The new brochure features more than 70 itineraries, including Central Holidays&#8217; signature escorted travel programs, amazing island hopping vacations, independent fly and drive programs, hosted packages and rail travel vacations, as well as ultra-unique culinary travel programs that feature hands on cooking class and wine tasting experiences, plus much more! New for 2019, Central Holidays is unveiling 25 experiential new programs that take travelers to share in unforgettable moments of a lifetime throughout popular destination favorites as well as in off-the-beaten path cities, villages, and towns. The award-winning travel brand is pleased to present even more exciting places to explore, more exclusive experiences to enjoy, and new travel packages created by its team of destination experts. Here&#8217;s a glance at some of the fantastic new offerings presented in the 2019 Mediterranean brochure: <ul><li>GREECE &#8211; Four new island hopping vacations in Greece, including programs that showcase the Cycladic Islands, the Beaches of Greece, and the Aegean, as well as a program focused on uncovering the &#8220;Relics of Greece&#8221;</li><li>SPAIN &#8211; Six distinctive new vacations in Spain that reveal the magic of some of the country&#8217;s most requested destinations as well as up-and-coming vacation spots, such as the Costa Brava along coastal Catalonia &#8211; showcasing medieval villages, beaches, nature, and more. New programs also include a fun island hopping vacation with stays in Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca</li><li>PORTUGAL &#8211; Five new travel experiences in Portugal, including three new signature Central Holidays escorted programs that are brimming with inclusions as well as time at leisure to explore on one&#8217;s own; a fantastic Portuguese food and wine vacation that features hands-on cooking classes and stays in Lisbon and Porto; plus a superb island vacation in Madeira</li><li>MALTA &#8211; A new culinary vacation in Malta that takes travelers to discover delicious Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine, featuring flavorful farm to table ingredients and the freshest seafood, its renowned wines, delectable pastries and desserts, and more</li><li>FRANCE &#8211; Four new travel itineraries in France, including a travel journey that shares the history of Normandy and features splendid Chateau stays; a new experiential cooking program that takes travelers to indulge in the cuisine of Provence; and two new flexible France by Rail experiences</li><li>CROATIA &#8211; Four new travel programs in Croatia that take travelers to live the diversity of this gem destination &#8211; from its Dalmatian Coast, a haven for the mega-yacht-glitterati crowd; to historic Dubrovnik; to a flexible Fly and Drive program, ideal for independent travelers; and beyond to a blissful vacation focused on Croatia&#8217;s most romantic spots</li></ul> The new brochure also presents attractive value added benefits, savings on packages with preferred pricing negotiated by Central Holidays&#8217; product development pros, and early booking offers travel agents can pass along to their clients that are sure to motivate action. To view, download or order the new &#8220;Mediterranean&#8221; brochure,&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">click here</a>

Central Holidays Unveils 25 New, Authentically Rich Travel Programs In Its Just-Released 2019 Mediterranean Brochure

&#8211; Central Holidays is now offering stupendous savings for travel to some of the most remarkable destinations of Europe. When traveling this November through mid-March 2019, travelers can visit an array of enticing cities in Italy, Spain, France and Malta at amazing prices. This winter season is a wonderful time to experience Central Holidays&#8217; alluring new &#8220;Europe City Stays Sale&#8221; specials, which all include:&#160;3-5 nights&#8217; hotel accommodations (per package), daily breakfast, half-day city tour, round-trip airport transfers (except Malta), plus additional package specific inclusions as mentioned below:<ul><li><a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials-Italy">TIMELESS ROME&#160;</a>from $487 &#8211; (6-days/5-nights) &#8211; Travelers can take their time to revel in the mesmerizing magic of the Eternal City. They&#8217;ll stroll along the ancient streets of Rome experiencing everything from Imperial temples to early-Christian churches and medieval bell towers to baroque basilicas, as well as delectable Italian cuisine and culture at every turn.</li><li><a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials-Italy">FLORENCE AND ITS RENAISSANCE TREASURES</a>&#160;from $349 &#8211; (4-days/3-nights) &#8211; Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is located in central Italy&#8217;s picturesque Tuscany region. In Florence, travelers find a plethora of architectural masterpieces, famed artworks, fine leatherwork and top jewelers, divine tratorrias, and superb wine to savor.</li><li><a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials-Italy">NAPLES &amp; ITS TRADITIONS</a>&#160;from $1,042 &#8211; (5 Days/4-nights) &#8211; Naples welcomes travelers with its delectable food scene and attractions, like The Royal Palace. Guests will enjoy a private tour of Naples that features a Napolitano pizza and sfogliatella tasting. This experience additionally includes a private half day guided tour of award winning Metro subway station and city center, as well as a 4-course dinner hosted in a private home overlooking the Gulf of Naples, including transfer from hotel, water, wine, and liquor.</li><li><a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials-France">PARIS, THE CITY OF LIGHTS</a>&#160;from $968 &#8211; (5-days/4-days) &#8211; Travelers will indulge in the City of Lights, featuring the Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, the Opera House and the beautiful gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, as well as the alluring and romantic ambiance of Paris.</li><li><a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials-Spain">MONUMENTAL MADRID</a>&#160;from $609 &#8211; (6-days/5-nights) &#8211; Travelers will enjoy lively Madrid, a city that boasts an unsurpassed beauty and a vibrant nightlife. This eclectic city showcases attractions that include the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace and the world-famous Opera House, not to mention world-class restaurants and shopping (This program additionally includes a full day excursion to Toledo, full day excursion to Segovia &amp; Avila, and deluxe private arrival and departure transfers).</li><li><a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials-Spain">COSMOPOLITAN BARCELONA</a>&#160;from $568 &#8211; (6 Days/5-nights) &#8211; Barcelona beckons! Here travelers can stroll down one of Spain's most famous streets, Las Ramblas. This tree-lined pedestrian promenade stretches for 1.2 kilometers showcasing some of the best restaurants and shops Spain has to offer. The Gothic Quarter is a step back in history with buildings dating back to medieval times. In addition to a half day artistic tour of Barcelona, travelers will enjoy an included 1-day hop on/hop off tour, and a skip the line Sagrada Familia guided visit</li><li><a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials-Malta">MADE IN MALTA</a>&#160;from $485 &#8211; (6-days/5-nights) &#8211; The treasures of Malta&#8217;s Valletta await travelers from across the globe&#8230;splendid buildings, tales of the Knights of St. John, crystal-clear intensely blue waters, peaceful beaches and rocky coves, plus so much more! (This program additionally includes a half day harbor cruise and full day excursion to Gozo including lunch &#8211; valid dates start December 1, 2018)</li></ul> Prices indicated for Central Holidays&#8217; winter travel deals are per person, land only, based on double occupancy. Rates are not valid during certain blackout periods. A selection of different hotels is available. Additional restrictions may apply. To Book:&#160;Call 800-935-5000 or for additional details,&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials">click here</a>

