Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - (Page 6) NEWS Sandals’ Stewart: “Focus on the Now” Travel Agent CAUGHT UP WITH GORDON “BUTCH” STEWART, chairman and founder of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, at the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) Marketplace in St. Lucia, and discussed the departure of Sandals veteran John D. Lynch, the economy and whether Butch Stewart cutting rates is smart in the long run. Stewart told us the departure of Lynch was anticipated for more than a year. The former executive vice president of sales worldwide at Unique Vacations Inc., worldwide representatives for Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, The Royal Plantation Collection and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, stepped down in November. “We knew John’s dilemma,” Stewart says of Lynch’s choice between Sandals and taking a position as chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and eventually becoming tourism director. “He was a major part of our company, but he also wanted to help the nation [of Jamaica]. And we support him in that decision.” Stewart says Lynch will be missed, but that a contingency of Jamaica experts already onboard at Sandals can fill his shoes. But that doesn’t mean Stewart wouldn’t welcome him back. “I told him when he left that he is always welcome to return,” Stewart told us. As far as the economy goes, Stewart told us times are tolerable now and Sandals should always be prepared for the worse. The company’s response includes pumping out attractive deals and abandoning any other future plans. Stewart says it is a time to focus on current product and not think about future plans, such as Sandals’ ongoing discussions to open a casino in Turks and Caicos, something Travel Agent first reported more than a year ago. “We need to focus on the current product,” Stewart told us. “The only way to get past an economic decline is to focus on the now, and not get distracted by the future.” As far as Sandals’ deals, which include as much as half off of its rates, Stewart contends that it’s the smartest play right now. “We have had a great fall, we will continue to have a great winter and that has a lot to do with what we have been offering,” Stewart says. In response to whether the packages would deter repeat customers from coming back when the resort resumes its full prices, Stewart noted that Sandals currently has a 45-percent repeat customer rate and thinks that number will also be reliable when the packages end. “We have a loyal following and always have,” Stewart says. “We think it’s these people that will continue to come and will help us through these tough times.” —JP 6 | TravelAgent February 2, 2009 EXCLUSIVE Cap Maison Mulls Expansion JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER OPENING ITS FLAGSHIP PROPERTY IN ST. LUCIA, Cap Maison is looking to expand to Antigua, Travel Agent has learned. At the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) Marketplace in St. Lucia, CEO Adam Gobat told us he was in deep discussion to develop another Cap Maison in Antigua that would have both Caribbean and Asian themes. Those talks have since stalled, Gobat says, but will resume when the economy improves. Cap Maison opened in St. Lucia in late October and has since seen modest results. During the Christmas season, occupancy was around 60 percent and during this month roughly 50 percent. General Manager Ross Stevenson told us he is pleased with the numbers, taking into account that Cap Maison is a new resort that opened during a difficult U.S. economy. —JP Voluntourism Eyed in Australia’s Northern Territory DURING A SWING THROUGH L.A., Kon Vatskalis, minister for tourism for Australia’s Northern Territory Government, told Travel Agent that nature-based tourism is integral to the Northern Territory, and that observing animals such as crocodiles and bird-watching is a huge draw. Vatskalis also stressed the appeal of the region’s Aboriginal culture. “Visitors don’t want to be passive,” he says, “they want interactive tourism.” While there is much to do already in the Northern Territory, especially around the city of Darwin (including hot-air ballooning and camel rides), talks are underway about new opportunities. We’ve been told that in addition to safari-type adventures, there are discussions about developing voluntourism opportunities on protected areas, including the chance to practice forest-fire control by shooting fireballs from a helicopter. These opportunities are all in the preliminary stage at this time. —MR Guided safari-type adventures draw visitors to Australia’s Northern Territory
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 Contents Resortquest Hawaii Embraces Aston Hotels & Resorts Sandals’ Butch Stewart is Focusing on the “Now” From the Publisher Europe: Comfort, Convenience and Hospitality in Turkey Hawaii: As One Big Island Favorite Hotel Reopens its Doors, Another Nears Completion of its Enhancement Las Vegas: Encore Opens in High Style Central & South America: Buenos Aires Offers History, Fine Dining and Impressive Accommodations Caribbean: Anguilla's New and Improved Cap Juluca Cruises: Fred. Olsen Relaunches the Braemar Cover Story: Culture Crash Ski: Hitting the Slopes in Banff and Lake Louise, Canada Agent Profile: Let’s Travel Together’s Billy B. Martin Connects with Clients E-mail Marketing Tips from Cruise Executives Looking for a Positive Spin in Negative News In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - (Page CW1) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - (Page CW2) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - (Page CW3) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - (Page