 Travel Executives Gather at St. Andrews Links to Play on the World Famous Old Course
The inaugural invite-only ASTA Travel Masters supports the trade association’s advocacy St. Andrews, Scotland, April 14, 2022 – The most famous golf course in the world was the backdrop for the American Society of Travel Advisors’ (ASTA) first-ever Travel Masters, held April 4-6, 2022, at St. Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf and the 2022 British Open in July. This invitation-only leadership event brought together agency owners and supplier executives at the renowned Fairmont St. Andrews, where close to fifty participants gathered for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to golf on the Castle Course (April 4) and Old Course (April 5). “We are a mission-driven organization comprised of over 17,000 U.S. based travel advisors who rely on us to represent them at all levels of government, within the industry and to the traveling public,” said Zane Kerby, President and CEO of ASTA. “The Travel Masters brought together executive leaders, from both the supplier and agency community, who believe in this mission and who believe in ASTA’s advocacy. The generous support of our partner sponsors; BCD and United Airlines, American Airlines, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Signature Travel Network, and Viking, literally made this event possible. Their presence builds ASTA and strengthens our ability to fulfill our mission.” Ken McNab, Managing Director at the Travel Company Edinburgh and ASTA’s UK chapter president, spotted and made ASTA aware of the opening at St. Andrews back in 2020, working with ASTA’s late Bob Duglin. Ken, along with his compatriot, Angelina Fairgrieve at The Travel Company Edinburgh, worked tirelessly to bring the Travel Masters program to life. “ASTA’s commitment to support this event brought Scotland an open door to improve our international traffic through the stream of our U.S. trade partners,” said McNab. “The team at The Travel Company Edinburgh and In2Scotland believe that the refreshed relationships developed through our partnership will help us face the new world of travel together. With the success of this event, we can focus on strengthening trade and ties with the U.S. and our partners through ASTA.” Supporting ASTA’s advocacy mission through executive leadership was the primary focus of this inaugural event in St. Andrews. Jennifer Wilson Buttigieg, Co-President of Valerie Wilson Travel, a Froch Company, is the co-chair of ASTA’s Government & Political Affairs Committee and the driving force behind gathering industry advocacy support as Honorary Chair of the Travel Masters event. “I am a long-standing partner and advocate for ASTA,” said Wilson Buttigieg. “I was honored to be a part of this inaugural ASTA Travel Masters event. With two major industry shifts occurring: (1) a rebound in travel as we migrate from pandemic to endemic globally and (2) the heighten role of the travel advisor - it is critical that we continue to speak in one unified voice. This event was a fantastic forum to discuss, share and raise money. We still have a long way to go, and this is one of many initiatives. Please get involved!” About ASTA Rebranded in 2018 as the American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally-based members, ASTA’s history of industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information about the Society, visit ASTA.org. Content C/o ASTA Erika Richter erichter@asta.org Photo accredited to the American Society of Travel Advisors
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 A Negative Covid-19 Test result is now required when entering Scotland and England. This may also be applied to the rest of the UK however it has not yet been announced.
'People arriving by plane, train or boat, including UK nationals, will have to take a test up to 72 hours before leaving the country they are in. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said travellers "can't board... without having that negative test". But even with a negative test, arrivals from countries not on the travel corridor list must still quarantine.' Excerpt taken from the BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55582116 If you need any help with your travel then please get intouch: +44 131 467 7000, in2scotland@ttce.com  We are very excited to be partnering with a Motorhome company enabling us to give everyone the opportunity to explore the open road in Scotland in their own Motorhome!
