Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 - (Page Cover4)

TRENDWATCH Aircraft Maintenance A survey was conducted by the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) among travel professionals about aircraft safety. The survey invitation was sent to 1,300 randomly selected travel industry professionals, who were asked to consider the questions from an individual passenger perspective. The 223 responses revealed the following facts: 94 percent of participants are very concerned or somewhat concerned about the overall aircraft maintenance and FAA oversight situation. I 40 percent are less willing to fly due to current aircraft maintenance issues. I 13 percent have skipped recent flights due to maintenance concerns. I 25 percent indicate they are very likely or fairly likely to skip future flights. I * The full survey can be found at http://businesstravelcoalition.com/ campaigns/outsourcing/maintenance_survey.doc. Cruise Vacation Survey PHOTO PROVIDED BY YUROK ALEKSANDROVICH/BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY VACATION.COM REVEALS GOOD NEWS about the current and future states of cruise bookings. The survey was conducted with member agencies following the conclusion of the 2008 Wave Season. Here are some of the findings: 42 percent of members said bookings were better in 2008 than in 2007; 40 percent said bookings were about the same. Only 18 percent reported a decrease in bookings from 2007. I 42 percent claimed revenues had increased over the prior year; 34 percent stated they were about the same. Only 24 percent reported revenue down year-over-year. I What Travelers Want 1. Flexibility—Clients want more free time, more 17 percent of members claimed premium/ luxury cruises have increased over the prior year; 52 percent said they had stayed the same. I USTOA members reveal the top five things travelers want most out of a trip: shopping opportunities and greater choice. 2. Customization—This means tailoring trips to fit personal requirements. 3. Enhanced Experiences—Travelers want “experiential vacations” (new and authentic experiences, cultural enrichment and in-depth discoveries). 4. Value—Travelers want the best product at the best price. 5. Service—For some customers, this means the little touches, such as meeting guests at the airport rather than at the hotel; for others, it means having every single thing taken care of for them. Family and reunion cruises measured the greatest percentage increase in bookings at 35 percent. I 15 percent of the agencies reported significant increases in honeymoon cruisers. I 14-day cruises increased with only 27 percent of the membership, while almost an equal amount, 24 percent, experienced a decline. I 4/5-day cruises increased with only 22 percent of the members; 18 percent experienced a decline. I CONNECTING YOU For more data and statistics on consumer and industry trends, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/stats 6/7-day cruises reported the largest increase with 33 percent of the members, while only 10 percent reported a decrease. I 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. http://VACATION.COM http://VACATION.COM http://businesstravelcoalition.com/campaigns/outsourcing/maintenance_survey.doc http://businesstravelcoalition.com/campaigns/outsourcing/maintenance_survey.doc http://www.travelagentcentral.com/stats

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: Bruges Might be One of Belgium’s Best-Kept Secrets Hawaii: Condo Resorts Provide a Plethora of Vacation Choices Pacific/Asia: Manila has Plenty to Offer Visitors of Every Taste Alaska: Icy Strait Point Offers Authentic Alaskan Adventure Pacific Northwest: Airplane Buffs and Wine Aficionados Enjoy Washington Las Vegas: Let Your Hair Down at Some of these Casual Bars Central & South America: History and Culture Beckon in Guatemala Caribbean & The Bahamas: Recent Renovations Have Made the Westin Aruba Resort a Jewel of the Island Cruises: A New Musical is Making Waves on Disney Wonder San Diego Becomes a Major Cruise Port Cover Story: Top Tips for Selling in a Down Economy Rail Travel: Sightseeing and a Gourmet Meal on the Royal Livingstone Express Hotels: There is Plenty to Do at Ski Resorts in the Summer Tours: Photos from the 33rd Annual Mountain Travel Symposium Agent: Eric Ardolino has Won the Technology War Customer Relations: Ensemble Agents use CRM tools Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Luxury Travel Expo Jamaica Will License Casinos Enormous Cruise Ships are Planned ResortQuest Hawaii Continues to Grow 2008 TMU Conference Recap In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

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