Travel Agent - December 24, 2007 - (Page 96)

TRENDWATCH The Year in Tour and Vacation Package Sales At its annual conference earlier this month in Cancun, the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) released results from its informal polling of tour operator members about how certain destinations and markets have been selling in 2007. Among the survey findings: For the fifth straight year, Italy was the most popular international destination for vacation packages and tours, with England coming in a distant second. I I About three in five tour operator respondents said they expect the weak dollar to be reflected in 2008 prices, which they predict would generally increase by 5–15%. I I Far and away, Egypt placed first as best value for the dollar, with a three-way tie for second between Turkey, the U.S. and China. Eastern Europe—including Bulgaria and the Czech Republic—was ranked the hottest up-and-coming destination for tours and packages, followed closely by South America and Asia, respectively. Results were mixed when it comes to “slow travel”— stay-put vacations, or tours that spend more time in a destination. More than 50% of respondents cited yearover-year growth, but 36% reported no growth for this type of product. I Croatia came in first as the hottest up-and-coming country, with China close behind. I I Domestically, the western states were cited as the top area for tours and packages, with California slightly edging out Alaska and Nevada. Nearly two out of three tour operators responding to the poll said that adventure travel is on the rise. I I FITs—where a tour operator custom-designs a vacation package from separate components—scored a greater gain than pre-packaged independent travel or escorted tours, with more than 80% of respondents saying this category has grown in 2007 compared to 2006. Some 73% of respondents said they had experienced an increase in independent tours, while 60% reported year-over-year growth in escorted tours. I In a year when the U.S. dollar dropped in value versus the euro and pound, more than 50% of companies serving Europe and Great Britain said their European bookings have declined, some by as much as 20%. I More than half of the respondents said they expect 2008 bookings to Europe to be similarly affected. 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 - 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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