Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - (Page 4) RE ALIT Y CHECK Cruises Continue to Win Over Families A new online survey of more than 1,000 households by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Cruise Critic, an online resource on cruise information, says families take cruises often because the price is right and the cruise experience offers unique advantages over comparably priced land-based vacations. More than 60 percent of those responding to the survey used a travel agent at least on occasion to plan a cruise vacation, with almost 40 percent saying they use agents most of the time or always. Other key findings from the CLIA study include: Almost half (46 percent) of respondents have taken two to four cruises with children under the age of 18; 15.2 percent have taken five to seven cruises; and 4.8 percent have taken more than 10. I Agents Report Blue Christmas A recent online poll at TravelAgentCentral (www.travel agentcentral.com) asked agents, “Have you seen a slowdown in Christmas holiday travel?” Not too surprisingly, given the economy, nearly three-quarters of responding agents reported a dip in holiday travel. But we’ve also seen a big increase in travel deals for this holiday season—particularly in the Caribbean and Mexico—so there may still be glad tidings ahead for agents. Have you seen a slowdown in Christmas holiday travel? I NO YES Over 83 percent of families said cruise vacations are very good or an extremely good value. I Yes No 71% I Among all family cruisers, 73.4 percent said that their last cruise was the same price or less than a resort vacation, with almost 50 percent saying that the cruise was slightly or much less costly. I 29% Source: www.travelagentcentral.com Almost 70 percent of respondents said that planning a cruise was easier than planning a resort vacation. I Over 60 percent of respondents said they sometimes or always travel as an extended family (with grandparents and/or grandchildren). I Top European Hotels in Guest Satisfaction In the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2008 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study (www.jdpower.com) released last month, 45 hotel brands were measured and ranked according to seven measures: costs and fees; guest room; hotel facilities; food and beverage; check-in/checkout; hotel services; and reservations. Among the highest ranked in the Upper Upscale and Upscale segments were: International Visits to U.S. Up for 2008 The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 29.3 million international visitors traveled to the United States during the first seven months of 2008, an increase of 10 percent over the same period in 2007. In July 2008, total visitation was 5.4 million, an increase of 2 percent over July 2007. International visitors spent $83.5 billion from January through July 2008, an increase of 24 percent over the first seven months of 2007. In July 2008, visitors spent a record $12.7 billion, an increase of 21 percent over July 2007. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Iberostar Hotels & Resorts Mercure Hotels Hotel Novotel/Dorint Novotel Hesperia Upscale Segment Overall Satisfaction Index (Based on a 1,000-point scale) 755 735 733 728 727 Upper Upscale Segment Overall Satisfaction Index (Based on a 1,000-point scale) Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts Maritim Hotels Hilton Hotels Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts Sofitel/Dorint Sofitel 787 764 759 758 757 CONNECTING YOU For more data and statistics on consumer and industry trends, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/stats 4 | TravelAgent November 10, 2008 http://www.travelagentcentral.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com http://www.jdpower.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/stats
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Reality Check Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts The Slot Spot River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value Cover Story: Selling Mexico Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools Luxury Travel Expo WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service Caribbean, Mexico Ramp Up Resort Plans Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page Cover) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page 2) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 (Page 3) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Reality Check (Page 4) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Reality Check (Page 5) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Online Now (Page 6) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Online Now (Page 7) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 8) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 9) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 10) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contents (Page 11) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contributors (Page 12) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Contributors (Page 13) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 16) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S1) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S2) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S3) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S4) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S5) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S6) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S7) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page S8) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 25) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 26) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 27) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 28) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 (Page 29) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 30) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 31) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 32) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 33) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 34) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings (Page 35) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 36) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 37) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 38) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels (Page 39) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 40) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 41) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 42) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi (Page 43) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau (Page 44) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau (Page 45) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 46) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 47) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 48) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” (Page 49) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 50) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 51) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 52) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 53) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 54) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City (Page 55) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 56) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 57) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 58) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina (Page 59) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 60) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 61) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 62) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 63) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 64) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts (Page 65) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - The Slot Spot (Page 66) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - The Slot Spot (Page 67) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 68) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 69) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 70) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value (Page 71) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 72) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 73) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 74) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 75) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 76) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Cover Story: Selling Mexico (Page 77) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source (Page 78) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source (Page 79) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools (Page 80) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools (Page 81) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 82) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents (Page 83) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents (Page 84) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service (Page 85) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service (Page 86) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Caribbean, Mexico Ramp Up Resort Plans (Page 87) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Classified Marketplace (Page 88) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 89) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 90) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 91) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 92) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 93) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 94) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 95) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 96) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4)
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