Travel Agent - December 24, 2007 - (Page 18)

Agent CONTRIBUTORS Insider What is the best place you visited in 2007? DAVID EISEN covers the cruise and hotel beats for Travel Agent. In this issue’s cover story about Carnival and its new president and CEO, Gerry Cahill (pictured, on right, with Eisen), he tells of a cruise line in management transition but still unwavering and consistent in providing families value and fun on their vacation. “On first impression,” Eisen says, “Cahill’s personality is strikingly different from his predecessor, Bob Dickinson, but their sameness lies in their tireless effort to keep Carnival at the top and, unquestionably, their love for the brand.” Next up, Eisen heads to England for the festivities of the naming of Cunard Line’s newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria. KIAWAH ISLAND, SC “The Sanctuary Hotel in Kiawah,” says Joan Ivett of Abbott & Hill Travel in Charleston, SC. “It is the sister property to the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. The oceanfront, five-star hotel is warm and cozy with beautiful artwork. I went in November as part of a comp for selling the property.” ST. LUCIA “One of the most memorable and beautiful places I have visited is the Ladera Resort in St. Lucia,” Hannah Shaw of Travelennium Inc. in Jonesboro, AR, says of an October trip. “One vision I have that is unforgettable is dining in their open-air restaurant on the side of a cliff between the Piton mountains, with the ocean in the background. It is breathtakingly gorgeous.” shown here at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area outside Las Vegas, is the managing editor of Luxury Travel Advisor magazine. She has traveled around the world—from South Africa to Palau to Peru—to uncover exclusive cultural experiences and bring back inside information about luxury hotels and resorts. Her most recent overthe-top experience was a stay at Falcon’s Nest villa, the newest addition to Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands. Turn to page 38 to read about it. LINDSAY LAMBERT, MARK ROGERS, senior editor of Travel Agent, attended two simultaneous conferences earlier this month in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort—the ninth annual Luxury Travel Expo and the second annual Home-Based Travel Agent Expo—and is pictured onsite in Vegas. Rogers covers Hawaii, the South Pacific and Asia, as well as California, where he is based. At least twice a month he travels to trade conferences around the region, which provide him upfront access to newsmakers and trendsetters in the industry. Rogers attended the PATA Travel Mart in Bali this fall. JENNIFER MERRITT covers Europe, tour operators and technology for Travel Agent. In this issue, she explores the boom in luxury products in a destination outside of her usual beat, but one she nonetheless knows quite well: Las Vegas. “For the last five years, I’ve been to Las Vegas at least once a year, either for business or on vacation,” she says. “Every time I go it’s a different experience.” Merritt recently returned from Cancun, where she attended the United States Tour Operators Association’s annual conference. This month, she flies to Scotland for a stay at Gleneagles hotel and a tour of Edinburgh, which she’ll report on in a future issue. CANCUN “We did Mexico three times—my favorite place was Secrets Capri,” says Kim Launer of Royal Travel & Tours JOE PIKE in De Kalb, IL. “They do such a wonderful job at service and making you feel special. I traveled there in March, May and August; I stayed at AMResorts, Secrets Capri and Dreams.” 18 | TravelAgent December 24, 2007 is Travel Agent’s associate editor covering the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico and Central and South America. In this issue, he tells agents about a lesser-known destination in Mexico called Puerto Morelos. Pike believes agents can make money on this village, located at the entry to the Riviera Maya, because of its luxury hotels, ecotourism and proximity to Cancun. See pages 26–28.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - December 24, 2007

Travel Agent - December 24, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor Letters to the Editor Contributors Europe: Lyon, the Center of France Two Iconic London Hotels Jazz Up their Top Suites Europe Briefs Mexico: Puerto Morelos on the Riviera Maya Mexico News & Notes Pacific/Asia: Large-Scale Developments Strengthen Singapore’s Appeal to Families, Meetings and Other Travelers Caribbean: Old San Juan’s New Hotel The Cervantes Ritz-Carlton Upgrades, La Concha Reopens in San Juan Peter Island Resort Hawaii: Maui Enhances its Allure for Active and Luxury Clients Las Vegas: Hoteliers and Wholesalers Go Beyond Gaming Las Vegas Briefs Tours: Pacific Northwest Briefs Hotels: News and Packages from All-Inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean Cruises: Luxury Lines’ Shore Excursions Cover Story: Gerry Cahill Agent Profile: Nancy Nicol, Hawaii Specialist and Hyatt Award Winner Technology: Mailpound’s Customized Marketing Transportation: Boeing’s Anticipated Next Arrival: the 747-8 Intercontinental New York: The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Travel Week Sofitel’s Two New Brands Travelport Rolls Out Leisure Product Expedia CruiseShipCenters Debuts U.S. Tourism to Israel In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch Special Supplememt: 2008 Portugal Travel Guide

Travel Agent - December 24, 2007

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