Value-Packed Europe City Stay Deals Unveiled By Central Holidays -- Priced From Just $349 Per Person And Loaded With Inclusions --

Central Holidays unveiled its new 2019 Italy brochure with innovative travel opportunities for all ages of travelers in this new 92-page publication that showcases the company&#8217;s most comprehensive range of travel programs ever. Central Holidays is pleased to present even more exciting places to explore, more exclusive experiences to enjoy, and more travel packages created by its team of destination experts. &#8220;The true difference you&#8217;ll benefit from when traveling with Central Holidays is born from our Italy destination specialists. We understand that your travelers are looking for something new on each vacation &#8211; and Italy is the ideal destination to do just that. It&#8217;s all about authentically experiencing each place via one-of-a-kind, unforgettable moments when you travel with us,&#8221; said Lori Corless, Vice President of Marketing for Central Holidays. In 2019, the travel brand is further introducing superb new programs that take travelers to experience popular destination favorites as well as off-the-beaten-path treasures throughout the country, including new private escorted programs and more hands-on cooking class travel itineraries. Here&#8217;s a glance at some of the fantastic new offerings presented in the new 2019 Italy brochure: <ul><li>Central Holidays&#8217;&#160;new &#8220;Mosaics&#8221; line&#160;featuring five new inspired journeys to off-the-beaten-path destinations designated by the company&#8217;s Italy experts as lesser known gems that are beckoning to be discovered. These handcrafted travel creations are brimming with unique inclusions and unforgettable moments to cherish.</li><li>Splendid&#160;new Small Group Escorted options. Travelers can enjoy even more choices when traveling on the company&#8217;s Premier Escorted Travel Programs with the newly introduced option of &#8220;Small Group Escorted Tours,&#8221; featuring all of the benefits offered in Central Holidays&#8217; renowned signature Escorted Motorcoach Tours, plus exclusive inclusions as well as an intimate group size of a maximum of 16 travelers for even more personalized and in-depth experiences.</li><li>A&#160;new &#8220;Fun with the Family&#8221; vacation, chock-full of unique activities and exciting excursions for all ages. Central Holidays&#8217; goal is to make travel fun and rewarding for the entire family and have children or grandchildren open up to new experiences as everyone gets an insider&#8217;s look at the best of Rome.</li><li>Central Holidays&#8217;&#160;new &#8220;Honeymoon Collection.&#8221; The company&#8217;s specialized team has compiled some of the most romantic Italian honeymoon programs in this brochure. No matter what kind of honeymoon travelers are seeking&#8230;exotic, luxurious, adventurous, relaxing&#8230;couples will find their ultimate honeymoon or romantic vacation with Central Holidays. &#8230;and so much more!</li></ul> Plus, the new brochure presents attractive value added benefits, savings on packages with preferred pricing negotiated by Central Holidays&#8217; Italy team, and early booking offers travel agents can pass along to their clients that are sure to motivate action. To view, download or order the new &#8220;Italy&#8221; brochure,&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">click here</a>

Central Holidays Unveils Innovative New 2019 Italy Brochure -- Including Small Group Escorted Tours, New “Mosaics” Line, Customizable Honeymoons, And New “Fun For Family And Kids” Travel Program --

Central Holidays today unveiled its 2019 Latin America and Cuba brochure that showcases its expanded range of affordable-luxury and experiential travel programs in this new 128-page, artfully designed publication that features more than 65 itineraries, including 21 newly developed travel packages across the region. &#8220;Travel to Latin America is growing by leaps and bounds as more and more people are discovering all that its destinations have to offer,&#8221; said Arthur Berman, VP Latin America and Cuba for Central Holidays. &#8220;At Central Holidays, we are further extending our horizons throughout the region. Our team is thrilled to share that we have become one of the largest Tour Operators to the region, providing the best quality travel programs and incomparable client service.&#8221; &#8220;As an award-winning global travel brand more than 45 years strong, we are very pleased to share that Central Holidays continues to thrive in growth mode with an even greater emphasis on proactively supporting the travel agent community,&#34; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. &#8220;It is with a renewed vigor and focus that our destination experts are continuously hand-crafting and introducing amazing new travel programs that showcase our beloved destinations in an unparalleled and even more in-depth way.&#34; Central Holidays is pleased to present even more exciting places to explore, more exclusive experiences to enjoy, and new travel packages created by its team of destination experts. Here&#8217;s a glance at some of the fantastic new offerings presented in the new 2019 Latin America and Cuba brochure:<ul><li>Three authentically rich new multi-country fully escorted programs featuring vacations in some of South America's most popular destinations, brimming with inclusions and directed by professional English speaking guides</li><li>Five new Chile travel programs that showcase the treasures of this magical country by private car, from its acclaimed wines and cuisine, to its cosmopolitan capital, to its natural wonders in Patagonia, and beyond to the mysterious monolithic Moai on Easter Island</li><li>Exciting and innovative new &#34;Best of&#8221; experiential travel programs in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador designed with feedback from travelers for the perfect combination of activities and time at leisure to explore</li><li>The ultimate in enriching cultural exchange in Cuba where individual travelers can now experience stays in Casas Particulares under Central Holidays&#8217; Licensed &#34;General Support for the Cuban People Program&#8221;</li><li>Fantastic new programs and enhancements as well as many popular favorite programs in Costa Rica, Argentina, Panama, Bolivia, the Galapagos Islands, and beyond!</li></ul>Plus, the new brochure presents attractive value added benefits, savings on packages with preferred pricing negotiated by Central Holidays&#8217; dedicated Latin America team, and early booking offers travel agents can pass along to their clients that are sure to motivate action.&#160; To view, download or order the new &#34;Latin America &amp; Cuba&#34; brochure,&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">Click Here</a>&#160;

Central Holidays Unveils Expanded Range Of Affordable-Luxury And Experiential Travel Programs In New 2019 Latin America And Cuba Brochure

