Willie Fernandez’s experience in the travel industry spans more than 30 years across the cruise, hotel, vacation and villa industries. He is also an accomplished and award-winning digital marketer who has transformed some of the industry’s most recognized brands. As Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Willie is responsible for Rental Escapes’ brand strategy, marketing initiatives and booking experience. He also oversees the agency relations and product teams who liaise with our travel advisor partners and villa suppliers…

— Travel Research Online
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For more years than I like to admit, the sales profession has appropriately been earning a “less-than-stellar” reputation. In fact, one could consider the sales profession to be fraught with negative attributes. To grasp the scope of this predicament, try this exercise: Walk over to the person nearest to you (spouse, friend, co-worker, stranger ... it doesn’t matter) and ask what the first word comes to mind when hearing the word “salesman.” Go ahead. I think I already know the answers.

Did you hear any of these predictable responses? Sleazy; crooked; fast talking; unscrupulous; dishonest; shifty; lacking trust; lacking ethics; liars; car lots; insurance; egotists; manipulative. You probably came up with a few “less-than-glowing” terms of your own ... perhaps based on previous personal experience.…

Arthur C. Tauck Jr., former President and current Chairman Emeritus of Tauck, Inc., the 100-year-old luxury tour operator, died on February 11 at his home in Vero Beach, FL, surrounded by family.

Arthur was born on September 7, 1931, and dedicated his entire life to enhancing people’s lives through travel. In 1950, he joined his father’s fledgling tour company as a young tour director, leading Tauck guests through New England every summer during his studies at Lehigh University. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant and spent several years stationed in Germany. He returned to the family business in 1956 and, following his father’s retirement, was named President in 1958 at the age of twenty-seven. These formative experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to people, service, and hospitality…