Travel Agent - October 29, 2007 - (Page 92)

NEWS IMPACT Results! Travel Networking Event The author with Roger Block and John Risner AGENCY OWNERS’ NETWORKING CRUISE NASSAU, BAHAMAS—Travel Agent attended the recent Results! Travel “Come ‘Sale’ Away” National Networking Event onboard Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas, traveling from Miami to the Bahamas October 12-15, featuring a panel discussion with preferred suppliers, and presentations by Kevin Weiser, general manager of Primero Systems; John Risner, general manager of Results! Travel; and Roger Block, executive vice president of Carlson Travel Franchise Group and a member of ASTA’s corporate executive advisory committee. The event attracted more than 200 attendees—travel agency owners who have become franchisees of Results! Travel (www.resultstravel.com, 888-523-2200), one of four franchise brands in Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s leisure group, with more than 900 locations in the U.S. Block addressed online competition. “Customers are getting fed up with Travelocity and Expedia and they are coming back to us in droves,” he said, noting Expedia’s flat sales growth. He urged the crowd to focus on selling airline bookings, given the growth in that industry and the opportunity to increase earnings through overrides and service fees. He also encouraged agents to grow their businesses. “Acquiring other agencies will…increase your market share and profitability,” Block said, citing Carlson, which, after buying Navigant for more than $500 million, is “the largest travel agency in the world.” Risner, in an interview with Travel Agent, noted that Results! franchisees can keep their identities, while getting support with marketing, preferred supplier relations and training, as well as airline overrides. In a recent survey of franchisees, 97.6 percent said they would recommend Results! to another agency. DAN BUTCHER CONNECTING YOU For a complete report on the Results! Travel Networking Event, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/results Magical Flights. Magical Kenya. Kenya is a magical leisure destination. Now the flight there can be magical too. Book your clients on Virgin Atlantic to Nairobi. With extra space and comfort in Premium Economy, complimentary cocktails and personal entertainment throughout the plane, the flight is as memorable as the vacation. To book Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic to Nairobi, visit virginatlantic.com or choose W/K/S class in your booking system. www.KenyaAgent.com 1-866-44-KENYA virginatlantic.com © 2007 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited http://www.resultstravel.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/results http://virginatlantic.com http://www.KenyaAgent.com http://virginatlantic.com

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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