Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 - (Page 98)

NEWS IMPACT Essential and reserved exclusively for pros like you. Harrah’s Lends a Hand in Drawing Younger Clients to Atlantic City HISTORICALLY, CASINOS IN ATLANTIC CITY HAVE NOT BEEN THE BIGGEST MONEY MAKERS FOR AGENTS, simply because agents often don’t deal with hotels that their clients would drive to. But then Borgata Resort & Spa (www.theborgata.com) opened there in 1999—arguably becoming the first property catering to young, single clients who had a buck or two. A chain reaction was spurred, as surrounding properties, Harrah’s Resort (www.harrahs.com) in particular, were forced to up the ante and promote a younger and hipper image in order to compete. We’ve seen it all before. When two nearby gas stations engage in a price war, dipping prices to steal the other’s business, the only true winner is the consumer. And in the case of Atlantic City’s casinos trying to “out-hip” each other, the winners are travel agents. And so for the first time in a long time, casino resorts in Atlantic City are becoming great sells for agents. Take Harrah’s, for example. Travel Agent has been frequenting this establishment for the last 10 years and has seen its transformation. It started as a place where older guests, who took a $10 bus ride to get there and then pumped 100 quarters into a slot machine. It is now a hot spot where 25- to 35year-old single men and women arrive in limos, drink fine champagne in the clubs and eventually call it a night in top-category rooms. Agents don’t provide much service when the only information being sought is a bus schedule, but the high-class VIP trip requires some expertise. We advise you try to align yourself with some younger, affluent travelers—perhaps the sons or daughters of some of your current big-spending clients—and tell them the hottest news Atlantic City has to offer. For starters, Harrah’s was slated to unveil part of the final phase and centerpiece of the property’s $550 million renovation and expansion project on March 6 with the opening of the first 12 floors of its new 960-room, SPECIAL OFFERS PRO-FILE For Travel Professionals Only: StarwoodPros know the advantages of making us their ﬁrst stop each morning. Expert resources. Nine of the world’s ﬁnest brands. And more Special Offers than ever before. Search & Book irresistible deals on getaways your clients have been dreaming about. They don’t travel without you. Don’t work without us. RESULT: Insider’s Secrets Updated Daily. GO StarwoodPro.com/ta View from a cabana around Harrah’s new 23,000-square-foot heated pool 44-story Waterfront Tower. At 525 feet, The Waterfront Tower becomes the tallest building in Atlantic City and the second-tallest building in New Jersey. The Tower also increases Harrah’s hotel capacity by nearly 60 percent, with a total of 2,590 guest rooms and suites. Along with The Waterfront Tower, an array of new and enhanced amenities at Harrah’s Resort will offer more dining, retail, accommodations, spa and entertainment options primarily for the younger client. Interested? Request #017. 98 | TravelAgent March 17, 2008 http://StarwoodPro.com/ta http://www.theborgata.com http://www.harrahs.com http://StarwoodPro.com/ta http://StarwoodPro.com/ta

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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