Spring Break Cruise for $389? Yes Please!

So, I found a travel deal for Spring Break that has definitely "Gone Wild."

How would a 3-night Mexican Baja cruise sound WITH airfare and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico sound? Enticing? Ok, how about all that for just $389 before taxes? I don't know about you, but that just sounds like a fiesta waiting to happen!

Here's a link to get the full-info, but here are some teasers:

Dates: April 16-19, 2009
Departs from San Diego
Ship: Carnival Elation
Includes cruise & airfare
Cost: $389

So come on, spread the word to your friends and family about this one. Well, since it IS Spring Break, maybe just your friends. Remember, what happens in Mexico STAYS IN MEXICO!

Nos vemos mis amigos! See you there!

Travel deals coming to Utah (but still available to everyone else too)

So if you're like 99% of America's population right now, you're probably watching your finances pretty closely. And despite what the media might be saying about the financial industry in the US, we really are considering each purchase we make as an investment.

Can I go out on a limb here and suggest you make a vacation investment?

Just consider it. How priceless are memories? What's the relaxation and rejuvenation you get from a vacation worth to you? Its like I always tell my friends: you can either go buy a flatscreen TV and become a couch potato, OR you can take the vacation of your dreams and enjoy all the sights, sounds, smells, and experiences that the perfect vacation has in store for you. Eventually you'll get rid of that TV, but you'll be talking about your vacation for the rest of your life (not to mention all the photos you'll be posting on your own blogs or Facebook)!

But, like any investment, you want more information before you lay the money down. Might I also suggest the perfect "travel investment advisor" opportunity?

Morris Murdock Travel is going to host our 13th Annual Travel Show January 30-31 at the South Town Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.

“We are so excited to host the travel show again,” said Becky Potts, the President of Morris Murdock. “For the past fifty years we have been the leader in business, leisure, luxury, escorted tour, and meetings and incentives travel. Through our success we have developed associations with some of the top names in the industry and now they are returning to Utah to offer visitors to our show incredible discounts and special offers.”

Did you catch that? Incredible discounts and special offers. Ok, I'm in!

“The show is an especially great opportunity for travelers looking to save a bit of money this year,” Becky continued. “Given these economic times, travelers are getting more careful with their money. They want to get the best value possible, but also feel assured that they are getting the vacation of their dreams. With all the knowledgeable travel specialists that will be on hand at the show to answer questions and assist travelers in finding the best rates available, visitors to the show can get the vacation they’ve always dreamed of in an affordable and worry-free way.”

So at the show itself we'll have over 60 international travel-related companies such as Princess Cruises, Holland America, Funjet Vacation, Trafalgar Tours, and Royal Caribbean will be on hand to offer you these exclusive rates and to inform the public (i.e. anyone looking for some huge vacation savings) about unique travel opportunities.

Visitors to the show will enjoy free destination and product seminars by industry experts, hourly prize giveaways, exclusive vacation deals, and live entertainment provided by Disney Street Dancers, a Mariachi band, Polynesian performing groups, the musical troupe On Stage Alaska, and special travel presentations on the main stage. Special appearances are planned by local personalities including former television anchor Dick Nourse and the Utah Jazz Bear.

“This show is the only one like it in Utah,” said Vanessa Christensen, our show coordinator. “Visitors can come and take advantage of vacation packages and prices that aren’t available anywhere else. They can also enjoy the free seminars, live entertainment, and have the opportunity to win big in our prize giveaways.”

Admission to the show is $5 for adults, $4 for Seniors 55 years and older, and under 17 are free. Show times are Friday January 30th from 3:00pm-8:00pm and Saturday January 31st from 10:00am-4:00pm.

Just FYI, our 2008 show was attended by over three thousand visitors and generated more than $1.6-million in sales over a two day period. The sales were THAT good.

So as you look over your 2009 vacation day schedule and wonder how to finally take that vacation you've been dreaming about, come stop by our travel show and we'll help you make it happen. Isn't it time you got out to see the world up close?

FAMILY TRAVEL: CREATE MEMORIES WITHOUT KILLING EACH OTHER

When it comes to family travel, most of us make jokes about childhood trips and the now-humorous adventures (translation: mishaps) that accompanied them.

But if we really listen to our inner Dr. Phil, we all secretly realize that family vacations were defining experiences that we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. Perhaps that is why the annual (or bi-annual or even monthly for some) family vacation is as American as apple pie.

A la mode, of course.

So if you are starting to plan your next family adventure, we at Morris Murdock Travel can be of service.

What could be better than taking the family on a vacation where you’ll create memories that last a lifetime? How about getting that vacation for less money, less hassle, and less stress? With the holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to book your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years vacations. We have some amazing prices on cruises, land packages, escorted tours, and even quick weekend getaways⎯all in order to help you and your family take the vacation of your dreams.

Enjoy breathtaking scenery in places like Disneyland, Mexico, Hawaii, Paris, China, Australia, and more! You’ll experience the world like never before at some of the summer’s hottest prices from all of our preferred vendors. From Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Rico, Cancun to the Islands of Hawaii, our exclusive prices are being offered only to Morris Murdock Travel customers and can’t be found anywhere else.

If your family can dream it, we can help make it a reality.

