Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 - (Page 12)

FROM THE PUBLISHER Doing the Right Thing In South Africa OFTEN I PINCH MYSELF WHEN I THINK ABOUT HOW FORTUNATE I AM TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TRAVEL COMMUNITYÐ the places we get to experience and the people we get to meet, do business with, and make friends with are simply amazing. But it also gives one reason to pause, take stock and reflect on how fortunate we are, and how often we cross paths with those who are less so. It is a good use of this space to applaud those in our industry who go above and beyond; who not only promote and profit from a destination, but appreciate it, nurture it and help sustain it. On a recent trip to one of my favorite places on earth, South Africa, I learned of a wonderful project that some good friends of mine at South African Airways, South African Airways Vacations and Lion World Tours are doing for their community. Helping the Next Generation Thanks to the generous efforts of Marc Caveliere, executive vice president of South African Airways, and Lucille Sive, president of Lion World Tours, there is a preschool in the remote village of Huntington, South Africa, that is undergoing a major renovation and upgrade. The Henna Preschool, in the Sabi Sands area of South Africa (near the Krueger National Park) has been ª adoptedº by SAA and South African Airways Vacations. Having contributed building materials, new bathrooms, water facilities, fencing around the school, a complete overhaul and new paint job, the folks at SAA and SAA Vacations are giving the children of Huntington a more stable learning and living environment. The Henna Preschool is attended by more than 120 children, aged two to five, and is not only a healthy learning environment, but often the source of their only meals on any given day. Funding for this project comes through the generous contributions of SAA and SAA Vacations, which donate a percentage of each North American bookingÐas well as their timeÐt o this and other worthy projects. Already paying commissions in excess of 12 percent to travel agents, these companies and their dedicated employees exemplify what it means to give back. ABOVE: Group Publisher Kerry Cannon on safari in South Africa LEFT: Lunchtime at the Henna Preschool is the only meal of the day for some students Is Helping Southern Africa Southern Africans have a special responsibility to be the custodians of some of this planet' s most precious natural resources, and they do not take this challenge lightly. Once one has seen the bushveld of South Africa, the sub-Saharan desert of Botswana and experienced the magnificent beauty of Victoria Falls, one realizes how precious and fragile these resources are. We need to preserve and care for these natural wonders, and the folks at SAA and SAA Vacations have their priorities straight. Thanks to the altruism of the people of Southern Africa, these wonders of the natural world will endure, and another generation will get to experience them. For information about making direct donations to the school, please contact SAA Vacations at 1-888-722-4872, or contact Lion Sands Private Game Reserve at mariandav@lionsands.com CONNECTING YOU For ideas and resources from Kerry Cannon, visit www. travelagentcentral.com/publetter KERRY J. CANNON, JR. GROUP PUBLISHER 12 | TravelAgent June 9, 2008 http://www.travelagentcentral.com/publetter http://www.travelagentcentral.com/publetter

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Pacific/Asia: Hong Kong’s Kowloon District Honors Chinese Traditions while Brandishing Cutting-Edge Style Hawaii: Nature Lovers with an Urge to Get Out and Move Flock to Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Isle Pacific Northwest: Washington State has Become the Hot New Destination for Wine Lovers New Zealand: Two New Hotels Make Queenstown Even More Enticing Las Vegas: The Coolest Places to Beat the Heat are the Exclusive Pools at Las Vegas Hotels Central & South America: A Restored Railway Line Offers a New Way to Enjoy Quito Caribbean & Bahamas: Nikki Beach Hotels' Aggressive Expansion Continues Europe: Reporting Back from the German Travel Mart in Munich Cruises: Princess Cruises Introduces a Group Amenity Feature Cover Story: Costa Cruises Delta/Northwest: The Airline Merger that Could Change the Industry Hotels: Historic Hotels are Going Green Spas: Indulging Guests, with an Environmental Focus Agent Profile: Montrose Travel Shares its Secrets Passport Online: The New Website Supports Agents, Supplies and Consortia Agenda: From Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar China Continues to Welcome Visitors Alternative Fuel for Cruise Ships News from the Caribbean ARC Launches Accreditation Program In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

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