Pleasant Holidays: A Half-Century of Tours

Jack Richards just passed his three-year anniversary as president and CEO of Pleasant Holidays, the giant Westlake Village, Calif.-based wholesaler. The company started its empire in Hawaii and now also offers packages to Mexico, Caribbean, Tahiti/Fiji/Cook Islands, Costa Rica and the mainland U.S. Going into fall 2010, Richards is very upbeat about the state of the industry. “We’ve seen a dramatic turnaround in the past 12 months,” he says.

The company started its empire in Hawaii and now also offers packages to Mexico, Caribbean, Tahiti/Fiji/Cook Islands, Costa Rica and the mainland U.S. Going into fall 2010, Richards is very upbeat about the state of the industry. “We’ve seen a dramatic turnaround in the past 12 months,” he says," writes TravelPulse.

Richards says he’s encouraged by the performance of the airline industry. “If you look at the airlines as a gauge of demand, they’re doing very well and turning in record profitability numbers, so I think that’s indicative of where the travel demand is. They had to rely on leisure business the past couple of years and that’s been very difficult for them, but through the first and second quarters they’re posting some pretty impressive numbers.

In its half-century of business, Pleasant Holidays has carried more than 10 million clients to Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Costa Rica and the South Pacific. The company was founded in 1959 by Ed Hogan. A former U.S. naval pilot, Hogan started in the travel industry in 1948 as a pilot for Sky Coach.

In 1959 Hogan and his wife, Marilyn, established Pleasant Holidays as a retail travel agency in his home state of New Jersey, taking its name from its location in Point Pleasant.

By the end of the 1990s, the company was moving 450,000 passengers a year. In 1999, the Hogans sold a majority holding in Pleasant Holidays to the Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA-affiliated club, founded in 1900.

To book your Pleasant Holidays travel, visit www.PleasantHolidays.com or call 1-888-786-9841 to speak to a travel expert.

Excerpted from TravelPulse, Vacation Agent Magazine, September 2010

Las Vegas Vacation: Supernatural Santana - A Trip Through The Hits at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Tickets are now on sale for Santana's live concert performance, Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas in January 2011. For more information about the show and to purchase concert tickets, visit http://www.supernaturalsantana.com/theshow/

To book your Pleasant Holidays Las Vegas vacation at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, including competitively priced hotel nights, air transportation, car rental, activities and other travel services, visit http://ht.ly/2DtU0 or call toll-free 1-888-786-9841 to speak to a Pleasant Holidays travel expert.

Save $100 per Booking at Palace Resorts Mexico

Let yourself be pampered by royal treatment at Palace Resorts, where luxury prevails. Surrounded by beautiful Mexican landscapes, and offering breathtaking ocean views, Palace Resorts offer you the ultimate all-inclusive experience. To book, visit http://www.PleasantHolidays.com or call 1-888-786-9841

USA Today Travel Interviews Pleasant Holidays' CEO Jack Richards on Summer Travel Deals

Highlighting the travel deals that can be had this summer, USA Today speaks with Pleasant Holidays' CEO Jack Richards. A travel industry veteran, Richards discusses the abundance of deeply discounted travel packages to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. For example, Pleasant Holidays is currently offering three nights in Oahu for two, including airfare from San Francisco, for $810, plus taxes. You can book this vacation and others by visiting http://www.PleasantHolidays.com or by calling an expert reservations agent at: 1-888-786-9841.

Rates, terms, conditions, availability and itinerary are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions may apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions. [Pleasant Holidays acts only as an agent for the various travel providers.] CST#1007939-10. UBI# 601 915 263. TAR#5308.

Oberammergau 2010 Available Now With Pleasant Holidays

Germany's famous Passion Play has been performed by the alpine village's residents since 1634. Experience the infamous Passion Play and tour Europe's breathtaking scenery. For reservations or more information, call toll-free 1-888-786-9841.

Maui Madness!

Maui, the Valley Isle, is the Hawaiian island to visit for the vacation of your dreams. On Maui you can experience the "real" Hawaii, go on a heart-pounding adventure, or simply relax on the beach.

Pleasant Holidays is offering can't miss Maui vacation deals. Vacation packages from Los Angeles and San Francisco, including round-trip airfare and three nights hotel, start from $415! Here is just a sample of the Maui deals available from Pleasant Holidays:

*$415 at the Kanapali Ocean Inn, Kids 17 and younger stay FREE
*$685 at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Kids 17 and younger stay FREE (Must book by 6/7/09)
*$1,035 at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, Kids 17 & younger stay FREE.

To learn more about Pleasant Holidays' Maui vacation deals or to book, visit us at http://ow.ly/9sG6 or call toll-free 1-888-786-9841


*Prices starting from. Rates quoted are per person, based on double occupancy unless otherwise stated. Offers valid for select travel dates and booking periods; call for details. CST# 1007939-10. UBI# 601 915 263. TAR#5308.

