Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - (Page 80)

BUSINESS OPER ATIONS CONSORTIA PROFILE Ensemble Travel Launches New Tools, Announces Partnerships THE ENSEMBLE TRAVEL GROUP held its 2008 International Conference last month at Red Rock Resort & Spa in Las Vegas. Travel Agent sat down with a team of Ensemble Travel Group executives to learn more about initiatives, features and partnerships unveiled at the conference. John Jessey, senior director of e-marketing and special products for Ensemble Travel Group, assured us that the $35 price for Ensemble Client Suite will remain firm through 2009, although there will be various upgrades available for an additional fee. Ensemble hopes to convert all of its members to the new site by the end of the first quarter in 2009. Introducing Ensemble Client Suite Ensemble’s members can now choose between two technology platforms. They can stick with the Ensemble Client Site, which remains free of charge, or upgrade to Ensemble Client Suite, which costs members $35 a month. Ensemble Client Suite features include a MY PAGE tool that allows clients to create their own personal travel page. Participating members will have access to this information, which provides key insights into customers’ thoughts and buying preferences. From here, the agent can enter into the discussion as well. Ensemble Client Suite also enables clients and potential customers to select offers from one central search tool on members’ websites, which travelers can then save or send to their agent for more information. Once they’re registered on the site, the trip request function is pre-populated with all the necessary contact information. From the website, clients can e-mail the offer to others for input, comments and reviews. The website uses Microsoft Word-based word processing and Frommer’s content of 322 worldwide destinations. The Frommer’s content also includes current events at travel destinations. The platform will also have a built-in language translator. BELOW: The Ensemble executive team, from left: Jack E. Mannix, president and CEO; G. Carol Black, senior director, strategic marketing; John Jessey, senior director, e-marketing and special products; Suzanne Hall, senior director, marketing and development, land products; Susan Gannon, senior director, marketing and development, cruise products. NOT PICTURED: Brian Chapin, senior director, airline relations. Financial Targeting Tool for Ensemble Members A new financial modeling tool is available to Ensemble’s members that can identify household income from investments, as well as salaries. The aim is to target the household’s discretionary spending money, which is the key driver for purchase potential. The combined power of the Ensemble Travel Group customer segmentation capability with the new financial tool will enable the organization to differentiate the affluent empty-nester most likely to choose a high-ticket safari from the one more likely to choose a value-priced premium cruise with luxury amenities. Members can look for the tool to be added to Ensemble’s 2009 marketing. New Members, Products and Partnerships Ensemble Travel Group announced plans for its first-ever charter cruise in 2010 with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. A key differentiator for the 10-day Ensemble Grand Journeys Caribbean cruise charter is the fact that it will be the only ship in each of the seven ports during the cruise, thus ensuring an exclusive and private voyage for members’ clients. “The cruise is also only available through Ensemble’s members,” says Jack E. Mannix, president and CEO of Ensemble Travel Group. Customized shore excursions unique to Ensemble will be fully commissionable, although they are not part of the all-inclusive price. As part of Ensemble Travel Group’s long-term strategy, the organization plans a series of luxury cruise and land departures, perhaps three to five major events a year for the upscale traveler. On the hotel side, the Ensemble Hotel & Resort Collection will begin 2009 with nearly 500 properties worldwide. This represents an increase of about 35 percent in partnerships over the last year. New partnerships include Tripology, Variety Cruises, Air New Zealand, Echelon private jet charters and Ya’lla Tours. Five Ensemble On Location partners were also added: Alanaka Tours, Kinki Nippon Tourist Company, Liberty International, New York Vacation Packages and Vanguard Travel Service. The conference also included an announcement about a new alliance with culinary adventure operator Tour de Forks. The 2009 Ensemble Inspired Journeys collection will feature five new epicurean adventure departures, as well as several others. For more from the conference, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/ events-ensemble. —MARK ROGERS 80 | TravelAgent November 10, 2008 http://www.travelagentcentral.com/events-ensemble http://www.travelagentcentral.com/events-ensemble

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

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