To learn more about all the family vacation options available to you, ask your Morris Murdock travel specialist today or visit www.Morrismurdock.com for updated promotions!

$18 BILLION FAITH TOURISM INDUSTRY FINDS SUPPORT BASE IN UTAH

In a state where religion is either a way of life or a source for discussion, it’s no surprise that faith-based travel is so popular among Utah residents.

“We’re not just talking about LDS travel, although that is a huge part of the industry here in Utah,” said Wendy Fracchia, Group Coordinator at Morris Murdock Travel, LLC, a Utah-based full-service travel agency. “But you also have those of the Jewish faith travelling to Israel, Catholics visiting Italy, and Muslims travelling to Mecca. Faith-based travel is an important part of the industry as a whole.”

According to The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), the faith tourism industry generates $18 billion annually with 300 million faith-based travelers.

LDS-Based Tours:
“Cruises, tours, and family vacations are all great ways for those of the Latter-day Saint faith to learn more about their history and to deepen their religious beliefs,” Fracchia said. “We have been providing moving religious experiences to our travelers for over 50 years.”

In 1957, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints approached Franklin Murdock about starting a travel agency to handle the travel needs of church employees and missionaries. On January 1, 1958, Murdock Travel opened its doors. Murdock not only handled the travel for the LDS Church for more than 30 years but also grew to be the second largest travel agency in Utah, establishing a reputation for offering memorable LDS Church History trips around the world. Planning travel for a worldwide missionary system also allowed Murdock and his staff to build a reputation as the international travel experts in Utah. Franklin Murdock was President of Murdock Travel until 1979 and served as chairman of the board until his death in 1986.

Another Morris Murdock Travel parent company was born in 1958. Four young men who had spent time in New Zealand were asked to coordinate a trip to New Zealand for the LDS temple dedication there. From that assignment, Beehive Tours & Travel was born. Barry Wride, Dick Lambert, Harper Wallace and Wilf Goodwill gave up their planned careers and turned to travel. Beehive Travel became one of the largest and oldest continuously operating, full-service travel agencies between Denver and the West Coast.

“So we have a lot of experience,” Fracchia said. “We offer our clients fully guided tours to Church historical destinations such as Palmyra, New York; Nauvoo, Illinois; Kirtland, Ohio; Independence, Missouri; and many more destinations. We also have Book of Mormon tours to Honduras, Peru, Mexico, and Guatemala that are a wonderful mix of cultural studies, history, and adventure as you walk amongst the Aztec, Inca, and Mayan ruins.”

Also popular amongst Utah and Idaho travelers are guided tours to Israel and Egypt.

“Our Middle-East tours are popular because they allows Christians of any denomination to experience the places they read about in the Old and New Testament,” Fracchia continued. “Jersualem, Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, Capernaum, Qumran, Masada, the Garden Tomb, Giza, the Valley of the Kings, Jaffa, and so on. The list of biblical destinations travelers want to experience just goes on and on. And even better, most of our tour guides are past seminary or Institute teachers or recognized scholars in their area of study.”

Morris Murdock Finds Girlfriends Still Trying to Escape Utah

The popular “girls-getaway” has gone upscale and extends beyond the traditional weekend escape, reveals a recent poll of 246 American Express Travel agents. The poll, which found an increase in “girls-getaways” according to two-thirds of agents, also found that women traveling together are seeking more active and luxurious vacations. Three in four agents said that “girls-getaways” – including vacations with girlfriends or female relatives – are a significant trend. While spa, beach and shopping vacations still dominate as favorites for “girls-getaways,” agents say women are increasingly taking cruise, culinary, city and active vacations that include golf (36%), skiing (33%), scuba diving and biking (20%).

More than two-thirds (68%) of agents polled reported that when traveling together, women are indulging in more luxurious vacations than in years past. The majority of agents (56%) say these getaways are not merely weekend retreats, rather they are between 4-7 days long. While away, women are splurging on ultra-customized tours and experiences (42%), traveling first or business class (36%), and staying in private villas (20%). More than one-third (35%) of agents said women are spending between $2,600 to $5,000 per person when traveling with a group of girlfriends or female relatives. Even bachelorette getaways are going more upscale, say 57% of agents polled. In order by ranking, agents cited the most popular “girls-getaway” destinations as: the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Canada and South America.

“What girl doesn’t want to get away from the daily grind and relax with friends?” asked Amy Ochoa, Marketing Manager for Morris Murdock Travel. “These trips are a chance to enjoy friendships that you don’t have time to nourish on a regular basis. Take a week or just a weekend and visit a spa together or rent a house in Costa Rica. We take care of all the planning and the details, the rest is up to you.”

Some “girlfriend-getaways” being offered by Morris Murdock Travel include:

• A New York shopping trip with radio hostess Alicia Richmond where participants will stroll through the city’s hottest neighborhoods where celebrities get their style and shop NYC's most unique shopping districts to build a gorgeous wardrobe for cents on the dollar of regular retail.
• An exotic tour of China with 2007 Miss Utah Jill Stevens that allows travelers to explore historic cities like Beijing (Host of the 2008 Olympic Games), Hong Kong and Xi'an and experience the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and a day of shopping to find discounted prices on clothes, shoes, handbags, and much more.