Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - (Page 39) of guests canceling 120 days prior to sailing (the point at which major penalties kick in and when people have to either write a big check or charge the trip) and, therefore, agents are not getting their commissions. Some say, “Well, maybe I won’t go,” said Conroy, who urged agents to keep clients enthusiastic about the vacation at every stage of the booking. Keep encouraging them not to pull back, and if they do cancel, stay in touch. “Chances are they’re going to change their mind and you need to keep them with you,” Conroy said. Luxury lines continue to invest in upgrades and protect their brand integrity. “Nothing is being cut back,” stressed Michel. Clients will definitely get the pampering perks and service they’re used to, said Conroy, as “we have to assure [them] we’re all in this for the long term.” Despite the challenging marketplace, “this is a great business to be in,” said Conover. “You’re helping people create lasting memories and experiences, and that’s still something to be very proud of.” I CONNECTING YOU To learn more about the latest trends in cruising, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises A Light at the End of the Tunnel Nationwide, “real estate has certainly tumbled and we have a general confluence of economic and financial media that’s causing a great deal of panic,” stressed Michel. “Ten years ago, I don’t think the general consumer was open to the kind of financial media sensationalism that is out there today.” The good news? Given that economists now believe the nation has been in recession for more than a year, “depending on which history book you read, we could [possibly] be pulling out of this thing in anywhere from six to 12 months,” Michel said. Marlow urged agents with clients who typically fly business or first class to Europe—and have extra time to spare—to consider a Cunard transatlantic cruise, giving the client “the most incredible time, but less than what you’d pay for first-class or business-class air.” European cruising as a whole remains a top sales hook, said the executives. Conover cited a seven-day Mediterranean cruise on Seabourn priced as low as $7,000 for a couple, compared with a three-destination European land vacation costing $5,000 more. Inclusivity is another good sales hook. Both Regent and Seabourn are working on new value-added perks on the shore-trip side. The new Seabourn promotion, “Between Friends,” now offers guests on most European voyages inclusive private shore arrangements (with a value of at least $4,500 per group) if they’re traveling with several other couples, including one couple new to Seabourn. Other trends? Consider escorting your own cruise group to exude confidence: “It says a lot to say ‘I’m willing to go out there and travel and I want you to come with me,’” said Morris. And while luxury consumers today are acquiring “less stuff” such as expensive watches or cars, they continue to live their lifestyle, according to Conroy, who believes his luxury guests view a luxury cruise as an extension of their normal lifestyle. The Association for Professional Cruise Sellers CLIA Membership Now Available For All Travel Professionals! Travel Agency Membership If Are: • A “storefront” retail travel agency • A home based agency • A host agency • An independent travel seller Join CLIA Today and Benefit From: • Recognition: • By cruise line & travel suppliers for reservation & commission processing • By travelers with your agency listing on www.cruising.org • By the travel industry with your CLIA Photo ID card • Education: • Your staff qualifies to enroll in CLIA’s Certification programs • Free CLIA classroom & DVD training included with membership – a $50 value • CLIA preferred member rates for classroom, online, DVD training options • Information: • Communications to keep abreast of the latest cruise news • CLIA’s cruise manual CD and marketing resources – CD a $30 value • CLIA’s website provides a wealth of cruise news and resources • Exclusive member opportunities: • Thousands of dollars in cruise line bonus commission coupons – over $4,000 value • Preferred rates and registration to CLIA’s cruise3sixty – And more For more information, for an application and for complete information about the benefits of CLIA membership, please visit: www.cruising.org/travelagents or call 754-224-2200. Individual Travel Agent Membership If agency is a CLIA member and you Are: • A travel agency employee • A hosted travel agent • An outside sales agent Join CLIA Today and Benefit From: • Education and a “Fast-Track” to CLIA Certification: • Free Classroom, Online and DVD training – a $90 value • Jump start your credits to CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification & Save • Additional Recognition for you and your CLIA agency: • An individual agent listing on www.cruising.org - provides you and your agency additional consumer recognition – only available to CLIA members • Eligibility for a CLIA ID card at a preferred member rate – save $20 • Information at Your Fingertips: • Personal receipt of CLIA e-news, promotions and industry updates • An annual membership kit including the CLIA cruise manual CD-Rom – a $30 value alone •Exclusive member opportunities including over $1,000 in CLIA partner “Value-added” coupons Interested? Request #006. January 19, 2009 TravelAgent | 39 http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises http://www.cruising.org http://www.cruising.org http://www.cruising.org/travelagents http://www.cruising.org
