Travel Agent - September 3, 2007 - (Page 10)

Vital Signs Agents Eager for Virgin America Outreach It’s been just under one month since Richard Branson’s low-cost start up carrier, Virgin America (www.virginamerica.com), began operations from its San Francisco hub to such cities as New York, Los Angeles, and soon, Washington, D.C. The carrier reached out to a small portion of the agent community recently, with the intent of expanding on that communication soon, though no further details were available at press time. A Virgin America spokesperson said that the airline hopes to do more events like the one it held in July for about 80 agencies, which took tours of the aircraft and received complimentary tickets. Virgin America is available through Galileo. Many agents are eager for a more widespread outreach. “I know nothing except what’s been reported in the media,” says Trudy Lagerman, a travel consultant with Liberty Travel in Selinsgrove, PA, which has bulk deals in place with Virgin Atlantic, “but if Branson handles his domestic routes as he does on Virgin Atlantic’s international routes, it’s going to be an extremely successful airline. I have frequent fliers who will pay more to fly Virgin America, just based on his reputation.” John Clifford of International Travel Management in San Diego, CA, says he too, is waiting to know more about how the airline would engage agents, but adds gan August 8. On August 29, Virgin America began service between New York and Los Angeles with two daily roundtrip flights; a third will be added September 16. On September 26, the carrier will start flying twice-daily service between San Francisco and Washington, D.C., Dulles; on October 10, three daily flights between San Francisco and Las Vegas; and on October 24, two daily flights between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The carrier is considering expanding service to close to 40 cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Miami, Newark, N.J. and Philadelphia. —Jennifer Merritt News You Can Use that he has no doubt the agent community would hear more soon. “The bottom line is that Richard Branson’s culture is very agent-friendly,” he says. “He realizes the value of people and having a human face to sell a product.” Virgin America said it expects to serve as many as 10 cities within a year and up to 30 cities within five years. Flights between San Francisco and New York be- Travel Agent Welcomes James Craven The Travel Agent Media Group is pleased to announce that James S. Craven (305-4456856, jcraven@questex.com) is our new Associate Publisher for the Southeastern USA, Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico. Based in Miami, Craven has more than 30 years of experience in the travel agent, tour operator, airline and consumer magazine markets, and has worked on the Travel Weekly suite of products. “Jim has a keen understanding of the value that travel agents offer, coupled with a consultative, James S. Craven problem-solving approach to media and marketing programs,” says Travel Agent Media Group Publisher Kerry Cannon. Refer-A-Friend Win a $100 gift card! Are you a Crystal Cruises Academy Graduate? If so, keep your eyes peeled for an exclusive e-mail invitation that could be worth $100! Details for Crystal Cruises' Refer-A-Friend sweepstakes will be emailed to you soon! It's your chance to win a $100 gift card when you refer a travel agent to Crystal Cruises Academy and that agent registers for and completes either Course I or Course II. Plus, you get an additional entry for every referral of yours who becomes a Crystal Cruises Academy Graduate. If you haven't registered for Crystal Cruises Academy, it's not too late. Register at www.CrystalCruisesAcademy.com today, complete either course by September 30, 2007 and you'll have the chance to Refer-A-Friend too! AHOY THERE, CRYSTAL CRUISES EXPERTS! Crystal Cruises is the only cruise line voted “World's Best” for an unprecedented 12 consecutive years! 10 TravelAgent September 3, 2007 http://www.virginamerica.com http://www.CrystalCruisesAcademy.com http://www.CrystalCruisesAcademy.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

Contents News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Hotel Brand Expansion Africa: Egypt’s Newest Destination Hawaii: Hawaii Update Pacific/Asia: Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square Europe: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Caribbean & Bahamas: Marriott Expands Its Caribbean Portfolio El San Juan Hotel & Casino Upgrades San Juan’s New Doubletree by Hilton Mexico: Hotels Offer Post-Hurricane Deals Ski: The Inn at Lost Creek Agent Profile Meet Mame King Advertisers’ Information Classified Marketplace Luxury Travel Expo Update People & Places Special Supplement: Las Vegas Sales Guide

Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

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