Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 - (Page 96)

TRENDWATCH Mexico Benefits From Bad Euro Eat, Drink and Travel The Ontario Ministry of Tourism' s Travel Activities and Motivations Survey (TAMS), which touches on various aspects of travel preferences, shows that in 2004 and 2005, 125.7 million Americans participated in at least one type of culinary activity on a trip. In addition, 33 percent (58.6 million) of American travelers were ª wine and cuisine enthusiasts.º This segment was more likely than other American travelers to: I Be from regions with larger populations, particularly Washington, D.C., California, New Jersey and Connecticut. I Be more affluent couples, regardless of age, and better educated. I Take trips outside of the U.S. I Participate in outdoor, cultural and entertainment activities. I Consult a larger number of information sources when planning trips, such as reading the travel section of newspapers and visiting travel-related websitesÐ 86 percent used the Internet; 55 percent took advice from friends and relatives; and 63 percent used their own past experiences to make travel decisions. The complete report is free to download at www.tourism.gov.on.ca. Because of the poor dollar-euro conversion, the star of summer travel this year will likely be Mexico, where Americans constitute 67 percent of visitors. In 2007, approximately 13.2 million Americans visited Mexico; 4.5 million visited during June, July and August. Mexico' s Secretary of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo-Torres, announced that tourism to Mexico rose 6 percent from 2006 to 2007, bringing in $12.9 billion. Mexico' s goal for 2008 is to attract U.S. travelers who would have otherwise chosen Europe as their vacation destination. Customer Satisfaction With Airports Declines J.D. Power and Associates released the results of its 2008 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, culling responses from more than 21,165 passengers who took a round-trip flight between April 2007 and March 2008. Respondents were asked about their satisfaction with airports based on airport accessibility, baggage claim, the check-in/baggage-check process, terminal facilities, security check and food and retail services. Overall satisfaction scored a 675 on a 1,000point scale in 2008Ð down 14 points from 2007. Customer satisfaction with airports is lower than with other areas of the travel industry: Hotels scored a 758, rental cars scored a 750 and airlines scored a 687. RANKINGS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: Large Airports Philadelphia International (PHL) ranks highest. McCarran International (LAS), Orlando International (MCO), in a tie. Medium Airports: Chicago Midway International (MDW) ranks highest. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) improves by one rank position since 2007. Memphis International (MEM), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) and Tampa International (TPA), in a three-way tie. Small Airports: Dallas Love Field (DAL) ranks highest, followed by Houston Hobby International (HOU) and San Antonio International (SAT). The results can be viewed at www.jdpower. com/travel/ratings/airport-ratings. Summer Travel Trends AAA has looked ahead and has determined that 25.1 million Americans will likely travel internationally this summer. This is an increase of 2.6 percent over summer 2007. Despite rising fuel costs and inevitable fare hikes, few industry prognosticators see the number of travelers this summer decreasing substantially. The Air Transport Association is predicting that approximately 211.5 million passengers will travel on domestic carriers between June 1 and August 31, which would be only a 1.3 percent drop from this past summer. CONNECTING YOU For more data and statistics on consumer and industry trends, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/stats 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. 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For those not registered with the CCC, send permissions request to: questexpermissions@reprintbuyer.com or 800-494-9051, Ext 100. http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca http://www.jdpower.com/travel/ratings/airport-ratings http://www.jdpower.com/travel/ratings/airport-ratings http://www.travelagentcentral.com/stats

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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