This really is a fabulous way to explore our stunning country. The beauty of The Highlands, the Islands, the Lochs, the cities and villages. While looking at writing an article on places to go I came across this article that Visit Scotland has created and thought I would share it here on our blog as it has taken the words right out of my mouth! Here are some fabulous ideas of what you can see and where to explore. CAMPERVAN GETAWAYS: 10 GREAT SPOTS AND ROAD TRIPS Get behind the wheel of a campervan and experience the unfettered freedom that comes with being able to pull over and set up camp where and when you choose. A campervan really does offer the perfect getaway for anyone who relishes the prospect of exploring the rural locales and remote corners of Scotland on the open road. Here are just some of the destinations and routes that are worth the road trip. 1. JEDBURGH AND LAUDER Picture - Jedburgh Abbey Whether you are passing through the Scottish Borders on your way to your final destination or are curious about this lovely region, you can pitch up at sites in Jedburgh and Lauder. You can explore the region’s wide open spaces at your leisure, with walking trails including the Southern Upland Way, the Borders Abbey Way, and St Cuthbert’s Way all easily accessible. 2. ISLE OF SKYE Quiraing road Skye When it comes to exploring Skye by car the possibilities are endless. The whole of Skye is spectacular to drive around no matter which direction you set off in. Pitch up on the shores of Loch Greshornish and soak up the views across the gleaming water to the hills beyond while Highland cattle and sheep graze nearby. 3. GLENCOE TO FORT WILLIAM Three Sisters Glencoe The route from Glencoe to Fort William is one of Scotland’s essential road trips. Before you embark on this unforgettable drive, why not spend a day or two parked at the foot of Glencoe’s awe-inspiring mountains, surrounded by lush woodlands managed by the National Trust for Scotland? Positively ripe for on-foot explorations, the West Highland Way and many other low and high-level walks pass through the vicinity. You can even bag a couple of Munros whilst you're here. 4. BLAIR ATHOLL Blair Castle exterior Experience the epitome of relaxed camping against the magnificent backdrop of Blair Castle. Just a stone’s throw away from the popular holiday-maker destinations of Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Dunkeld, this picturesque spot in the Cairngorms National Park allows you to get away from it all while still offering plenty to see and do. Pitch up at Blair Castle Caravan Park and enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits with Atholl Estates and take your pick from all kinds of adventure sports. 5. ASSYNT TO SUTHERLAND Assynt ‘Dramatic’ doesn’t even begin to cover the natural beauty of the journey from Assynt and into the heart of Sutherland country. Set off on the road to Inchnadamph and as you make your way north, pause at one of a seemingly endless number of trout-teeming lochs to cast your line in the company of golden eagles and great northern divers. Continuing northwards, take in the dramatic peaks of Quinag before pushing on to the delightful crofting village of Scourie. Here you can park in the village's caravan and camping park overlooking the bay and experience some unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. Turn east at Laxford Bridge and follow the River Laxford on up to Loch Stack where you can spend the days climbing rugged mountains, following old stalkers' paths to secluded lochs, or simply sit back, relax and soak up the tranquility. 6. LOCH NESS Loch Ness view from Whitefield Campervan sites in and around Loch Ness are ideal bases for exploring this famous area. There is the eco-friendly Loch Ness Shores site located on the sedate south shore, Loch Ness Bay Camping at Borlum Farm, Drumnadrochit, which sits directly opposite the Great Glen Way, and Loch Ness Highland Resort in scenic Fort Augustus. Surrounded by pine trees and with umpteen Munros and superlative cycling and kayaking right on your doorstep, it is hard to think of a more ideal place in which to experience Scotland’s great outdoors. 7. GLASGOW TO MACHRIHANISH Machrihanish Dunes The Kintyre peninsula is one of Scotland’s most secluded destinations and the route leading to it is positively spellbinding. From central Glasgow, follow the A82 as it winds past Loch Lomond before embarking upon a breathtaking three-hour journey down the A83, sometimes referred to as “the long and winding road,” one of the UK’s most scenic car journeys. Along the way, take in the Rest and Be Thankful Pass, skim the shores of the picturesque Loch Fyne, and pass the stately Inveraray Castle. Continue along the beautiful Kintyre coast to Campbeltown before making the short cross-country drive to Machrihanish. Here you can pitch up at the marvellously well-equipped Machrihanish Holiday Park which offers a complete range of home comforts including free WiFi and a view overlooking the acclaimed Machrihanish Dunes golf course. Don't forget to bring your clubs! 8. SCONE PALACE Scone Palace Pull in to the estate of Scone Palace, the home of the legendary Stone of Destiny, and get back to nature at Scone Camping & Caravanning Club Site. Deer, buzzards, owls and ospreys have all been spotted here. You might even find yourself sharing your pitch with one of the site’s resident black rabbits. In addition to the palace, take the time to explore the grounds, including its beautifully manicured lawns and pinetum, and enjoy tranquil walks along the River Tay. 9. EDINBURGH TO ST ANDREWS The Forth Rail Bridge Drive across the Queensferry Crossing to Fife. Opened in 2017, it's neighboured by the Forth Road Bridge and the world-famous Forth Bridge - these three engineering wonders span three centuries. Continue along the scenic coastal route around the East Neuk, stopping to call in at pretty fishing villages like Anstruther, Elie and Pittenweem before you reach St Andrews, The Home of Golf. Stretch out the journey and spend a day or two in the East Neuk at Elie Holiday Park at Shell Bay, Woodland Gardens Caravan & Camping in Leven or St Monans Holiday Park. 10. REST AND BE THANKFUL PASS Rest and Be Thankful Pass Drive across the Arrochar Alps in Glen Croe to the Rest and Be Thankful pass where you can pull in to the roadside bay viewpoint and picnic area to stretch your legs and soak up the dramatic natural splendour before you. If you want to stay over for a night in the area, the Forestry Commission’s Honeymooner’s Bridge Car Park is nearby and has limited spaces for campervans and larger vehicles. If you fancy a Motorhome holiday or help arranging a Self Drive holiday just get intouch on: in2scotland@ttce.com, +44 (0)131 467 7000, www.in2scotland.com  Thinking about the future and getting excited!
