Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 - (Page 112)

TRENDWATCH European Hotels Booming Lodging Econometrics (LE), trackers of global hotel-build trends, says that Europe will see 949 projects and 163,919 guestrooms under construction in 2008. I European Guest Room Openings Central and Eastern Europe continue to develop as destination markets, resulting in a shortage of guestrooms that meet international travel standards. This has triggered explosive construction growth. Here are a few sample markets: Flagship brands from the major global companies populate the “Construction Pipeline”: Hilton Hotels; InterContinental and Crowne Plaza from IHG; Radisson SAS; Starwood’s W and Sheraton; Marriott and Renaissance. Of equal significance are their mid-market hotels: Hilton Garden Inn, Doubletree and Hampton Inns from the Hilton Family; Holiday Inn and Express by Holiday Inn from IHG; Rezidor’s Park Inn and Marriott’s Courtyard. Hotel occupancies are in the high 60’s and 70’s, at or near peak levels in many urban centers and resort destinations. 2008 * 2009 2010+ Russia 2,038 4,316 5,820 Turkey 1,257 1,345 1,311 Czech Republic 897 1,158 960 Poland 771 992 826 Romania 1,621 368 1,341 *Number of Guest Rooms I Aruba Expects Continued Growth for 2008 ARUBA RELEASED ITS 2007 CRUISE STATISTICS, which include an impressive 316 cruise calls and 404,721 passengers. The 2006/2007 cruise season (from October to April) saw 277 port calls—up 49 from the previous season—and 449,298 visitors making landfall. January of last year saw a notable increase over 2006, with 13 additional calls, for a total of 45, and over 5,800 additional passengers. Aruba is also expecting 2008 to be successful. In January, the I And, in the first four months of 2008, Aruba expects to CONNECTING YOU For more data and statistics on consumer and industry trends, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/stats see close to 200 calls to the island. Visit www.aruba.com. TRAVEL AGENT (ISSN 1053-9360) is published bi-weekly 26 times per year, by Questex Media Group, Inc., 306 West Michigan St., Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55802. Subscription rates: $250 for one year in the United States; $350 for one year in Canada and Mexico; all other countries $350 for one year. Single copies (prepaid only): $4.95 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and in all other countries. For air-expedited service, include an additional $75 per order annually. Include $6.50 per order plus $2 per additional copy for U.S. postage and handling. For current single copy or back issues on CD-rom, call 866-344-1315. Outside the US, please phone 847-763-9594. Periodicals postage paid at Duluth MN 55806 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to TRAVEL AGENT, PO Box 1267 Skokie, IL 60076-8267. Canadian G.S.T. number: 840033278RT0001. Publications Mail Agreement Number 40017597. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2008 Questex Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including by photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the publisher, Questex Media Group, Inc. Authorization to photocopy items for internal/educational or personal use, or the internal/educational or personal use of specific clients is granted by Questex Media Group, Inc. for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400 fax 978-750-4470. For those not registered with the CCC, send permissions request to: questexpermissions@reprintbuyer.com or 800-494-9051, Ext 100. RIDE-ALONG ENCLOSED—VERSION 2 PHOTO BY ALBA N. NEGRÓN-DIAZ Despite this growth, however, the weakening economy is beginning to impact the lodging industry. Operating statistics first began to show weakness in November and December and again in January. As a result, it’s expected that by mid-2008, the number of new projects may decline. island welcomed 53 cruise ships to its Port of Oranjestad in the capital city. http://www.travelagentcentral.com/stats http://www.aruba.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - March 17, 2008

Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Contributors Africa: Lodges that will Make your African Safari through Tanzania Unforgettable Special Supplement: Honeymoon Specialist Africa News and Briefs Caribbean: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino is a Perfect Choice for all Types of Clientele Hawaii: The Less-Visited Island of Molokai Provides a taste of Old-Time Hawaii Central and South America: Where to Enjoy the Reefs, Rainforest and Ruins in Belize’s Maya Country Hotels: Properties that Cater to the Growing Trend of “Girlfriend Getaways” Cruises: Increasingly, Cruisers are Choosing Outside Companies for their Off-Ship Excursions Barbados: A Caribbean Travelers' Dream Airline Update: Several European Airlines Offer New Nonstop Service Ski/Snowboard: Three New Hotels Hit the Slopes in Wyoming, Utah and British Columbia Multi-Generational Travel: Cavallo Point: the Lodge at Golden Gate is a New “Green” Hotel Outside of San Francisco Agent Profile: Lynda Turley of Alpine Travel of Saratoga in Saratoga, CA Agency Profile: Largay Travel’s Company Retreat Cover Story: Barbados Technology: Open Travel CRM Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Onsite from Jordan Travel Mart Harrah’s Draws Younger Clients to Atlantic City Cruise News India’s New Hotels and Nonstop Flights Saluting Travel Industry Contributors Report from Travel South In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 17, 2008

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