Author: Jenna Miller

In February, Adelman Discoveries’ Marvin McDaniel led a group of 14 intrepid travelers on a trip to Tanzania and Rwanda in East Africa.

Marvin has been planning and guiding extraordinary tours for the last five decades. After leaving the Navy in 1974, he joined his parents’ travel agency, which he bought from them nine years later. Marvin sold his business in 2003 and has spent the last 20 years designing unique vacation experiences that allow travelers to deeply experience the culture, history and beauty of the destinations they visit. Since entering the travel business 50 years ago, Marvin has traveled to over 100 countries and sailed on over 100 cruises.

Tanzania

The 10-night luxury tour of Tanzania included game drives in the Tarangire National Park; multiple days of safaris, where tour participants were treated to sightings of buffalo, elephants, giraffes, impalas, gazelles, lions, leopards, monkeys, baboons, and hundreds of species of birds; and a trip to the Serengeti National Park to take in the awe-inspiring migration of over one million wildebeest. The adventurers were also thrilled to have the opportunity to float over the Serengeti plains in a hot air balloon.

“During the time we visited Tanzania”, said Marvin, “the wildebeest and zebra herds were on their way going north into Kenya—millions of them. This is known as the Great Migration.” The Great Migration is the largest herd movement of animals on the planet, where more than two million animals migrate in an ever-moving circle across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

“Lions, cheetahs and leopards were in the area, and they would kill these animals for their food,” said Marvin.

A typical day for the group included driving in 8-seater safari vehicles driven by knowledgeable guides who were always on the lookout for animals.

“Driving in the Serengeti was not on proven roads but literally throughout the landscape wherever there were animals,” said Marvin. “The drivers watched for signs like buzzards flying or maybe safari vehicles congregating, which meant there were probably lions, cheetahs or leopards.”

During the trip, guests enjoyed a range of accommodations from deluxe hotels to both rustic and lavish tented safari camps. Though some of the lodgings were a bit sparse, the food was prepared by professional chefs and was always excellent.

Rwanda

Guests were also able to participate in an optional 4-night / 5-day pre-tour trip to Rwanda. The tour included a moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center to learn about the Rwandan genocide of 1994, a tour of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund center, and treks for gorillas and the rare and brightly colored golden monkeys.

According to Marvin, a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a must. The actress and comedian is an avid supporter of gorilla conservation. The campus, which opened in February of 2022 and is located near the entrance to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, is a center for tourism, science and education.

The highlight of the pre-tour was the search for the magnificent gorillas. Gorillas are protected in Africa, so before hiking into the forest in search of these amazing animals, the tour participants learned the etiquette of gorilla trekking. The mountains where the troops of gorillas live span the three counties of Rwanda, Uganda and Republic of the Congo.

“I was surprised at the landscape where we trekked for gorillas and saw the golden monkeys,” said Marvin. “The elevation was 8,200 feet and the hike was similar to hiking in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. I was expecting to run into snakes, but at that height there were no snakes and minimal insects.”

Marvin was also pleasantly surprised by Rwanda itself. The country is very clean and progressive, with many new buildings, hotels and retail centers being built.

“Rwanda was exceptionally clean,” said Marvin. “The country dedicates one day a month that everyone is cleaning something in their community. During the trip, I regularly saw hundreds of residents sweeping the streets.”

Marvin’s next planned adventure is a trip to the Galapagos Islands and Peru and will include an Amazon River cruise. For more information on Marvin’s South America trip or your next vacation, contact Adelman Vacations at 800-749-7116 or 417-888-4488, or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.

As part of its revisions, American Airlines has implemented changes to how travelers can earn individual loyalty points through its Corporate Loyalty program.

Adelman is currently a preferred agency, and our commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with American Airlines remains steadfast. During this transition period, our priority is to ensure uninterrupted benefits for your travelers, allowing them to continue earning loyalty points and miles seamlessly.

To facilitate this, Adelman recommends that our clients enroll in American’s Advantage for Business program before May 1, 2024. Once your organization is enrolled, and you have registered your travelers with the program, please provide your corporate number to Adelman Travel. This will enable us to load it into your corporate profile and ensure your travelers receive their loyalty points.

Action Item: Once your company has enrolled in the AA Advantage for Business program, it is crucial to provide your AA Corporate Number to Adelman promptly to ensure travelers are credited with their loyalty points.

· Enclosed is a communication template designed to assist you in informing your travelers about these changes and outlining the necessary steps they need to take. You can access the template by clicking here. Please be advised that this communication should be disseminated only after your company has successfully signed up for the AA Advantage for Business program.

For questions or support, please contact your Adelman Client Success Manager.