Central Holidays is pleased to introduce amazing Europe winter travel deals to splendid destinations throughout Italy, Spain, France, Malta, and Greece &#8211; unbelievably priced from just $ 349 per person. The travel brand&#8217;s product development team of destination specialists has negotiated remarkable preferred pricing and is leveraging its strong buying power to present these exclusive travel deals, chock-full of value-added perks, bonus sightseeing, and one-of-a kind experiences &#8211; all at unparalleled package prices. &#8220;This fall and winter are great times to experience Central Holidays&#8217; stupendous savings on travel to some of Europe&#8217;s most popular destinations,&#8221; said Lori Corless, VP of Marketing for Central Holidays. &#8220;It&#8217;s the perfect time of year for a European travel adventure &#8211; the crowds have departed&#8230;the weather is pleasant&#8230;and prices are significantly reduced! We are thrilled to introduce amazing Europe winter travel deals -- overflowing with outstanding inclusions that really make it too attractive to stay home.&#8221; Central Holidays is launching its hand-crafted, affordable-luxury winter travel deals to Europe with almost 20 specially designed packages valid for travel starting in November through March (validity dates vary). The complete range of Central Holidays&#8217; Winter Travel Deals can be viewed online at&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials" target="blank">https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials</a>. And even more amazing, these inspired winter travel deals are fully commissionable to travel agents! Here is a glance at some of the enticing Winter Deals Central Holidays is introducing: Florence &amp; its Renaissance Treasures &#8211; 4 days from $ 349 Travelers on this fabulous winter deal will enjoy 3 nights at Hotel Balestri based on standard room in Florence; arrival transfer from airport to hotel; daily buffet breakfast; professionally guided half day city tour; and departure transfer from hotel to airport. This Italy winter deal is valid from November 12, 2018 to March 26, 2019. Charming Tuscany &#8211; 5 days from $ 431 4 nights at Villa Cappugi based on deluxe room with balcony in Pistoia along with daily buffet breakfast; welcome drink; porterage at hotels; 4 course dinner at hotel including wine, water &amp; coffee; guided city tour of Pistoia; and wine tasting experience. This winter deal is valid from October 29, 2018 to April 30, 2019. Romantic Veneto &amp; its Wines &#8211; 5 days from $ 558 Travelers will get to know the heart of Italy&#8217;s Veneto region on this winter travel deal with 4 nights at Villa Luppis based on superior room in Rivarotta Pasiano Pordenone; buffet breakfast daily; a 3-course a la carte dinner at the hotel; wine tasting in a private cellar at hotel; and transportation by car and train from/to hotel for an independent visit of Venice. This captivating travel deal is valid from November 1, 2018 to March 26, 2019. The Elegant French Riviera &#8211; 5 days from $ 686 The French Riviera beckons with this travel deal that includes: 4 nights at Hotel Ellington based on standard room in Nice; buffet breakfast daily; arrival transfer from Nice airport to hotel; half day market tour in Nice&#8217;s Old Town with food &amp; wine tasting; full day tour of the French Riviera, Antibes, Cannes, Eze, and Monaco; and departure transfer from hotel to airport. This winter deal is valid from November 15, 2018 to March 15, 2019. Athens &amp; Santorini -- 6 days from $ 856 Greece is calling with this splendid and superbly priced travel deal that features 3 nights at Hotel Titania in Athens; 2 nights at Rocabella in Santorini; breakfast daily; arrival &amp; departure transfers in Athens and Santorini; half day guided tour of Athens including entrance fees for Acropolis site &amp; museum; and round trip ferry tickets Athens-Santorini-Athens in economy class. This Greece winter travel deal is valid from November 1, 2018 to March 20, 2019. Hipster Barcelona &amp; Regal Madrid &#8211; 7 days from $ 994 This exclusive Spain travel package includes: 3 nights at HCC Taber Hotel in Barcelona, 3 nights at Puerta de Toledo in Madrid; breakfast daily; private arrival transfer from airport to hotel in Barcelona; half day panoramic tour of Barcelona; half day panoramic tour of Madrid; high speed train from Barcelona to Madrid in tourist class; and private departure transfer from hotel to airport in Madrid. This winter deal is valid from November 1, 2018 to March 20, 2019. Prices indicated for Central Holidays&#8217; winter travel deals are per person, land only, based on double occupancy. Rates are not valid during certain blackout periods. A selection of different hotels is available. Additional restrictions may apply. To Book: Call 800-935-5000 or for additional details, visit&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials" target="blank">https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/2018-19-Winter-Specials</a>

Central Holidays Introduces Amazing Winter Travel Deals -- Hand-Crafted, Value-Priced, Affordable-Luxury Deals To Italy, Spain, France, Malta, And Greece With Tons Of Inclusions, Priced From Just $349 Per Person --

Central Holidays today unveiled its newest offering &#8211; the &#8220;Explorer Series by Central Holidays&#8217; Group Travel Experiences,&#8221; immersive and experiential small group tours that can be booked by travel agents for their individual travelers, couples, or friends traveling together. The Explorer Series provides travel agents with the opportunity to offer exclusive small group experiences to their travelers without the pressure of having to book an entire group. The travel concept caps groups at 28 members, with a minimum of 15, and promises one-on-one attention along with spectacular add-ons that allow travelers to become authentically immersed in the culture surrounding them. &#8220;The Explorer Series invites individual travelers to enjoy the benefits of traveling as part of a small group. Smaller groups allow for a more private experience and provide greater value. As well, our seasoned guides can be even more flexible to the wishes and desires of travelers when working with them,&#8221; said Adam Greis, Group Travel Experiences Manager for Central Holidays. &#8220;These programs help our agent partners increase business with a new opportunity for their clients to enjoy the small group experience &#8211; without them having to round up an entire group. Our destination specialists have handcrafted these programs with specified departure dates and have negotiated preferred pricing to make them as easy and profitable as possible for agents to book their clients,&#8221; continued Greis. Further supporting the travel agent community, all of the featured programs are commissionable at 15%. In addition, Central Holidays&#8217; award-winning Marketing Department is on-hand to assist agents in getting the word out about these novel new itineraries with flyer design options for printing and e-marketing, personalized with travel agent contact info and agency logo. &#8220;We are always developing new travel products with feedback from our travelers and agent partners and are confident that all will be thrilled by this new concept,&#8221; said Greis. Explorer Series by Central Holidays&#8217; Group Travel Experiences will be initially available on five newly created programs. Here&#8217;s a look at those programs: Explore Tuscany&#160;&#8211; 9 Days/7 Nights November 23 - December 1, 2018 or February 20-28, 2019 $ 2,499 (Air from NYC &amp; Land) Single Supplement $ 349 Explore Egypt&#160;&#8211; 8 Days/6 Nights January 13-20, 2019 &#8211; $ 2,199 (Air from NYC &amp; Land) &#8211; Single Supplement $ 299 March 3-10, 2019 &#8211; $ 2,249 (Air from NYC &amp; Land) &#8211; Single Supplement $ 349 Explore Spain&#160;&#8211; 8 Days/7 Nights October 19-26, 2018 &#8211; $ 1,699 (Land only) &#8211; Single Supplement $ 599 February 8-15, 2019 &#8211; $ 1,499 (Land only) &#8211; Single Supplement $ 499 Explore Portugal&#160;&#8211; 7 Days/6 Nights October 28 - November 3, 2018 $ 1,399 (Land only) &#8211; Single Supplement $ 299 Explore Costa Rica&#160;&#8211; 8 Days/7 Nights November 22-29, 2018 &#8211; $ 1,399 (Land only) &#8211; Single Supplement $ 399 March 25 - April 1, 2019 &#8211; $ 1,449* (Land only) &#8211; Single Supplement $ 449 *Early Booking Discount &#8211; Save $ 100 pp. Restrictions Apply. To Book: Call 866-613-5599 or for additional details,&#160;<a href="https://www.grouptravelexperiences.com/marketing/2018-076-Grp-FallWinter-LP.html" target="blank">Click here&#160;</a>.

