Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - (Page 86)

NEWS IMPACT American Express Stays Strong, Unveils Initiatives for Agents AS LOGOS GO, THE BIG BLUE BOX WITH THE WORDS “AMERICAN EXPRESS” IS MODEST. But for hundreds of travel agencies that are part of the American Express Travel Representative Network, the Big Blue Box logo is a symbol of their association with one of the world’s best known and most successful brands in travel. Affiliation with American Express offers the Representative Network the ability to leverage American Express’ global relationships and to access unique products and programs that will enhance their leisure and corporate travel sales. In addition to the power of the brand, Representative Network agencies also have access to a very special market—American Express Cardmembers. Especially in an economic downturn, the trust and confidence that the American Express brand offers is invaluable. This was underscored at the recent annual Representative Network conference in Seattle, where the Network agencies gathered to hear business news updates from American Express Travel executives, welcome new agency members (see “New Agencies Sign On,” at right) and mark a solid year of sales growth. (The network does not release aggregate sales figures or total member agencies, but does claim 2,200 locations worldwide.) The Network also laid out new programs for 2009 that, despite the current economic crisis, look promising. “Representative agencies will have access to a wide variety of marketing, sales, technology and training tools that will help them to continue building their business,” says Ellen Bettridge, vice president, Retail Travel Network, American Express Travel. An 18-year veteran of American Express and, for the past five years, head of the Retail Travel Network, Bettridge and her team are credited with helping to achieve a 100 percent increase in sales over the past five years. She also reports that the September 2007 alignment of the Representative Travel Network and American Express-owned travel services offices has proven to be a success. Bettridge’s responsibilities now include oversight of the American Express-owned travel service offices and the Rep Network. George Dooley Competitive Advantage Bettridge says that the addition of new agencies is one testament to American Express’ clout in a very competitive market. “The competition for high-quality agencies among agency groups is intense and we are delighted that these agencies have chosen to join us,” she says. The average American Express Rep has sales in excess of $19 million, Bettridge reports. New members are often referred to American Express by other agencies. “The power of the American Express brand is a major reason for joining us,” she notes. While the competitive advantages of the American Express brand and access to American Express Cardmembers is formidable, Bettridge makes it clear that Representative agencies get a wide range of other advantages tailored to their needs. This includes marketing support, training, information and booking systems and preferred supplier relations. Agents take advantage of such products and programs as American Express Vacations, Mariners’ Club, Gold Card Destinations, the Fine Hotels & Resorts Program New Agencies Sign On American Express Travel’s U.S. Representative Network continued its expansion as a number of new agencies signed on in the past year. The addition of these new agencies furthers American Express’ reputation for establishing mutually beneficial business relationships with some of the most highly respected travel agencies in the U.S., the company said. Travel agencies that have joined American Express Travel in the past year include: Corporate Travel Planners, San Antonio; Cruises-N-More, Lake Mary, FL; El Sol Travel, Tempe, AZ; Laguna Niguel Travel, Laguna Niguel, CA; Main Street Travel, Lakewood Ranch, FL; Mundi Travel Consultants, San Jose, CA; Town & Country Travel Inc., Pittsford, NY; Travel On Ltd., Beltsville, MD; and VTI Travel, Boardman, OH. CONNECTING YOU For more information on agency networks, visit www.travelagentcentral. com/consortia 86 | TravelAgent October 27, 3008 http://www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia http://www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia

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) 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