At some point in the future we will be saying:
When the above actually happens where will you go to in the United Kingdom? Have you been to all the countries in the UK yet? I bet there are so many places that you haven't been and fantastic and different experiences to have. You can; see all the historic sites, eat delicious cuisines, enjoy local and international drinks, go hiking in the countryside, go cruising on the canals and lakes or lochs, have an adventure packed break, visit all the amazing cities, travel around the local villages, soak up the local atmosphere and so much more. Below is a summary of the MANY Reasons to holiday in The UK
The 'Staycation' is something to seriously think about and start planning as it is good to have something to look forward to. Get intouch if you would like ideas for your future holiday and help in planning that exciting UK holiday! in2scotland@tte.com +44 131 467 7000 www.in2scotland.com We thought this was a good and concise article so thought Lufthansa City Center have made a very good point about using a TMC.  Contact us if you agree and would like to findout more and how our sister company, The Travel Company Edinburgh, can be of assistance.
edinburgh@ttce.com +44 131 467 7000 www.ttce.com   Image credits to KODAK
Just WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!! This is a challenge and a half!!!!! Kodak have come out with a fabulous puzzle here! It is 1.9m high, 8.6m long and weighs a MASSIVE 18.5KG!!! To put that into perspective that's:
What an amazing idea! we can't travel the world right now, however we can create hours of Fun putting it together. They estimate it will take around 3 weeks to complete it. This will keep you going through the lockdown for sure, drive everyone crazy and take up a lot of space but what an achievement when you have done it! It features 27 of the World's landmarks and cities, how much fun would it be to pick the cities in order of where you want to go next and then construct the puzzle in that order? I would choose Prague, Czech Republic first! I love it there! What order would you choose? They have made it a bit easier than it first sounds by splitting it into each of the 27 destinations with 1900 puzzle pieces per destination so in effect you have 27 puzzles to do and then connect them together! I have to ask the question once done would you then:
I have to say it would be 2 for me as I do not have a wall big enough to put it on and you never know I might be the next one to do it all over again!!! Let us know what you would do! in2scotland@ttce.com +44 131 467 7000  It has been a very difficult time for everyone over the last few months and the Travel Industry has suffered a dramatic downturn due to this awful Coronovirus that has effected so many people Globally. There have been numerous cancellations and postponements of people's travel plans with all the different restrictions that each country has put into place for everyone's safety to combat this horrendous virus.
The 'Stay at Home' Measures that The Government have put in place are extremely important and have just been extended by 3 weeks. We take this very seriously and all our team are at home staying safe so that we can get back to the the office sometime in the near future. Working from home is OK however we all miss the office banter! One thing that we have noticed over this time is that people are feeling optimistic about their future holidays. We have seen a large increase in people browsing our holiday website www.ttceholidays.com looking at different destinations and getting ideas of where they may want to go when we can all travel again! We love dreaming about holidays and where to go to next and now more than ever I think we all need those holiday ideas giving us something exciting to look forward to! We have added an overview of almost 100 lovely holiday destinations for you have browse through while you are staying at home. We want to give you some ideas of where you may want to go with the top destinations and average temperatures etc. Stay safe and well and we look forward to being able to help you with any travel plans in the future! If we can help with anything you can call us on +44131 467 7000 or email us on edinburgh@ttce.com  Photo kindly provided by Pretium Jet & Helicopter Charter Flying by private jet is normally seen as a luxury and a very expensive mode of transport, although there is lots of benefits to consider which we have listed for you below:
Why fly by private jet? You are in charge of your schedule You travel safe and sound Saves time and money Local smaller airports to depart or take off from Productive while travelling You are in charge of your schedule The truth is that the real luxury when you fly private is the ability to reschedule your flight according to your needs. Business jets can even let you arrange your take off times as you go about your day, making it even more convenient to reach your destination when a meeting runs late or you can even change your arrival point while travelling in the air. You travel safe and sound Private aircrafts provide a safe and comfortable environment while travelling. When hiring a private jet, the safety checks are much more thorough than flying on a commercial airline, giving you a better picture of who you are sharing the aircraft with. It also protects you from any illnesses you could obtain from being on a commercial aircraft, as you won’t be sharing the circulated air with hundreds of people who could be potentially carrying any viruses or illnesses. Saves time and money When business executives and their colleagues fly private, the biggest benefit is the time they save – for both their employees and any third parties involved. Instead of arriving to the airport hours early to check in and wait in long security lines, you can arrive just before take-off. This also saves time at the other end, saving having to wait for baggage. In a scenario where executives need to visit multiple cities for meetings, private travel can provide incredible cost-saving advantages. Rather than flying commercial and taking multiple days to travel back and forth, private travel can reduce this trip to a single day. Instead of paying for multiple nights at hotels and multiple meals for the entire team, all meetings can happen in one day. Local smaller airports to depart or take off from Travelling on private jet allows you access to smaller, local airports, over 10,000 to be exact!! Giving you the freedom and flexibility to fly right to the heart of your destination or take off from closer to home, saving you time and money. Flying on a luxury jet allows you to travel non-stop to your preferred destination, avoiding unwanted road trips and lengthy layovers in places you don’t want to be. Productive while travelling Prepping for a big business meeting or trying to catch up on your emails? This may seem impossible on a commercial aircraft, with people listening in to private conversations and the background noise and buzz. Renting a private jet provides you with complete privacy from the minute you take off until touchdown, giving you peace and quiet to catch up on work or discuss the company strategy. Comfort is another major benefit to flying private, with spacious, walkable cabins featuring lavish, plush interiors and many comforts for a more relaxed flight. Travelling by private jet can be more cost effective than you think. Call 0131 467 7000 today to receive a no obligation quote.  Citizens of the world, global businesses and Government are watching, monitoring and adapting plans as the Coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. In travel, we’ve been through many a destination crisis, from Caribbean storms, Icelandic volcanos and the previous SARS outbreak, amongst others. However, the rapid spread of Coronavirus has taken the world by surprise.
