Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008 - (Page 10)

PUBLISHER’S Note FOR THE AGENT What We’ve Learned This issue of Home-Based Travel Agent has several articles to help you along the way that you learn about both of these locales. I’ve heard travel agents say that demand for Italy is so great, they can never really learn enough about it. And ever-changing Dubai is like Las Vegas; if you haven’t been there lately, you haven’t been there at all. The Next Generation Speaking of Las Vegas, I recently returned from that city. Travel Agent Media partnered with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to present the Host Agency Symposium in late May. We had a great draw; more than 50 local suppliers and representatives from hotels and attractions attended the gathering, which was held at Caesars Palace. One of the highlights was a panel I hosted on the emerging distribution channel. We were lucky enough to have Jackie Friedman,general manager of Nexion; Pam Miller, president of Magellan360; Peter Rasmussen, president of Travel Counsellors; and Bill Alverson, president and CEO of Joystar Inc., who discussed key issues that are vital to the home-based agent, including bringing fresh faces into the industry (see Ruthanne Terrero’s column, page 8). This is a great time to be selling travel, and we’ve got to find a way to entice the next generation to be ready to pick up the reins. Anyone who is a smart entrepreneur can make a mint in this business. Along those lines, take a look at Eric Butterman’s article on page 18, which outlines how travel agents can arrange for their clients to have international cell phone usage when they’re headed overseas. Providing such service is what will make clients return to their agents again and again—and provides a nice flow of incremental income to the agency along HB the way. Kerry J. Cannon, Jr. Group Publisher kcannon@questex.com 212-895-8247 In this issue of Home-Based Travel Agent, we look at two very different destinations: Dubai and Italy. Dubai, it can be said, is one of the newest destination spots to arise over the past few years, thanks to the number of dramatically opulent hotels and tall buildings that have been consistently appearing on its skyline month after month. The truth is, however, it’s new to the U.S. market; the Brits have been going there for years and, in fact, Dubai is an ancient trading post that has always drawn international traffic. And then there is Italy, the perennial favorite of the U.S. market, which never grows tired and never needs to reinvent itself with tall buildings and lavish hotels, because after all, what’s better than living la dolce vita in a fabulous villa in the Tuscan countryside? Learning Is Key Whichever destination you as a homebased travel agent choose to sell, it’s vital 10 Home-BasedTravelAgent JULY /AUG US T 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008

Home Based Travel Agent - July 2008 Contents Editor's Note Publisher's Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Tips for a Smooth Trip Agent Symposium Hotels For the Traveler - Destinations - Mexico For the Agent - Destinations - Mexico For the Traveler - Destinations - Dubai For the Agent - Destinations - Dubai Thailand For the Traveler - Cruise For the Agent - Cruise For the Traveler - Tours For the Agent - Tours New Products

Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008

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