Travel Agent - August 18, 2008 - (Page 120)

TRENDWATCH Combating Exorbitant Exchange Rates WHILE SOME VACATIONERS CHOOSE TO SAVE MONEY DURING THESE TRYING TIMES by staying closer to home, there will always be those who still want to experience different cultures. According to the latest data from X-Rates.com, Asian countries offer American tourists the best value for their money. Topping the list is South Korea, with nearly 1,016 won to one U.S. dollar. The top five destinations with the best U.S. dollar exchange rate: New York City Is the Tops Global Insight announced that New York City is the top U.S. city for total tourism spending. The first-place claim was primarily boosted by international visitors. Last year, New York gained nearly 1.5 million visitors from other countries. The record number of 46 million visitors collectively spent $28.85 billion. International markets represented 19 percent of all people taking trips in 2007, but accounted for 54 percent of total spending. More tourists with strong currencies came to New York. International spending rose to $15.5 billion, a net gain of 25 percent, while domestic spending gained 8 percent and reached $13.3 billion. 1. South Korea 2. Sri Lanka 3. Japan 4. India 5. Thailand For North America, Mexico is the best choice, with the Mexican peso being nearly the equivalent of a dime. England remains the worst travel value, with the English pound worth nearly $2. European countries trading the euro are a close second. Caribbean Cruises to Number-One Spot Our recent online poll at www.travelagentcentral.com asked agents: What cruise destination is your top seller? Not surprisingly, the Caribbean led the voting with nearly three-quarters of respondents. Alaska was a distant second, followed by Europe. 3% 3% M 1% M M 9% 12% Caribbean Alaska Europe South America CONNECTING YOU For more data and statistics on consumer and industry trends, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/stats 72% Source: www.travelagentcentral.com Asia Other 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://www.travelagentcentral.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/stats

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - August 18, 2008

Travel Agent - April 18, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Pacific/Asia: Visitors to Ubud will Discover the Essence of Balinese Art and Culture Special Supplement: Malaysia Travel Planner New Zealand: There is Plenty to See and Do Throughout the West Coast of the Southern Alps Europe: Beauty, History and Culture Combine in Valencia, Spain Caribbean: Scrub Island is the BVI’s First Development in 15 years The Wyndham Rio Mar’s $40 Million Makeover is Well Underway in Puerto Rico The Latest on Grenada, a Caribbean Up-and-Comer Mexico: Big Hotel Plans are in the Works for the Riviera Nayarit Florida: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel turns Orlando into Italy Las Vegas: Dinner at these Restaurants Can Get your Clients into Vegas’ Hottest Nightclubs Cover Story: Medical Tourism Special Supplement: Destination Weddings Specialist 3.0 Hotels: Everything Old is New Again at New York’s Algonquin Cruise: Short Cruises Keep your Clients on the Move for Less Group Travel: Disney makes Exotic Locales Friendly for Family Travel Car Rentals: How Much Insurance Does your Client Need for a Rental Car? Agency Profile: Corporate Travel Sales are Rising at MTravel.com, a Division of Montrose Luxury Travel Expo Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Hyatt comes to Curaçao New Hotels and Resorts in Asia CLIA Tightens Qualifications for ID Tripology Links Agents to Clients In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - August 18, 2008

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