In an article published on June 14 on ABCNews.com,  Miami Beach Rep. Richard Steinberg is quoted saying “People outside of the U.S. look at Florida as one (beach) and don’t understand if there’s a little bit of oil in the Panhandle, they think it’s all over the state.” Despite fears, Sundance Vacations contacted a few of our customers who have been traveling near the Panhandle during this oil leak crisis. Pat Gerdeman, who traveled to one of our locations in Destin, FL ( located on the Panhandle just east of Pensacola, FL) during June 6-10, said that she ran into no problems while vacationing, the beaches were beautiful and tourism didn’t seem to be down. Asked if people were fearful in Destin, Pat felt that the media makes it out to be worse than it really is. Another customer who traveled near the coast said they also experienced a great time without being effected by the oil spill.

Here is a video update from last week about the beaches from Destin, FL:

Even though the Panhandle has had some oil creep onto the beaches, most of the beaches are still clear and clean. In the same article, we learn that “South Florida tourism officials are pushing for [a] campaign to clarify that the vast majority of Florida’s 825 miles of beaches are oil-free.” The article concludes with Steinberg worrying that all the media attention and recent presidential visit will put the wrong image in the heads of tourists. For now most of the beaches in Florida are clear, even in the Panhandle. Pensacola has been the only area to close portions of the beach.

As Florida battles the bad perception the oil spill may be giving it’s beaches and tourist areas, other areas such as Mississippi beaches remain open despite seeing oil on some of their beaches. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Official Website states that “With large amounts of oil and tar balls washing up on South Mississippi beaches Monday, state officials have issued advisories for two areas along the beach in Harrison and Jackson Counties.  These beaches are not closed and beach goers may continue to use these beaches, but the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi State Department of Health advise people to be aware of their surroundings while recreating.” Many other areas can not say the same such as in Louisiana, whose beaches have been devastated by the oil.

As the gulf oil leak crisis continues to leak oil without an end in site, gulf officials are doing everything they can to contain the spill and keep our beaches clean. Tourists can also help out by volunteering. Check out the following sites for more information on volunteering for the four northern gulf states:

http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/- Louisiana

http://www.volunteerflorida.org/ – Florida

http://211connectsalabama.org/ – Alabama

http://www.mcvs.org/ – Mississippi

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory?id=10914401

According to the Stevie Awards, “Organizations that focus on their customers can survive and thrive in tough economic times.” Sundance Vacations proved the focus is clearly on our customers after recently accepting a Stevie Award at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami Beach, Fl on February 22nd. Sundance Vacations won the award for Sales Department of the Year-Hospitality and Tourism at the 4^th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service. This is the second consecutive year that Sundance Vacations was honored with this award. The company was also a finalist for Sales Director of the Year (Assistant VP of Sales-Shane Lewis) and Contact Call Center of the Year (Over 100 seats). More than 500 entries were submitted to this year’s competition, which includes 27 categories for customer service and 41 categories for sales.  Congratulations to Sundance Vacations!

Do you think companies who are more customer oriented have a better chance at survival in a recessed economy?

The awards are presented by the Stevie® Awards, which organizes several of the world’s leading business awards shows including the prestigious American Business Awards.

Stevie Award winners will be announced during a gala banquet on Monday, February 22 at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Sundance Vacations representatives will be in attendance for support and to hopefully bring home a Stevie Award.

More than 500 entries were submitted to this year’s competition. There are 27 categories for customer service professionals and 41 categories for sales professionals.

Wish Sundance Vacations best of luck as they prepare to attend the February 22^nd Gala in Miami Beach.

Dreaming of the warm sunshine on your face, walking in the hot sand, or how about a cool margarita poolside? Forecasts for 2010 predict that more people will be traveling, but the numbers are still well below what they were before the recession. Still, if you can afford to get away, interesting events will be drawing visitors to destinations around the world, from Shanghai to South Africa to Orlando, FL. And here’s a surprise, Mexico is turning up on some top 10 lists for 2010, despite the swine flu epidemic and worries over drug violence.

