Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - (Page 74)

NEWS IMPACT ASTA’s Premium Membership THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL AGENTS (ASTA) (www.asta.org) is no longer the “perk-driven” association that it once was, Bill Maloney, executive vice president and COO of the Alexandria, VA-based agency association told Travel Agent. The “new” ASTA is focused on the business of travel and delivering value to travel agents, Maloney says, while winning new support from the agency community. “ASTA once was suffering from brand damage and many professional agents felt disenfranchised,” he adds. The social and clubby atmosphere of the past has given way to a leaner, focused professional organization that is representing agents’ business interests with skill and tenacity, Maloney believes. And ASTA is breaking new ground in supporting members with tools necessary for their survival and growth. Proof of the transformation is the growth of ASTA’s Bill Maloney, Premium membership and executive vice the value Premium mempresident and COO of ASTA bers place on their affiliation with ASTA. Among these new ASTA champions is Terry staff, said that the new Premium Brennan, president of Williamsmembership has enabled ASTA burg Travel Management/Amerito reach out to professional travel can Express, Atlanta. Premium agents who once felt alienated and member Brennan said that he was to offer the business services they among the newest members of needed. ASTA and had been a “hard sell” Currently, there are 159 premifor the association. um members in the U.S who pay “What I have discovered is $2,500 annually. So successful has that ASTA is very supportive the Premium membership category and responsive,” he says. “They been that ASTA’s International helped us resolve a county tax members petitioned to join. Thus, proposal in Virginia that impactASTA now offers an International ed one of our 16 branch offices, Premium Membership Category. for example. Another [benefit] ASTA’s Premium members are 74 | TravelAgent July 21, 2008 THE INDUSTRY is the benchmarking research that is very useful to owners and managers.” Brennan isn’t alone. ASTA’s Premium membership, launched in January 2007, has been a success: A current campaign earned a 91 percent renewal rate that has encouraged ASTA and validated its decision to create the category. Maloney, now marking his 10th anniversary as ASTA’s chief of on the receiving end of some of the industry’s leading research and information resources and networking opportunities. ASTA’s research and analysis—shared with ASTA’s Core members in a distilled form—offer agencies a competitive edge. Another new ASTA champion is Chris Conlin, president, Conlin Travel/American Express, Ann Arbor, MI. Conlin is a new Premium member who sees ASTA playing a vital role in information and advocacy. He also recommends the value of Premium membership to other agencies. “To be brutally honest, I had very little interest in the ASTA of the past,” Conlin says, “but with the Premium Membership level comes a new and exciting opportunity to network with my peers at Premium meetings and to have my voice heard at the highest level of ASTA. Premium members are now fully engaged in the efforts of ASTA to unify its message and make it heard industry wide.” George Dooley Winning Support While ASTA has its critics, the reinvented ASTA is well on its way to earning loyalty and credibility among a disparate agency community. The TRADESHOW has gained industry support, as has ASTA’s International Destination Expositions. At the same time, ASTA is attracting a new breed of dedicated volunteer leaders, exemplified by Cheryl Hudak, ASTA’s current president and CEO. Of crucial importance to all agents, including its 4,000-plus core members, is that ASTA continue to address the often controversial issues that matter to the agency industry. This ranges from combating state taxes on agents and representing agents’ views before Congress and Federal agencies such as the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security. Conlin sees ASTA’s advocacy role as a major asset. “Now more than ever, our industry needs one strong voice, and the ASTA of today is finally that voice. We have battles to be fought and individually we cannot win them. But collectively, with ASTA leading the charge, we have a far greater chance of making a difference and setting policy within the travel industry.” Brennan also believes that ASTA’s Corporate Advisory Council (CAC), which provides representation for agency consortia, franchisers and cooperatives, is a real asset. “Especially during an election year,” he says, “the agency community has to be alert to what is being proposed in Washington and the state capitals. ASTA government and legislative relations capabilities are outstanding and essential. I strongly recommend that other agencies take a new look at ASTA.” —GEORGE DOOLEY CONNECTING YOU For more information on consortia, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia http://www.asta.org http://www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - July 21, 2008

Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Europe Pacific/Asia Tanzania South Pacific Pacific Northwest Las Vegas Florida Mexico The Caribbean Comes to D.C. Cruises Tours Hotels Agenda Luxury Travel Expo Global Destination Update Small Luxury Hotels Expands into Asia ASTA is Changing, and Growing Carnival Reduces Direct Business In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - July 21, 2008

Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contributors (Page 8) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contributors (Page 9) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 16) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 17) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 18) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 19) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 20) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 21) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 22) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 23) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 24) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 25) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 26) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 27) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - South Pacific (Page 28) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - South Pacific (Page 29) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific Northwest (Page 30) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific Northwest (Page 31) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 32) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 33) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 34) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 35) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 36) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 37) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 38) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 39) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 40) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 41) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 42) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 43) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 44) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 45) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 46) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 47) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 48) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 49) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 50) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 51) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 52) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 53) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 54) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 55) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 56) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 57) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 58) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 59) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 60) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 61) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 62) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 63) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 64) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 65) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Hotels (Page 66) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Hotels (Page 67) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Agenda (Page 68) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Agenda (Page 69) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Agenda (Page 70) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 71) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Global Destination Update (Page 72) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Small Luxury Hotels Expands into Asia (Page 73) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - ASTA is Changing, and Growing (Page 74) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Carnival Reduces Direct Business (Page 75) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 76) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Classified Marketplace (Page 77) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 78) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 79) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page 80) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover4) 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