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SCHWEINFURT SAVES

Upcoming changes with leisure travel services

Sept. 26, 2011

Image by Sato

The contractor CWTSatoTravel — which provides leisure and official travel services here in Schweinfurt — will continue to provide leisure and official travel services, but the way that those services are provided will change beginning Oct. 1.

HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU AT SCHWEINFURT

The change should have minimal impact on the customer. It will, however, affect those wanting to book both leisure and official travel during the same visit. Customers will likely have to meet with two separate travel agents to make arrangements for each.

Ongoing changes at installations in Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands continue forward, now focusing on travel services.

Both leisure travel and official travel operate as a contracted service within IMCOM Europe Region. The contractor, CWTSatoTravel, will continue to provide leisure and official travel services, but the way that those services are provided will change on the 1st of October.

According to Dan Gasparino, acting director for Family and MWR programs within IMCOM Europe Region, adjustments are necessary to ensure that there are no conflicts between official travel and leisure travel, as well as to shape the leisure business so the contractor may continue to offer their current variety of trips and tours at the lowest possible price.

“The basic difference in the two services is that the US government books and pays for official travel services by authorized personnel. In contrast, leisure travel bookings and payments are made by the eligible individuals”, said Gasparino. For this reason, most of the installation travel offices will change their appearance within the next few weeks to reflect separate handling of these services.

Another change for leisure travel will be adjusting the number of locations that offer in-person services and moving toward a system that also allows customers to make their booking and payments by phone with a CWTSatoTravel specialized leisure agent or via its website, Europe. SatoVacations.com. The contractor is also installing a new phone system that will connect call-in customers to the next available agent, one of 16 agents that will be available from several locations within Europe.

“Phones also installed in non-staffed locations provide a convenient way to reach us”, noted Monnie Riggin, GM Global Supplier Relations & Leisure, of CWTSatoTravel. “The easiest way, though is our website”, she said.

“All of this ensures that customers will still receive the same level of service from CWTSatoTravel professional travel agents, with their knowledge of Soldier and military family needs as well as their familiarity with the wide range of leisure travel opportunities”, said Gasparino. “It’s also important to note that customers who wish to book leisure travel in conjunction with official travel will still receive the same great service as before”, added Gasparino.

“In addition to the onsite offices and call center, CWTSatoTravel, offers direct booking service via our website www.europe.satovacations.com to book flights, hotels, cars online and automated trip requests for packages, cruises and more”, said Ms. Riggin. Again, there is also the option to leave a message with travel interests for callback service at a convenient time.

As always within the travel industry, advance planning and sufficient time to book and pay for the travel is most important. “Last minute travel” is available from many sources, but the most effective travel services, offering the lowest cost, come from planning ahead and allowing sufficient time to review and understand the transaction before making a commitment.

IMCOM Europe press release