September 15, 2004 -- Aimee J. Ricca, CTA, ACC, DS, owner of Bonne Amie Travel, has been cast as one of nine travel experts in the Travel Channel's new flagship series, VACATION CHALLENGE.
VACATION CHALLENGE features three completely different and exciting getaways that are presented by professional travel experts to a family or group of friends needing a vacation. Throughout these presentations, the planners give travel tips and insider information that anyone can use when they're planning a getaway.
โ€œAimee is an invaluable asset to VACATION CHALLENGE,โ€ said Laura Netscher, Senior Producer of the show. โ€œShe is not only a fantastic on-camera personality but is a first-rate travel expert, first and foremost. Aimee and nine others were selected, out of hundreds of candidates, for this series because of their professionalism and expertise.โ€
VACATION CHALLENGE features three completely different and exciting getaways that are presented by professional travel experts to a family or group of friends needing a vacation. Throughout these presentations, the experts give travel tips and insider information that anyone can use when they're planning a getaway.
โ€œThe series is a great showcase for travel agents,โ€ said Ricca. โ€œIt is the first time a television series will feature travel agents and it really demonstrates how we add value to a vacation.โ€
According to Ricca, the series focuses on the level of service a professional travel expert provides.
โ€œWe put together entire vacation packages, including restaurant reservations, activity planning, and have the right connections to have our clients treated as VIP's anywhere they go,โ€ explained Ricca. โ€œTravel agents have relationships with wholesalers that do not take bookings from consumers - This is where the best pricing is. Using these wholesalers, my pricing is often lower than the same exact package priced on the popular Internet travel sites. Plus, when you book with a travel agent, you receive service and support that are unmatched on the Internet.โ€
Once the travelers have been presented with the three choices, from three different experts, they choose the vacation they like best. The camera follows the travelers on their vacation and viewers at home get to see the destination through the traveler's eyes.
โ€œIt's pretty exciting to see the travelers actually take the trip,โ€ explained Ricca. โ€œI'm used to planning the trip and getting feedback...but, it's nice to see be able to see the travelers actually enjoying their trip for a change.โ€
The series began airing, in prime time, on the Travel Channel beginning Monday, September 6. The first three episodes featured the Los Angeles and Chicago casts of travel experts. The first episode to feature Ricca, and the rest of the East Coast cast, will air on Monday, September 27 at 8pm. The episode will feature a โ€œBachelorette Vacation.โ€
The Travel Channel has a broad audience of over 78 million viewers. As part of Discovery Networks, the Travel Channel is known for its successful and highly educated viewership. โ€œVacation Challengeโ€ is produced by Martin-Calvert Productions which has also produced series such as Travel Channel's "Secrets", the "Best of..." and "Top Ten."
Ricca received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She has also been certified by a number of associations and tourist boards. Among her many certifications are: Certified Travel Associate, Accredited Cruise Counsellor, Caribbean Destination Specialist, ASTA Family Travel Specialist, ASTA Niche Travel Specialist, Disney Specialist, Florida Specialist, Cayman Islands Specialist, Puerto Rico Travel Expert, Hawaii Destination Specialist, and Aruba Certified Expert.
Ricca's highly regarded expertise has resulted in being featured by Cruise Trade magazine and quoted by various media outlets including: Travel Trade, Travel Weekly, New York Newsday, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, American Way (American Airlines in-flight magazine) Journey Magazine (America West in-flight magazine), Associated Press, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, and The Camden Herald. She is also the Cruise Expert for InetVacation, answering readers cruise questions. Her agency is also recommended in Brenda Elwell's book The Single Parent Travel Handbook.
Bonne Amie Travel has been in business since 2001 and specializes in luxury vacations and cruises, serving clients nationwide. Bonne Amie Travel is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association, American Society of Travel Agents, Association of Retail Travel Agents, Platinum Luxury Society, Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel, Better Business Bureau, and designated as California Seller of Travel (CST 2064669-40).
For vacation consultations, call toll-free 1-866-302-0036. Bonne Amie Travel may also be contacted via its website: www.bonneamietravel.com