Online Travel Company, Tripster, Honors 10 Year Employee Anniversary

Tripster, a leader in travel reservations and booking solutions for travel suppliers for 13 years, honored Diana Coleman Kersh on March 1st for 10 years of service to the company. Diana, Tripster’s Senior Market Manager, started with the company in March of 2004 and is the second employee to reach a ten year work anniversary.

Diana started as the Market Manager for Tripster at its first destination in Branson, MO, coming to the job with nearly a decade of experience in the Travel and Tourism Industry. Her industry knowledge and drive made her an integral part of the then-small company. As Tripster grew to include 10 destinations Diana was responsible for training new Market Managers and was an energetic component to the ongoing expansion of the company.

“Diana has been instrumental in the growth of our company through her long standing relationships in the travel industry and assume-the-sale approach,” stated Tripster President John Johnson. “Her experience and nurturing manner has also developed well to suit her role guiding all of our market managers. We’ve been lucky to have her onboard.”

Promoted to Senior Market Manager in 2011, Diana now oversees several destinations and Market Managers, providing training, management, and expertise while still serving as the Branson Market Manager. She is an active member in state and local attraction associations in Branson and several other destinations.

Diana said “Being part of the most advanced technology reservation company in the world and having an opportunity to work with all types of travel suppliers – hoteliers, shows, attractions, chambers and associations – in the progressive Internet Sales Market is what makes my career so dynamically rewarding.”

Tripster congratulates Diana on 10 years of dedicated service.
About Tripster
Tripster is a travel reservation technology company that focuses on specific travel destinations, offering local expertise and reservations for shows and attractions, as well as hotel reservations to vacationers, families and businesses. The company also offers fulfillment tools to travel suppliers and other regional travel resources. Tripster provides travel service in a variety of markets like Branson, Missouri; Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Orlando, St. Augustine, Panama City Beach and Destin, Florida; Williamsburg, Virginia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Hawaiian Islands.

Tripster Celebrates Ten Years of Providing Convenient and Affordable Reservations for Millions of Travelers to the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Three million visitors and $30 million in travel sales later, Tripster remains the premier choice for booking hotels and attractions in the Smoky Mountains. The online travel agency (OTA) offers discounted tickets to individual attractions, hotels and lodging, and all-inclusive, customizable vacation packages.

To help travelers get the most out of their experience, complete Smoky Mountains vacation packages are available; these packages include accommodations that range from luxury suites to quaint mountain cabins, along with a choice of tickets to leading area shows and attractions. Some of the most popular tickets on Tripster include:

  • Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
  • Lumberjack Feud Dinner & Show
  • Titanic Museum
  • Smoky Mountain Opry
  • Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
  • Dollywood
  • Biltmore Estate

Last March, Tennessee native Joan Brock joined the Tripster team, bringing with her 20-plus years of marketing and sales experience in the travel industry. Since then, Brock has been instrumental in negotiating and strengthening relationships with numerous travel suppliers in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and surrounding areas. In fact, she just received a “Friendship Award of the Year” from the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. Part of her mission going forward will be to expand Tripster’s footprint in this region, which sees over 20 million visitors each year.

Tripster and its family of travel destination sites cater to individual travelers, families and businesses. The common denominator is the convenience and potential savings compared to both competitors and direct booking. Each destination site features informative travel guides and up-to-date news on various seasonal events. Tripster relies on local insight to ensure that vacationers experience the best that every destination has to offer.

The combination of competitive pricing and convenient, one-stop shopping has contributed to Tripster’s near decade of success. Travelers can quickly browse all of their options and then tailor a vacation package to fit their needs. E-Tickets are immediately available for printing upon completion of an order; because all orders are saved in customers’ accounts, tickets can never be lost.

In the past nine years, Tripster has progressively grown its market share in the Smoky Mountains. In fact, 2013 saw a 40% increase over prior year sales numbers and forecasts indicate exceeding that growth in 2014. Economists agree that a sure sign of an improving economy is more people and families going on vacation. By offering compelling vacation savings, Tripster is enabling more people than ever to get away from it all and experience some of America’s greatest destinations.

