Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 - (Page SU2)

2|3 Ski University • Travel Agent CONTENTS Colorado 4 Utah 8 Northern Rockies 10 California & Nevada 11 Canada 12 New England 13 DELVE A LITTLE DEEPER Once you have explored your clients’ vacation basics, ask these questions to complete the vacation picture: • Do you have a set budget? • What kind of accommodations do you prefer? You’ll ﬁnd that most ski areas have their share of both upscale and budget accommodations. Some clients may just want a place to sleep or unwind after a long day on the slopes. For you luxury clients you should ask one more question: • Is there anything special you require on your vacation? A hot tub, pool, view, ﬁtness room or ﬁreplace? TIME TO BOOK Once armed with knowledge accrued from the initial client interview and the basic ski resort information found on the pages of Ski University, contact the sales desk of the selected resort or a preferred wholesaler/tour operator. Most major resorts have a dedicated online or toll-free-phone help desk to handle your requests. Vail Resorts (www.snow. com), for one, has its “Inside Sales Desk” (888-521-SNOW) for dedicated Ski Specialists. Knowledgeable travel professionals who live and work in the area can create a package to suit your clients’ needs at the best price available and provide an invaluable local perspective. Another example is Steamboat Central Reservations (877-783-2628), where Vacation Sales Agent Experts are on call Okemo Associate Publishers: Bob Curto, Peter Gatt Senior Managing Editor: David K. Moseder Senior Project Manager: Ken Grant Project Designer: Nicole Alleyne Web Developer: Arthur Yoe Project Writer: Fred Folmer Production Director: Marilyn Hiris Group Publisher, Travel Agent Media Group: Kerry J. Cannon, Jr. Travel Agent Custom Solutions is a division of Questex Media, 757 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017. © 2007. All rights reserved. Although every effort has been made to guarantee the accuracy of information appearing within this supplement, we cannot be responsible for typographical errors, omissions or changes since this publication went to press. Cover photo courtesy of Jack Afﬂeck/Vail Resorts to assist you with all your planning and travel arrangements. For more information go to steamboat.com and click on “Travel Agents.” Similar services can be found at most ski resort Web sites. Another way to get the best deal for your clients is to book commissionable packages through a tour operator. They provide easy “one-stop shopping” and usually offer better overall pricing that if you book direct. Two such operators are Ski.com and Alpine Adventures. Ski.com, formerly Aspen Ski Tours, has booked ski vacations for over 35 years and offers packages to more than 80 of the most popular ski resorts in Europe, North America (Colorado and the U.S. and Canadian Rockies) and the Southern Hemisphere. Ski.com’s independent travel specialists, who average 15 years of experience, customize and personalize ski vacations for every type of traveler, including groups from 20 to 2,000. Alpine Adventures’ staff includes avid skiers and snowboarders who know and love the areas they speak to agents about. Their territory covers the western U.S., Canada, South America and Europe. Alpine Adventures’ line of ski tours and services includes group vacations and the Alpine Luxury Collection, a portfolio of the most luxurious hotels and private residences in mountain resorts around the world. The web site, www.alpineadventures.net, includes a dedicated portal for travel agents. Beaver Creek/Vail Resorts http://steamboat.com http://Ski.com http://www.snow.com http://www.snow.com http://www.alpineadventures.com

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Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe Central & South America Special Supplement: Ski University Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Caribbean Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Packages Jamaica’s New Minister of Tourism Talks About the Country’s Future Special Package Deals Cruises Hotels Ski Multi-Generational Travel Tours Cover Story: Luxe Life of the Stewart Clan Business Operations - Agent Profile Technology Transportation The Industry - Agenda Caribbean News PATA Travel Mart ITME Report Latest Cruise and Hotel News Travel Week In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 15, 2007

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