Sweet Escapes Travel

So, I had a very important meeting with Tim Bekkering from Beks Entertainment at Sharky’s in Venice this week. I had called him about an event that I wanted to sponsor and it turns out that they need an “Exclusive” travel agent for their events. Guess who that’s going to be? Your very own, Sweet Escapes Travel.

So what’s it all about? It’s a golf tour for anyone who likes to golf that is modeled after the PGA tour. The rounds of golf are played on courses that are completely private and only members can usually play at. These coveted courses create a want for people who wouldn’t normally be able to afford to play at such exclusive places and allows them to experience them for a discounted rate. PGA tour players will be there to sign autographs and talk to fans. This event is actually 5 events and each one has a set of four winners (one for each flight). Then the final game will have overall winners and grand prizes for them. Sweet Escapes is providing these prizes for the entire tour and in the future. Winners will receive some sort of travel package, assumedly a play and stay golf package at a resort.

In addition to Sweet Escapes providing the packages, we are also sponsoring a hole on the course. We will have our tiki hut out there and get to talk to the players and fans as well as pass out cards and flyers.

But that’s not all; we are participating in the silent auction too! We will be auctioning off all inclusive, cruises, and tours. This part is for charity and proceeds go to YGOA, the Young Golfers of America.

This is the biggest move yet for us because this will presumably open up an array of opportunities to educate people about travel and ultimately sell some packages. We will be sponsoring all five of this year’s games as well as next year’s national tour.

Check out the dates that we will be out there, come see us, meet the pros, or even better; play some golf!

Saturday, December 11th, 2010-Longboat Key Club & Resort

Sunday January 9th, 2011-Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club

Saturday, February 20th, 2011-The Founders Club

Saturday, March 26th 2011-Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club

Saturday, June 18th, 2011-TPC Prestancia

More Information about the tour and what it’s about

Comments-Will you be there? Do you think this is a good move for Sweet Escapes? What types of trips would you like to see in a silent auction? 

I was posting the article, on traveling with your pet via an airline today and in it they mention "pet airways". I have never heard of this before and instantly had to know what it was. Basically, they are an air carrier that strictly carries animals. You pay about the same as a ticket for a human on a regular airline, but instead of your pet riding in the cargo area, they ride in the amin part of the plane. 

They board and get settled and an attendant checks on each dog every 15 minutes to assess needs as they fly. They actually stop for potty breaks stating "It may take us a bit longer to get to where we're going, but the comfort of our pawsengers (creatively adorable) is our first priority."

Then at debarkation you just go pick your furry friend up! 

So, you may be thinking, why are you posting this? Well, not only is this awesomely innovative, there might be a market for this. I cant tell you how many clients have changed their travel plans due to no room on the plane for their dog. The majority of airlines only allow a certain amount of dogs on the plane at any given time, so you have less options for traveling with them. In addition, I have read horror stories of dogs suffocating in cargo and other such disturbing accounts of mistreatment. 

The average airline charges $90-$200 per animal for them to sit in cargo with no potty breaks or attention for hours. So in all reality, the $225 i was quoted for a Christmas flight from Ft Lauderdale to Chicago for a 7 pound chihuahua is not that bad. I know that I would pay the difference to make sure that my dog was completely safe. 

Oh, and best of all, they give you a tracker that you can use to track where your pet is in real time for the duration of the flight. 

Check out more info at their website www.petairways.com.

What do you think of the idea? Would you consider purchasing a flight for Fido?