Tye's Top Tour & Travel, Inc.

03/01/2019

Yesterday I had the experience of dealing with the customer support team at Expedia. I think Expedia must spend hours trainung people on how to P**s people off. After 12 calls being disconnected I finally reached a supervisor by the name of Abraham. On a scale of 1 -10 he would rate a -100 for his ability at customer service. I had to ask him at least 20 times where a hotel was located before he would answer this simple question. I tried to deal with an issue where a hotel was advertised on hotel.com in one location and was an hour and a half away. The customer booked a nonrefundable room and canceled with in five
minutes of receiving confirmation. I tried to assist because this was clearly very deceptive. I don't know how the general public deals with companies like Expedia. I have been in the industry for 30 plus years and it would be a cold day in h-'ll before I would book anything with Expedia or its related companies. It has been a long time since I allowed anyone to raise my blood pressure so high or to get me cussing on the phone. My experience with Expedia customer service can only be stated as gross incompetence. If the supervisor Abraham at Expedia had worked for me he would have fired immediately. The level of incompetence was so high that someone would have to be trained to respond in the way he did to me. Hard to believe intodays world a supervisor in customer service would have no listening skills.

Instant savings with secret prices PLUS, stay 10 nights, get 1 FREE. Book now on Hotels.com using real guest reviews for real savings on your next room.

02/13/2019

Check our some of our Featured Travel Specials: enjoy a tour through Washington DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival, greet spring at the Nantucket Daffodil Festival, join us on a 4-day journey to Ottawa to enjoy the Canada Tulip Festival.

01/09/2019

Travel to Alaska for an incredible adventure, enjoy the Quebec Winter Carnival, visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, travel to Kenya for a Safari, or visit Washington DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Contact us for details

01/04/2019

ONLY A FEW ROOMS LEFT FOR FEB 07

12/21/2018

Featured Travel Specials from Tye's Top Tour & Travel: Enjoy the Quebec Winter Carnival, take a 5-day tour to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, escape the New England weather with a trip to the Azores, take a photo tour.

12/16/2018

https://www.tyestravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Diabetic-friendly-eggplant-ricota.pdf

These are tasty, easy to make and diabetic friendly

12/10/2018

Last night I returned from NY and there were several packages on my doorstep. I was touched that an industry friend remembered I was now diabetic and sent me sugar free Hershey Chocolate. I never knew Hershey produced sugar free chocolate. So those of you who are diabetic and occasionally enjoy a piece of chocolate Hershey makes sugar fee chocolates. A big thank you to Jullie for her thoughtfulness. What a great marketing opportunity for those of us unaware of the Hershey sugar free chocolate products.

11/07/2018

Check out our featured tours: join us for the New York Radio City Christmas Spectacular, experience New England holiday at Mystic Seaport, see one of New England's largest lighting displays at Boothbay, ME, celebrate the New Year in Montreal...

10/01/2018

09/14/2018

Earlier this week one of my former customers posted a negative review on TripAdvisor. I want to extend a big thank you to all of my loyal customers that told the true story and shared their comments. We are all dependent on social media good and bad and when one bad apple tries to ruin a companies reputation, we are grateful when our loyal customers tell the real story.

We advised this customer that we were the wrong tour company for her and the travel club she belonged to removed her as a member. We did not send this customer to our competitor because she was a nice person but just the opposite.

Tye's Tours as a company does not tolerate intentional or unintentional racial comments. If you think that racial comments are acceptable behavior, then we are the wrong tour company for you!!! We also do not accept verbally abusive patrons. All of our customers paid a fare price for a great experience and we choose not to allow ignorant patrons to spoil the god times of other patrons. There is no reason why the majority of our customers have to put up with the behavior of the ignorant. We are big supporters of free speech as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others or is deliberately hurtful to another patron.

I am in Louisiana traveling with people from the north. Yesterday we passed a night club that had a big sign saying. Private club -" White person only party" . I am glad that my customers found this sign offensive.

We can only stop racism if we make the behavior of racist people unacceptable. I hope all of my facebook will support me in this view point.