Central Holidays Unveils Novel Small Group Experiences For Individual Travelers -- Highly Personalized Travel Concept Enables Agents To Book Individuals Into New & Exciting, Affordable-Luxury Small Group Tours --

Central Holidays is making it easy for travel agents to find the best programs for their clients via its just released, new &#34;Top Ten Destinations&#34; brochure, featuring vacations exclusively offered by the company to the most highly requested destinations by travel agent partners and their clients. The novel publication, showcasing the top destinations and vacation packages that travelers are booking this year, also presents guaranteed departures on Central Holidays&#8217; most popular signature Italy and Israel Escorted Tours. To celebrate the launch of this novel resource, Central Holidays is offering its valued travel agent partners a special booking bonus of a $100 American Express gift card for reservations booked and traveled by March 31, 2019. This exclusive booking bonus is valid on new bookings of $2,500 or more (land only) deposited after June 1, 2018 with travel completed by March 31, 2019. Agents must mention code: 2018TOP10 at the time of booking to receive this bonus. The bonus promotion is not valid for group travel and is not combinable with other eligible offers/discounts/promotions. Additional restrictions may apply. The award-winning travel brand has been receiving rave reviews on its recently unveiled new Top Ten Destinations Brochure. Highlights of the &#8216;Top Ten Destinations&#8217; collection encompasses some key destinations that remain at the top of the list for bookings year-over-year &#8211; namely Italy, Greece, France and Spain &#8211; as well as exotic destinations such as Egypt and Israel; and destinations in Latin America that are growing in popularity at an ever-increasing rate including Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, and Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands. &#34;We are thrilled to share that bookings at Central Holidays are up more than 30 percent overall and are pleased to bring this new tool for agents to help them boost earnings even more,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. Central Holidays presents all types of travel opportunities for independent and group travelers and has artfully combined the best of the best in this the new Top Ten Destinations brochure&#8230;from exotic Land and Cruise travel in Greece to Private Chauffeur touring to discover the wines and cuisine of France&#8230;from flexible travel by rail programs in Spain to hosted programs in Egypt and throughout Latin America&#8230;from spiritual travel in Israel to an amazing &#8220;When In&#8221; City stay in Argentina&#8217;s Mendoza. The new Top Ten Brochure also showcases some of the company&#8217;s highest demand escorted programs -- considered by many the best and most convenient way to travel with friends and family. Travelers on Central Holidays&#8217; escorted programs can enjoy the worry-free advantages of traditional fully escorted vacations along with added benefits exclusively offered by Central Holidays -- centrally located hotels, their signature dining plan in Italy, extensive sightseeing and bonus touring included, and much more. &#8220;Our distinctive escorted tours feature more time at leisure to explore on one&#8217;s own; they visit not only the most famous places but also off-the beaten path towns and villages. The unique features offered on our escorted programs have made Central Holidays the time-honored leader in escorted vacations,&#8221; said Jimmy Zitani, Vice President of Sales for Central Holidays. &#8220;What&#8217;s more, our escorted tours average longer stays in each city and help travelers save 20-40% off the price of traveling the same itinerary on one&#8217;s own. In Italy, wine, mineral water, and coffee or cappuccino at lunch and dinner are included in the tour price, which can also save hundreds of dollars per person! Our unique escorted vacations offer an exceptional opportunity for family, friends, and multi-generational travelers to experience the world &#8211; in the most hassle-free way,&#8221; added Maria Jose Merino, Vice President of Operations. To view, download or order the new &#8220;Top Ten Destinations&#8221; brochure, visit&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE.</a>

Central Holidays Introduces Travel Agent Booking Bonus To Celebrate Launch Of New "Top Ten Destinations" Brochure

Central Holidays today announced the promotion of tour operator veteran Mar&#237;a Jos&#233; Merino &#8220;MJ&#8221; to the role of Vice President, Operations for the award-winning travel brand. As Vice President of Operations, Merino will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Central Holidays. She will work closely with the executive board and managers in Sales, Marketing, Reservations, as well as with CH Groups and luxury brand Journeys by CH to maintain the positive growth mode of Central Holidays. In addition, Merino will continue to manage business relations with suppliers and head up product development for the majority of the brand&#8217;s product lines. &#8220;This promotion formalizes the roles and responsibilities that MJ has taken on throughout her time at Central Holidays,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. &#8220;This key appointment underscores our commitment to furthering Central Holidays&#8217; leadership position in providing a depth of knowledge, authentic and inspired affordable luxury experiential travel programs, and superior service that is unparalleled in the travel business.&#8221; &#8220;I feel honored to continue expanding my duties with a company whose opportunities are truly limitless,&#8221; said Merino. &#8220;As Vice President of Operations, I will ensure that the pace on our initiatives will continue accelerating, producing more and more results of benefit to our travel agent partners, group planners, travelers, and staff as we move along.&#8221; Merino brings more than two decades of experience in the travel industry to her new post. Before she joined Central Holidays in 2006, MJ worked for such acclaimed companies as Liberty Travel/GoGo Worldwide Vacations, Club ABC Tours, and Kleintours in Ecuador. Over her career Merino also furthered her academic background with advanced studies in Tourism from NYU School of Professional Studies. Merino is based at the Central Holidays headquarters office in Moonachie, New Jersey.