CW4) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Contents (Page 1) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Contents (Page 2) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Resortquest Hawaii Embraces Aston Hotels & Resorts (Page 4) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Resortquest Hawaii Embraces Aston Hotels & Resorts (Page 5) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Sandals’ Butch Stewart is Focusing on the “Now” (Page 6) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Sandals’ Butch Stewart is Focusing on the “Now” (Page 7) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 8) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 9) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 10) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 11) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 12) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 13) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Europe: Comfort, Convenience and Hospitality in Turkey (Page 14) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Europe: Comfort, Convenience and Hospitality in Turkey (Page 15) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Europe: Comfort, Convenience and Hospitality in Turkey (Page 16) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Europe: Comfort, Convenience and Hospitality in Turkey (Page 17) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Hawaii: As One Big Island Favorite Hotel Reopens its Doors, Another Nears Completion of its Enhancement (Page 18) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Hawaii: As One Big Island Favorite Hotel Reopens its Doors, Another Nears Completion of its Enhancement (Page 19) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Hawaii: As One Big Island Favorite Hotel Reopens its Doors, Another Nears Completion of its Enhancement (Page 20) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Hawaii: As One Big Island Favorite Hotel Reopens its Doors, Another Nears Completion of its Enhancement (Page 21) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Las Vegas: Encore Opens in High Style (Page 22) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Las Vegas: Encore Opens in High Style (Page 23) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Las Vegas: Encore Opens in High Style (Page 24) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Las Vegas: Encore Opens in High Style (Page 25) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Offers History, Fine Dining and Impressive Accommodations (Page 26) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Offers History, Fine Dining and Impressive Accommodations (Page 27) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Offers History, Fine Dining and Impressive Accommodations (Page 28) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Offers History, Fine Dining and Impressive Accommodations (Page 29) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Caribbean: Anguilla's New and Improved Cap Juluca (Page 30) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Caribbean: Anguilla's New and Improved Cap Juluca (Page 31) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Caribbean: Anguilla's New and Improved Cap Juluca (Page 32) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Caribbean: Anguilla's New and Improved Cap Juluca (Page 33) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cruises: Fred. Olsen Relaunches the Braemar (Page 34) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cruises: Fred. Olsen Relaunches the Braemar (Page 35) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cruises: Fred. Olsen Relaunches the Braemar (Page 36) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cruises: Fred. Olsen Relaunches the Braemar (Page 37) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cover Story: Culture Crash (Page 38) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cover Story: Culture Crash (Page 39) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cover Story: Culture Crash (Page 40) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cover Story: Culture Crash (Page 41) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cover Story: Culture Crash (Page 42) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Cover Story: Culture Crash (Page 43) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Ski: Hitting the Slopes in Banff and Lake Louise, Canada (Page 44) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Ski: Hitting the Slopes in Banff and Lake Louise, Canada (Page 45) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Ski: Hitting the Slopes in Banff and Lake Louise, Canada (Page 46) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Ski: Hitting the Slopes in Banff and Lake Louise, Canada (Page 47) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Agent Profile: Let’s Travel Together’s Billy B. Martin Connects with Clients (Page 48) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Agent Profile: Let’s Travel Together’s Billy B. Martin Connects with Clients (Page 49) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - E-mail Marketing Tips from Cruise Executives (Page 50) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Looking for a Positive Spin in Negative News (Page 51) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 52) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 53) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 54) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 55) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 56) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 57) Travel Agent - February 2, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 58)
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