Pioneer Travel hosts third annual travel show at Mel & Faye's Diner

By Bethany A. Monk

Everyone's afraid to spend money on traveling these days, but for those who are able to take a vacation, "now's the time to do it," said Pioneer Travel independent travel agent Bernie Cramer.

Cramer and several other independent travel agents from Pioneer Travel in Pine Grove were on-hand during the agency's third annual Travel Show in the banquet room of Mel & Faye's Diner in Jackson on Jan. 31. An array of travel companies including Club Med, Carnival Cruises, Holland American Line and several others, set up booths in the banquet room, decorated with streaming lights and pictures of far away places. Visitors "shopping" for a good deals on an upcoming getaways mingled with the agents and travel company representatives. Some lucky visitors went home with free vacations packages raffled off during the show.

The purpose of the event, according to Pioneer independent travel agent Sharon Nuuhiva, is to bring travel vendors to the people of Amador and Calaveras counties to help showcase the several travel options available to them.

Pioneer Travel independent travel agent Pat Waller said she's noticed a recent trend for Amador residents booking trips via Pioneer Travel - a majority are planning trips to Alaska, she said. To get the best deals, the ideal time to book these cruises, she said, "is way out or real close" to travel dates.

Holland America Line, in fact, was at the travel show promoting its upcoming Winemaker Cruise, which will feature Stefano Watson, winemaker/owner, Avio Winery of Amador. The seven-day round-trip cruise departs from Seattle July 26. Watson will host wine tasting events and various wine seminars during the cruise, said Rob Taylor, Holland America Line business development manager.

There has been a decrease in people from out of the county booking vacations in Amador, said Pioneer independent travel agent Bernie Cramer.

Nuuhiva said that because of the economy, there has been an increase in sales and deals on various trips.

"We have picked up a little bit," Nuuhiva said, noting that Pioneer travel has seen more business in the start of the year than it had seen at the end of 2008. "We're booking smaller trips, like to Canada and Mexico. We haven't done a lot with Europe lately," she said.

Valentine's Day trips can be planned "right away," Cramer said. "Cruises are a fantastic idea - many of them are offering special deals, like two for one deals, or have reduces prices."

Going on vacation within the county is also an option, Cramer said. "We can set up wine tours in the county, one-day theater trips to Sacramento or Sonora."

Even people on tight budgets can benefit from letting a travel agent help them plan a trip. "We can find ways to make it work," she said.

Michael Weldon, district sales manager for Viking River Cruisers, said that the company has reduced prices to help stimulate business. The cruise will take its passengers to Glacier Bay National Park for a full-day scenic cruise, and to Alaskan cities Juneau, Stika and Ketchikan. The final stop on the tour will be Victoria, British Columbia.

A lot of people booking through Pioneer Travel are staying local this year to help save money, Waller said. Popular places to visit right now include San Diego, Monterey and Las Vegas, she said.

Jackson couple Alba and Gary Arosio were among the more than 100 travel show visitors Saturday. The two have booked several trips through Pioneer Travel to places like Washington, D.C. and day-trips to Sonora.

"I like it when we do this," Alba said of attending Pioneer Travel shows. "It's always interesting," she said, adding that the two are just "checking out what they have."

One of the goals of Pioneer Travel, according to its president Pat Thurin, is to find the best deals for travelers. "We can match almost any Internet (deal) if you give us a chance," she said.

Pine Grove resident Kay Drummond said she likes coming to the travel show to learn about the variety of trips and special vacation packages. This year's show "is very nice, Kay said. "It's not as crowded as last year, but it's fun."

Pioneer Travel, 19900 Highway 88, Pine Grove, is open Monday through Friday. For more information, call 296-5555.

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