Travel Agent - October 27, 2008 - (Page S2)

2 | 3 SKI UNIVERSITY 3.0 • A Travel Agent Specialist Program preceding and during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. There will be a “signiﬁcant ﬂow-on effect” of visitors who wish to ski or snowboard the mountains in North America, and, IBISWorld says, the massive media and cultural hype surrounding those games is likely to increase interest and participation in the sport of skiing overall. Agents should also take interest in some of NSAA’s demographic ﬁndings. Most importantly, the association ﬁnds in its 2008 National Demographic Study that the proportion of visitors ages The winter 2008-2009 session of Ski University is ﬁlled 45 to 54 has increased with sales tips and other useful information on ski resorts from 14 percent to 19.9 throughout the western U.S. and Canada to help you match percent since 1997-98; in your clients with the resort that best suits their needs. the same time period, the As a graduate of Ski U 3.0 you’ll be better qualiﬁed proportion of ski travelto proﬁt from this lucrative industry and, when you’ve ers 55 to 64 has doubled, passed the ﬁnal exam, you’ll also be automatically from 4.6 percent to 9.2 entered in a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards. percent. And while this You’ll ﬁnd the exam online at www.tauniv.com. You presents some challenges can also choose to take the entire course online as well. for the industry in the The opening story will get you up to speed on the long-distance future— state of the ski market and the myriad sales opporthere is an urgent need tunities that await the knowledgeable ski seller. On to attract younger skiers page 4 begins a special feature on Colorado, the most and riders, in order to popular destination among agents’ ski clients, followed maintain skiing/snowby a roundup of other great western ski resort boarding’s long-term areas starting on page 10. viability—there is no After you’ve read through Ski University 3.0, go to doubt that snowsports www.tauniv.com to take the ﬁnal exam. While you’re clientele is concentrated there you’ll also ﬁnd bonus coverage on New England in two age groups with and Europe, plus a proﬁle of a major demographic, the money and the will family ski market (81 percent of agents says they book and ability to travel. families for ski trips) to boost your ski IQ even higher. NSAA cites the “loyalty and staying power of older participants” Travel Agent Custom Solutions is a as a key to its recent success. In last division of Questex Media, 757Third year’s National Demographic Study, Avenue, NewYork, NewYork 10017. NSAA found that the proportion of ski © 2008. All rights reserved. Although every effort has been made to guarantee the accuracy of information appearing visitors living in family or empty nest within this supplement, we cannot be responsible for typohouseholds has increased, while the graphical errors, omissions or changes since this publication proportion of singles has decreased. went to press. The study identiﬁes a “three-generation Cover photo courtesy of Vail Resorts phenomenon” as baby boomers (ages Become a Ski Specialist 44 to 62) continue to participate in skiing, while their children and grandchildren also take up skiing and riding. The trend toward families skiing together mirrors some of the data collected in an April 2008 survey of agents by Travel Agent Media Group, with the assistance of Ski.com. Of the 1,531 agents who responded, nearly half, 45.9 percent, said that they book mountain travel holidays. And 81 percent said that families composed their ski/snowboard clientele, with 75.7 percent reporting that they book couples on ski trips. A signiﬁcantly smaller percentage, 50.4 percent, said that they book singles. A large majority, 83.2 percent, said they book clients for midscale trips; 32.7 said they send clients on luxury ski vacations. LEADING DESTINATIONS Colorado was the top destination for these agents’ clients, at 79.4 percent, followed by Utah, at 48.1 percent; Canada, 35.9 percent; and California, 24.1 percent. When selecting a resort, lodging’s proximity to slopes or lifts ranked very high, with 67.8 percent of respondents saying that criterion was “very important.” Other considerations scoring high marks were cost, proximity to the airport, nightlife and off-mountain activities. Finally, when booking a speciﬁc resort over another, 69.9 percent of agents listed “client request” as the most important inﬂuence. Reputation and price/value also scored over 50 percent, proving that those old standby categories still carry a lot of weight, and that it’s often money that carries the day. — Fred Folmer Snowbird Park City Mountain Resort http://www.Ski.com http://www.tauniv.com http://www.tauniv.com

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.