Archive for September, 2008

I enjoyed the opportunity to talk one-on-one with several Sundance Vacations travelers during the third Sundance Vacations customer appreciation party held at Woodfield Manor last week.  If you want to know how real travelers and customers feel about purchasing vacations from Sundance then I highly recommend checking out the customer comments and reactions on the blog post for the event. http://corporateblog.sundancevacations.com/travel/sundance-appreciation-event-at-the-woodfield-manor/trackback/

As individuals and as a company we are never so perfect that we can’t learn to be better.   The company can always improve to make sure vacationers are satisfied with their trips.  Here’s what I learned from a traveler at the event.

We are very proud of our commitment and Travel Advantage Network’s commitment to procuring enough vacation inventory for the influx of vacationers who want to travel during the summer time.  I’ve always seen the additional seasonal inventory as a benefit for customers.  But, one of the customers I met at the customer appreciation party sees the seasonal inventory in a different light. 

She likes to travel to Cape Cod in the off season when the beach is quiet and the tourists are gone.  But the seasonal inventory that we add to cover peak demand is not denoted as seasonal on the website list.  She was unhappy because there was no way for her to discern during her purchase that some of the inventory would never benefit her because she doesn’t travel during peak summer times.  

I think she has made a very valid point. This is a simple request to improve the customer experience.  I’ll forward her suggestion to have seasonal inventory specifically denoted to the reservation division, TAN.  But we don’t have to wait for TAN to change the reservation website to make a positive change on this issue.  All staff members can help by remembering to mention that some of the inventory on the list may be seasonal.  This small change can eliminate a potentially dissatisfied customer; something we are all committed to doing. 

We’re here at the Woodfield Manor in the Poconos Mountains, of Pennsylvania. This is Sundance Vacations first live blog. Sundance Vacations is holding their third customer service appreciation event. Dozens of customers have come out for a casual dinner and drinks to tell us what we are going great, and what we could do better. We asked customers what advice they had to offer to new clients who are considering Sundance Vacations. Check out what they had to say below.

Recently my family and I vacationed at Arrington Woods on Fenwick Island, Delaware. Arrington was truly a vacationer’s paradise. We were only 7 miles away from the beach. The island offered many kinds of entertainment, from water sports to golfing and outlet shopping. My family and I ate at Harpoon Hannah’s, Secrets, Nicks Ribs, and Brass Balls. The food was absolutely delicious, and we had such a wide variety. Everything was just a short walk away from our unit. Our place was huge; you could probably fit 12 people. It had such a home setting, with a pull in garage, and the ability to cook outside. Cooking outside worked well for us, since we went crabbing at Assawoman Bay. My husband didn’t want to leave, it was so beautiful and comfortable, he wanted to stay inside and relax all day. Surprisingly the neighbors were all really friendly too! Right across the street there was a playground with a free Merry-Go-Round, which was perfect for our daughter. Another attraction that was great for kids was Assateague Island. The island was full of wild horses, deer, and many other types of animals that kids of all ages love.  Overall our vacation was phenomenal, thank you so much Sundance Vacations!!  

-Lizette Barrager

Congratulations team, we did it!! For the second year in a row, Sundance Vacations was named as one of the Best Places to Work in PA. Hundreds of employees anonymously participated in the survey process. Participation levels were so significant, that Sundance Vacations proves to be one of the best places to work, because of the employees.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the 100 Best Places to Work in PA. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophies, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. Nearly 45,000 Pennsylvania employees filled out the survey. The combined scores determine the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process.

This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Pennsylvania, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses. Last year Sundance Vacations was named #8 Best Place to Work in PA. However, the company was #1 Best Place to Work locally.

Sundance Vacations will be recognized and honored at the Best Places to Work in PA evening awards ceremony on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center. The final rankings will be revealed at the ceremony. Stay tuned!