Published for the Travel Agents of Suffolk County



Our TASC dinner meeting is being held on

Wednesday, June 11th

at Shandon Court

East Islip



OUR CO-PRESENTERS THIS MONTH ARE


SANDALS & BEACHES

and the

BAHAMAS TOURIST BOARD


TASC JUNE MEETING

LOCATION

SHANDON COURT

DATE AND TIME

06/11/25 6:30pm - 06/11/25 8:30pm US/Eastern
SIGN IN: 6:00PM, MEETING PRESENTATION/DINNER: 6:30PM MEMBERS: $30, NON-MEMBERS: $40 RSVP TO: TASCRSVP@GMAIL.COM

PLEASE RSVP WITH THE "YES I WILL BE ATTENDING" BUTTON ONLY IF YOU DEFINITELY PLAN ON ATTENDING OUR MEETINGS


WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO RSVP BUT DO NOT ATTEND.

THIS INTERFERES WITH THE ATTENDANCE NUMBERS WE GIVE TO THE RESTAURANT.

IF YOU RSVP AND DO NOT ATTEND WE WILL SEND YOU AN INVOICE FOR THE DINNER.



IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU SHARE A SINGLE EMAIL ADDRESS WITH A COLLEAGUE

SINCE EACH EMAIL ADDRESS IS LINKED TO ONLY 1 PERSON, ONLY THAT 1 PERSON CAN BE COUNTED WHEN YOU RSVP ELECTRONICALLY, ADDITIONAL ATTENDEES MUST PHONE OR EMAIL IN THEIR RSVP.

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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Dear Members,

June is upon us and hopefully we will start having beautiful weather every day. Fingers crossed that we will be seeing less rain. This month we celebrate Flag Day and Father’s Day.


Last month we welcomed Victoria Harper from the Jamica tourist board, as always Victoria was very informative on all the updates happening in Jamaica.


This month we have Sandals and Beaches sponsoring our June meeting. Joining them will be a representative from the Bahamas Tourist Board. Between the 2, there will be many new updates and happenings at Sandals and Beaches and the Bahamas, so don’t miss this meeting.


All our monthly meetings give the agents an opportunity to speak to our suppliers one on one and also gives you a chance to speak to other agents that attend and exchange insights and stay ahead in the travel industry! Other agents may have valuable information you do not know. It would be nice to see you at our next meeting.

Happy Father’s day to all the dads and grandfathers out there!!!



See you on June 11!



Respectfully,

Fran Raupp

 

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PROPOSED TASC MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE

 

JUNE 11 - SANDALS & BEACHES // BAHAMAS

JULY 9 - CRUISE NIGHT #2

AUG - NO MEETING

SEPT 10 - ARUBA TOURISM

OCT 8 - INSIGHT VACATIONS

NOV 12 - TASC TRADE SHOW (HOLIDAY INN EXP)

DEC 10 - TASC HOLIDAY PARTY/CASINO NIGHT

 

All meetings are held at Shandon Court unless otherwise noted. Suppliers may contact our Programs Director, Liz Henn at lizLBAC@gmail.com to enquire about a future program.

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Current Industry Affairs (CIA)

The world's longest lazy river and water coaster slide are just two of many attractions Royal Caribbean has in store for private destination Perfect Day Mexico, scheduled to open in fall 2027.

The 200-acre getaway in the Mexican Caribbean will have multiple neighborhoods and a total of 24 bars, 12 eateries and 30-plus waterslides. Royal Caribbean is also promising plenty of opportunities to relax, including on nearly two miles of beaches dubbed "Chill Beach" and at an exclusive beach club with a heated infinity pool.

"Perfect Day Mexico is bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date," said Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley. "This destination will be the ultimate vacation for families, and we cannot wait to welcome adventurers from around the world to Mexico for an experience only Royal Caribbean can provide."

Bookings for Perfect Day Mexico will open this fall. The destination will be included in Western Caribbean itineraries sailing from Galveston, New Orleans and Florida.

The destination's neighborhoods are Loco Waterpark, the lazy river's Splash Cove, the adults-only El Hideaway, the exclusive Costa Beach Club, Chill Beach and Fiesta Plaza.

Loco Waterpark will have five slide towers with more than 30 slides. The tallest tower will be the tallest in North and South America, said Royal Caribbean. It will be called Jaguar's Peak and include the world's longest coaster slide, dueling slides and a family raft slide that can fit six riders on a single raft. 

Other slides in Loco Waterpark will include what Royal Caribbean is calling the world's first sombrero slide and slides that send guests airborne with a hydro-launch. There will also be a wave pool and slides for youngsters.