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 Contents A New Direct Route from New York to Atlantic City Might Help Casinos New Villas from CuisinArt, Controversy from the CTO and Pages from Hemingway in Cuba From the Editor New Zealand: These Lodges and Farms Offer Intimacy and Luxury Pacific/Asia: Mumbai's Damaged Hotels Reopen After Tragedy Alaska: Alaska Commemorates 50 Years of Statehood with Cruise Packages for Your Clients Las Vegas: Tips for Agents on Demystifying Deals Speaking of Deals, Here are Some Great Ones for Vegas Mexico: Get to Know Some of the Finest Properties in Cancun Caribbean: Political Change Might Make Travel to Cuba a Reality Sandals' Star Awards Cruises: Luxury Cruise Share Insider Advice Cover Story: Bringing Europe Back Luxury Travel Expo: The 10th Anniversary of this Event Was One to Remember Tours: Tapping into the Gay and Lesbian Market JoyStar Collapse May Involve More Agents and Higher Losses Marriott's Spirit of Aloha Tour Rolls Along the West Coast Cruise Lines Continue to Pour Dollars into Advertising Small Business Resources Can Help Your Agency Stay Afloat Editorial Index Advertising Index Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 (Page 1) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Contents (Page 2) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - A New Direct Route from New York to Atlantic City Might Help Casinos (Page 6) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - A New Direct Route from New York to Atlantic City Might Help Casinos (Page 7) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - New Villas from CuisinArt, Controversy from the CTO and Pages from Hemingway in Cuba (Page 8) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - New Villas from CuisinArt, Controversy from the CTO and Pages from Hemingway in Cuba (Page 9) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - New Zealand: These Lodges and Farms Offer Intimacy and Luxury (Page 16) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - New Zealand: These Lodges and Farms Offer Intimacy and Luxury (Page 17) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Pacific/Asia: Mumbai's Damaged Hotels Reopen After Tragedy (Page 18) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Pacific/Asia: Mumbai's Damaged Hotels Reopen After Tragedy (Page 19) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Alaska: Alaska Commemorates 50 Years of Statehood with Cruise Packages for Your Clients (Page 20) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Alaska: Alaska Commemorates 50 Years of Statehood with Cruise Packages for Your Clients (Page 21) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Las Vegas: Tips for Agents on Demystifying Deals (Page 22) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Speaking of Deals, Here are Some Great Ones for Vegas (Page 23) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Speaking of Deals, Here are Some Great Ones for Vegas (Page 24) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Speaking of Deals, Here are Some Great Ones for Vegas (Page 25) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Mexico: Get to Know Some of the Finest Properties in Cancun (Page 26) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Mexico: Get to Know Some of the Finest Properties in Cancun (Page 27) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Mexico: Get to Know Some of the Finest Properties in Cancun (Page 28) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Mexico: Get to Know Some of the Finest Properties in Cancun (Page 29) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Caribbean: Political Change Might Make Travel to Cuba a Reality (Page 30) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Caribbean: Political Change Might Make Travel to Cuba a Reality (Page 31) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Caribbean: Political Change Might Make Travel to Cuba a Reality (Page 32) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Caribbean: Political Change Might Make Travel to Cuba a Reality (Page 33) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Sandals' Star Awards (Page 34) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Sandals' Star Awards (Page 35) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cruises: Luxury Cruise Share Insider Advice (Page 36) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cruises: Luxury Cruise Share Insider Advice (Page 37) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cruises: Luxury Cruise Share Insider Advice (Page 38) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cruises: Luxury Cruise Share Insider Advice (Page 39) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cover Story: Bringing Europe Back (Page 40) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cover Story: Bringing Europe Back (Page 41) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cover Story: Bringing Europe Back (Page 42) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cover Story: Bringing Europe Back (Page 43) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cover Story: Bringing Europe Back (Page 44) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cover Story: Bringing Europe Back (Page 45) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Luxury Travel Expo: The 10th Anniversary of this Event Was One to Remember (Page 46) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Luxury Travel Expo: The 10th Anniversary of this Event Was One to Remember (Page 47) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Luxury Travel Expo: The 10th Anniversary of this Event Was One to Remember (Page 48) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Luxury Travel Expo: The 10th Anniversary of this Event Was One to Remember (Page 49) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Tours: Tapping into the Gay and Lesbian Market (Page 50) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - JoyStar Collapse May Involve More Agents and Higher Losses (Page 51) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Marriott's Spirit of Aloha Tour Rolls Along the West Coast (Page 52) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Cruise Lines Continue to Pour Dollars into Advertising (Page 53) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Small Business Resources Can Help Your Agency Stay Afloat (Page 54) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 55) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 56) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4)
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