Travel Agent - August 27, 2007 - (Page DW1) Destination Weddings SPECIALIST 2.0 WELCOME TO DESTINATION WEDDINGS SPECIALIST 2.0 Because of the overwhelming response to our original Destination Weddings Specialist launched just over a year ago, we have a created an updated version that maintains and amplifies the essential how-and-why information while providing expanded coverage on key destinations and resort products in this growing market. This means that newcomers to the course will get a solid understanding of what it takes to profit from this potentially lucrative travel product while agents who took the course previously are encouraged to take it as a refresher course and pick up valuable new information as well. Read the course, then take the final exam at www.tauniv.com to become a Destination Weddings Specialist. (You can also take the entire course online .) Pronounce Yourself An Expert Why You Should Be Selling Destination Weddings As a travel agent, you have no doubt sold a few honeymoons in your time, getting a share of this $12-billion-a-year business. But that's only part of the picture. If you can get these couples to book a destination wedding — an $8.6 billion industry in itself, according to the 2006 American Wedding Study from The Condé Nast Bridal Group — you can tap into another huge revenue source that can almost guarantee repeat business. The demand is already there; destination weddings have increased 400 percent in the last 10 years according to that same study, representing about one in every six American weddings annually. To take advantage of this trend, you need to be proactive. Planning for the average wedding in the U.S. begins a year to 14 months in advance. If you wait for couples to walk in to book their honeymoon, they have no doubt already made their wedding arrangements. Y You need to reach engaged couples while they are in wedding-planning mode to capture their business. advertising, collateral or agency Web site that you are a Specialist in handling destination weddings. You should even conY sider creating a specialized site with a URL that has “destination weddings” in the address. Engage in cross-promotions and co-operative advertising with local bridal shops, tuxedo rental stores and printers that specialize in invitations. Attend bridal shows or exhibit at bridal expos. These events give you a direct link to the bride and groom right when they’re making decisions. A good source for these events is www.weddingwire.com. Tap into your existing client base. Parents love to tell everyone who will listen that their son or daughter just got engaged. Y Your corporate clients may also tell you about their own engagement. Let them know about your destination wedding expertise. Advertise your services on local TV stations or cable outlet. Try to get your ads placed during romantic or weddingthemed films or TV shows. Tra | Travel Agent | August 27, 2007 Specialist Benefits As a Destination Weddings Specialist, you’ll not only be better equipped to take advantage of sales opportunities and big commissions in this growing and lucrative market, but you’ll also be automatically entered into a drawing for one of six $100 gift cards — three for new Specialists and three for current ones who successfully complete the “2.0” course. I I Contents Engaging the Client Targeting Couples Customer-Product Match-ups Resort Offerings Sampler Popular Wedding Sites Marriage Regulations Cover: Riviera Maya Tourism Board Top Left: Bahamas Tourist Office T Top Right: Super Clubs 2 4 6 8 10 16 Preparing and Promoting Here are a few steps you can take: I Read this course, pass the final exam (at www.tauniv.com) and receive a Destination Weddings Specialist diploma to display and show brides-andgrooms-to-be that you are certified as an expert in the field. Current Specialists should take this “2.0” edition of the course to stay up to date. I Make it known in your storefront window, W Destination Weddings Specialist 2.0 I I 1 http://www.tauniv.com http://www.weddingwire.com http://www.tauniv.com
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