"Research showed us that franchises statistically have more success then new independent companies," says Marmon. They headed to the Eastern Franchise Expo in Manhattan. "We were shocked at how many pizza franchises there are in New York" Marmon and Shore went aisle to aisle, eliminated all new franchises, and found three companies they liked.
"We were looking to buy a franchise with low risk and where everything is set up," Marmon says. "New York Cruise Planners/American Express was the expo's most interesting booth, with some impressive marketing materials and terrific people. We got a good sense of what the company was like."
"Travel is interesting, we both understand marketing, so it seemed like a natural fit," adds Marmon. Cruise Planners provides them with market research, and excellent home office staff support. "To have American Express behind you helps a lot and Cruise Planners home office works hard with us to make sure it works."
Flying Giraffe Travel is more than just for cruising. Marmon and Shore travel to the Cruise Planners home office and to seminars around the country for ongoing education and certifications. They have obtained specialty certifications in a broad range of travel planning.
Marmon and Shore both travel constantly and love it. "What we love even more than living in Armonk is to travel and experience new adventures, or return to set destination vacation spots," Marmon says.
Marmon and Shore have strong ties to the Armonk community through different organizations such as the Preschool Association, PTSA, Byram Hills Education Foundation and the school system. They know hundreds of families in the community. They say the travel industry is exciting and "we are doing something fun for people by creating their dream vacation."
"When we were thinking of a name for the company, we wanted to have something people would remember right away, " Shore says. Shore's favorite animal is a giraffe, so she said, "why not make it fly?" It's an easy name to remember and everyone they meet thinks it's a perfect fit.
Marmon recently took two trips, a river cruise up the Danube and another trip to the Mediterranean, visiting Barcelona, Nice, Naples, Rome and Provence. In each city, she hired a private tour guide recommended by a Cruise Planners travel agent. "We had an Italian driver in Rome and a British Tour Guide. They took us through Rome in a way that many people could not. The young Brit was studying art history and she had a wealth of knowledge about the Colosseum, the Vatican and other sites. We had a fantastic time and learned more in one day then we could ever expect," Marmon said.
"We always recommend prearranged private tours on cruises," Marmon says. "You get off the ship and a car is waiting for you. It's a more pleasant experience than going with a large tour group and it is the same cost or less than the onboard excursion fee." As a travel agency, Flying Giraffe offers an extra touch, such as finding a tour guide and a list of spectacular restaurants. Marmon and Shore make sure you have the right accommodations, including sometimes hard to find connecting rooms for young families.
The Cruise Lines Industry Association promotes October as Cruise Month. There are some great journeys at incredible prices, with onboard credits to use for excursions, liquor, and massages on ships sailing in 2012 and 2013. Many deposits are refundable, so they suggest booking a cruise by October 31st to get the best deal now. There are many different types of cruises. Some are designed for groups who share an interest. There is even a cruise for fans of The Beatles. There are also fundraising charity cruises, and corporate incentive cruises.
If your destination and timing are flexible, great deals can be found on one-way cruises during the changes of season when a ship is repositioning its home base. A ship may be in Europe for the summer, then change its location, and the relocation becomes a cruise to its new destination.
Always popular are the land and sea packages to the last frontier, Alaska, from the end of June to the beginning of September. Alaska can be a four-generation family destination. Cruise lines offer a voyage add-on where you disembark, get on a rail-line and travel inland to Denali Park to hotels owned and operated by the cruise lines. Shore says, "The scenery of the glaciers and wildlife is stunning."
Cruises can also be booked with platinum benefits by American Express cardholders. American Express Mariner Club sailings offer amenities like private cocktail parties and champagne in your stateroom. On-board credits, which could be worth up to $500, can be used for many amenities on cruises. Platinum members can enjoy room upgrades, late check-in, and full-day free excursions. It is a different level of service.
Dana Shore's background is in marketing. Marmon worked as an independent television producer for many years, including working for NBC on the 1988 Olympics. "I also travel all the time with my family and have extensive knowledge about different areas of the world, " says Marmon.
"People ask us, why start a travel agency today when people can go online and book their own trips?" Shore says, "Well, we can do it better and get better values." People are using travel agents again. 70% of all cruises are booked through travel agents.
During their own travels, Marmon and Shore make hotel inspections, ship inspections, and test private tour guides. "We know the value of the products," says Shore.
Flying Giraffe Travel, Lisa Marmon and Dana Shore
40 Bedford Road
Armonk, NY (914) 273-3860
info@flyinggiraffetravel.com
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