MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kahn Travel Communications
Theresa M. Oakes/T.Oakes@KTCpr.com
Josh Kahn / J.Kahn@KTCpr.com
Telephone: (516) 594-4100
PRESS RELEASE #325

CREATIVE LEISURE INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES UNMATCHED VACATIONS,
LUXURY RESORTS, AND VILLAS WITH UNPARALLELED SERVICE
Offers Tremendous Value with Concierge Services, 'Cancel For Any Reason' Waiver

PETALUMA, CA (Jan. 2007) – Since its inception in 1968, Creative Leisure International – Experts in the Design of Customized Luxury Vacations Around the Globe – has built a reputation for putting customers first, with quality accommodations and a unrivaled level of service to meet the demands of discerning travelers, including couples, families, honeymooners, and groups as well as individual travelers – both young and old alike. Today, with nearly 40 years experience and strategic relationships with key air carriers and hotel providers, Creative Leisure enjoys a recognized and respected status among tour operators as the top choice for travel agents who seek to impress their clients and ensure a satisfied return customer.

Creative Leisure's revolutionary idea began with personalized dream vacation packages to Hawaii. By fostering relationships with a network of respected travel providers and airlines, the organization has extended its offerings and services to destinations around the globe. Creative Leisure is now reputed for selling the highest quality resort vacations available in a variety of world-class destinations, including Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Tahiti, and the Napa & Sonoma Wine Country.

From luxury resorts to lavish condos, guests of Creative Leisure are always guaranteed the finest accommodations at the best prices. In 2004, Creative Leisure purchased Villas of Distinction, which offers the same caliber of service for which Creative Leisure has built a reputation. Villas of Distinction has an impressive portfolio of 5,000 properties around the globe and an experienced staff of villa specialists to customize the needs of any individual trip at luxury villa properties in Napa and Sonoma, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Italy, Mexico, the South of France, Tahiti and Greece.

"By providing clients with the same care and extreme attention to detail that was originally conceptualized in 1968, and focusing on a more personalized luxury vacation experience, Creative Leisure has redefined luxury travel around the globe," said Frank Samson, CTC, president and CEO for Creative Leisure International.

"Our willingness to go above and beyond the borders of ordinary service has had an overwhelming impact on travelers, property owners, governments and travel partners alike," continued Samson. "Ironically, while our vision has now become a standard across much of the industry, our customer satisfaction surveys, as well as comparative feedback from our agent partners, indicate that our competition still has a long way to go to match the level of quality, value and personalized service that travel agents and their clients come to expect from Creative Leisure."

The Experience To Ensure Satisfaction

Privately owned and operated for more than 38 years, Creative Leisure employs knowledgeable reservation agents with an average of more than 10 years history with the company. This guarantees that travel agents will receive expert advice when planning vacations on a client's behalf.

Long-term relationships with hotels and other travel suppliers ensure a quality experience for the client. Creative Leisure offers only the best resorts in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Tahiti, Napa and Sonoma.. Airline partners include American Airlines, Delta, United and Alaska with available economy, business, or first class air.. Hertz is the worldwide car rental partner, and along with Creative Leisure, offers travelers to Hawaii car delivery service with private transfers.

Creative Leisure International is able to offer luxury vacation options at competitive price points as a result of its long-standing history and volume of business. Furthermore, Creative Leisure's "Price Match Plus" program guarantees that the company will beat the pricing of wholesale competitors on identical vacation packages.

"There is nothing more important to travel agents than the relationship between agent and client," noted Samson, "and our agent partners trust Creative Leisure to provide the type of vacations that result in repeat business. In addition, our 'Price Match Plus' program guarantees that agency customers will receive the best possible price," he added.

"The bottom line: Creative Leisure International offers the level of quality, service and value travel agents expect and deserve," said Samson.

Concierge Services Provide Added Value

Creative Leisure vacations are revered in the industry, not simply because of the quality they represent, but also for the additional value one is afforded when their travel agent books a Creative Leisure product.

"The fact that our vacations combine the highest quality with the most affordable pricing is augmented by the additional value that is synonymous with Creative Leisure, such as our Concierge Service," said Samson.

Concierge Services provided by Creative Leisure International include restaurant reservations and recommendations, golf tee times, babysitting or nanny services, spa arrangements, limousine transfers, upgrade confirmations on applicable airlines, flower lei greetings, gift basket arrangements, and much more.

"Providing superior accommodations is only part of our equation for success," Samson added, "making our travel partners' clients feel like celebrities goes a long way toward solidifying their satisfaction and ensuring they return to the same travel agent when they are ready to plan their next vacation."

Creative Leisure also provides 24/7 customer support to ensure that travelers' needs are always top priority, even during the vacation.

Treating Travel Agents Like Partners

While most travel agents site client satisfaction as the number one reason for their loyalty to Creative Leisure International, the company believes that loyalty is a two-way road. Travel agents who frequently book Creative Leisure packages are rewarded with agency incentives, generous commissions, commission protection, co-op marketing opportunities, and in some cases, commission overrides on volume bookings.

Travel agencies earn an additional $100 bonus commission for every three bookings of three nights or longer that includes the purchase of Creative Leisure's Cancel For Any Reason Waiver Program. This bonus can be paid to the agency, the booking agent, or a combination of the two depending on the agency manager's preference. In addition, agents can rest comfortably knowing that their commissions are also protected – up to $100 per person – under the trip protection waiver should any unforeseen circumstances arise.

With a strong background in travel marketing, Creative Leisure recognizes the importance of promotion and is eager to aid and drive business to its travel agent partners via co-op marketing. Whether it be direct mail marketing initiatives, e-mail campaigns or print advertising, Creative Leisure will help subsidize the agency's marketing costs and help them gain the most out of their endeavors.

Agencies that sell a high volume of business with Creative Leisure can qualify for the operator's commission override program and earn even more.

"We return agent loyalty by supporting those agencies that support us," said Samson. "In turn, providing the right incentives to help our agent partners sell more travel results in increased business for Creative Leisure. It's a 'win/win' situation for all involved parties, especially the vacationer who receives the caliber of travel experience of which dreams are made."

Additionally, Creative Leisure offers the assistance of personal Business Development Managers to help further growth and profitability. Further support is provided with CreativeMatch® – personalized brochures give registered agents the ability to design a customized brochure that matches their client's vacation choices and unique travel requirements. Available on Creative Leisure's Web site (www.CreativeLeisure.com), the process is easy to use and when the CreativeMatch® brochure is completed, the agent can simply e-mail or print the brochure customized with their client's name on it.

Creative Leisure International
Creative Leisure International is a privately-held company headquartered in Petaluma, CA. The company's team of reservation specialists helps plan the complete vacation experience, including discounted airfare through most major airlines. Business class and first-class air service is available to most destinations. Hertz is the worldwide car rental partner.

For reservations, contact Creative Leisure International at 800-413-1000, e-mail res@creativeleisure.com or visit www.CreativeLeisure.com. Travel agents interested in booking groups of 10 or more travelers can contact Creative Leisure's Group Desk at 800-839-6000.

For more information call 800-413-1000 or visit www.CreativeLeisure.com.