Dick Haymaker, Viking Travel, Westmont

The Interactive Travel Services Association (ITSA) presented John Haskins, co-owner, The Cruise Shop/Viking Travel, Inc. (Naperville,
Ill.) with the 2012 Barbara O'Hara Advocacy Awards, reported
by Travel Agent Central Publishing.

John Haskins is a force of nature and has for years set the gold standard
in generating member donations to ASTAPAC. His prior chairmanship of ASTAPAC and his ongoing efforts in the Midwest chapter have ensured that ASTAPAC remains among the top travel industry PACs and that the Midwest consistently outperforms every other chapter in the country, by a wide margin, in terms of hard dollars and soft dollars raised, member participation, and all other relevant metrics,"  said Bruce Charendoff, senior vice president, government & external affairs at Sabre Holdings, who presented the award on behalf of ITSA. Saber is a leader in airline and hotel data base management.

 ASTAPAC is the official government lobbying arm in America of ASTA –
American Society of Travel Agents. This industry advocacy is crucial to the
travel industry for the control of air fares, hotel rates, tour costs and other
supplier elements which make up the heart of the travel agent’s business. Mr.
and Mrs. Haskins, owners of Viking Travel Service in Westmont and Naperville, Illinois, have positioned the agency as a
  leader in the business for 40 years and continue to offer exciting destinations
  and quality service.

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