2013 Sevierville Chamber Friend of the Year: Joan Brock of Tripster

Tripster would like to congratulate Smoky Mountains Market Manager Joan Brock on her 2013 Chamber Friend of the Year Award. The prestigious title, awarded by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, honors Brock for her outstanding support and promotion of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce throughout the year. The award was presented during the annual Membership Breakfast on February 25, 2014.

Brock, who is active in the Smoky Mountain Community, earned the Chamber Friend of the Year Award by accumulating more Friendship Award points than any other member. Points were earned by attending the numerous Chamber networking functions such as ribbon cuttings, volunteering at special events and recruiting new members. Brock’s active member status, as well as her up-to-date knowledge regarding travel trends, also played a factor.

As a thank you for her support of the Sevierville Chamber, Brock received a trophy courtesy of Sign Master and a two night stay, golf and dinner at The Waynesville Inn courtesy of Smoky Mountain Living magazine.

Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Friendship Awards are based on points accumulated monthly from attending Chamber functions and volunteering as well as bringing inactive members and potential new members to Chamber events. Monthly points will go towards determining the next Chamber Friend of the Year Award recipient, who will be honored at the annual Membership Breakfast in 2015.

Top Five Reasons to Visit the Smoky Mountains This Winter

Planning a winter getaway? Consider the picturesque Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.  The quaint mountain villages of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer plenty of shopping, dining, and outdoor winter activities to make this a top vacation destination during the cold winter months. Here are our top reasons to visit the Smokies this season.

Play Winter Sports at Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park is open year-round, but offers the most excitement during winter. Choose from skiing or snowboarding on Ober Gatlinburg’s nine trails. They also offer tubing, ice skating, a wildlife encounter, and shops and restaurants. For some of the best views of the Smokies, take a ride on the Aerial Tramway – a 2.1 mile cable car ride that departs from downtown Gatlinburg and ends at the resort. Ober Gatlinburg is open daily.

Tour the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be just as beautiful during the winter months, but with much less traffic. Take an auto tour of the park to see panoramic views, historic buildings, and wildlife. The park’s two main roads, Newfound Gap and Little River, remain open in the winter (weather permitting) though some secondary roads are not accessible. Make sure to check with the National Park Service for any road closures.

Explore Pigeon Forge Winterfest
The annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest continues through February 28, 2014. The towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville are illuminated with millions of lights and seasonal displays. Heated trolleys give tours of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Attend Wilderness Wildlife Week
The 24th annual Wilderness Wildlife Week will be held in Pigeon Forge January 25 – February 1, 2014. Throughout the week there are free activities aimed at connecting visitors to the outdoors. Events include seminars, workshops, guided hikes, and a photography contest.

Keep Warm in a Smoky Mountains Cabin
Many travelers to the Smokies prefer to stay in a secluded cabin in or near the park for amazing views and plenty of peace and quiet. Take advantage of lower winter rates and book a cabin with a Jacuzzi and fireplace for the ultimate winter getaway.

About Tripster
Tripster is a travel reservation company that focuses on specific travel destinations, offering local expertise and reservations for attractions, shows and events as well as lodging and hotel reservations to vacationers, families and businesses. The company also offers fulfillment tools to travel suppliers and other regional travel resources.

Tripster is a privately held company, headquartered in St. Louis. It has offices in Branson, Orlando, Pigeon Forge and Hawaii.

Orlando Hospitality and Sales Professional Joins Reserve Direct Team

Rosemarie Young, an Orlando resident with over 10 years of hospitality and sales experience, has joined Tripster. Her addition to the company will further efforts in the Orlando vacation market. Young has an extensive background in hotel sales and marketing, revenue management and customer service. With a previous tenure as Director of Sales at a central Florida hotel, her expertise aligns perfectly with her new role as Orlando Market Manager.

