Travel Agent - April 28, 2008 - (Page 10)

Agent CONTRIBUTORS Insider Are clients trading down in cruise type due to economic concerns? NO “Although the news on TV makes everything seem gloom and doom, so far so good in the cruise industry,” says Cruise Planners’ CEO, Michelle Fee. “I must say that the traveling public takes its vacations seriously. We all work extremely hard all year and when it comes to our two-week vacation, we want to be spoiled. Most of us are not willing to give up what we feel entitled to, a balcony cabin, a day at the spa, specialty dining. What we will do is cut back on other things in our life for this precious reward. We might not eat out as often, go to the movies, or buy expensive things But our vacation time is off limits!” ROBERTA ROBERTI, assistant managing editor, contributes stories on a variety of subjects to Travel Agent. She also has been a freelance writer for years, with a cookbook (What, No Meat?) under her belt. In this issue, she offers insight into the “girlfriend getaway” trend: why it is growing in popularity and, after speaking with Ralph Iantosca of GoGirl Travel, why the niche isn’t as popular as it could be. MARK ROGERS, senior editor, covers Hawaii, the South Pacific and Asia, as well as California, where he is based. In this issue, he contributes to the cover story about exclusive beach destinations that are off the beaten path (page 76). Also in this issue, he examines new hotel and cruise developments in Shanghai and how the Hawaiian tourism industry has been regrouping since Aloha Airlines went out of business. He also provides an insider’s look at California’s Laguna Beach. JOE PIKE, associate editor, covers the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico and Central and South America. Pike just returned from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where he covered the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE). While there, he covered press conferences with hoteliers and tour operators in the Dominican Republic regarding the latest hotels, tourism figures, future developments and other news pertaining to the destination. Not all business, Pike had the opportunity to check out Casino Dominicus in the Dominican Republic for his new casino column. He also contributed to the cover story in this issue (page 76). YES “I have noticed that people are exploring more options,” says Sabine Harris of Cruise Planners in Tampa. “Some are set on Royal Caribbean, but the pricing can be high in the summer so they opt for Carnival. Some people love to go to Europe, but the prices are so high on fuel to fly, they are opting for a Caribbean cruise. The economy is affecting everything and people are deciding to stay closer to home.” DAVID EISEN, associate editor, covers the cruise and hotel beats for Travel Agent. He has had the opportunity to travel all over the world for the magazine, including the Mediterranean and Newport Beach. In this issue, he trumpets the benefits of alternative lodging over the high prices of hotel stays in larger cities, the growing popularity of theme cruises and the problems brewing in the Alaska cruise market. Next month, he has the privilege of visiting Dubai, one of the hottest destinations in travel today, as he checks out a slew of Jumeirah properties. MACKENZIE ALLISON, story editor, oversees the Agent Insider section (left). She also covers Africa and Florida for Travel Agent. In her travels, she has ventured to lively South Beach on a visit to The Tides, as well as the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. Here, she is pictured with Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village’s director of sales and marketing, Scott Selvaggi, and general manager, Mark Schwantner (see story on page 40). She is looking forward to experiencing ski destination Vail, CO in the summer when she stays at The Arrabelle at Vail Square, A RockResort. 10 | TravelAgent April 28, 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - April 28, 2008

Travel Agent - April 28, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Africa: Where to Stay in the Gateway to Southern Africa South Pacific/Australia: Luxury Lodges in Queensland and Tasmania Pacific/Asia: Shanghai, China’s Cosmopolitan Powerhouse, Sees New Hotel and Cruise Development Canada: Downtown Calgary is Easy to Get Around and Filled with Historic and Cultural Attractions California: Laguna Beach Blends Culture with Coastal Beauty Florida: Golf, History, Food and Fun Defined Our Stay at the Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine Las Vegas: Vegas Hotels Gamble on the Allure of Men’s Grooming Pacific Northwest: Washington Inns Emphasize Local Charm Mexico: Tulum Comes Into its Own as a Luxury Destination Europe: Cruising the Mosel and Rhine Rivers with Amadeus Waterways Rudi Schreiner, President of Amadeus Waterways, Talks about River Cruises Caribbean: Travel Agent Reports From the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange The Slot Spot: Gaming at the Casino Dominicus Cruise: Suppliers and Businesses Use Ships as Springboards to Satisfy Enthusiasts’ Hobbies and Passions Key Legal Decisions Will Affect the Future of Alaska’s Cruise Industry Cover Story: Exclusive Beach Destinations Hotels: The Girlfriend Getaway is an Exploding Market Agent Profile: Sabine Harris’ Personal Touch Provides a Memorable Experience Virtual Tourism: New Websites Give a New View of Tourist Destinations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Anguilla’s Cap Juluca Sold Aloha Airlines is Grounded Exorbitant Hotel Rates Make Alternatives More Appealing Koepf takes Helm at NACTA, Plans to Expand Membership In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - April 28, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.