Oceania is proud to introduce Vista’s imaginative new dining concepts and her new epicurean delights, which honor and celebrate the cruise line’s passion for serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea®. Passengers will enjoy unforgettable dining experiences at treasured and iconic dining venues that have been elevated to new heights.

With a total of twelve culinary venues – four of which are brand new and exclusive to Vista – these are only the beginning of Vista’s dining experiences. Discover details on each venue below.

Ember is the signature addition to Oceania Cruises’ family of restaurants. Open for lunch and dinner, Ember is the ideal place to warm your culinary soul. Featuring a menu of inventive American creations blended with time-honored classics, this inviting dining spot will instantly charm you with its alluring ambiance and tantalizing menu. Whether you are looking forward to a leisurely evening of dining or a quick dinner before catching the headline show, Ember is where you want to be. Braised Short Ribs on Polenta, Grilled Swordfish with Asparagus, Crab Cakes with Spicy Aioli and a Cobb Salad with Smoked Chicken are just a few of the delights designed to tempt the palate.

Aquamar Kitchen presents a decidedly fresh perspective on dining and the pursuit of wellness. Whether you are a dedicated flexitarian or a die-hard foodie, Aquamar Kitchen offers an abundance of indulgence with none of the guilt. Breakfast selections include cold-pressed raw juices and super-food smoothies, hearty homemade granolas and avocado toasts, organic power bowls, and savory breakfast wraps. For lunch, dozens of tempting, healthy dishes are offered such as Slow-Roasted Organic Salmon with quinoa tabouleh and lemon tahini, Yellowfin Tacos with white cabbage slaw or even a Crunchy Chicken Sandwich on a freshly baked whole grain bun.

The Grand Dining Room is the luxurious grand dame of Oceania Cruises’ culinary world. Here, guests will savor a leisurely dining experience in a truly magnificent and inspired room whose ambiance soars to equally lofty heights as the cuisine. This signature dining experience has always offered a bevy of delicious Continental dishes, and now a fresh and new array of options brings even more exciting possibilities. Every day presents a realm of choices, from signature Jacques Pépin classics to an incredible spectrum of global flavors and an all-new Executive Chef’s Tasting Menu. Menus change daily with an expansive choice of at least 10 appetizers, soups and salads, and 10 dinner entrées, along with healthy options such as Aquamar Vitality Cuisine.

Polo Grill delights diners with the ultimate classic steakhouse experience presented with timeless reverence. Richly layered decor and an abundance of custom millwork create an imaginative rendition of tradition set against crisp white linen tablecloths while a cadre of black jacketed servers set the tone for an evening of gracious dining. Each course stands as the very definition of time-honored favorites, most notably the beef dishes, all of which are 28-day dry aged certified Black Angus USDA Prime, while succulent seafood dishes such as grilled swordfish and whole Maine lobster gratinée are also classics in their own right.

Toscana presents an evolution of Tuscan cuisine in a truly Italian setting of rich Chianina leather, hand-blown Venetian glass and Carrara marble. Evolved from generational family traditions, many of our recipes originated with the mothers and grandmothers of our own Italian culinary staff. Presented on elegant, custom-designed Versace china, masterfully prepared dishes exemplify the essence of Tuscany and celebrate Italy’s culinary passion. Perhaps the evening begins with the octopus carpaccio with Champagne vinaigrette or the artichoke and parmesan cheese timbale with black truffle sauce, followed by classic dishes such as the hand-rolled gnocchi with pesto, a rich risotto with lobster medallions and shallots, or a pan-seared sea bass filet finished with Sorrento lemon, chardonnay and capers.

Red Ginger radiates harmony and tranquility while evoking the boldness and subtleties of the extraordinary Pan-Asian dishes our talented chefs have created. Much like the room itself, the Thai, Korean, Japanese and Malaysian rooted specialties are a mélange of spicy and soothing, savory and sweet to please virtually every palate. Begin with a salad of spicy roast duck and watermelon with cashews, mint and Thai basil. Savor a Malaysian beef penang with coconut rice and paratha roti. Or try Thai vegetable curry with sweet potatoes, aubergine, mushrooms and basil in green curry sauce. In Red Ginger, the gustatory pleasures are as striking as the visual ones.

Terrace Café is the ultimate informal dining experience any time of day, whether inside the plushily adorned dining room or alfresco at one of the shaded tables on the stylish terrace. At breakfast, Terrace Café features a seemingly never-ending selection of sumptuous savory and sweet temptations including made-to-order eggs, omelets, pancakes and waffles. Come lunch, an expansive menu of international-inspired dishes is complemented by flavorful roasted and rotisserie meats and the magic of the pizzeria’s oven. In the evening, you’ll enjoy dinner in decidedly relaxed comfort as our chefs serve up an astounding array of dishes. Revel in a bounty of selections from grilled-to-order lobster tails, fish, filets and steaks to freshly made, hand-cut sushi and sashimi. A varied menu of hot and cold specialties changes daily along with our hallmark Chef’s Market Dinners featuring locally inspired specialties from the ports of call.