As Market Manager, she will foster travel supplier relationships and destination opportunities throughout Orlando. Young will also act as liaison between Orlando travel suppliers and other Tripster employees to best address product and consumer needs.

“Rosemarie’s professional background, as well as her strong relationships with Orlando travel suppliers and hoteliers, make her a welcome presence on the Tripster team,” stated John Johnson, President of Tripster. “Moreover, she understands the market and industry and will enable us to advance our business relationships in that market.”

Tripster is a travel reservation company that focuses on specific travel destinations, offering local expertise and reservations for shows and attractions, as well as lodging and hotel reservations to vacationers, families and businesses. The company also offers fulfillment tools to travel suppliers and other regional travel resources. Tripster provides travel service in a variety of markets like Branson, Missouri; Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Williamsburg, Virginia; the Hawaiian Islands; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Tripster Partners with TripAdvisor®, Giving Vacation Planners Reviews and Advice From the Worldwide Community of Travelers

Tripster, a travel reservation and technology company, has integrated TripAdvisor® reviews across all of its destination-based websites. The integration provides a social feedback dimension to an already user-friendly and information-rich network of travel sites.

TripAdvisor® does not exaggerate when it boasts of being the world’s largest travel site. The numbers say it all: the site has a presence in 34 countries and receives more than 260 million unique monthly visitors. By fostering this huge and vibrant community of real travelers from around the world, along with endless travel choices, the site has become a trusted resource and a leader in the travel review and booking industry.

Reviews are the lifeblood of TripAdvisor®; the complete network of sites includes more than 100 million reviews, covering 2.7 million-plus hotels, restaurants and attractions. Tripster is leveraging all of this combined travel experience to help its visitors make more informed vacation decisions.

Tripster has built a strong reputation as a unique online vacation booking service. The most noteworthy feature of the site is that customers have the ability to book not only hotels but also show and attraction tickets, which sets it apart from the larger, travel-anywhere websites.

Saving money for travelers is one of the missions of Tripster. Working with hotels and attractions, the company is able to pass along significant discounts. The company also offers package deals with additional savings opportunities. Famous destinations covered by the Tripster network include: Branson; Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge; Hawaii; Myrtle Beach; Orlando; Panama City Beach; and Williamsburg, Virginia.

Tripster has been in operation since 2001 and has been an accredited business by the Better Business Bureau since 2008— and has achieved an A+ rating. Future plans for the company include expansion to cover even more destinations in the US. And with the help of TripAdvisor, vacationers can rely on the vast community of Internet reviewers to ensure their trip exceeds expectations.

About Tripster 
Tripster is a travel reservation company that focuses on specific travel destinations, offering local expertise and reservations for attractions, shows and events as well as lodging and hotel reservations to vacationers, families and businesses. The company also offers fulfillment tools to travel suppliers and other regional travel resources. Tripster is a privately held company, headquartered in St. Louis. It has offices in Branson, Orlando, Pigeon Forge and Hawaii.

Online Travel Technology Company, Tripster, Celebrates First 10-Year Employee Anniversary

As travel company Tripster celebrates 13-years of providing travel reservations for customers and booking solutions for travel suppliers, it is also celebrating another milestone— it’s first 10-year employee. Ashley Dickey, Tripster’s Destination Content Manager, started with the company in 2003 and, besides the owners of the company, has been the longest running employee to be part of the growth of the company over the bulk of its history.

“Ashley started with us as a customer service representative and quickly became a valuable part of the call center team,” said John Johnson, President of Tripster. “So we offered her a full-time position and she flourished from there.”

Ashley was promoted to Destination Specialist, where she began generating content for all of the Tripster destination Travel Guides, focusing on news, events, and travel tips.

After completing a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Literature and Mass Media at Missouri State University, Ashley was promoted to Destination Content Manager, the position she currently holds. This new job gave her greater control over the content generated on all of Tripster’s websites. Ashley has been instrumental in leading content creation for products, blogs as well as social media and product reviews.