Central Holidays Promotes Tour Operator Veteran Maria José Merino To The Role Of Vice President, Operations

Central Holidays today unveiled its new &#8220;Top Ten Destinations&#8221; brochure, featuring vacations exclusively offered by the travel brand to its most highly requested destinations and guaranteed departures on the company&#8217;s most popular signature Italy and Israel Escorted Tours. Known for its specialized destination expertise and affordable-luxury line-up of diverse travel programs, Central Holidays is making it easy for agents to find the best program for their clients via this novel publication that showcases the top destinations and programs that travelers are booking this year. &#8220;Highlights of the &#8216;Top Ten Destinations&#8217; collection encompasses some key destinations that remain at the top of the list for bookings year-over-year &#8211; namely Italy, Greece, France and Spain &#8211; as well as exotic destinations such as Egypt and Israel; and destinations in Latin America that are growing in popularity at an ever-increasing rate including Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, and Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands. We are thrilled to share that bookings are up more than 30 percent overall and are pleased to bring this new tool for agents to help them boost earnings even more,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. Central Holidays presents all types of travel opportunities for independent and group travelers and has artfully combined the best of the best in this the new Top Ten Destinations brochure&#8230;from exotic Land and Cruise travel in Greece to Private Chauffeur touring to discover the wines and cuisine of France&#8230;from flexible travel by rail programs in Spain to hosted programs in Egypt and throughout Latin America&#8230;from spiritual travel in Israel to an amazing &#8220;When In&#8221; City stay in Argentina&#8217;s Mendoza. The new Top Ten Brochure also showcases some of the company&#8217;s highest demand escorted programs -- considered by many the best and most convenient way to travel with friends and family. Travelers on Central Holidays&#8217; escorted programs can enjoy the worry-free advantages of traditional fully escorted vacations along with added benefits exclusively offered by Central Holidays -- centrally located hotels, their signature dining plan in Italy, extensive sightseeing and bonus touring included, and much more. &#8220;Our distinctive escorted tours feature more time at leisure to explore on one&#8217;s own; they visit not only the most famous places but also off-the beaten path towns and villages. The unique features offered on our escorted programs have made Central Holidays the time-honored leader in escorted vacations,&#8221; said Jimmy Zitani, Vice President of Sales for Central Holidays. &#8220;What&#8217;s more, our escorted tours average longer stays in each city and help travelers save 20-40% off the price of traveling the same itinerary on one&#8217;s own. In Italy, wine, mineral water, and coffee or cappuccino at lunch and dinner are included in the tour price, which can also save hundreds of dollars per person! Our unique escorted vacations offer an exceptional opportunity for family, friends, and multi-generational travelers to experience the world &#8211; in the most hassle-free way,&#8221; added Maria Jose Merino, Vice President of Operations. To view, download or order the new &#8220;Top Ten Destinations&#8221; brochure, visit&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE">www.centralholidays.com/BROCHURE</a>

Central Holidays Unveils Novel New "Top Ten Destinations" Publication For Agents And Guarantees Departures On Featured Italy And Israel Escorted Tours

With summer vacation heating up, Central Holidays is pleased to unveil its newest collection of Latin America summer vacation getaways &#8211; all featuring value-added extras and specially negotiated rates exclusively offered by the awrd-winning travel brand. &#8220;Summer is the ideal time to visit some of Latin America&#8217;s most renowned destinations since it is actually the dry season. When you combine mild climates and less chance for rain with amazing deals and abundant exotic destinations to explore...the summer quickly becomes a top seller for travel agents ready to make their travel clients&#8217; dreams come true,&#8221; said Arthur Berman, Central Holidays&#8217; Vice President, Latin America &amp; Cuba. To celebrate summer, Central Holidays' dedicated Latin America experts have hand crafted an exciting and affordable collection of&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/lp/Latin-America-City-Getaway-Specials" target="_blank">&#8220;Getaway Special&#8221; city stay packages</a>&#160;to entice travelers to explore fascinating places throughout Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Brazil &#8211; and the destination specialists at Central Holidays are on hand as an extension of a travel agent&#8217;s team to help plan and deliver the ultimate experiences for their clients! Here&#8217;s a glance at Central Holidays&#8217; new summer in Latin America Getaways: San Jose, Costa Rica - Getaway Special - 5 Days from $ 330 Hotel accommodations for 4 nights at the Wyndham Herradura Daily breakfast Round-trip airport transfers Half-day city tour of San Jose Lima, Peru - Getaway Special -- 5 Days from $ 369 Hotel accommodation for 4 nights at the NM Hotel Lima Daily breakfast Round-trip airport transfers Half-day city tour of Lima Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Getaway Special -- 5 Days from $ 398 Hotel accommodation for 4 nights at the Rochester Classic Hotel Daily breakfast Round-trip airport transfers Half-day city tour of Buenos Aires Santiago, Chile -- Getaway Special -- 5 Days from $ 455 Hotel accommodation for 4 nights at the Atton Vitacura Daily breakfast Round-trip airport transfers Half-day city tour of Santiago Quito, Ecuador - Getaway Special - 5 Days from $ 578 Hotel accommodation for 4 nights at the Quito Wyndham Garden Daily breakfast Round-trip airport transfers Half-day city tour of Quito Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- Getaway Special -- 5 Days from $ 739 Hotel accommodation for 4 nights at the Sheraton Grand Rio Daily breakfast Round-trip airport transfers Half-day tour of Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer * Terms &amp; Conditions: Valid for departures from May 1, 2018 to September 1, 2018. Prices are per person, land only, based on double room occupancy and availability at time of request. Deposit required to reserve. Single Supplement and upgrades available upon request. Rates are not valid during certain holidays and blackout periods. Visa to Brazil is required for US citizens. Reciprocity fee is required for US citizens to enter Argentina. Please call for special international airfares and domestic flights. Local departure taxes, local airport taxes, beverages, personal expenses and other items not mentioned above are not included. Offers may not be combined with other offers/discounts/promotions or for group travel for which special rates apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Central Holidays Introduces New Latin America Summer Collection – Amazing Deals On Summer Vacation City Stays