Waves Grill is a casual, colorful, and perhaps a bit playful setting for dining on all-American favorites. Located in a spacious, shaded area steps from the swimming pool and Terrace Café, Waves Grill offers an extensive and mouthwatering menu during lunch and late into the afternoon for that much-desired snack or meal after an adventurous day of touring ashore. Watch the chefs grill gourmet burgers, succulent seafood and sandwiches to order in the open galley, accompanying them with sides like fresh salads, coleslaw and crispy, hand-cut fries. There is always room for dessert and the selection here is too good to pass up. Try a homemade sorbet, made-to-order hot fudge sundae or a thick, hand-dipped milkshake.

The Culinary Center ascends to a new level of gustatory immersion as our passionate Chef Instructors share their enlightening perspectives on culture and cuisine through the lens of food and wine. Here, guests may not only partake in lively hands-on instruction – they may also indulge the pleasures of the palate in the new oceanview Culinary Center Dining Room with private group dinners or one of our many exclusive and highly acclaimed food and wine pairing experiences.

Priveé is our marquee venue for bespoke, intimate culinary celebrations for a maximum of 10 privileged guests. Dramatic backlit, debossed walls and a blooming flower petal ceiling from which a dramatic chandelier descends over the polished marble slab dining table set the stage for a memorable evening while a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass provides an exhilarating view to complement a most memorable private dinner party that can literally traverse continents.

Baristas offers the ultimate Vistas aboard Vista with its commanding 270-degree views over the sea while guests enjoy complimentary illy® espressos, cappuccinos and lattes prepared by our master baristas as well as the delicious pastries, finger sandwiches and homemade biscotti. Just steps away, the new Bakery, with its freshly baked French and Italian pastries, is certain to be an instant hit. As the delicate yet rich scents fill the air, you’ll be drawn from the adjacent coffee bar or Library for an indulgent chocolate-almond croissant or sinfully sweet bombolini while enjoying the lost art of people watching or simply gazing out at the azure blue sea.

As you may already know, SAP Concur has released the latest iteration of SAP Concur T2, making it accessible to all customers. In a recent communication, SAP Concur emphasized the transformative updates to their booking tool, aimed at swiftly and efficiently meeting the evolving needs of travelers, customers, and partners. These changes involve the integration of new, adaptable technology to enhance the overall booking experience across air, hotel, and car rental reservations for Sabre GDS from U.S. point of sale.

Adelman’s innovative strategy and support for our customers migrating to the new SAP Concur Travel experience involved assessing eligibility according to their existing configuration and ensuring the availability of all verticals, including air, car, and hotel. Additionally, we consistently review existing exclusions and limitations. Our primary objective is to present this change as an upgraded experience for travelers while minimizing any potential new challenges or friction in the booking process.

What Users can Expect:

Key features, which include a customer-grade user experience (UX) and robust content now include:

• Content and Images: Increased global content coverage including NDC, better imagery, and richer descriptions, all consolidated into one view. The new UX will make browsing content seamless and intuitive, with the ability to easily view sustainability ratings and cost information.
• User Experience: A streamlined booking and checkout process, including a more user-friendly and intuitive UI, makes the experience more like that on consumer sites and apps. The new UX is adaptable on both mobile and desktop, designed to give users the ability to meet their needs and drive compliance across the end-to-end process.
• Sustainable Options: Sustainability continues to be a major priority for our customers. With the new Concur Travel experience, travelers can view information and filters to help limit their carbon footprint and make sustainable choices, making it easier to comply with company policies and limit the environmental impact of business travel.
• Search Capabilities: Omni-search capability that automatically merges options for many locations, such as airports, city centers, or company locations, delivered by a robust travel ecosystem. Companies have the freedom to choose from among a wide range of suppliers, sources and content to support global travel requirements.
• Time Savings: Optimized booking workflows and faster checkout process. The new experience integrates with Concur Expense for a seamless end-to-end travel and expense process – from planning and booking to expensing, auditing and reimbursement all the way to the company general ledger.

Please contact your designated Adelman Client Success Manager if you have any questions or would like to discuss converting your company site.

A dedicated mobile app designed for travel and security managers to efficiently manage their traveler security programs.

BCD Alert provides 24/7 coverage of active travelers against destination risk and incidents, allowing managers to monitor and respond remotely. It tracks caution, warning and emergency level alerts against traveler bookings. The app delivers emergency level alerts via push notification to the home screen of the mobile device, prompting a list of impacted travelers. Travel and security managers can contact affected travelers directly from the app via SMS, email or click-to-call. Clients who have enabled emergency response capabilities in the TripSource® traveler app have the added value of seeing who has checked-in as safe so they can focus on the remaining travelers.

