NEW YORK, August 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- (PRIMEPAK FEATURE) It has been a summer of celebrating, according to travel expert, Stephanie Abrams. "On July 6th, we celebrated the first anniversary of, "Travel With Stephanie Abrams!" in its one hour format, nationally syndicated, on Business Talk Radio, and Dave Isby, my on-air Traveling Companion, and I entered our second year on the air with excitement and enthusiasm," Abrams explains. "And then the call came!"
The call Abrams references was from Jeff Weber, Executive Vice President of Business Talk Radio. "Jeff told me that the network is delighted with our show, wants to expand it to 2 hours, and wanted to know if we were prepared for the expansion. My instant response was, 'Does the Queen have a crown?'" Abrams recounts.
Asked what prompted the show's expansion, Weber explains, "In the year since, 'Travel With Stephanie Abrams!' began, the show has distinguished itself with its listening audience, Business Talk Radio affiliate stations and sponsors, who have judged the show to be timely, insightful, witty, entertaining, fast-paced, and filled with valuable information of interest to business and holiday travelers."
Weber notes that Abrams' leadership position in the travel industry, including her recognition as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Travel, puts her in a unique position as an expert in travel. Her guests are generally heads of cruise lines, hotels and resorts, ministers of tourism from global destinations, leaders of tour operators and airlines. "What makes Stephanie's show unique is that she has a longstanding professional relationships with leaders in the travel industry from her service on advisory boards of major travel suppliers and organizations, and from her leadership role as executive vice president of a $1.5 billion global travel company. Her knowledge and contacts, combined with her wit and humor, have proved to be real audience-pleasers. Expanding the show to 2 hours is in keeping with Business Talk Radio's commitment to excellent programming for its national affiliate network," Weber concludes.
Asked how she is taking the news, Abrams says, "I am flattered and feel validated that, 'Travel With Stephanie Abrams!' is being recognized for its value as informative, entertaining, and jam-packed with sensational guests, travel tips, under-publicized destinations, resorts, hotels, and cruise lines, with features of interest to every traveler," Abrams explains. "In our first year on the air, we shared some of the 'Best Kept Secrets' in travel and we gave away exceptional travel prizes valued at about $100,000 to listeners including ski trips to such wonderful places as Sun Valley Resort with Alaska Air Vacations, skiing and wine tours with Lan Chile Vacations and Lan Chile Airlines, Super-Inclusive stays at SuperClubs Breezes resorts in Curacao, Bahamas, and Brazil, tickets on Hawaiian Airlines with stays at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows and Aston Hotels, transportation to Acapulco and Cancun on Aero Mexico with stays at the spectacular Ceiba Del Mar Hotel and Spa on Mexico's Mayan Riviera, Avalon Resorts hotels in Cancun, and the majestic Fairmont Acapulco Princess Hotel, plus hotel stays in cities around the US, Canada, and at such glamorous places as Monte Carlo!" Abrams notes.
How will the expanded format affect the show? Abrams replies, "We'll only get better! Now we will include weekly features such as Caribbean Corner, Traveling Pet Minute, Have Children...Will Travel, Sizzlin' Spots, Stephanie's Email-Bag, Travel Trivia for Prize, the Road Warrior's Oasis, and the Frugal Traveler in addition to our compelling guest lineup! We are so excited about the opportunity given us by Business Talk Radio and believe we can enhance our show by more than 200% in the 2 hour period."
Program-planning for the August 31st debut of the 2 hour format is the priority, Abrams states, pointing out that her award-winning website, www.sabrams.com acts as a support system and extension of the program." Web visitor hear a weekly after-show wrap-up, find travel news and specials and can sign up for Abrams' free travel newsletter named with her signature sign-off, "Gotta Fly Now!"(sm).
"We see our show as the connection point between travel suppliers, travel agents and the traveling public and there's no more exciting place to be!" Abrams concludes.