09/05/2018

Read my latest blog about customer service.

https://www.tyestravel.com/what-level-of-customer-service-are-you-delivering-is-it-the-best-it-can-be/

Over the last few weeks I had some experiences that allowed me to question what type of service the staff at Tye’s Tours was delivering. To start with over the summer I have been searching for a new bank that would not shut down company debit cards when an online purchase was made, or when my team...

08/09/2018

Tonight is the first pregame of the New England Patriots. We still have 20 seats left for the Monday night Buffalo game in Buffalo. We do have non stop flights on Jet Blue and return on Delta. Once the season starts this game always sells out.

http://www.tyestravel.com/product/03nep

08/08/2018

The last overnight trip to Newport and Waterfire was a tremendous success. Our customers told us they would prefer to stay in Providence rather than come back late at night. The Last waterfire of the year is on Nov 10 and is a salute to vets. This is always a fantastic show with all of the Military bands. We have added an overnight program that will visit the Breakers in Newport and then come to Providence. We have a limited number of rooms at the Biltmore in Providence so if you want to experience waterfire book early. The price is only $3669 based on double staying at the Biltmore.

http://www.tyestravel.com/…/uploaded/2%20Day%20waterfire.pdf

08/08/2018

Just received our insurance bill for coverage on the Sprinters. Our cost almost doubled which means we have to pass these costs on to our customers. In 2019 expect to see a 5% increase in pricing just to cover insurance costs. Tours may go up another 5% to cover the increased costs of hotels restaurants and attractions. there is still an opportunity to lock in current prices.

08/06/2018

Enjoy a tour to Holderness NH and Squam Lake, Take a sail through Newport Harbor, Ride the Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster, the longest mountain coaster in New England, join us as we help Fulchino Vineyards bring in the harvest. view "Hamilton" and much more.

08/04/2018

Read my latest blog Thanks for the first 26 years.
http://www.tyestravel.com/files/2248748/uploaded/THANKS%20FOR%20THE%20FIRST%2026%20TEARS.pdf

07/26/2018

MERRIMACK July 26 2018 -- Tyes Top Tour and Travel Inc has been selected for the 2018 Best of Merrimack Award in the Travel Agencies category by the Merrimack Award Program.

Each year, the Merrimack Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Merrimack area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2017 Merrimack Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Merrimack Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Merrimack Award Program
The Merrimack Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Merrimack area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Merrimack Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Merrimack Award Program
CONTACT:
Merrimack Award Program
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://www.thebestawards.or

07/05/2018

Featured Travel Specials from Tye's Top Tour & Travel include great day trips around New England: Maine Lighthouse Trail, Taste of Vermont, Newport Schooner Mansions, Concord and Lexington, Thunderbolt Mountain. Check it out.

07/03/2018

Happy July 4th everyone. Remember Freedom is not free. Thank a Vet for their service.

07/02/2018

Today I took a group from Manchester to do a Boston Duck Tour, lunch in the North end and time at Quincy Market. What a pleasure to have all nice interesting people. The heat was brutal and really zapped my energy. I think the whole group was asleep on the way home and truly appreciated that I had the Sprinter cool when they returned. When I was leaving Manchester to go home the temperature was reading 101 and high humidity. I opened the door to an air conditioned home and it was like being in paradise. The more I travel, the more appreciative I become of little things.like the creature comforts of air conditioning set to my comfort level. I stretched out on the coach and slept for four hours. I new the heat and humidity was zapping me I just did not know how much. For all of you who left me messages today, I will respond tomorrow. Enjoy the fourth everyone.

Every year for the last 20 years I have shared this over the July 4th week to remind the price of freedom is not free!!!!

" The Price of Freedom"

As you celebrate the 4th of July,

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Many of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

Patriotism is NOT a sin, and you can be a Patriot and still work towards Peace. As you celebrate this day reflect on what others gave up so you could be free.

Travel is the perfect Freedom that spreads understanding and tolerance through the world.

06/29/2018

Mel Tye CTP/CTIS of Tye' Top Tour & Travel wins CEO Global Excellence award "Best Travel & Tourism CEO 2018 - New England. " Tyes Tours as a company also won a Global excellence award "Tour Operator of the Year 2018 - New England. " These awards come from CEO monthly.