At In2Scotland, we understand and appreciate the concerns of our customers, who are unsure if they should travel, as well as our trade partners who are facing heightened corporate pressures as well as concern for their customers and loved ones. As the situation unfolds, there are lots of questions on cancellation fees, how insurers are approaching force majeure and the Foreign Office’s advice to travel. A lot of the answers are as yet unknown, but we will communicate new information when we have it. We don’t intend to make any impulsive reactions here and will be following destination tourism advice as well as our own Government’s action plans to protect our customers and partners. Trade associations and bodies continue to aggregate and share news and issue guidance, which will inform our position too. We are hopeful that like SARS, which spread rapidly and then all but disappeared, the Coronavirus outbreak will be temporary, and we can return to creating incredible, stress-free holidays. In the meantime, we suggest that for those of us who are well, it’s business as usual for ourselves and our clients. The world should keep on travelling where it’s safe to do so. And the over-riding view of the industry is that most of the world is safe. We advise to take common sense steps to protect from illness, at home and on your travels. Good hand hygiene, self-isolation if unwell and reporting any travel to infected areas. If you are booked to travel to an infected area, rather than cancel your trip we recommend that you postpone it or switch destination. At In2Scotland, we reassure that we stand by our customers, partners and employees over the next few unknown months. Together, we’ll find our way through this crisis, whilst standing together and preserving the beautiful experience of world travel and the industries that support it. If you have any questions on imminent travel to an affected region, get in touch with us on our dedicated hotline on 0131 467 7000.   Here at In2Scotland we are very excited to be working with Medical Travel Companions as their UK partner. It is very exciting because the service that we can now provide is a fabulous addition for all travellers that need this service.
What is Medical Travel Companions? Medical Travel Companions is a unique service that assists people with their travel needs from a local domestic or complex international journey. There are a large number of individuals or families who choose not to travel due to a variety of reasons. MTC can remove many of the barriers that will allow many to realise their travel dreams. MTC travel companions are experienced paramedics, nurses, or nannies, that have undergone a rigorous selection process. They have a range of knowledge including: families with elderly parents, young children, people with a mental health issue, disability, or simply people who just need reassurance or help on a holiday or in transit. MTC companions are available on a global basis. Key Benefits of Using Medical Travel Companions Travellers can engage MTC services for travel on all forms of travel including, tours, cruises, flights, private vacations, or concierge transport services for local transportation requirements. MTC companions are available to help you to your desired destination or even to stay with you for the duration of the entire trip. Medical Travel Companions is flexible and can tailor a solution to suit your specific needs. MTC companions provide caring assistance to travellers such as:
About Ben Wilson | Co Founder & CEO of Medical Travel Companions Ben holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from the University of South Australia. Ben brings to MTC experience in the Airline, Airport, Travel, Health and HR sectors. Ben is responsible for the day to day strategic direction of MTC on a global basis. Before starting Medical Travel Companions in 2000, Ben held management roles for a major international airline, and also at a global management consulting firm. Ben has travelled extensively, including completing a transatlantic sailing voyage. He has lived and worked in the UK and Africa. Ben is married and has three children and enjoys boating, Kangaroo Island, diving, tennis and, of course, travelling. Text accredited to: Allan Suss, Podcast travel Contact us on +44 131 467 7000 or in2scotland@ttce.com or link to make a booking Medical Travel Companions |
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In2Scotland
The Travel Company Edinburgh Murrayburgh House 17 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 6DD Tel: +44 (0) 131 467 7000
Email: in2scotland@ttce.com |
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