Travel Agent - October 29, 2007 - (Page 19)

CONTRIBUTORS MARK ROGERS, senior editor, was the moderator for this issue’s Hawaii Roundtable on pages 58-62. “The energy in the room was amazing,” says Rogers. “The panelists showed a lot of passion for their destination.” Back in the office, Rogers was faced with an embarrassment of riches. “After the tape was transcribed, we had enough material for seven stories.” Rogers covers Hawaii, the South Pacific and Asia, as well as California, where he is based. At least twice a month he travels to attend trade conferences around the region, which provide him upfront access to newsmakers and trendsetters in the industry. Last month Rogers attended the PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali. Insider Where do you send honeymooners who are inexperienced travelers? Agent CARIBBEAN DAVID EISEN covers the cruise and hotel industries for Travel Agent. Eisen just returned from cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Gem, where he had the chance to meet and speak with Andy Stuart (on left, pictured with Eisen in the photo on the right), NCL’s executive vice president of sales and marketing. In this issue, Eisen gives you all you’ll need to know about the Gem. He also revisits river cruising from the travel agent perspective. “River cruising is quickly becoming more than just a fad, especially in Europe, as it gives travelers a new, and different, appreciation of some of world’s most storied cities,” says Eisen. JOE PIKE (left), is Travel Agent’s associate editor covering the Caribbean; the Bahamas and Bermuda; Mexico; and Central and South America. Pike recently returned from the Regent Palms Turks & Caicos, which he described as one of the top properties he’s visited in the Caribbean. “The resort is the perfect property for couples looking for an unspoiled destination in the Caribbean and a resort that offers peace and quiet on just about every inch of its 12 acres,” he says. “I recommend the Caribbean—maybe Cancun, the Riviera Maya, St. Lucia and Jamaica,” says Margie Hand of All Seasons Travel in Montgomery, AL. “Any of the region is pretty easy, but I would not have them go to the remote islands. I try to put those who haven’t traveled so much on a simple flight itinerary. I suggest Malliouhana in Anguilla for couples celebrating their honeymoon and anniversaries. HAWAII Mary Walton of Pass- JENNIFER MERRITT is Travel Agent’s reporter covering Europe, Tour Operators and Technology. Earlier this month, Merritt was off to Santa Barbara, CA for the Alaska Media Road Show, as well as Tucson, AZ for American Express’ U.S. representative network conference, where she had the opportunity to interface with many suppliers and agents. One of Merritt’s dream trips is to travel Europe via rail, and in this issue, she explores the benefits of train versus air travel, both abroad and in the U.S. port to Travel in Modesto, CA sends a lot of her clients to Hawaii. “It doesn’t sound that exciting if you do a lot of traveling, but the people speak English, it is our country and a unique experience for those who don’t do a lot of traveling,” she says. RIVIERA MAYA Laura Pierce of Fox IRVINA LEW is an author and freelance travel writer, and a member of both the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Society of American Travel Writers. She is an admitted “francophile” who studied at the University of Paris and the Sorbonne, and she is an ardent spa afficionado. This image was taken on a tour boat in the picturesque village of Beyzac in Aquitaine, France, which she writes about in this issue. October 29, 2007 TravelAgent | 19 World Travel in Appleton, WI also recommends the Riviera Maya in Mexico “because of its beauty and because new travelers are not going to be intimidated there with language and cultural barriers. One of the first resorts I recommend is the El Dorado Royale. It’s very romantic.”

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - October 29, 2007

Travel Agent - October 29, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe European Tour Packages Mexico Mexico Deals Pacific/Asia Australia Deals Las Vegas Vegas News, Packages and Deals Caribbean Caribbean Deals Hotels Tours Hawaii Cruise River Cruising Takes on a New Life Cover Story: Tanzania Agent Profile Technology: Using Videos Trabsportation: Riding the Rails The Industry: Agenda Holland America and Trump Hotels Bahamas Luxury Booms, BVI Gets First Resort in 15 Years Expanded Family Travel Tours Korean Air Exclusive Report From Results! Travel Conference Travel Week In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertsing Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 29, 2007

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