TRIPGUY TRAVEL SHINES BRIGHT AT SANDALS RESORTS:

AMONG AGENT ELITE AT SANDALS STAR AWARDS

Nassau, Bahamas – TripGuy Travel was been recognized by Sandals Resorts, the Luxury Included®

Vacation, at The Seventh Annual Sandals Travel Agent Recognition (STAR) Awards held December 8 – 10, 2008 at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island in Nassau, Bahamas as one of its Top 10 Worldwide Agencies and one of its Best of the Best. Top agents led of TripGuy were recognized for their outstanding knowledge and performance in selling the world’s best Luxury Included® resorts. Sandals recognized and paid tribute to Preferred Sandals Agencies (PSA) and Certified Sandals Specialists (CSS) from around the world including the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

            “Travel agencies like TripGuy are essential in bringing the Sandals Resorts’ vacation experience to life for their clients,” stated Sandals Resorts Chairman and Founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart. “I wish to commend TripGuy for their work as an ambassador of Sandals Resorts as we celebrate the next 25 years serving couples with dream Caribbean vacations.”

As a Platinum Preferred Sandals Agency, TripGuy is privy to Sandals Resorts dynamic education programs, award-winning marketing and advertising efforts and dedicated sales support. Special PSA & CSS perks ensure that TripGuy’s clients have priority when it comes to planning their Luxury Included® destination wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway or family vacation at Beaches Resorts.    TripGuy is consistently updated on all new developments and services offered at each Sandals Resort or Beaches Resort.

            Sandals Resorts began the Star Awards in 2001 as a way to recognize the top travel agents selling Sandals, and at the same time showcase the newest in resort product and on-island attractions. The Seventh Annual Star Awards celebrated brand new initiatives, including a preview of the all-new $125 million Italian Village expansion and waterpark at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, opening January 20, 2009, as well as a preview of the newest suites in the Sandals’ portfolio, including the stunning Millionaire Suites at Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa in St. Lucia.     

TripGuy Travel, specializes in personalized vacations including honeymoons, destination weddings, group trips, family vacations, and special occasions.  Please contact us at 888-990-TRIP to make an appointment to find out more about Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts’ special programs and rates.

Sandals Resorts:

Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 12 Luxury IncludedÒ Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoons® and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region.  In July 2007, the five-star, all suite Mediterranean Village debuted at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, offering two people in love the ultimate romantic getaway.

Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury IncludedÒ vacation and has been voted the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards for 15 years in a row, and World's Leading All-Inclusive Company for 13 years in a row.  For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com.

Beaches Resorts:

When it comes to family vacations, no other resort company in the world offers more than Beaches Resorts.  With four spectacular locations on the most beautiful beaches in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, Beaches Resorts is the ultimate family getaway and the most comprehensive vacation available in the Caribbean including gourmet meals; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations; and even gratuities. Fun for the whole family means outrageous waterparks; Xbox 360® Game Garages; Crayola Art Camps; and exclusive Kids Camps with a full schedule of age-appropriate activities as well as childcare provided by expertly trained Certified Nannies. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts offers another exclusive for families, the Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street, where kids can spend their vacation with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows. Brand new teen and tween programming will keep coming-of-age guests on their toes, whether dancing the night away at aqua-themed nightclub, Liquid; learning how to become a DJ at the Scratch DJ Academy; lounging and mingling with new friends at Trench Town; or enjoying a tailored spa treatment at Beaches Resorts’ exclusive Red Lane® Spa. With additional amenities including Butler Service; Red Lane® Spas, featuring services and treatments inspired by the region; WeddingMoons® and FamilyMoons® packages to make your wedding day just perfect; Beaches Resorts truly offers something for every member of the family.

In January 2009, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa will debut a $125 million resort expansion, the Italian Village. The Italian Village will feature 162 luxurious family suites, bringing the total rooms at the resort to 615; a palatial lobby with private check-in services; an expanded Pirate’s Island Waterpark featuring seven new slides, a lazy river and surf simulator; a sprawling retail mecca and five additional gourmet restaurants. 

Beaches Resorts is part of the Sandals' family, the Caribbean's largest operator of luxury included resorts, and has been voted the World's Best Family All-Inclusive Resort for 11 years in a row. For more information about Beaches Resorts, call 1-800-BEACHES (1-800-232-2437) or visit the Web site at www.beaches.com.

