Media Release / San José Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Contact: Gwen Parker

Eleven San José Senior Centers Offer Travel Desks

Frontier Travel & Tours Selected by Office on Aging as New Trips and Tours Provider

San Jose, CA- San José's senior citizens can now book their travel plans at local senior centers. Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services' Office on Aging welcomes Frontier Travel & Tours as the new provider of trips and tours for San José's seniors. Travel desks are conveniently located at eleven senior and community centers throughout San José. The travel desks are staffed by volunteer tour escorts who will handle trip reservations.

The Office on Aging operated a popular senior travel program from 1969 to 2002. Following a temporary hiatus, comprehensive selection process was implemented and Frontier was selected, after receiving high ratings in every category.

David Lippincott, company president said, "Frontier Travel is very pleased and honored to revive the San José senior centers' travel program. We accepted the challenge to provide exciting travel opportunities for San José's senior citizens. Since 1965, Frontier's goal has been to provide senior citizens with travel opportunities that are fun, safe, educational entertaining and available at affordable rates."

A wide variety of trips are offered, including adventures close to home, such as a day at the races, an afternoon with the Lion King, gaming at an Indian casino, or a visit to the world famous Gilroy Garlic Festival. Local seniors are fortunate to have many beautiful places to visit within California. Travelers with Frontier can experience stands of Redwood trees, whitewater rivers, California State Parks, the many faces of San Francisco, or step back into history and experience California's mining days. Extended trips are also available: explore the Treasures of the Vatican at the San Diego Art Museum of San Diego (August 31-September 2); sail away at Santa Fe's Balloon fiesta (October 6-11); experience the Mexican Riviera (October 12-22) or spend St. Patrick's Day in Ireland (March 16-25, 2005).

Frontier makes travel accessible for the diverse communities of San José. Travelers can access information in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and English. The Frontier web site will add the capability for the user to access to their language by clicking on the flag for that country. Brochures will be available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese. The escorts' bilingual capabilities will reflect the ethnic community being served, such as the escorts for Hank Lopez Senior Center who speak Spanish and English. Brochures in Spanish are currently available at Alma, Hank Lopez and senior programs in east San José. For trips from St., James Senior Center, Frontier will provide bilingual escorts in Vietnamese, Chinese, and English. The travel desks at these centers are operated by bilingual escorts. When seniors who speak other languages request trips, Frontier will recruit escorts who speak those languages.

For information on trip dates and travel desk schedules, please refer to the information list below.:

• Visit http://frontiertraveltours.com/sanjose/
• Trip information is also available at 800-955-2877.
• Trip brochures are available at San José centers
• Travel desks are located at the centers
• Reservations are made at the centers' Travel Desks.
• Everything is included in one low price, including taxes and tips.
• Bus seats may be selected and assigned upon registration.
• Trip details are prearranged and handled by the trip escorts and the bus driver.
• Bilingual escorts are available.
• Escorts receive emergency training.
• Checks, money orders, Master Card and Visa are accepted
• Trips depart from the senior centers.

From the San Jose Mercury News/The Guide - May 27 - June 2, 2004

Travel agency expands senior reservation units

Thanks to a new city program, San Jose seniors need not go any farther than the closest senior or community center to book their next trip. Frontier Travel has set up reservation desks at 11 senior or community centers. Offerings include trips near and far, from the Vicki Lawrence Holiday Spectacular to the Napa Valley Wine Train. Frontier tours include bilingual guides who speak Spanish and Vietnamese.

For more information, call Frontier at (800) 955-2877 or check out the company's Web site at www/sanjosetripsandtours.com