“Ashley has taken her in-depth travel experience and turned it into experiential content, giving our customers inside information to make their trips better,” said Kevin Weidemann, Creative Director. “Our customers really get a sense of what to do when they visit, and that’s part of the reason why they choose to book with us.”

“I started with Tripster thinking it was just a job to benefit my college education. I soon found I was part of a small business on the verge— and I was excited to be involved.  Over the years, Tripster has continued to grow, and the evolution of this small business has been inspiring,” said Dickey, upon reflection of her tenure. “It has given me creative and intellectual freedom while also instilling a family and community-like environment in which I thoroughly enjoy to work.”

Tripster congratulates Ashley on 10 years of dedicated service.

About Tripster
Tripster is a travel reservation technology company that focuses on specific travel destinations, offering local expertise and reservations for shows and attractions, as well as hotel reservations to vacationers, families and businesses. The company also offers fulfillment tools to travel suppliers and other regional travel resources. Tripster provides travel service in a variety of markets like Branson, Missouri; Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Williamsburg, Virginia; the Hawaiian Islands; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

“Fall” for Branson: Great Weather and Beautiful Foliage Make This the Perfect Season for a Missouri Ozarks Vacation

While summer may be prime time for folks to leave their offices and enjoy a few weeks’ vacation, the fall season has its own unique charms. In Branson, Missouri, the cooler weather and smaller crowds encourage a slower pace, while the town and surrounding areas have no shortages of things to see and do. To ensure that couples and families can make their vacation dollars really stretch, travel reservation company Tripster offers discounted tickets and package deals for all of Branson’s great attractions.

Branson has earned a national reputation as a family-friendly, dynamic and memorable destination for couples and families. Tucked away in the Missouri Ozarks, the Midwest’s premier vacation hotspot combines natural wonders with entertaining attractions for all ages. For a complete rundown of everything Branson has to offer, visit Tripster.com.

Major events this fall include the National Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City, an 1880s theme park in Branson. A Western-themed spectacle, audiences will be wowed by the Texas Trick Riders and their unrivaled horsemanship. Craftspeople and performers from around the country will be on hand throughout the festival, which runs from September 12 through October 26.

In Branson proper, the 40th Annual Autumn Daze Arts & Craft Festival will be held downtown from September 19 to 21. Visitors will enjoy demonstrations of traditional craft techniques, a free live concert and street dance, and an enormous food court. Autumn Daze is a celebration of the town’s rich and diverse history. Local craftspeople and artists make up the bulk of the more than 100 artisans who will line Commercial Street.

The performing arts are yet another major draw in Branson, with some of the country’s leading musical acts routinely visiting the town’s venues. Can’t-miss concerts this fall include:

  • America 9/20
  • Clint Black 10/4-5
  • Diamond Rio 10/5
  • Kenny Rogers 10/11
  • Bill Cosby 10/12
  • Jim Belushi 10/25
  • John Michael Montgomery 10/26

In addition to Branson’s well-known parks and attractions, the surrounding countryside has plenty to offer adventurous travelers. As the leaves change from green to myriad fiery shades of red, yellow and orange, a relaxing trip along the Branson Scenic Railway offers storybook scenes. This picturesque woodland can also be explored on foot or on a bike, and the cool fall weather means sojourners of the outdoors won’t be battling stifling heat and humidity. Other pursuits, such as riding a zip line or playing a round at one of Branson’s fun, challenging public golf courses, are even more enjoyable when nature turns down the thermostat.

Branson is conveniently located right in America’s heartland, a few hours’ drive from major cities like Memphis, Kansas City and St. Louis. Vacationers can now even reach Branson by air; in March, Southwest Airlines added Branson as a destination.

Thanks to Tripster, booking a trip to “The Live Entertainment Capital of the World” is a snap. Anyone can shop for and select an affordable vacation package direct from the company’s website.

