Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 - (Page HS2)

Bermuda Department of Tourism Cayman Islands Department of Tourism For most agencies, a registry isn’t a huge proﬁt center; those who use suppliers may receive 20 percent of the seven percent fee their clients pay. Schwartzberg lets any couple use his registry, but refunds the fee to customers who book with him. “The fee isn’t that much, and sometimes couples book with us because of that.” “I’m getting commissions on excursions, spa treatments and other extras and the couple is getting a better experience because I involved in the arrangements,” adds Paine, who administers her own honeymoon registry for clients, sending parchment certiﬁcates to acknowledge gifts. SUCCESS STORY After 9/11, David Schwartzberg, CTC, co-owner of Dream Destinations Travel, set about researching resilient markets. To test one of the most stable travel segments, honeymoons, he participated in a bridal show, where he connected with local catering halls. Seven years later, his business, $250,000 a year in 2001, has mushroomed to over $1.7 million. MAKE IT A LIFETIME RELATIONSHIP Honeymoon couples can be your best source of referrals, notes Paine. “A few years ago I had a couple on a very tight budget, but it’s now ﬁve years later, and I’m still getting referrals from them.” Congratulate the couple on getting engaged and spend the extra time it may take to understand both their needs; send them ﬂowers or champagne, follow up and make sure their trip went well; send them a card on their ﬁrst anniversary…these are just some of the ways travel agents can ensure that the honeymoon is the start of a long and happy relationship. A Tool for Travel Agents Planning a dream honeymoon is not the easiest task for an agent. For many clients, it may be the most important vacation they’ll ever take, and so getting things exactly right — and exceeding expectations whenever possible — is a must. A 2007 survey compiled by the Honeymooner’s Review Guide — a honeymoon planning web site that touts the advantages of using a travel agent — can help you get started. It pinpoints what couples are spending, where they’re going, and how they feel about the booking experience. While 75 percent of couples say they used either an agent or travel web site to book their trip, those who booked online often encountered problems when they arrived at their destination. One-third of couples surveyed had complaints about their hotel stay, with the most common problems being maintenance or check-in issues. Share this information with your newer clients to show them the value of usimg your services. Visit www.honeymoonersreviewguide.com and check out its travel agency listing program. Courtesy of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism 2 Travel Agent University’s HONEYMOON SPECIALIST http://www.honeymoonersreviewguide.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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