Puerto Rico Travel Deal: Save $200 + Receive $100 Debit Card + 1 Night Free + Discount Booklet + Hot Deals Added Values

Pleasant Holidays announced a $200 savings special on vacations to Puerto Rico. Offered in partnership with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and participating hotels, this $200 savings promotion also includes a $100 debit card at hotel check-in to use while in Puerto Rico; one night FREE per every three nights at participating resorts and a discount booklet for sightseeing tours and attractions. The offer is combinable with Pleasant Holidays’ Hot Deals promotion and with added values at select hotels, including free daily breakfast and discounts on food, golf and spa services.

For more details, visit Pleasant Holidays' Facebook page. Become a Fan for automatic updates of deals as they happen!

People Are Traveling, But Differently

Travel deals are so good right now that people are still traveling despite the woes of the economy. According to a Ypartnership survey in February, 63% of respondents plan to take an overnight trip in the next six months. However, they plan to change the way they travel. Of those who plan to travel differently, 87% plan to save money by booking a packaged vacation, simliar to those sold by Pleasant Holidays. Read this Travel Weekly article for additional insights from Ypartnership, PhoCusWright, and others.

Experience the Luxury of Mayakoba, Riviera Maya

Experience the luxury, service, and beauty of Riviera Maya, Mexico. In this Houston Chronicle article, "Luxury in the Yucatán," learn what is meant by service at the Mayakoba resorts -- Rosewood Mayakoba, Maroma Resort and Spa, and Fairmont. Arrive at your hotel room via boat, navigating canals to mangrove-lined lagoons. Relax with butler service, spa, and world-class dining. Book your trip through Pleasant Holidays at http://www.pleasantholidays.com or call 1-800-742-9244.

Save Now With Pleasant Holidays, Love Forever at Sandals Resorts!

Save up to 60% plus, get 1 night FREE†. Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. 3 nights plus round-trip airfare starting as little as $575 per person. For more details, click on the title link to this post or call: 1-800-742-9244

Pleasant Holidays Partners with Ellen DeGeneres Show

What would you do to win a Pleasant Holidays vacation to Hawaii? Check out this hilarious clip from the show! http://ellen.warnerbros.com/videos/ The Ellen DeGeneres Show Community is approaching its 200,000th member and is celebrating by sending someone to Hawaii! The trip is made possible by Pleasant Holidays and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Riviera Maya's new Azul Sensatori

Read about Karisma Hotels' new Riviera Maya resort, Azul Sensatori. Great for families who want self-catering suites. According to the Miami Herald, "Riviera Maya all-inclusive caters to kids of all ages."

You can book it through Pleasant Holidays at: http://www.pleasantholidays.com or call 1-800-742-9244.

All-Inclusives Go Upmarket

There are "a growing number of all-inclusive resorts catering to an upscale clientele with luxury amenities including concierge services, premium liquors, pillow menus -- in some cases, even tours and golf. Such resorts have found that well-to-do travelers, who once shunned all-inclusives, like the exclusiveness, amenities and pre-set payment now offered by the upgraded properties" reports the Miami Herald. Book your all-inclusive vacation to the Caribbean or Mexico with Pleasant Holidays http://www.pleasantholidays.com or call 1-800-742-9244.

Kids fly to Oahu for $199 this Summer

We just released this amazing summer special -- Kids fly to Oahu for $199. Plus, kids stay, play and eat free at select Hawaii hotels and resorts. Los Angeles and San Francisco departures for travel from now until 12/15/09. CALL 1-800-742-9244 or BOOK ONLINE http://www.pleasantholidays.com/PleasantHolidaysWeb/Vacation-Deals-Hawaii.html

Or, for more information, visit our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pleasant-Holidays/52075058926

Five Great Beaches In Hawaii

Hawaii has lots of great beaches to choose from and great weather year-round. The Seattle Times identifies a few beaches particularly good during the summer, when the surf builds up on south shores. Check out the article at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2008854905_trhawaii15.html

Book Pleasant Holidays' hot travel deals to Hawaii: http://www.pleasantholidays.com/PleasantHolidaysWeb/Vacation-Deals-Hawaii.html&cid=c980

Travel More Affordable

US Traveler Sentiment Index rose to 90.2 in February from 78.2 in October 2008. The increased perception of travel affordability appears to be the result of agressive promotional discounting by travel suppliers, some of which are offering up to 50% off prices quoted six months ago. For more information visit: http://www.traveltrade.com/news_article.htm?id=5941&p=index.htm For great travel deals, visit www.pleasantholidays.com or call 1-800-742-9244

Pleasant Holidays 2.0

Pleasant Holidays is rapidly expanding its web 2.0 strategy. Join us here for future blog updates or visit our website at: http://www.PleasantHolidays.com

You can also find us under Pleasant Holidays on Facebook and LinkedIn or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PleasantHoliday (note we had to cut the "s").

More to come!