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Auto Europe Names Nigel Osborne As President of Their Tour Division

11 Apr 2002

Osborne revamps their package tour division, Destination Europe

Auto Europe, a long established leader in European car rental service for over 47 years has appointed Nigel Osborne as President of their tour division, Destination Europe. An industry veteran of over twenty-seven years in the tour business, Osborne has been successful in helping small companies become leaders in their field. Osborne's background includes ten years as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Trafalgar Tours, followed by four years as President of Insight Vacations during which time he tripled the size of the company. In 2000 he was recruited by Holland America / Westours as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Holland America Tours, a $300M division of the cruise line.

"My vision and goals for Destination Europe will be to build upon the current successes and make Destination Europe into the USA's leading provider of air, car and hotel reservations, along with unique hosted and escorted vacations, all of these backed up with quality service." states Osborne. "We will combine E commerce with the human touch to provide the consumer with the best product and service, and the travel agent with the tools and commissions to grow their business. We have the best staff and resources to build Destination Europe into the most powerful package tour company in North America."

Destination Europe's immediate plans are to make sure that agents can earn maximum commissions on air, car and hotel packages. In addition they will introduce new ways for agents to take advantage of the air programs the company has. Next week the company will introduce new European packages including London, Paris and Amsterdam. These packages are unique because they are flexible and can be booked with no advance purchase. They include a new assurance package featuring a free one-week cell phone rental including activation charges, a 24/7 800 toll free number and a new cancellation program. Groups can be booked on these including transfers.

In addition Destination Europe plans to launch a summer sweepstakes. Agents who book their clients for travel in June, July or August will have their clients entered into a drawing for free air for their trip. The drawings will be every two weeks so 2 couples per month can fly free. Additional details will be released shortly.

"The agents need all the help to grow the business and we will be there partnering with them. Destination Europe has committed a significant amount to ASTA and will work with agents to grow their business. My goal will be to show agents new ways to get business," says Nigel. "There are over 100,000 bookings out there for the taking, many of which are being e tailed instead of retailed. People are still looking for a trusted professional as well as information, at Destination Europe we are both and we will partner agents with a great product, a chance to earn great commissions, and education. The business has changed and it important that agents are aware that referrals are now by word of mouse."

Auto Europe offers worldwide car rental services, including prestige and sports car rentals, chauffeur drive and motor home rentals. Their tour division, Destination Europe offers hotel services at over 2,500 3, 4 & 5 star European properties and scheduled air departures including business class, from all major U.S. cities to Europe. For more information, contact 1-800 FLY EUROPE. Visit their web site at http://www.1800FLYEUROPE.com.

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