Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 - (Page 18)

Agent CONTRIBUTORS Insider What is a popular destination during the holiday season? EVELYN KANTER says that visiting Liverpool, the Beatles’ hometown, “turned me into the groupie I never was as a teenager.” She recalls in particular how she could ”see” the lyrics when she stood on Penny Lane. Kanter is a freelance writer and former broadcast news reporter and producer. Her story on Liverpool, European Capital of Culture for 2008, begins on page 22. AUSTRALIA “I am an Aussie specialist,” says Vicki Burton of CI Travel in Virginia Beach, VA, “and since their seasons are opposite ours, the holidays fall during Australia’s summer. This is a very popular destination because it’s safe, beautiful, has wonderful wildlife, and you can celebrate the New Year before anyone else in the world!” DAVID EISEN covers the cruise and hotel beats for Travel Agent. He just had the pleasure of meeting Carnival Cruise Lines’ new president and CEO, Gerry Cahill, for the first time while sailing to Mexico on Carnival Freedom, the latest addition to Carnival’s fleet. The cruise also served as a formal goodbye to Bob Dickinson, who stepped down in July as the line’s president and CEO. A multitude of travel agents and Carnival sales staff joined the cruise to bid Dickinson farewell. Next up, Eisen (pictured on the left with Cahill and Vicki Freed, senior vice president sales and guest services for Carnival), jumps across the pond to England to take in the festivities for the naming of Cunard Line’s newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria. LAS VEGAS “In addition to the usual favorites—ski destinations, New York City and Walt Disney World—we’ve seen a lot of interest in Las Vegas and the Caribbean,” says Cheryl Floyd of All Seasons Travel in Birmingham, AL. “Allinclusive resorts appeal to couples wanting to get away for a long weekend as well as families looking for that ‘something different’ for their annual holiday gathering.” KATHLEEN M. MANGAN often covers the Caribbean, and Jamaica is one of her favorite islands. “There’s a fun, hip vibe,” she says. Although she has stayed at all-inclusive hotels and boutique properties in Jamaica, she loves villa resorts since they blend the best of hotel services and activity options with the comforts of a gorgeous private home. She writes about two of the finest, Half Moon and Tryall Club, on pages 36-40. MARK ROGERS, ASPEN “For folks on the East Coast, all points in Florida are the easiest and most convenient,” says Randy Maged of Ask the Travel Maven LLC in Potomac, MD. In senior editor, sat down with the Honorable Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor when the Malaysian minister of tourism visited Los Angeles. Malaysia is coming off a full year of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain. 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. These conferences provide him with upfront access to newsmakers and trendsetters in the industry. the Caribbean, “St. Barts is also a number one pick, and Isle de France is the most popular property on the island. My personal favorite is Aspen, Colorado, at the Little Nell! Nowhere on earth could you find a more holiday-inspired and festive sojourn.” 18 | TravelAgent December 10, 2007 JOE PIKE is Travel Agent’s associate editor covering the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico and Central and South America. He recently returned from a fam trip to St. Lucia and Antigua hosted by Sandals, where he toured Sandals Regency Golf Resort & Spa, Sandals Halcyon Beach and Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort on St. Lucia as well as Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa. In Antigua, Pike was most impressed by the recently completed Mediterranean Village, an extension of the resort’s Mediterranean-themed rooms. He also says that the new Rondoval suite at Sandals Grande St. Lucian is “one of the best suites I’ve ever seen in the Caribbean.”

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 Online Now From the Editor Contributors Europe: Liverpool, The Beatles Hometown, Is also Known for it's Maritime Heritage, Art and Architecture European Hotel Highlights Central and South America: What You Need To Know About Selling Quito, the Historic Capital City of Ecuador Pacific/Asia: Malaysia Seeks to Grow Tourism as it Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of it's Independence Spa Resort in Goa, India Caribbean: Venerable Jamaican Resorts Tryall Club and Half Moon Marry Contemporary Design and Old-Time Elegence Caribbean Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Your Gen-Y Clients Las Vegas News and Notes Hotels: Sandals' 6th Annual Star Awards Tours: Escorted and FIT Packages in Western Canada Cruise: Barging 101 Cover Story: Wyndham's Way Agent Profile: Casto Travel's Marc Casto Technology Transportation Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Carnival's Plans for the Future Fairmont Expands in Africa Liberty Travel/Gogo is Sold Turks and Caicos Developments The New River Cruise Line, Jewel How to Protect Yourself When a Tour Operator Shuts Down In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Destination Africa

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

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