Travel Agent - January 19, 2009 - (Page 44) COVER STORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 will balk if their room is inexpensive, but their food and drinks are not. “If we start to discount, then we’ll both suffer. We’ve got to offer extreme value for money, and a certainty about what the final bill is.” In spite of the economy, Avanti’s Dalgaard believes that Europe will continue to draw American visitors. “With the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin really comes through as a hot destination for Europe, especially since Germany as a whole provides a great value comparatively,” he says. “The value of Spain and Greece come to mind also. The food, the natural beauty, along with culture and beach time, really give the traveler a well-rounded experience at a good price. If fuel surcharges and taxes continue to decline, the pent-up demand for people traveling to the ‘old country’ should rebound.” Furthermore, Europe offers two specific modes of travel that agents can focus on to ensure greater value for their clients: rail and river cruises. Rail Travel: Changing the Landscape Over the past few decades, high-speed trains have been making Europe seem smaller, darting between cities at speeds as high as 186 miles per hour. Ever since the Chunnel linked England to the Continent in 1994, travelers have been able to go from one end of Europe to the other with ease, appreciating the landscape as they go and stopping in cities that they might otherwise have missed. SALE AT Today, with increasing concern about the environmental impact of air travel and the proliferation of high-speed trains throughout the continent, train travel in Europe has entered a new era. Indeed, some countries are seeking to eliminate short-haul flights altogether in favor of trains between cities. As reported by TravelAgentCentral.com in December, Trenitalia’s new Milan-to-Rome high-speed rail link is cutting an hour from the previous schedule, connecting Italy’s political and financial capitals in just 3½ hours. Travelers throughout Italy are clearly paying attention: Last year, our sources say, Trenitalia reportedly took 60 percent of the market share from troubled Italian flag carrier Alitalia. The popularity is understandable. Trains allow travelers to go directly from downtown to downtown rather than renting a car and driving from the airport into the city. Travelers can arrive minutes before departure and still make their trains, as opposed to waiting an hour (or more) in an airport lounge, and trains are less likely to be delayed due to weather. Rachel Morton-Young, corporate communications coordinator for Eurail, emphasizes the “freedom and flexibility” of train travel, as well as the environmental benefits. There are also economic perks: Eurail is partnered with other businesses to offer reduced or free access to private railways, sightseeing attractions and hotels, adding value to the product. In addition, Eurail passes can be purchased in dollars before departure to Europe, offering a better rate than purchasing tickets upon arrival. Charles de Gaspe Beaubien, senior vice president, business development of Wandrian, the parent company of RailAgent.com (a website that allows travel professionals to purchase train tickets in numerous countries, including much of Europe), says that rail is one of the most affordable ways to travel in Europe. “We buy [tickets] in euros or in pounds from the railways, so when the rate fluctuates, the price is lower on RailAgent.com,” de Gaspe Beaubien says. “They are locked in—in the TIPS FOR SELLING EUROPE 1. Stay visible to your customers—communicate, communicate and communicate again. Send e-mails of offers you receive from suppliers. 2. Focus on a few preferred suppliers. Increase your business with them and they will repay you with higher commissions and marketing dollars. 3. Educate yourself on a specific country or region and become an expert in that area. Lean on EIS in 2009 to create an affordable European tour for your clients. • Independent Travelers? Now through February 28th, take 20% off the price of our 2009 Independent Travel products and services. Plus, agents will receive MORE commission on each qualifying booking. 4. Consider selling off-peak, “winter in Europe”-type deals. 5. Focus on group and specialty travel—for example, culinary, religious or multigenerational. “Go out and find those niches and make the deal,” says Scott Nisbet of Globus Family of Brands. 6. Remain positive but realistic. Be confident in recommending Europe this year because of the value. • Custom Groups? Book a 7-night group tour in 4 star accommodations for less than $999 per person. For details, give us a call at 1.800.443.1644 or visit us at www.eistours.com. 44 | TravelAgent January 19, 2009 http://www.TravelAgentCentral.com http://www.RailAgent.com http://www.eistours.com http://www.RailAgent.com http://www.eistours.com
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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