06/29/2018

Details of award are listed below:
Individual: Mel Tye, CTP/CTIS
Company: Tye's Top Tour & Travel
Award(s): Best Travel & Tourism CEO 2018 - New England & Tour Operator of the Year 2018 - New England

06/28/2018

FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REQUESTS FOR HAMILTON IN BOSTON. THE DATE IS OCT 21 AND WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY. TICKETS FOR HAMILTON ARE NOT INEXPENSIVE AND WE HAVE ORCHESTRA SEATS FOR 2 PM SHOW.

http://www.tyestravel.com/product/01ham102118

1 DAY TOUR TO SEE HAMILTON IN BOSTON WITH ORCHESTRA SEATS, TOUR BY SPRINTER, LUNCH INCLUDED

06/11/2018

Celebrate the 4th of July than with an evening of dinner, dancing and fireworks on the Beauport Princess. Join us on a Newport schooner & mansions tour, take a 1-day Maine Lighthouse Trail tour and see multiple lighthouses. Tour Concord and Lexington MA.

06/07/2018

TODAY HAS BEEN ONE BUSY DAY. I started work at 6 am and looked at the clock and it is 6:30 pm. I need a breakfast break.

Many of you have been asking if I was going to to anything for 4th of July. I posted a c July 03 fireworks cruise on the Beauport Princess

https://www.storesonlinepro.com/store/2248748/product/01bea070318-

This was posted this morning and we have sold 30 tickets already. I never know what our customers want.

I posted my latest blog todayhttps://www.storesonlinepro.com/files/2248748/uploaded/How%20we%20respond%20to%20customers%20is%20a%20major%20factor%20on%20repeat%20business%20or%20getting%20the%20business.pdf

This once all about how we respond to our customers. Had a "guest relation manager" that would not allow me to finish a sentence when I was overcharged $1200. Amazing what happens when you get someone to listen.

Have a number of interviews scheduled for tomorrow still trying to hire staff.

06/02/2018

Does anyone know anyone looking for part time work this summer? I am turning away work as I can't hire enough sprinter Drivers. Must be 21 with a clean driving record.

To all of my driver friends does anyone want to work on June 23. I am short about 10 drivers for very easy day trips

06/01/2018

I had one of the funniest days and laughed so hard today that my stomach felt like I had been doing sit ups.

I had a group from Nebraska up in Maine and they had never seen a steamed lobster. The expressions were priceless when they put two whole lobsters in front of them.

I heard I can't eat anything looking at me so many times, that I ended up opening about 20 lobsters

It was hilarious watching these farmers try to eat steamers. They kept asking why I was feeding them bait, and why did they have to touch them to eat them.

I told the group that after they ate a lobster if they kept the claw that it would bring them good luck. Most of the ladies stuck a claw in their purse and I could not stop laughing. I can only imagine what that will smell like in the morning.

I had a guy that put so many rocks in his pocket today that by the end of the day I told he had to lose the rocks or he was going to lose his pants. He finally put the rocks in the back of the van.

It has been a long time since I have laughed so long , so hard, and so many times on a one day tour. I hope I have more groups like this this summer.

05/28/2018

I just made a batch of these and they are yummy. Very easy to make.

http://www.tyestravel.com/files/2248748/uploaded/baked%20breaded%20zucchini%20chips.pdf

05/21/2018

Featured Travel Specials from Tye's Top Tour & Travel: Enjoy an 8-Day photo tour through the magnificent Canadian Rocky Mountains, 7-day Best of New England, experience an Amish Farmlands Tour, enjoy a 6-day tour to New Orleans.

05/17/2018

Today was one of those days. I had a full day of sales appointments scheduled. I got to my first appointment at 9 am to meet with a group leader about future trips, Her husband told me she passed away yesterday. A very awkward situation, as I had been traveling with this couple for more than 20 years. I could only offer sympathy and condolence and move on. I called the senior center where my second appointment was supposed to be, to let my contact know I was running a bit early and wanted to know if I could move my appointment up. The new director told me that the old director had left the position on May 01 and that my contact had passed away suddenly last month and she could not see me until June.. I called my third appointment to see if she could see me in the morning rather than in the afternoon. Her daughter told me she was in the hospital and was not seeing anyone. I decided today was not a good day for sales calls and went home. I can't remember a day when two group leaders that I had appointments with passed away and a third was in the hospital, a very emotionally draining day.