Beukema Named ASTA’s Young Professional

Jason Beukema, president and owner of Whet Travel, Miami Beach, was awarded ASTAs Young Professional Award at ASTA’s annual meeting. The award recognizes the efforts of an outstanding young travel professional. The Young Professional Society (YPS) targets travel agents under 40, for the purpose of networking, education and career development.
 
“Jason sets the standard for young professionals in the travel business and for the future," said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. "With his creative social networking and Groove Cruises, he is selling out ships while the rest of us are trying to sell a few cabins. Although he’s a relatively new ASTA member, he already sees the value of membership for the growth of his business. Jason breathes new life into an industry searching for Young Professionals."

Beukema is the creator of the popular Groove Cruise, which has been featured in the NY Times, CNN, 944, Orlando Sentinel, Toronto Star, Travel Agent, as well as on FOX NEWS and MTV. The Groove Cruises are music-themed Caribbean cruises that give fans and music lover the chance to get up close and personal with world-famous deejays.

Beukema opened Whet Travel, a cruise and travel company for young professionals and specializing in destination weddings, honeymoons, corporate incentive travel, cruises and large groups, in 2004. As a professional tour manager, he has sold more than 2,500 cruises to young professionals and taken more than 130 different groups of people on cruises and vacations around the world since 2000. He has sailed on more than 33 cruises and is a specialist in the management and marketing of large group cruises, tours, vacation packages, and corporate incentive travel.

He received his Bachelors degree from Central Michigan University. He serves as an advisory board member for the Young Professional Council and is active in NextAid.org, and organization which benefits children in Dennilton, South Africa, who have lost their parents to AIDS.