Travel Agent - November 26, 2007 - (Page 112)

TRENDWATCH Survey Reveals Couples’ True Desires as They Make Their Honeymoon Plans Brides- and grooms-to-be have told Honeymooner’s Review Cell Phones on Planes Guide where they would like to go for their honeymoon, and Fiji emerged as the top dream destination, named by 19% of respondents to the online survey. Fiji squeezed out the Hawaiian Would Be Irritating, Say Flyers Islands, which got 18% of the votes, and French Polynesia, with 15%. The poll does not necessarily indicate where couples end up going for their honeymoon, just where they would prefer to go. Budgetary issues often limit destination choices, according to the web site. Among those who completed the Review Guide’s posthoneymoon survey, Hawaii ranks as the No. 1 destination. WE ARE NOT SURPRISED to hear that frequent travelers are not waiting eagerly for cell phone usage to be allowed on flights. The International Airline Passengers Association (IAPA) received 3,000 responses to a survey on the issue. The overwhelming conclusion? “Allowing passengers to use mobile phones onboard will be a source of great irritation,” according to the results. Almost 9 out of 10 respondents (88%) said they would consider it annoying. This was most pronounced in the U.K., with 69.8% of British travelers saying they would be annoyed by in-flight cell phone use. In contrast, the figure for U.S. travelers was 49%. Overall, only 1 in 20 people said they would not be irritated by the use of phones in the air. It’s not all negative, however. Although 28% said they feel very strongly about the issue and advocate a full ban on mobile communications, 57% of the survey respondents said communications via text messaging or e-mail would be preferable to a complete ban. Only 9% of respondents agreed that all usage should be allowed, even within set time periods. Top Honeymoon Dream Destinations: Fiji Hawaii French Polynesia Europe 19% 18% 15% 15% Thailand Jamaica Bali Anguilla 11% 9% 8% 5% SOURCE: Honeymooner’s Review Guide online survey with 1,428 respondents Are Younger People Open to Packaged Travel? A study by the United States Tour Operators Association reveals that age and gender matter when it comes to how and why people select packaged travel. USTOA found that consumers aged 18 to 34 are more likely to buy a tour or vacation package than their older (over 65) counterparts, citing a desire to see new or unfamiliar places, find out more about the history or culture of an area, enjoy greater convenience or learn new skills, like cooking or photography. Younger travelers also are most motivated by free hotel room upgrades. When it comes to gender, the survey found that men are less price-conscious than women, with women more concerned about value, responding well to such inclusions as meals and sightseeing. Women also appreciate the sense of security on a packaged tour, while men prioritize companionship and making new friends as reasons for purchasing a tour or vacation package. “At least we tried to save the environment.” CONNECTING YOU For more data and statistics on consumer and industry trends, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/stats TRAVEL AGENT (ISSN 1053-9360) is published bi-weekly 26 times per year, by Questex Media Group, Inc., 306 West Michigan St., Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55802. Subscription rates: $250 for one year in the United States; $350 for one year in Canada and Mexico; all other countries $350 for one year. Single copies (prepaid only): $4.95 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and in all other countries. For air-expedited service, include an additional $75 per order annually. Include $6.50 per order plus $2 per additional copy for U.S. postage and handling. For current single copy or back issues on CD-rom, call 866-344-1315. Outside the US, please phone 615-377-3322. Periodicals postage paid at Duluth MN 55806 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to TRAVEL AGENT, P.O. Box 5066, Brentwood, TN 37024-5066. Canadian G.S.T. number: 840033278RT0001. Publications Mail Agreement Number 40017597. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2007 Questex Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including by photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the publisher, Questex Media Group, Inc. Authorization to photocopy items for internal/educational or personal use, or the internal/educational or personal use of specific clients is granted by Questex Media Group, Inc. for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400 fax 978-750-4470. For those not registered with the CCC, send permissions request to: questexpermissions@reprintbuyer.com or 800-494-9051, Ext 100. http://www.travelagentcentral.com/stats

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - November 26, 2007

Travel Agent - November 26, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe: InterContinental Geneva Puts Forth a New Look and a New Way to Get to Know the Swiss City London’s Soho Hotel Pacific/Asia: Taichung: Taiwan’s Third Largest City Pacific/Asia Briefs and Packages Tanzania Travel Specialist Mexico: A Roundup of Premier Hotels in Mexico City Q&A with U.S. Director of the Mexico Tourism Board Mexico Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Gen-X couples Creating a Kid-Friendly Vacation for Gen-X Clients that Still Includes Alone Time for Parents Richard Harper of Mandalay Bay Caribbean & Bahamas: What’s Happening in St. Kitts Puerto Rico’s Other Rainforest, Toro Negro Hawaii: The Big Island: First-Class Resorts and Native Culture Hotels: The Sky Lodge in Park City; The Lodge at Vail Tours: American Safari Cruises in Alaska’s Inside Passage Pacific Northwest: Suncadia, Eco-Friendly Resort Near Seattle Cruise: The Added Lure of Sailing with a Celebrity Onboard Small Ships Offer Up-Close Experience Cover Story: Hip Hotelier, Social Scientist Supplier Profile - Maximilian Brockmann: The New Face of Auto Europe Agent Profile: Sigrid Carter of Envoyé Travel The Orient-Express: Fabled Train Remains an Elite Product Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Europe Bookings as Dollar Falls Freestyle Cruising Casinos On the Rise in the Caribbean Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort Prepares for Major Renovation Visit Europe Media Exchange In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - November 26, 2007

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