ASTA's Consumer Web Site a Helpful Resource for Spring Break Travelers

02-23-2008

 

Alexandria, VA- Families, students and school groups across the country are now planning their spring break vacations. ASTA's consumer Web site, TravelSense.org, is a helpful resource for spring break travelers, providing them with travel tips, up-to-date passport information, numerous destination articles and travel agents' contact information.

"The keys to a successful spring break vacation are researching the destination, advanced planning and making safety the number one priority," said Cheryl Hudak, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. "But to make the most of any vacation, travelers can turn to their ASTA travel agent and TravelSense.org for advice and planning assistance to make their trip as enjoyable and safe as possible."

Some of the top tips on ASTA's consumer Web site for spring break travelers include:

Research

• Before travelers leave home they should research the local laws and customs of the countries they will visit, especially those concerning drinking age, drugs and curfews. Travelers are not immune to a country's laws just because they are on vacation.

Planning

• Use an ASTA travel agent to book a vacation. Agents walk their clients through the planning process; will help them select and book hotel rooms, air travel and tours; offer unbiased advice and help travelers secure the best value on their vacation.

Safety

• Pack a simple first aid kit with bandages, antibiotic cream and pain relievers. Trip or group leaders should be informed in advance about any medications group members are taking.
• Parents should have the phone and fax number of the hotel, the cell phone numbers of chaperones and a full itinerary of the trip. If anything changes during the trip, travelers should immediately e-mail or call their parents or guardian at home with the new info.

Things to remember

• Pack all valuables, medications, travel documents and passport in a carry-on bag.
• Travelers should not carry all of their cash around, only what's needed at that time or for the day's activities. Keep money in a zippered pocket, preferably inside a jacket, purse or backpack.
• Use authorized vendors to exchange money in a foreign country.

ASTA is the world's largest association of travel professionals and is dedicated to keeping the traveling public informed. To find additional travel tips or to locate a local ASTA travel agent in your area, please visit TravelSense.org. To learn more about ASTA, please visit ASTA.org.

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

 

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