Central Holidays today announced the expansion of Egypt travel programs and a reaffirmed commitment to the destination, supporting the country&#8217;s efforts with a pro-active, Egypt-focused marketing campaign launched in February. &#34;Egypt is a country of myths and mysteries that beckons with her wondrous sights and alluring mystique,&#34; said Tewfik Ghattas, Board Member. &#8220;Our parent company, SGI, launched its first Nile River cruise ship back in 1986. Since then, our fleet has grown to 10 ships, all traversing the mighty Nile and visiting the River Valley from where ancient civilization emerged more than 5,000 years ago. With its awe-inspiring pyramids, cosmopolitan cities, golden-clad tombs buried with astounding treasures and bustling bazaars, we invite travel agents and their clients to come experience a glittering glimpse into the past on your Egypt vacation with the true Egypt experts here at Central Holidays as we embark on a newly minted proactive campaign to meet the pent-up demand for travel to amazing Egypt.&#8221; The expansion of its vast range of travel programs throughout Egypt comes ideally as demand for travel to Egypt has been re-igniting with more and more requests for new group bookings received in the past few months as well as from independent travelers. Travel agents and their clients enjoy the benefits of working with the Central Holidays Egypt destination specialists&#8230;from the planning stages, through the travel adventure of their dreams, and beyond&#8230;as they hand craft the ultimate Egypt vacation packages for travelers with an insider&#8217;s perspective. &#8220;The outlook for travel to Egypt looks bright with pent-up demand from many who have been yearning to visit the destination,&#8221; said Ghattas. &#8220;It&#8217;s actually no wonder why... What many have only seen in books, movies or on TV comes to life for travelers as they experience all that Egypt has to offer &#8230; the ancient world&#8217;s most inspiring pyramids in Giza, the priceless treasures of Tutankhamen; cruising along the Nile &#8211; and so much more!&#8221; Here's a look at Central Holidays&#8217; newest Egypt travel programs launched for 2018 plus the most popular offerings: NEW!&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Journey-to-Antiquity" target="_blank">Journey to Antiquity</a>&#160;-- 9 Days from $2,169 Travelers on this itinerary will explore Egypt's cosmopolitan capital, Cairo; See treasures of Tutankhamen's tomb at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities; Enjoy a 3-night cruise along the Nile to explore Luxor and the Valley of the Kings; Experience firsthand the fascinating stories of the ancient world and visit grandiose monuments as Karnak and Luxor temples; Sail on board a traditional Egyptian sailing &#8220;felucca&#8221; for a view of Kitchner's Island Botanical Garden and the Agha Khan Mausoleum; and Visit Giza's Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, the temples of Kom-Ombo and of Edfu. NEW!&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Crossroads-of-Cultures-and-Faiths" target="_blank">Egypt: Crossroads of Cultures and Faiths</a>&#160;-- 10 Days from $1,099 On this program, travelers will discover the Crossroads of Culture and Faith; uncover the mystery and mystique of Egypt and marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx; see the treasures of Tutankhamen's tomb at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities; discover the largest collection of Egyptian Christian artifacts in the world and visit Sainte Mary Church in Maadi; cruise along the Nile and visit the High Dam, the Granite Alexandria Quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Isis at Philae; sail on board a traditional Egyptian sailing felucca; visit the West Bank necropolis including the Valley of the Kings, the Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon; explore Alexandria, and admire the Roman catacombs and the Catacombs and Pompey&#8217;s Pillar. It&#8217;s a unique experience to explore the diversity and treasures of Egypt at every turn. <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Stars-of-Egypt" target="_blank">Stars of Egypt</a>&#160;-- 7 Days from $769 Adventurers on &#8220;Stars of Egypt&#8221; will enjoy the perfect blend of Egyptian sights and a leisurely sailing along the Nile that you are sure to cherish for a lifetime. From the ancient world's most inspiring pyramids in Giza and the priceless treasures of Tutankhamen; to Cairo, where ancient traditions thrive in a modern metropolis; and cruising along the Nile to see Aswan High Dam and the Colossi of Memnon. Awe-inspiring pyramids...Golden-clad tombs buried with astounding treasures...myths, mysteries, and more are yours to uncover on this spectacular experience in Egypt. <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Pyramids-Pharaohs-and-Paradise" target="_blank">Pyramids, Pharaohs &amp; Paradise</a>&#160;-- 11 Days from $1,600 Cairo and the mighty Nile's riches await travelers who book the spectacular Pyramids, Pharaohs and Paradise travel tour. This 11-day adventure includes both land excursions and a 3-night cruise on the Nile River where explorers will visit The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx, and temples devoted to the great Ramses II, Nefertiti, Horus and more. In Cairo, travelers can shop Egypt's largest bazaar or dine at cafes along the Nile River on delicious local cuisine. The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities beckons to showcase replicas of Pharaonic Era treasures and items from King Tutankhamen's tomb. Revelers will experience firsthand the fascinating stories of the ancient world visiting grandiose monuments and temples left behind on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation package then relax and rejuvenate with a 4-night stay at El Gouna/Soma Bay. <a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa--West-Asia/Egypt/Navigating-The-Nile" target="_blank">Navigating the Nile</a>&#160;-- 12 Days from $3,199 Travelers on &#8220;Navigating the Nile&#8221; will journey to Cairo and head out to marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx; fly to Luxor and board a modernized Dahabeya for a relaxing week of sailing the Nile River; explore The Valley of the Kings where the treasures of King Tutankhamen were first discovered in 1922; and the Valley of the Queens boasting the Temple of Ramesses III and the Colossi of Memnon; delve into the city of Edfu and its Temple of Horus built between 237 and 57 BC; venture on to the double temple of Kom Ombo, constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty of 180-47 BC and then get to know Aswan; visit the cosmopolitan capital city of Cairo, shop Egypt's largest bazaar, or dine at cafes along the Nile River. Amazing Egypt awaits! For additional details on Egypt programs offered by Central Holidays,&#160;<a href="https://www.centralholidays.com/Destinations/Africa-Asia-vacations/Egypt/vacations/Hosted-Nile-River-Cruise" target="_blank">Click here</a>&#160;or call 1-800-935-5000 to speak with a destination expert or group travel specialist.

Egypt Expert Central Holidays Expands Egypt Travel Programs; New Programs Introduced, New Egypt Marketing Campaign, And Increase In Bookings To Egypt Announced

