By Mark Murphy
What’s the largest category of travel for businesses like Performance Media Group, parent company to this magazine?
It’s actually hotels and resorts. Did you guess that would be the answer?
The reason is simple. There are tens of thousands of individual hotels and resorts around the world, ...
By Theresa Norton Masek
With literally tens of thousands of resort properties around the world, you can’t be expected to have in-depth knowledge of each and every one. But you can increase your resort sales by becoming knowledgeable about certain segments or niches, perhaps boutique properties in Hawaii, all-inclusives in Jamaica or one brand’s ...
By Stacey Zable
Learn how to reap the rewards of honeymoons and destination weddings
A honeymoon certainly is one of the most memorable trips your clients will take in their lifetime, and it could be one of their most expensive. When you add on a destination wedding and it becomes a ...
By Jane Jamison
The show continues to be available on demand through September
Don’t miss Virtual Home-Based Expo, available on demand through September at www.VirtualHomeBasedExpo.com. In its third year, this interactive online event focuses on the business challenges faced by home-based agents, but has information that can benefit all travel sellers. ...
By Theresa Norton Masek
Crystal Cruises celebrates 20 Years of service with a series of enhancements
Crystal Cruises is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with new high-tech and earth-friendly programs, for clients and for agents. In one of the biggest changes, the two-ship luxury line is adding a flexible dining option starting ...
By Mimi Kmet
Voyages to Antiquity offers Mediterranean and Red sea sailings that focus on history
The newest niche cruise line explores some of the oldest civilizations on earth: Voyages to Antiquity visits destinations that date from ancient times to a few centuries ago, aboard the refurbished Aegean Odyssey. The ship takes ...
By James Shillinglaw
Avalon Waterways details plans for an all-suite river ship in 2011
River cruising is growing exponentially. In 2009, even during a poor year for travel overall, many river cruise companies still reported growth. Today there are more ships sailing more of the world’s rivers, particularly in Europe, than ever ...
By Brian Major
Jamaica’s new port will increase cruise ship capacity
The opening of the historically themed cruise port at Falmouth, Jamaica, in early 2011 will provide the island with both a historic port of call and a local economic engine, according to John Tercek, vice president of commercial development at Royal ...
By Kate Rice
VAX launches a cruise function to make its desktop even more comprehensive
VAX Vacation Access has added a cruise function, meaning that agents can now book cruises along with vacation packages, hotels, adventure and consolidator air on VAX. “This is critical to our platform for our small- to medium-size ...
By Dave Stockert
Consider this quotable wisdom to help you win over client
When I need a spark for my plans or an inspiration for ideas, I frequently draw on quotations from history’s great thinkers. Such quote-worthy phrases prompt my creativity, particularly when it comes to specific business challenges. Here are some ...
By Terry L. Dale
Cruise3sixty motivates attendees to be passionate and innovative
One of the best things about cruise3sixty—attended by 1,200-plus travel agents in Vancouver in early June—is what we come home with. Our luggage may be full of brochures and souvenirs, but our minds are full of gems—innovative ideas, brilliant strategies, handy ...
By Mimi Kmet, Brian Major, Kerry Medina and James Ruggia
A brand-by-brand roundup of the top resort companies around the world
Almond Resorts: These all-inclusive Caribbean resorts offer personalized vacations for groups, destination weddings, couples, families and singles. The chain has five properties: three in Barbados and two in St. Lucia.
800-4-ALMOND | www.almondresorts.com
Aman ...
By Kerry Medina
Bolster your hotel bookings with these tips from the pros
Focusing on a particular niche or destination can go a long way toward a travel professional’s success. However, you can also reap rewards by having a broader knowledge of a specific segment of the travel industry, such as resorts. ...
By Kerry Medina
Universal Orlando’s Alice Norsworthy unwraps The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
In mid-June, Universal Orlando debuted its newest attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The 20-acre attraction, an approximate $265 million investment, re-creates the famed book series’ Hogsmeade Village, with ...
By Kerry Medina
Palladium Hotels & Resorts is enhancing its Mexico and Caribbean products
Americans have been enjoying all-inclusive vacations at Palladium Hotels & Resorts since the early 1990s, when the brand was first introduced to the Caribbean by its parent company, Spain-based Fiesta Hotel Group. Today, there are 10 Palladium ...
