Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - (Page 10)

FROM THE EDITOR Keep Clients Excited About Their Trips “I FEEL SO GUILTY GOING ON THIS CRUISE, I CAN’T EVEN TELL YOU.” That’s a quote from my good friend, Brenda, and I have to say that her comment truly took me aback. The cruise had been totally paid for, for months. It was a modest trip in a modest cabin on a mid-priced cruise line. Brenda was working, and had been working hard all year, as had her husband. None of her children had recently become unemployed, and yet Brenda said she felt tremendously guilty because of what was going on with the world financial markets. Her comment was a real eye-opener because it made me realize what the travel industry is going through right now. Consumers are frozen—they don’t know what to do. Brenda was afraid of how she would be perceived going on a cruise when the country’s financial markets were in turmoil, even though she had the means and a perfectly good reason to take a vacation. What’s striking me as odd these days is that almost no one is pointing out the positive news—that the cost of fuel has plummeted. That’s amazingly good news to homeowners who were wondering how they’d get through the winter in a warm house this year. The price of gasoline has come down by about 60 cents per gallon in my neighborhood on Long Island. That’s a godsend to those who commute. Not All Doom and Gloom Want more good news? It’s never been easier to reach more people than ever before— free of charge. With venues such as Facebook and MySpace and other social networking websites, business owners can participate in viral marketing as they never have before. I’ve just read a new book called Dirty Little Secrets of Buzz: How to Attract Massive Attention for Your Business, Your Product, or Yourself by David Seaman, which has some other tips on how to “spend almost nothing” to promote yourself. My other thought is that consumers aren’t going to give up traveling with their families. This is part of the post-9/11 value system in our country. If your clients are not able to make their pilgrimage to Orlando on their next trip, keep that in their wish book but suggest they visit a national park instead. The best part of that is that the views are free and the refreshments are much less expensive. You’ve heard of the pity party; I believe it’s time for travel agents to throw a celebration event in their community. Why not have an event promoting the aforementioned good news and invite those people you are pretty sure haven’t been negatively impacted by the economic travails that are plaguing others? Partner up with a supplier who has some co-op money to spend and be sure to convey to your guests what your message is: Times are tough, but you don’t have to give up all of your luxuries. Travel is your right and you deserve to take the vacation you’ve toiled so hard to earn. In the meantime, be sure that those clients from whom you’ve taken a deposit stay enthused about their upcoming trip. I’m hearing from more and more suppliers that even though clients have already put money on their trips, some are opting out, even at closer-in times when their forfeiture is quite high. Stay in touch with your customers so that you’ll catch them at that moment when they, like my friend, Brenda, start to think about world affairs and wonder what business they have enjoying themselves. They need you now more than ever. Keep the excitement level about travel high by steadily e-mailing them articles about the destinations they’re about to visit so that they simply cannot wait to go. These days, you’ve got to work harder than ever to maintain the business you’ve already booked, but if you’re able to share your passion for the adventure they’re about to embark upon, the battle is halfway won. Editorial Director Ruthanne Terrero on location on Mykonos, Greece RUTHANNE TERRERO, CTC EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 10 | TravelAgent October 27, 2008 CONNECTING YOU For more from Ruthanne Terrero, visit www.travelagent central.com/edletter http://www.travelagentcentral.com/edletter http://www.travelagentcentral.com/edletter

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - October 27, 2008

Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Europe Hawaii Pacific/Asia Pacific Northwest Las Vegas Mexico Cover Story: New Caribbean Resorts Cruises The Danube Express Tours Agent Profile A Marketing Edge Agenda Luxury Travel Expo American Express Offers Agents Advantages Japan Opens New Tourism Agency News and Notes from the Caribbean In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 27, 2008

Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Contributors (Page 8) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Contributors (Page 9) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page 16) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page SCover1) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page SCover2) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S1) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S2) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S3) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S4) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S5) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S6) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S7) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S8) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S9) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S10) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S11) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page S12) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page SCover3) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page SCover4) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page 33) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page 34) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page 35) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page 36) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Europe (Page 37) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 38) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 39) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 40) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Hawaii (Page 41) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 42) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 43) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 44) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 45) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 46) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 47) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific Northwest (Page 48) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Pacific Northwest (Page 49) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 50) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 51) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 52) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 53) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 54) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 55) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 56) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 57) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 58) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 59) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 60) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Mexico (Page 61) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cover Story: New Caribbean Resorts (Page 62) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cover Story: New Caribbean Resorts (Page 63) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cover Story: New Caribbean Resorts (Page 64) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cover Story: New Caribbean Resorts (Page 65) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cover Story: New Caribbean Resorts (Page 66) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cover Story: New Caribbean Resorts (Page 67) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cruises (Page 68) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cruises (Page 69) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cruises (Page 70) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Cruises (Page 71) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - The Danube Express (Page 72) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - The Danube Express (Page 73) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Tours (Page 74) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Tours (Page 75) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Tours (Page 76) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Tours (Page 77) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 78) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 79) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - A Marketing Edge (Page 80) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - A Marketing Edge (Page 81) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Agenda (Page 82) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Agenda (Page 83) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 84) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 85) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - American Express Offers Agents Advantages (Page 86) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - American Express Offers Agents Advantages (Page 87) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Japan Opens New Tourism Agency (Page 88) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Japan Opens New Tourism Agency (Page 89) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - News and Notes from the Caribbean (Page 90) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - News and Notes from the Caribbean (Page 91) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 92) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 93) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 94) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 95) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page 96) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover4) http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-120709http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-112309_v2http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-083109_tsphttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-112309http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-jamaicahttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-europehttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-110909http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-102609http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-101209http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-101209_skihttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-092809_cshttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-092809http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091409http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-083109http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-081709http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-080309http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-072009http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-070609http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-060809http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-062209http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-052509_weddingshttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-052509http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-051109http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-042709http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-041309http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-033009http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-030209http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-021609http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-020209http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-011909http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-010509http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-122208http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ct_2009winterhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-120808http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-112408http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-111008http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-102708http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-skiuhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-101308http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-092908http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091508http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091508_tsphttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-090108http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-dw08http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-080408http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-072108http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-070708http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-062308http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-060908http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-052608http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-051208http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-041408http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-033108-dshttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-031708-barbadoshttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-033108http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-031708http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta031708-HShttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-030308http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta030308-sshttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta030308-phhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-021808http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-020408http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-012108http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-010708http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-122407_bfchttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-122407http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-121007http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-112607http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-111207http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-portugalhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-102907http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-101507_ski-univhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-101507http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-100107http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-092407http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091707http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-comphttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091007http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-090307http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091007-tsphttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-082707-dw0807http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-082707http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-082007http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-081307http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-080607http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-073007http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-072307http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-071607http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-070907http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-070207http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-062507http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-061807http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-061107http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-060407http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-052807http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-indiaplannerhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-052107http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-051407http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-050707http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-043007http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-042307http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-041607http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-040907http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-040207http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-032607http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-lv031207http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-031907http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-031207http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-030507http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-destinationgermanyhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-022607http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-021907http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-021207http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-020507http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-azsales011507http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-012907http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-012207http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-011507http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-010807http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-010107http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-121806http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-121106http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-120406http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-112706http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-112006http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/visitsouthafricahttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-111306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-110606http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-103006http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-102306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-101606http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-100906http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/southafricahttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-100206http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-092506http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091806http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-091106http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/talv090406http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-090406http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-082806http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-082106http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-081406http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta080706http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta073106http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-072406http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-071706http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-071006http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-070306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-062606http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-061906http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-061206http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/lasvegas060506http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-060506http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/destinationweddingshttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-052206http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/Wynn-LasVegashttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-051506http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-050806http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-041706http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-041006http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-040306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hbta0406http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-032706http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-032006http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-031306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-030606http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hbta0306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-022706http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hbtaehttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-022006http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/portugalsalesplannerhttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-021306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-020606http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-013006http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta012306http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-011606http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.