Central Holidays is pleased to offer travelers guaranteed departures through May 2018 for their Italy Motorcoach Tour programs &#8211; giving travel agents the assurance that they can carry out their clients&#8217; dream vacation with no worries of cancellation. Plus travel agents receive a bonus $ 100 Amex gift card per person booked on the company&#8217;s brand of affordable luxury Italy Escorted Tours and travelers receive an extra five percent savings on bookings made for departures by May 31, 2018. Guaranteed departures also equate to guaranteed commissions for agents as well as the comfort of knowing that their clients will receive top-quality travel services and experiences with Central Holidays&#8217; outstanding and immersive tours. These exciting value-added specials offer travelers the perfect opportunity to experience Italy in the signature Central Holidays way and to enjoy one of the exciting new Italy Escorted Tour programs handcrafted by the company&#8217;s destination experts &#8211; just released in the company&#8217;s new 2018 brochures and online. Here&#8217;s a glance at Central Holidays&#8217; new Italy Escorted Tour programs: NEW&#160;Tuscany, Cinque Terre &amp; the Lakes Pistoia - Santa Margherita Ligure - Stresa 9 Days from $ 2298 NEW&#160;In the Footsteps of Italy&#8217;s Culinary Traditions Rome - Montepulciano - San Gimignano - Parma - Padua 10 Days from $ 2748 NEW&#160;Legendary Amalfi Coast &amp; Undiscovered Trulli Villages Rome - Sorrento - Savelletri di Fasano 9 Days from $ 2598 NEW&#160;Italian Vistas: From Tuscany to the Dolomites Pistoia - Santa Margherita Ligure - Stresa - Venice - Bolzano 13 Days from $ 3298 Unparalleled in the affordable luxury travel category, Central Holidays Italy Premier Escorted packages feature the Central Holidays Signature Dining Plan that includes most meals (breakfast daily &#8211; plus many lunches and dinners) served in hotels and local restaurants. In addition, wine, coffee or cappuccino and mineral water at lunch and dinner are included in the tour price, which can save hundreds of dollars per person! Extensive Sightseeing and bonus touring is included each Motorcoach Escorted package as well as the services of a professional, English-speaking tour director throughout the itinerary. Central Holidays carefully selects centrally located hotels, First Class and superior first-class, that are within walking distance from many attractions. Staying in the heart of each city makes it easy to stroll to nearby restaurants, caf&#233;s, entertainment venues, and attractions during time at leisure offering vacationers the maximum time and flexibility &#8211; not to mention additional savings on transportation &#8211; to explore and enjoy each stop along a trip. Prices detailed above are per person, land only based on double occupancy. The five percent discount offer applies to land only portions of tour. The Amex gift card offer is $100 per passenger booked. Tour must be booked and deposited by February 28, 2018 for departures thru May 31, 2018. This promo is valid on new bookings only and is not combinable with other eligible offers/discounts/promotions. Not valid for group travel for which special rates apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Central Holidays Guarantees Departures On Italy Escorted Tours, Plus Agents Receive A $ 100 Amex Gift Card Per Person Booked And Travelers Receive 5% Additional Savings

Central Holidays is pleased to report a significant increase in the momentum of bookings for 2018 and year-over-year growth in bookings of more than 30 percent. With core destinations continuing to trend high in demand as well as newcomers to the list that are gaining popularity among travelers, the company is also thrilled to announce the first dates of its travel agent seminar series aimed at providing ongoing support and training for Central Holidays&#8217; agent partners. &#8220;As we continue to grow our sales team and agent efforts, it is gratifying to see the significant growth in bookings we are experiencing. Bookings are up more than 30 percent overall and the momentum of bookings continues to increase. Further, while we have seen that some of our key destinations remain at the top of the list for bookings &#8211; namely Italy, Greece, France and Spain &#8211; we are seeing exciting increases in such destinations as Croatia, Israel, and Egypt. Additionally, in Latin America, Argentina is currently garnering the most bookings, followed by Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile&#8221;, said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. &#8220;It&#8217;s clear that our travel agent initiatives, training and development activities, and tiered compensation program are working effectively to help drive this increase in bookings via our core channel &#8211; the travel agent community,&#8221; said Jimmy Zitani, VP of Sales for Central. &#8220;More and more agents and their clients are realizing what a terrific option Central Holidays offers with our brand of affordable luxury travel programs backed by true destination experts and the reliability of knowing that their clients are traveling with a time-honored travel provider with more than four decades of success in delivering amazing trips. This increase is not only impressive, but also it is offers a positive outlook for greater things to come!&#8221; As part of Central Holidays' efforts to support the travel agent community, the company is announcing the initial dates for its seminar series that provides agents with targeted product training on the company's vast range of travel offerings. This series of travel agent events presents networking opportunities with the company&#8217;s national sales team, destination and brand presentations, sales collateral distribution, and the launch of the Central Holidays new 2018-19 brochures and product line. Participating agents and Central Holidays team members that attended series events in 2017 have deemed them a resounding success, as evidenced by positive feedback as well as bookings and leads garnered. Following is a list of upcoming seminars currently scheduled for January and February of 2018: &#8226; Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - Milwaukee, WI &#8226; Wednesday, January 17, 2018 - Minneapolis, MN &#8226; Thursday, January 18, 2018 - Cleveland, OH &#8226; Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - Jacksonville, FL &#8226; Thursday, February 1, 2018 - Altamonte Springs, FL For sales inquiries, the company&#8217;s dedicated travel industry sales team can be reached as follows: Maria Di Rocco, CTC, MCC Regional Sales Director - Tri-State Area - NJ, CT, NY Call 800-935-5000 ext. 5293 Email: mdirocco@centralholidays.com Giovanna Cilia-Wheatley, CTC Regional Sales Manager - Mid-Atlantic Call 800-935-5000 ext. 5364 Email: gcilia-wheatley@centralholidays.com Lynn Seleck, CTC Regional Sales Manager - South East Call 800-935-5000 ext. 6308 Email: lseleck@centralholidays.com Margie Bell, CTC National Sales Manager Call 800-935-5000 ext. 5274 Email: mbell@centralholidays.com

Central Holidays Reports Strong Outlook For 2018 With More Than 30% Year-Over-Year Increase In Bookings -- Announces Top Trending Destinations And New Training Seminar Series For Travel Agents --