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels

by Karisma certifies TripGuy travel

as GI Vacation Consultant

TripGuy Becomes One of Only Select Few Certified by Gourmet Inclusive Collection of Resorts in Riviera Maya

Holland, PA   6/1/2008 – El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, a premier collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties along the Riviera Maya, Mexico, recently certified TripGuy Travel LLC as a Gourmet Inclusive (GI) Vacation Consultant Agency. TripGuy is now a part of an elite group of travel agents across the country certified to provide travelers with recommendations on Gourmet Inclusive vacations to the Riviera Maya based on extensive firsthand experience and education.

“Becoming a GI Vacation Consultant provided us with an in-depth understanding of what makes the Gourmet Inclusive vacation experience truly unique,” said Mitch from TripGuy. “Our certification as a GI Vacation Consultant allows us to assist customers with greater confidence, based on our personal knowledge of the Gourmet Inclusive philosophy and the rigorous training involved in the program.  After visiting the adults-only and family friendly properties, indulging in innovative amenities like Beachfront Sky Massages, Swim-Up Suites and Beach Butlers, and being treated to world-class service, we are excited to create customized travel itineraries to El Dorado and Azul properties according to individual client desires and expectations.”

The GI Vacation Consultant Program is designed to personally educate travel professionals on the value of Gourmet Inclusive, a distinctive philosophy that allows guests to savor every detail of their environment. From the gourmet cuisine to the variety of resort services, fine décor, and amenities, each aspect of Gourmet Inclusive is designed to create a unique experience that fosters togetherness for couples and families. 

As a GI Vacation Consultant, TripGuy can cater to clients that seek the ultimate in one or more niche market: destination weddings, honeymoons, romance, anniversary, family and multigenerational vacations.  TripGuy agents are also experts on all Gourmet Inclusive properties including El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; El Dorado Maroma, a Beachfront Resort, by Karisma; Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; Azul View Hotel by Karisma, opening in October 2008; and Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma, opening in December 2008 

Rates at El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels by Karisma range from $160 to $1,753.  Azul Hotels by Karisma’s rates range from $180 to $2,183.  Children under three stay free at Azul Hotels by Karisma, while children ages 3 to 12 receive a 50 percent discount based on double occupancy when sharing rooms with parents. All rates include the Gourmet Inclusive experience with full concierge and 24-hour room service (per night, per person, including taxes and service fees).

About El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma are a premier hotel collection operating properties throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, where guests savor a Gourmet Inclusive experience that fosters togetherness. Karisma’s growing portfolio is comprised of Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; and El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort, by Karisma. Properties have been honored with the industry's top accolades including, Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List,” Forbes’ “Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels,”  TUI Travel PLC’s “Hotel of the Year,” and AAA’s “Four Diamond Award.”  Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations including resorts with swim-up suites, Infinity balcony pools, beach butlers and cash-free transactions.

TripGuy ranked 55th most visited Travel Agency

Holland, PA -TripGuy Travel (www.TripGuy.com) was recognized by Hitwise as being the 55th most visited website in their April report for the "Travel-Agency" industry. 

TripGuy recognizes that such traffic and achievement would not be possible without it's partnership with preferred suppliers like Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Royal Plantation, El Dorado Resorts, Azul Resorts, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Funjet Vacations, Apple Vacations and more.

About Hitwise

Hitwise, an Experian company was founded in February 1997 as a solution to a new problem – only the large websites, such as Yahoo!, MSN and Amazon were being monitored comparatively and data on websites with a more limited reach, such as Colgate, Nissan, and L’Oreal – was not available. 

The reason for this is that the methodology used by the existing online measurement companies was not cost effective and so could not effectively scale to measure a medium like the Internet.  These companies simply applied the television ratings methodology (software sitting in a person’s home) to the Internet.  As a result, only a relatively small number of people (10,000 to 50,000) people were able to be monitored, which meant only a relatively small number of websites (top 1000) were reported in the rankings. 

Instead, Hitwise applied a new measurement method to the new medium, realizing that by working with ISP networks, (instead of recruiting individual panel members) it would be possible to anonymously monitor more people, and therefore report on more websites. Using this new method Hitwise could cost effectively and anonymously monitor millions of Internet users, and therefore report on hundreds of thousands of websites, in addition to the top few.

As a result, while many other measurement companies have relatively small client bases, Hitwise data is relevant to over 1 million online businesses.

Sandals Names TripGuy Platinum Agency

Holland, PA (October 2, 2007) – TripGuy Travel has recently been crowned a Platinum Sandals Agency, the highest level of Sandal’s program designed to cultivate and increase sales  for both the agency and for Sandals Resorts.  TripGuy Travel now joins a select and elite group of travel agencies recognized by Sandals and Beaches Resorts as experts in the Caribbean’s leading chain of luxury ultra all-inclusive resorts. 