Splash Cove will feature a 100,000-square-foot pool and the longest lazy river in the world, according to Royal Caribbean.

Guests will be able to float the full river, which takes an hour, or enter or exit at various points. An optional section will have waves and rapids.

El Hideaway will feature a zero-entry pool, a DJ and a swim-up bar. A 20-guest Ultimate Party Cabana will have its own pool and bar.

Costa Beach Club will have white-sand beaches, a heated infinity pool and premium dining as well as private cabanas with personal attendants and a pool.

Chill Beach will span nearly two miles of white sand with complimentary lounge chairs, umbrellas and towels available.

Fiesta Plaza will be where guests enter Perfect Day Mexico. There will be live music and dance performances and what the company calls the world's largest sombrero atop the Tipsy Sombrero bar.

The destination's 12 eateries will be regionally inspired, and the majority will be complimentary. The 24 bars will include six swim-up bars.

Also, guests can expect local artisan souvenirs, art displays and mariachi performances throughout Perfect Day Mexico.

Perfect Day Mexico will be adjacent to the Costa Maya cruise port, which Royal Caribbean acquired last September. Royal Caribbean said it paid $292 million for the port and the adjacent land where Perfect Day Mexico is being built.

===============================================

The Magic Kingdom's highly anticipated new nighttime parade has an opening date: July 20.

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will feature sparkling, bedazzled floats that are inspired by the park's original Main Street Electrical Parade.

The floats will carry characters like Peter Pan and Wendy; Mirabel, Isabela and Bruno from "Encanto"; Moana; and a group of Disney princesses (Aurora, Tiana, Belle and Cinderella) with their cavaliers. Starlight will also have its own musical theme, which will mix in musical melodies from the Disney and Pixar movies featured on the floats.

During a media event, Disney revealed the final float, a train inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade, which will carry Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck and Daisy -- plus Minnie and Mickey in new, sparkling blue looks.

===================================================================

Tauck will expand its North American land tours next year with a new collection of itineraries in the West, offering glamping for the first time.

Guests booking Paradise Valley, Yellowstone & the Tetons will spend two nights glamping at Under Canvas West Yellowstone, which features safari-like tents near Yellowstone's west entrance. The eight-day trip starts in Paradise Valley in Montana and ends in Grand Teton National Park. 

The eight-day Wild, Wild West Family Adventure, which is part of Tauck's collection of itineraries for families, will include a three-night stay at ULUM Moab, an outdoor resort with suite-style tents that have king-size beds outfitted with heated mattress pads and Parachute brand linens. 

Western Horizons: Mesa Verde to Moab includes one night at Far View Lodge inside Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. The new trip marks Tauck's return to Mesa Verde for the first time in more than 10 years. Highlights include riding the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and visiting Durango's hot springs over the course of nine days. 

Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh said, "For 2026, we’re thrilled to raise the bar and feature some truly fun and unique accommodations to help our guests connect more deeply to the places we visit."

New tours in Mexico and Nova Scotia

Tauck also is introducing Mexico City and Oaxaca, an eight-day trip that explores Mexico's history, art and cuisine. Itinerary highlights include a private visit at Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul, a trip to Teotihuacan's pyramids and visiting Xochimilco's floating gardens. 

A Week In … Nova Scotia will take travelers on an eight-day journey of the seaside Canadian province, including visits to Lunenburg and Baddeck and a whale-watching cruise on the Bay of Fundy.

Tauck will operate 29 itineraries in North America next year, including four designed for families. The brand is expanding its Small Group journeys, which average 24 guests, and Even Smaller Group trips, which average 15 guests. 

================================================

Some of the Caribbean nations that require US Citizens to apply for a visitor card, immigration and/or customs form in advance of travel. Most are free, some are not.


For the British Virgin Islands and all of Great Britain and it's territories, you must obtain an electronic travel authorization visa by downloading the app to your phone and applying.


Aruba - https://edcardaruba.aw/


British Virgin Islands - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#apply-for-an-eta


Curacao - https://dicardcuracao.com


Dominican Republic - https://eticket.migracion.gob.do/Home/


Jamaica - enterjamaica.gov.jm


Saint Lucia - https://travelslu.govt.lc/

===============================================

VISAS for US Citizens to European Union Nations (ETIAS) are currently not in operation and will not start until the latter half of 2026 as per the European Union.

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MEMBERS CORNER:

Attention All Committee Chairpersons

Any outstanding bills for your committees

MUST be submitted no later than June 11th

to Treasurer Ginny DeFeo. 