Central Holidays today announced the expansion of its Marketing and Sales teams as part of the company's accelerated growth initiatives and its ongoing commitment to the travel agent community. The award-winning global travel provider has named Lori Corless to the role of Vice President, Marketing, joining Central Holidays with more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry. Central Holidays has also named to its rapidly-expanding sales force two more industry specialists with a third to join before the year&#8217;s end, including Giovanna Cilia-Wheatley and Lynn Seleck, CTC. &#8220;These highly experienced travel industry professionals exemplify the high quality marketing and sales force that we are building,&#8221; said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. &#8220;Their vast travel industry knowledge will make them great assets not only to our company, but also to travel agents, group planners, and industry partners.&#8221; Ghattas continued, &#8220;They will significantly enhance our existing efforts to market all Central Holidays products.&#8221; As the new Vice President, Marketing, Lori Corless will be responsible for further developing the company&#8217;s brand identity, directing advertising and public relations, building strategic alliances, and managing all marketing programs, focusing strategically on the travel trade segment. With a strong track record of success in marketing for travel related companies over more than two decades, Corless most recently served as Vice President of Mighty Marketing for the past ten years, developing and executing marketing programs for acclaimed companies including: Wyndham Worldwide, Trafalgar, United Vacations, Insight Vacations, Friendly Planet, Princess Cruises, Sceptre Tours, Journeys Unlimited, Regina Tours, Homeric Tours, Southwest Airlines, Oceania Cruises, Goway.com, Voyages to Antiquity, Visit Orlando, and many more. Her celebrated career in travel marketing includes serving as Vice President, TAM Inc. Travel Advertising Marketing, Director of Marketing for Central Holidays Travel Group, and Marketing Manager, Pacific Bestours. &#34;Lori will be leading Central Holidays' efforts to increase our market reach in the travel trade &#8211; and most specifically to the travel agent community. Her command of the marketplace, in-depth knowledge of diverse marketing channels, and strong trade relationships are a tremendous resource for our company as we continue on our growth course,&#34; said Ghattas. &#34;I am looking forward to enhancing relations with the travel agent community and to increasing our market share &#8211; working in close collaboration with James Zitani, our Vice President, Sales and with our provider partners to identify the right mix of promotions, press coverage, partner campaigns, traditional and digital marketing, and product information to increase our brand visibility and maximize sales,&#34; said Corless. New additions to the Sales team include Giovanna Cilia-Wheatley as Regional Sales Manager - Mid-Atlantic and Lynn Seleck, CTC as Regional Sales Manager - South East. They will be responsible for executing the day-to-day sales activities and providing training and operations support as well as building the company&#8217;s travel agent base in their respective regions. In addition, Central Holidays will soon be announcing a new regional sales manager for the West Coast slated to start in the beginning of the new year, further reinforcing the company&#8217;s dedication to supporting the travel agent community from coast to coast, every step of the way. Over her career, Cilia-Wheatley has served in key sales roles for world-class travel companies such as Virgin Atlantic Airways, Continental, and Alitalia. Seleck's experience in the travel industry dates back to 1985 and includes sales and management roles at renowned travel and hospitality companies including Isram Tours' LATOUR &#8211; specializing in travel to Cuba and Latin America, Delta Airlines Vacations, One Man Tours, as well as the Ramada and Renaissance hotel chains. These exciting new team members have established records of positive sales management, increasing revenues and market share, and building strong relationships with professionals throughout the travel industry. &#34;Our expanded team and the broad-based talents of these individuals ensure more customer focus and stronger partnerships,&#8221; explained Ghattas. &#8220;Coupling our capabilities with these experienced sales and marketing pros promotes ongoing success for Central Holidays and its clients.&#34; Lynn Seleck, Regional Manager - Southeast can be reached at 800-935-5000 ext. 6308 or via email at lseleck@centralholidays.com and Giovanna Cilia-Wheatley, Regional Sales Manager - Mid-Atlantic can be reached at Call 800-935-5000 ext. 5364 or via email at gcilia-wheatley@centralholidays.com.

Central Holidays Announces Expansion Of Marketing And Sales Teams As Part Of Accelerated Growth Initiatives And Ongoing Commitment To The Travel Trade

Central Holidays is pleased to announce Susan Schuetze has joined the company as lead destination specialist for Latin America. Schuetze, who boasts a 10-plus year career in tourism throughout the region, will work closely with Arthur Berman, Central Holidays&#8217; vice president, Cuba &amp; Latin America, to continue growing the division. She will be responsible for helping drive ongoing product development initiatives, quality control and efficiency enhancements, and business relations with travel agents and suppliers as the travel brand continues its focus on providing truly authentic, experiential, customizable travel programs throughout Central America, South America and Cuba. &#34;Susan is an established destination expert with more than a decade of specialization in producing, promoting, packaging, and leading exceptional travel experiences throughout Cuba &amp; Latin America,&#8221; said Berman. &#34;Her in-depth knowledge of tourism in the region, and solid agent and supplier relationships will be a tremendous resource for our company -- giving us a significant edge in the marketplace.&#34; Susan brings to Central Holidays 10+ years of success in virtually all aspects of tour planning and operations. She is skilled at assisting clients with all kinds of trips from complex multi country itineraries and quick weekend getaways, to completely customized experiences and very detailed group travel events. Schuetze boasts knowledgeable, insightful, firsthand destination expertise in all the countries of Central America and many in South America, including Ecuador and Galapagos Islands, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and the Patagonia area of Chile. She has personally traveled extensively throughout Cuba on more than 10 trips, making her the ideal support and partner for travel agents looking to make sure their clients have all the information they need for the perfect Cuba travel experience. &#34;It is invigorating to be joining a company like Central Holidays that continues growing as such a major player in the Cuba &amp; Latin America travel marketplace,&#8221; said Schuetze. &#8220;I look forward to utilizing my experience, skills, knowledge, and talents to add a great deal to the success of the division. In my new position, I will work closely with agents and suppliers to achieve the Central Holidays goals &#8211; while providing each agent and their clients with the personal touch to ensure we deliver their ultimate trip each and every time.&#34; Schuetze will be based in Central Holidays&#8217; Latin America office in San Jose, Costa Rica and can be reached at 800.539.7098 Ext. 5252 or via email at susans@centralholidays.com.

Time-Honored Cuba & Latin America Destination Expert Susan Schuetze Joins Central Holidays In Key Role

Central Holidays today announced the appointment of travel industry sales specialist Margie Bell to the position of national sales manager for the leading travel provider. Bell joins Central Holidays with 40+ years of experience in the travel industry, including strategic sales roles as well as hands-on agency management with well-known travel companies including the IsramWorld Portfolio of Brands and the Hong Kong Tourism Board. She is responsible for driving revenue and educating travel agents about the vast range of travel opportunities offered by Central Holidays across the globe. Bell will work with travel agents and deliver training programs to increase overall brand awareness while focusing as a key initiative on &#8220;JOURNEYS,&#8221; Central Holidays&#8217; tailor created experiential product line. &#8220;We are fortunate to have someone of Bell&#8217;s caliber in this key role,&#8221; said Jimmy Zitani, vice president of sales for Central Holidays. &#8220;Her vast knowledge and impressive network of successful travel agents make her a great asset to Central Holidays. She will develop our brand and expand our sales efforts while providing us with a decisive competitive edge via her professional training and development programs.&#8221; &#8220;I am thrilled to take on this new role at Central Holidays,&#8221; said Bell. &#8220;I look forward to creating Central Holidays brand awareness via my strategic relationships throughout the country and especially in the Midwest while also identifying new opportunities and generating leads to increase our market share.&#8221; Bell&#8217;s professional career commenced in the 70&#8217;s working with Japan Travel Bureau before she attained further success as the owner of her own travel agency based in New York City. &#8220;Beyond her immense sales savvy, her experience guiding groups all over the world gives her a unique understanding of not only the sales side of the travel business, but also the client side,&#8221; continued Zitani. &#8220;She recognizes the importance of creating a positive experience for our partners and customers, and is especially enthusiastic about providing the ultimate in tailor created programs based on the unique needs of each individual or group that travels with Central Holidays. We will benefit tremendously from her experience and efforts.&#8221;

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