Tripster offers bundle pricing on multiple attractions, shows, and lodging. There’s no need to worry about booking through various agencies or keeping track of lots of paperwork. Additionally, package deals are a definite money saver, an important consideration for budget-conscious couples and families.

With Summer Winding Down, Significant Savings on Tickets to Silver Dollar City Available Through Tripster

As the sun begins to set on the summer season, families are looking for ways to enjoy time together before seasonal attractions close. Many are taking advantage of some noteworthy savings for Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri’s premier attraction. For the price of a $58 one-day ticket, visitors can now receive a whole second day admission for free. This free day offer is not available at Silver Dollar City’s main gate— tickets must be purchased in advance on Tripster.

Tripster is a St. Louis-based travel reservation company committed to providing travelers with special deals and offers that competitors can’t match. The 2 days for the price of 1 tickets are an exclusive offer not available at Silver Dollar City’s gates. Although the second day’s ticket must be used within two operating days of the first ticket’s use, vacationers can save $58 per ticket.

In addition to regular admission tickets, Tripster offers package bundles for those looking to save on attraction tickets along with hotels. The website allows travelers to plan and purchase an entire custom vacation package, and can often save $100 or more.

Silver Dollar City is only one of a host of family-friendly attractions found in the Missouri Ozarks; other local points of interest include Dixie Stampede—a dinner and show that always earns rave reviews—and White Water—the only outdoor water park in Branson.

For more than 50 years, Silver Dollar City has been the leading attraction in Branson, entertaining people from around the world. This 1880s-style theme park has won accolades for its uniquely memorable guest experience. With 40 live shows every day, 30 thrill rides and attractions, and 60 unique shops stocked with locally crafted goods, a single day is hardly enough time to see everything the park has to offer.

Silver Dollar City continually looks for ways to keep visitors entertained. The Outlaw Run Coaster is among the newest attractions at the park. A ride for the record books, Outlaw Run is the only wooden coaster to twist upside down. It also has the steepest drop for a wooden coaster and the second-fastest top speed at 68 mph. Younger guests can have fun, too: Geyser Gulch and The Grand Exposition are play areas designed especially for children.

Tripster has worked closely with Silver Dollar City since 2001. The company’s value-based ticket options and vacation bundles represent some of the best deals in the industry. Tripster’s mission is to help more people enjoy a complete Branson experience, even on a budget. As a one-stop vacation-booking site, Tripster allows travelers to shop for, compare and book lodging, activities and attractions at competitive discount prices.

Tickets purchased on Tripster’s website can be printed out immediately or sent via regular mail. Buyers can receive a full refund as long as the order is cancelled one day prior to the scheduled use date.

Dollywood Theme Park Tickets Now Available on Tripster

Dollywood theme park tickets are now available on Tripster. The addition of both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country allows customers to seamlessly reserve tickets to the award-winning Pigeon Forge attractions. The theme parks, both of which are helmed by Dolly Parton, offer ways for visitors to connect with Smoky Mountain heritage as well as engage in entertaining shows, festivals and rides.

Dollywood tickets are exclusively available on Tripster, a one-stop vacation booking website that allows travelers to reserve lodging, activities, and Pigeon Forge attractions at special discount prices. Dollywood vacation packages are on sale as well, and they can be customized to fit individual consumer needs. Travelers that book with Tripster can rest assured they receive the best price available on Dollywood tickets.

The company has worked with Dollywood since 2008, operating a package solution for Dollywood visitors. The partnership gave customers the ability to purchase Dollywood tickets with area hotels and other attractions. The packaging solution provided a convenient way for Dollywood vacation components to be reserved in one convenient, money-saving package.

Tripster is a travel reservation technology company that focuses on specific travel destinations, offering local expertise and reservations for shows and attractions, as well as lodging and hotel reservations to vacationers, families and businesses. The company also offers fulfillment tools to travel suppliers and other regional travel resources. Tripster provides travel service in a variety of markets like Branson, Missouri; Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Williamsburg, Virginia; the Hawaiian Islands; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.