According to the Associated Press and the US Travel Association Website: Several destinations will be in the tourism spotlight in 2010 thanks to headline-grabbing events, including the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Feb. 12-28; the FIFA World Cup soccer games in South Africa, for a month beginning June 11; and the Shanghai World Expo, May 1-Oct. 31, a 21st century world’s fair that organizers are hoping will attract as many as 70 million visitors.

Universal Orlando will open the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure this spring. The marquee attraction will be a high-tech ride called “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” that will take guests through scenes and rooms from the blockbuster Potter movies. EXCITING! Sundance Vacations offers many great properties in or near Orlando, Florida.

Universal Hollywood also has news for 2010. Its King Kong attraction, which burned down in 2008, is swinging back onto the Universal Studios Hollywood with a tram tour next summer. The new 3D attraction, King Kong 360, will transport visitors to Skull Island where they will witness “the eighth wonder of the world” tussling with dinosaurs and other critters. SCARY!

To get some deals on airfare, it’s key that you sign up for frequent flyer programs, e-mail alerts, and Airline Twitter feeds. The big trend with airlines happened in 2009, when many airlines used different marketing channels to go directly to consumers with promotion codes and offers.

Go Ahead-Get Away! Check out Sundance Vacations right now and go on your dream vacation.

“Winning a free Spring Break trip from Sundance Vacations turned out to be one my most memorable weeks ever. I chose travel to Panama City Beach, FL and brought along three of my friends. During most of our time there we were either out on the beach enjoying the weather or out on the town jumping from place to place. The city definitely catered to Spring Breakers and everyday there were specials at an array of different places along the beach. Some places include: Coyote Ugly Saloon, Shuckum’s Oyster Pub and Seafood, and Club La Vela. All in all, my friends and I definitely had a blast at our stay in PCB. I was so happy to win the trip and was also very happy with how Sundance Vacations helped me get everything arranged. It was definitely one of those trips that I will never forget. Thank you so much Sundance Vacations!”

-Kings College Senior, Rob Crowell

Walt Disney World and Disneyland are offering free admission on your birthday in 2009!  Get all of the details about how to take advantage of this free offer.  Best of all combine a free admission with low cost accommodations from Sundance Vacations and you’ve built yourself a magical vacation!

Sundance Vacations travelers have six resort properties to choose from all within a few minutes of the Magic Kingdom.  Several beautiful resort properties include:  Laguna Bay Villas, Royal Palm Bay, Sweetwater Club, Villas at Island Club, Villas at Somerset and the Grand Palm.  All of these destinations are within a few minutes of Magic Kingdom.

Getting stuff for free is great….getting stuff for free from Disney is MAGICAL!

Not already a Sundance Vacations customer? Call us toll free at 800-210-5500.

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We enjoyed the authentic Mexican restaurant for Cinco de Mayo where we enjoyed top shelf margaritas, quesadillas, nachos, and salsa. Panama City Beach is also a spot for Spring Breakers and bikers. I was amazed by the "Thunder Beach" rally while there I saw hundreds of bikers lining the main road. I missed out on the Spring Break festivities, but I heard it was one crazy time. MTV is also known for hosting one of their Spring Break spots in Panama City Beach, so you know its a good time! But, If you’re looking for the kind of action I would recommend not planning your vacation during the months of April or May.

The beach was beautiful. (White sand, teal-green water) what more could you ask for? The peaceful, calm water was a relaxing experience especially after our crazy night at the Shaggy Marlin. The atmosphere coupled with the people in Panama City Beach was yet another unexpected experience.

Everyone was laid back and friendly. I enjoyed conversation with people from London, Boston, and Atlanta. I enjoyed myself so much I’m planning to go back this summer. So if you’re looking for a relaxing, yet eventful time, Panama City Beach, FL is the place to go!

Abby Wheeler-Harrisburg, Pa-Sales Office