Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - (Page 47) Exotic Will Remain a Hot Ticket in 2009 AGENTS TELL TRAVEL AGENT THAT EVEN IN THIS DIFFICULT ECONOMY, their luxury clients continue to seek out vacations that offer authenticity, special experiences and new ways to experience remote areas. In fact, at Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas in early December, travel agents packed into sessions focused on “the destination,” and specifically, exotic locales. In a solo presentation to a standing-room-only crowd, Ignacio Maza, executive vice president, Signature Travel Network, outlined his group’s assessment of “The Next Great Places: In Search of Exotic Destinations.” Several case studies focused on luxury smallship cruise options. cruising adventure operated from Peru by Aqua Expeditions (www. aquaexpeditions.com), a new small-ship expedition operator. Covering two million square miles, the Amazon is the world’s largest forest, exudes biodiversity and offers clients the chance to explore river and wilderness areas. Aqua Expeditions’ 24passenger vessel, Aqua, sails unspoiled regions of the Amazon and its crew of 18 includes naturalists and offers a high level of service, according to Maza. The itineraries range from three to seven days, and all-inclusive rates are approximately $700 per person daily, including transfers to/from the airport in Iquitos, Peru. In another cruise case study, Maza cited the efforts of Gay Lewis, a travel specialist at the Travel 100 group in Chicago. She sought the perfect vacation choice for three generations of a family with travelers ages 12 to 67. The group had a keen interest in nature, was composed of outdoor enthusiasts, wanted to celebrate an anniversary and could take two weeks for a vacation. The agent also knew her clients enjoyed Audubon and National Geographic magazines. So Lewis suggested an Antarctica cruise on Lindblad Expeditions (www.expeditions.com). Staffed by National Geographic experts, Lindblad operates the newly refurbished Explorer, a vessel with Zodiacs, kayaks and underwater cameras. The luxury vacation Lewis selected for her clients combined learning with exploration. Clients heard commentary from naturalists and enjoyed viewing such wildlife as whales, penguins, seals and birds. a travel patch. Also detailing land-based case studies in such destinations as British Columbia and Patagonia, Maza said that luxury customers, whether traveling by land or sea, are sophisticated, savvy, adventurous, complex and demanding. But he also stressed that the definition of luxury has shifted. Today’s affluent customers want innovation, new experiences, an emotional connection, culture, and a sense of wonder in their travel experience, Maza said. In the past, luxury SUSAN J. YOUNG Maza stressed that Antarctica delivers an unforgettable experi- Ignacio Maza An Antarctica cruise, such as this one with Lindblad Expeditions, is one example of the types of experiental trips agents can present to clients In one cruise case study, Maza spoke of a sale by Susan Reder, Classic Cruise & Travel/Altour, Woodland Hills, CA. She designed a vacation for a well-traveled, adventurous married couple in their 50s. These luxury clients, passionate about the environment, were interested in a learning vacation. But the couple also wanted creature comforts. Matching the client with the right vacation for their needs, Reder selected a luxury Amazon ence. While more than 20 vessels typically operate each year in the region, Maza told agents the best experience is exploration via a small ship. He explained that Antarctica is not as cold as people might think, with temperatures routinely ranging from 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the cruise season. He also said clients may put aside their fear of the Drake Passage, which can be a rough spot motion-wise, by using was defined by how much money the client had, as well as ostentation and luxury goods. In contrast, Maza said today’s luxury customers are smart buyers who seek out all the great experiences that their money can buy. —SUSAN J. YOUNG CONNECTING YOU For more ideas on cultural and exotic trips for your clients, visit www.travel agentcentral.com/theme-travel January 5, 2009 TravelAgent | 47 http://www.aquaexpeditions.com http://www.aquaexpeditions.com http://www.expeditions.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/theme-travel http://www.travelagentcentral.com/theme-travel
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 Reality Check Online Now Contents From the Editor Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself Central & South America Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year Anguilla Has Numerous Properties Awaiting Visitors Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide Agenda CLIA Puts a Keen Eye on Training and Education for 2009 Hawaii's Luxury Offerings Clients Continue Demanding Exotic and Experiential Trips News from the Caribbean and Mexico Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Reality Check (Page 1) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 4) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 5) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 8) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 9) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 16) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 17) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 18) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 19) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast (Page 20) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast (Page 21) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 22) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 23) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 24) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 25) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself (Page 26) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself (Page 27) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Central & South America (Page 28) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Central & South America (Page 29) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 30) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 31) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 32) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 33) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Anguilla Has Numerous Properties Awaiting Visitors (Page 34) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 35) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 36) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 37) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 38) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 39) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 40) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 41) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 42) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 43) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agenda (Page 44) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - CLIA Puts a Keen Eye on Training and Education for 2009 (Page 45) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Hawaii's Luxury Offerings (Page 46) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Clients Continue Demanding Exotic and Experiential Trips (Page 47) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Classified Marketplace (Page 48) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 49) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 50) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 51) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 52) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 53) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 54) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 55) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 56) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4)
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