Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - (Page 12)

FROM THE PUBLISHER Let’s Make a Deal I READ, MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THAT AMAZON’S EARNINGS WERE UP IN THE FIRST QUARTER. The reason they gave was that consumers were shopping for deals in this down economy. Generally, in a market like this suppliers try and hang on to rates as long as they can. And you, as travel professionals, try your best to sell what they give you. Well, that is officially over. I did some research and I came up with a number: 50. Prices have come down—on average—50 percent. The only exception is the airline industry, as most hedged fuel costs are still losing money. The airlines can’t get a break. My recommendation is to start thinking like Amazon. Search out those deals for your clients. File them, put them in a database, focus on them in your client communication. Recently, our website, www.travelagentcentral. com, saw a spike in traffic specifically to our “Deals” tab. Go shopping. We have many to choose from. As our society goes into a conservative time, a deal will justify the expense. At a neighborhood gathering the other night, as most sang the blues about the economy, a few talked about heading to the Caribbean for the President’s Week school break. They all mentioned they got such a great deal that they couldn’t afford not to go. I recently spent a few days in Jamaica with the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, Jamaica, and John Lynch, chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (pictured at right). We had a fun evening at the Jamaica Jazz Festival and celebrated the news that JetBlue would begin service to Montego Bay. This island is on sale, so go find a deal and you will have many sales as well! ABOVE: John McMahon (center) in Jamaica with the minister ot tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), and John Lynch, chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (right) LEFT: Jason Gindele, Questex’s new director of digital business development A Welcome Addition Meanwhile, back here at home, I’m happy to announce the recent appointment of Jason Gindele as director of digital business development. Jason has more than 12 years’ experience as a digital business development specialist and is the former vice president of marketing and business development for Real Magnet LLC. He’s a welcome addition to the team as Questex Media and The Travel Group move forward in our ongoing commitment to delivering digital solutions that will help you grow your business. JOHN MCMAHON VICE PRESIDENT/ GROUP PUBLISHER THE TRAVEL GROUP 12 | TravelAgent February 16, 2009 http://www.travelagentcentral.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - February 16, 2009

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 Contents Small Luxury Hotels of the World Launches Agent Portal Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down Agents Speak Out on MIMs Royal Hideaway Expanding Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating From the Editor From the Publisher Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Mexico Los Cabos Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda Cruises Weddings Cover Story: The Travel Society Business Operations Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task Technology Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn Editorial Index Agent Access In The Spotlight Advertising Index Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page 1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 29) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 30) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 31) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 32) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Los Cabos (Page 33) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 34) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 35) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 36) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 37) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 38) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 39) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 40) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 41) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 42) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 43) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 44) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 45) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 46) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 47) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 48) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 49) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 50) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 51) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 52) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 53) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 54) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 55) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 56) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 57) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 58) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 59) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 60) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 61) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 62) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn (Page 63) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 64) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 65) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 66) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 67) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 68) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 69) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 70) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 71) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 72) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover4) 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