March 29, 2024

Hawkeye Stages to host Northland Travel shows

Hawkeye Stages will host two travel shows at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday at its Newton facility, located at 300 E. 17th St. S.

“It’s going to be an opportunity for our partner Northland Travel, the travel agency branch of our business, to come in and put on basically a free of charge expo for the public to come in to learn about our services and our fabulous motor coaches,” Hawkeye Stages Marketing Manager Cathy Rickers said.

Hawkeye Stages and Northland travel has released its 60-year anniversary catalog filled with pre-packaged tours for people to sign up to attend.

“Some people don’t understand is that if you have a group, we will create a tour for them,” Rickers said. “They don’t have to necessarily jump into one of our pre-packaged tours. Let say if you want to get plane tickets, we can help you do that, or if you want to go on a cruise, we can help get that booked for you too.”

Hawkeye Stages opened its Newton location in May 2013. The travel expo is a way for the community to explore other services the company offers.

“Many citizens of Newton think we’re just a bus company and we wanted to show the community were much more than just a bus company,” Rickers said. “It’s truly what this travel show is about. Some of the gals from our offices in Decorah and Fort Dodge to help with the show. We will have door prizes and refreshments, so it should be a lot of fun.”

Hawkeye Stages and Northland Travel recognizes their customers have different travel needs for their vacations. The company has developed a four- level system for their customers.

“We have four levels of travel for different types of passengers,” Rickers said. “We have a level of travel for people who want to do more things on their own. We have another level for people who want to travel outside of the United States. We have hiking and biking tours as well. We try to provide travel options for every type of person and all of that is available. Regardless of what a passenger wants to do we can provide the service.”

The pre-packaged travel tours offered by Hawkeye Stages and Northland Travel are fully escorted.

“The price of the pre-package travel tours include hotel and meals, but most of all, everything is arranged for you, so you don’t have to think about anything,” Rickers said. “All you have to do is get on the bus and we will take care of your luggage. You will be completely pampered the whole way. The motor coaches are ridiculously luxurious. They have movie screens, so you can watch movies and have Wi-Fi, so you can remain connected through the trip. It’s kind of hard to distinguish what it’s like until you have been on a motor coach.”

Hawkeye Stages is affiliated with American Express Travel to help its customers find better deals.

“American Express Travel is a really reputable company,” Rickers said. “They get really good rates on airfares, train tickets and cruise ships.”

Hawkeye Stages has established nine pickup points throughout Iowa, which can provide travelers with many options for departure or pickup.

“You don’t have to always pick up a bus in Newton,” Rickers said. “We can pick you in Iowa City, Decorah, Waterloo, Ankeny, Ames and much more. It makes it very convenient.”