SAVE THE DATE!!!!!


Our 2025 TASC Trade Show will be held on

Wednesday evening - NOVEMBER 12TH

from 5:30pm - 7:00pm

at the Holiday Inn Airport East

located at Exit 63 off the

Long Island Expressway


This is Suffolk County's only Trade show -

Come out and meet the reps!


There will be Sandwiches/Snacks/Prizes


Suppliers may contact our Trade Show Chairperson; Jeaneane DeCicco at jeaneane.decicco@gmail.com

to book your table.

TASC ANNUAL DUES 

 

TASC annual membership is from 7/1/25 to 6/30/26 and dues are currently $45. Everyone must fill out a new form for this year.

A form will be sent to your email this month.

You may also obtain a membership form on

our website or from the sign in table at any of the upcoming TASC general meetings.

www.LI-TASC.com 


Your TASC board has a new email address: TASCEMAIL@OPTIMUM.NET
If you have any member news that you would like posted in this newsletter please send an email with information to: tascemail@optimum.net
In addition to the get wells and condolences, we can also list job postings
or pertinent industry news.
If we don't know about it, we can't post it!
WWW.LI-TASC.COM
This is our website. Visit us !!!
Also visit our TASC Facebook page and “like us”.
Only TASC members will be able to post on the Facebook page.

Supplier Rep Updates


We would like to welcome several new supplier reps that have recently been assigned to the Suffolk County area.

 

Bedsonline - NEW

Mike Range, mrange@hotelbeds.com


Carnival Cruises - NEW

Marc Campagnone, mcampagnone@carnival.com

 

Classic Vacations - NEW

Tiffani Gilardi, tgilardi@classicvacations.com

 

Globus - NEW

Brian Ehlers, behlers@globusfamily.com


Holland America Cruises

Kelly Perrine, kperrine@hollandamerican.com

 

Pleasant Holidays - NEW

Lil Musmanno, lil.musmanno@pleasant.net 


Princess Cruises - NEW

Kara O'Brien, kobrien@princesscruises.com


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Executive Board

President

Fran Raupp

(email) franr@baytravelandtours.com

Vice President

Liz Henn

(email) lizLbac@gmail.com

Secretary

Angela San Filippo-Szemko

(email) angelaLBAC@gmail.com

Treasurer

Ginny DeFeo

(email) gindef@hotmail.com

Director Owner

Honey Pressgrove

(email) empress965@aol.com

Director Affiliate

Ann Andreas

(email) amamktg@optonline.net

Director Agent

Jeffrey Austin

(email) jaustin@vacationwiser.com

Past President

Susan Bonesso

(email) susanbtravel@optonline.net




Bay Travel & Tours



LBAC Travel



LBAC Travel



Empress Travel Coram



Empress Travel-Bayport


AMA Marketing



Vacation Wiser



Rogers Travel





631-447-6440



631-648-8032



631-648-8032



631-698-7767



631-363-9522



516-835-7377



631-499-4483



631-289-5252





ACCOUNTING
Richard Chester
AUDIT
Richard Raupp
AUTOMATION
Lou Fenech
BUDGET
Marie Foley
BY-LAWS
Susan Bonesso
CURRENT INDUSTRY AFFAIRS
Susan Bonesso
HISTORIAN
Ginny DeFeo
HOSPITALITY
Kathy Collins
LEGISLATION
Bill De Cicco
MEMBER BENEFITS
Jeffrey Austin
MEMBERSHIP
Honey Pressgrove
NEWSLETTER
Susan Bonesso
NOMINATIONS
Lori Lentz
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
Robert's Rules of Order
PAST PRESIDENTS
Susan Bonesso
PROGRAMS
Liz Henn
RAFFLES
Kathy Collins
SUNSHINE
Honey Pressgrove
TRADE SHOW
Jeaneane De Cicco
& Past Presidents Committee


631-585-7070


631-447-6440


631-563-3440


631-363-9522


631-289-5252


631-289-5252


631-698-7767


631-225-7569


631-289-5252


631-499-4483


631-363-9522


631-289-5252


631-968-4787




631-289-5252


631-648-8032


631-225-7569


631-363-9522


631-289-5252

Every statement made at TASC meetings or published in TASC News is a personal opinion of the speaker, editor or contributor to this newsletter. No comment spoken at the meeting or printed in the newsletter is an endorsement or to suggest that they are the opinions of TASC, its Board of Directors, or members.
 
TASC | PO Box 49, Bohemia, NY 11716 | www.li-tasc.com
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