By Theresa Norton Masek
Miami’s fontainebleau regains its star status after a major renovation
The landmark Fontainebleau Miami Beach today reigns as one of the most sophisticated properties on South Beach, a far cry from the tired, has-been of a hotel it had been in recent decades. The resort gained new life with ...
By Kate Rice
Terry McCabe’s on-the-ground experience is essential for selling resorts
Selling resorts successfully is all about keeping your feet on the ground, says Terry McCabe, national director of leisure for ALTOUR. McCabe is a business travel veteran, having previously been with Stratton Travel Management, Inc., where she worked her way ...
By James Shillinglaw
The venerable tour operator is having a record year across all its brands
Early this month—on July 12 to be exact—one of the industry’s top tour operators reached a milestone when it celebrated 85 years in business. Tauck—operator of Tauck World Discovery, Tauck Bridges and Tauck Culturious, as well ...
By David Cogswell
Tour operators are bringing africa into the mainstream with new safari packages
With the 2010 World Cup taking place in Africa, the world’s attention is focused on the continent, moving it one giant step closer to the mainstream of American consciousness. Africa is becoming increasingly accessible and familiar to ...
By David Cogswell
Funjet Vacations’ Mike Going encourages agents to be aggressive
Mike Going, president of Funjet Vacations, recently took some time out to speak with Vacation Agent about his company’s relationship with agents, offer his take on consumer trends and talk about what the future looks like.
What’s your ...
By John Stachnik
USTOA members have South America packages to fit your clients
South America was voted the hottest up-and-coming area for travel in USTOA’s annual member poll. And, when it comes to South America, the accent is clearly on experience. Your clients can stay in a private villa with a personal ...
By Mimi Kmet
Several Hotel OPenings and expansions forge ahead
Reflecting the economy as a whole, hotel development in Las Vegas has slowed, but it has not stopped. A few projects—most notably Boyd Gaming’s Echelon hotel, entertainment, dining and retail complex; the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which was recently purchased by billionaire investor ...
By Mimi Kmet
Kauai’s transformed regis princeville reflects its hawaiian environment
Ahupua’a is the Hawaiian philosophy of living in balance with nature. This philosophy is what guided the recent transformation of the Princeville Resort, a Starwood Luxury Collection property, into the St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai’s North Shore. The property, which ...
By Brian Major
Many resorts in jamaica are refurbishing to meet demand
Undaunted by challenges ranging from the global economic recession to its recent battles to apprehend a fugitive and establish law and order in its capital city, Jamaica is riding a wave of hotel and resort development and increased air service. ...
By James Ruggia
Croatia’s diversity and value rival the best of the continent
The keystone of a great journey is diversity of experience. Too many days on even the nicest beach or exploring the finest museums without a break can leave travelers with a ho-hum feeling that could be deadly the next ...
By David Cogswell
The latest Indaba offered more ways than ever to sell Southern Africa
The last Indaba tradeshow before the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a dazzling event, with the anticipation of Africa’s first World Cup soccer event creating a strong sensation. As always, the tradeshow was packed with colorful, eye-catching ...
By Kerry Medina
New Zealand forms a long-range strategy to attract American travelers
New Zealand’s government has increased its tourism marketing budget by an additional NZ$30 million, taking the country’s total marketing budget to NZ$100 million, the largest it has ever been. Funds allotted specifically for marketing to the U.S. will increase ...
By Kate Rice
Air Jamaica continues to serve passengers and add incentives
For the moment, Air Jamaica continues to fly under its own name and livery, although Caribbean Airlines acquired the financially troubled carrier in May. The Jamaican government sold the airline to qualify for a $1.25 billion bailout from the International ...
By James Ruggia
Rocky Mountaineer rebrands with more luxury and a new logo
In April, the Rocky Mountaineer (RM) celebrated its 20th anniversary at Rocky Mountaineer Station in Vancouver, B.C., with the unveiling of a sleek new train design. What started in 1990 as a government-owned passenger rail service is today the ...
By Mimi Kmet
Suppliers wishing to have their fam published in Vacation Agent must submit the information to Mimi Kmet at mimik@pmgemail.com at least three months prior to the departure date of a fam tour or the expiration date of a fam rate.
Abercrombie & Kent
A&K is offering ...