BCD Alert is globally available to Adelman clients with a DecisionSource login via the App Store and Google Play.

Learn more: https://www.adelmantravel.com/bcd-alert/

View Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDPjmng7mfg

Adelman proudly commemorates our 39th anniversary, marking nearly four decades of unwavering commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to share this milestone and reflect on the journey that has shaped us into a leading travel management company.

Throughout the years, Adelman has consistently delivered responsive support, embraced innovative technology, and tailored people-first programs to meet the unique needs of our clients. As we celebrate this achievement, our vision remains steadfast – to be the most trusted leader in travel, distinguished by our people, innovation, and value.

At the heart of our success lies our dedicated team, making them our most valuable asset. We are excited to introduce the new Adelman Core Values, principles that guide our actions and define our corporate culture:

1. Do what’s right: Operating openly and fostering transparency, we ensure that our team members, clients, and communities always know where we stand.

2. Feed the future: Empowering others with tools, skills, and opportunities leads to flourishing success. We believe that when we invest in ourselves similarly, we become an unstoppable force.

3. Act with purpose: Embracing change and fostering innovation, our creativity and drive are positively contagious, yielding tangible results.

4. Celebrate success: Believing in always being proud of our achievements and learning from each other, we create a culture of continuous improvement.

5. Stronger together: By working collaboratively, we believe that we can achieve more. Unity is the driving force behind our collective success.

Looking ahead, Adelman anticipates many more years of cultivating successful partnerships with our employees, customers, and supplier partners. We remain dedicated to upholding our commitment to excellence and leading the way in the travel industry. Here’s to the next chapter of innovation, growth, and continued success!

ALG Vacations

The spirit of aloha that welcomes travelers to Hawaii is one of love, care, and empathy—all of which the Islands now need from us in the wake of the devastating wildfires that tore through West Maui last August, causing significant losses. To support the people of Hawaii, ALG Vacations is championing an initiative focused on showing all of the Hawaiian Islands mālama —care and protection—by cultivating respectful travel.

As Maui and the entire state of Hawaii continue to mourn, they are also rebuilding. Tourism, according to the Maui Economic Development Board, directly or indirectly produces 70 cents of every dollar of the island’s economy. With the current downturn in travel, however, Maui lost millions of dollars every day following the wildfires. It is anticipated the Hawaiian economy as a whole will lose nearly $2 billion in the next two years.

Maui began reopening to tourism in phases beginning in October and, with the exception of Lahaina, is now fully open.

“Now is the time for people everywhere to show their support for Maui by booking trips, making restaurant reservations, and frequenting Maui’s retail stores and attractions that support workers and their families,” said Daniel Nāho’pi’i, Chief Administrative Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

How to Travel with Mālama

The best way to support affected communities is to travel with Kindness. Be mindful of what Hawaiians are going through and show them the same aloha that they have always shown us. Follow traditional values to ensure your visit uplifts as much as it rebuilds:

• Visit with aloha, compassion and empathy. 
• Understand that although Maui is still recovering, travel to Hawaii is as rewarding as it has ever been—even more so.
• Show generosity and compassion. Support small businesses, eat out at local restaurants, and remember kind words go a long way.
• Respect the grief of residents and avoid affected areas.
• Mālama (care for) Maui and give back to the community by signing up for an enriching volunteer experience.

Donate to Relief Efforts

ALG Vacations has pledged $100,000 to the Maui Strong Fund. If you are interested in supporting the Maui Strong Fund, you can donate via the link below.

https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

As we head into 2024, Adelman has exciting news on the horizon, as we unveil the unparalleled benefits of Adelman’s Travel Management as a Service (TMaaS) program.

At Adelman, we understand that managing corporate travel can be a juggling act. That’s why we’ve crafted TMaaS, a comprehensive program designed to streamline your travel processes, enhance cost-efficiency, and provide you with unparalleled support with seasoned industry professionals to serve as your travel manager and oversee every detail of your program.

We enable companies to take a critical, non-core function and outsource it to us…allowing you to do what you do best – focus on your core business.

Click to learn more about the Services & Benefits available to you.

We’re thrilled to announce and extend our warmest congratulations to Melinda Kirkham on her well-deserved promotion to Vice President of Corporate Sales and Client Success!

Melinda has been an invaluable member of our team, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, dedication, and a relentless commitment to driving success for our clients. Her strategic vision, innovative mindset, and unwavering work ethic have truly set her apart.

As Melinda steps into this new role, we have no doubt that she will continue to inspire and lead our Corporate Sales and Client Success teams to new heights. Please join us in congratulating Melinda on this significant achievement!