To qualify as a Platinum Sandals Agency, TripGuy met a significant threshold of business done with Sandals and Beaches, in addition to an education requirement on the Sandals and Beaches products.  Being a Platinum Agency offers TripGuy meaningful benefits including business tools such as co-branded collateral, websites, and advertising support.

“I am extremely proud of the TripGuy team for this major accomplishment,” said Kevin McCullough, Philadelphia-Area Sales Manager for Sandals.  “Vacations are memories in the making and the agents at TripGuy take their responsibility to our mutual clients very seriously.   Customers want to be confident that the information they receive is based on expert knowledge and having the Platinum Agency designation proves just that.”

According to Mike Norton, senior vice president of sales for Sandals and Beaches Resorts, training and highlighting the best representatives of the brands is a key strategy for the Caribbean-based resort chain.  “At Sandals, our goal is to exceed client expectations every time,” said Chomat. “And an agency like TripGuy Travel is an essential part of this effort.  They know the intimate details of each resort and are able to match customers to the perfect Sandals or Beaches vacation.  We congratulate the staff of TripGuy Travel on the hard work that brought them to the forefront of the industry.

TripGuy Travel LLC:

    TripGuy Travel is a web-based travel agency headquartered in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with over 40 affiliated agents around the country that offer full service travel services and provide first-hand knowledge and expertise of the destinations sold.  TripGuy agents represent the best travel suppliers in the industry and specialize in areas such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Escorted and Independent Tours, and Cruises.  A TripGuy agent can be reached at their website www.TripGuy.com.

Sandals Resorts:

    Sandals Resorts is the largest operator of luxury, ultra-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Sandals has a total of 12 couples-only properties, including seven in Jamaica, three in St. Lucia, one in Antigua and one in Nassau, Bahamas.

    Sandals Resorts continues to make couples' Caribbean vacations memorable by offering amenities and programs of superior value and service.  With new amenities including Butler Service for top category suites, Red Lane Spas - combining European traditions with a Caribbean flair - and Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoons™, the Sandals brand remains the most trusted in making Caribbean dreams come true.

TRIPGUY TRAVEL SHINES BRIGHT AT SANDALS RESORTS:

AMONG AGENT ELITE AT SANDALS STAR AWARDS

            Holland, Pennsylvania, November, 14, 2006  -- TripGuy Travel LLC (“TripGuy”) has been recognized by Sandals Resorts, the Luxury IncludedÔ Vacation, at The Sixth Annual Sandals Travel Agent Recognition (STAR) Awards held October 25 - 27, 2007 at Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort as one of 20 “Best of the Best” Travel Agencies based on sales volume. TripGuy was also recognized for selling the most Suites bookings of Northeast US Agencies.  TripGuy Travel was also nominated for other awards, including Top Northeast Travel Agency.  The agents at TripGuy were among those recognized for their outstanding knowledge and performance in selling the world’s Luxury Included resorts. The resort company recognized and paid tribute to Preferred Sandals Agencies (PSA) and Certified Sandals Specialists (CSS) from around the world including the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

            “Travel agents like those at TripGuy are essential in bringing the Sandals Resorts’ vacation experience to life for their clients,” stated Sandals Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart. “I wish to commend  them for their work as ambassadors of Sandals Resorts as we celebrate the next 25 years serving couples with dream Caribbean vacations.”

      As a Platinum Preferred Sandals Agency, TripGuy is privy to Sandals Resorts dynamic education programs, award-winning marketing and advertising efforts and dedicated sales support. Special perks ensure that  TripGuy Travel’s clients have priority when it comes to planning their Luxury Included destination wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway at Sandals or family vacation at Beaches Resorts.    TripGuy Travel is also consistently updated on all new developments and services offered at each Sandals Resort or Beaches Resort.

            Sandals Resorts began the Star Awards in 2001 as a way to recognize the top travel agents selling Sandals, and at the same time showcase the newest in resort product and on-island attractions. The Sixth Annual Star Awards celebrated brand new initiatives, including the opening of the $70 million all-suite Mediterranean Village at Sandals Grande Antigua, as well as a preview of the $100 million mega-expansion project at Beaches Turks & Caicos, to include the Caribbean’s largest waterpark, plus a 180 all-suite Italian Seaside Village.   

TripGuy Travel specializes in planning exceptions Honeymoons and wonderful Family tripgs to destinations including Mexico (Riviera Maya, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Cozumel), Hawaii, and the Caribbean.  More information can be found at www.TripGuy.com.  Please contact them to find out more about Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts’ special programs and rates.