Alaska Airlines - America's Most Satisfying Airlines - Forbes

Alaska Airlines - America's Most Satisfying Airlines - Forbes

Travel Executives Share Strategic Visions for Travel Industry at ASTA Premium Business Summit and Corporate Advisory Council Meeting - Press Releases - News - ASTA

Travel Executives Share Strategic Visions for Travel Industry at ASTA Premium Business Summit and Corporate Advisory Council Meeting - Press Releases - News - ASTA

Travel Executives Share Strategic Visions for Travel Industry at ASTA Premium Business Summit and Corporate Advisory Council Meeting

Contact: Yolanda Walters
pr@asta.org

Alexandria, VA, May 21, 2013 – ASTA’s seventh annual Premium Business Summit, held in conjunction with ASTA’s Corporate Advisory Council meeting, brought together over ninety of the industry’s top travel agency and supplier executives to share insights and discuss the future of the travel agency channel. These invitation-only meetings were co-hosted by Marriott International and the JW Marriott Palm Desert (California) where they were held May 14-15, 2013.

“This year’s Premium Summit provided ASTA members an exclusive opportunity to understand policies that affect business, and a glimpse of where our industry is heading,” said ASTA President & CEO Zane Kerby. “Just as important, this one-of-a-kind industry event provided the opportunity for members to discuss and share working solutions to the issues of today.”

“The 2013 ASTA Premium Summit was an impressive forward-thinking event comprised of high-level executives – all with a clear vision for protecting and, more importantly, enhancing the future of the professional travel distribution channel,” said Darcy Lard, ASTA Premium Member and President of Flathead Travel Service. “There is no other event that provides me with this level of content, as well as access to industry executives, including like-minded peers. If you want to move your business forward, this is the event.”

Executives from across a wide spectrum of the travel industry shared their expertise and perspectives with the group, including:

• C. Stewart Verdery, Founder and Partner of Monument Policy Group and former Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, spoke about the ever-changing travel political and policy landscape.
• Henry Harteveldt, Travel Industry Analyst, Hudson Crossing, discussed the white paper that IATA commissioned from him that predicts drastic changes in the way agents will do business by 2017.
• Zane Kerby, CEO, ASTA, introduced himself as ASTA’s new CEO and President and provided an overview of the society’s vision for moving forward.
• Chris Kroeger, Senior VP, Sabre Travel Network, shared insights into how Sabre is meeting the needs of airlines, travel agencies, and travelers in this increasingly multifaceted world.
• Apoorva Gandi, VP, Multi-Cultural Markets & Alliances, Marriott International, Inc., discussed how to lead with a global mindset.
• Ronald Cerko, VP Travel Industry Relations, Enterprise Holdings, discussed the ever-changing car rental industry.
• Mike Premo, CEO, Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), discussed the new ARC Agreement and how ARC will connect travel agents of the future.
• John Rose, Chief Operating Officer, iJET, provided participants with an overview of near-term and long-term global trends that will impact global commerce.
• Kristian Anderson, VP Sales, Silversea Cruises, Ltd. discussed the state of the industry for leisure-based travel, and the industry’s most important element – the customer. 
• Ron Cole, VP Sales, Travelport, led a discussion on how the travel industry is changing and growing.
• Carolyn Cauceglia, Vice President of Strategic Sales and Account Management, Amadeus N.A., provided an overview of the customer airport experience in 2020.

All participants took part in a strategic networking discussion that focused on the future of the travel agency channel. In addition to forward focused topics, the group discussed pending federal and state regulatory and legislative initiatives.

Sponsors of the event included: Marriott International, JW Marriott Desert Ridge, ABC Global Services, Amadeus, Airlines Reporting Corporation, Enterprise Holdings, Sabre, Silversea, Travelport and Travel Insured.

ASTA’s Premium Membership is comprised of travel agencies of all sizes and business models, Travel Management Companies (TMCs), consortia, franchise groups and online travel agencies. ASTA’s Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) is a smaller, advocacy focused group that is open to agencies that produce $50 million or greater in sales. Travel agencies that would like to support the industry as a Premium and/or CAC Member and participate in Premium Member events should contact Pam Bonin, ASTA’s Market Development Director, at pbonin@asta.org.

The next Premium and CAC meetings will be held in conjunction with ASTA’s Global Convention in Miami, FL Sept 17 to 19, 2013. For more information, seewww.astaglobalconvention.org.

ABOUT ASTA
The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

41st edition of ABAV Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies opens registration for Tourism Fair ...

41st edition of ABAV Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies opens registration for Tourism Fair ...

May 21, 2013

The Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (ABAV) has opened registration for visitors who wish to participate in the 41st edition of ABAV – Tourism Fair of the Americas, which will be held from September 4 to 8 at the Anhembi Exhibit Hall (SP).

Those who wish to participate should log on to the event website and click Online Registration on the right side of the home page. After reading and agreeing to the terms and conditions, they should provide the information requested and follow the step-by-step registration through conclusion.

New for visitors this year is that all will be insured by Travel Ace Assistance, including foreign participants.

ABAV – Tourism Fair of the Americas is recognized as the largest tourism event in the region in terms of number of exhibitors and visitors. In this edition, the event will occupy an exhibit space of 58.2 thousand square meters with 11 training rooms in the Knowledge Village. With confirmed participation from more than 60 countries, the event expects more than 80 thousand among industry professionals and final consumers, in addition to more than 600 journalists from around the world.

“This year, the event seeks to offer exhibitors and visitors product and service sales, new business prospecting and closing, as well as training in various segments. Based on this strategy, the entity has confirmed more than 700 hosted buyers, including international companies headquartered in Brazil and abroad, especially Latin America, North America and Europe,” says Antonio Azevedo, ABAV President.

For more information regarding registration, log on tohttp://www.feiradasamericas.com.br/en/ or call the customer service hotline at + 55 11 2129-6303.

Source: feiradasamericas.com.br

Norway's Fjords offer cruising spectacle | Washington Times Communities

Norway's Fjords offer cruising spectacle | Washington Times Communities

OSLO, NORWAY, May 21, 2012 – Today’s visitors to Norway generally cite the fjords at the top of their list of sites to see, and cruising is an efficient and fabulous way to see these marvels of nature. Roads are scarce (and often shut down in the winter) along much of the rugged coastline, so ships historically have supplied towns and transported people. Now, cruise ships bring visitors to see the fjords and the accompanying mountains and waterfalls.

What we found during our week-long cruise aboard Holland America Line’s MS Rotterdam were an admiration for the hearty souls who claimed this area, an understanding of how important sailing and navigation was to its development, and an appreciation of nature that can create such a marvelous land.

The MS Rotterdam comfortably carries 1,400 passengers and offers plenty to see and do amid her 10 decks. These range from shows to fine dining to onboard classes, fitness classes and expert-led seminars, to daily tea service. Passengers on this cruise were mostly from Europe.

Ports-of-call included Bergen, Geirangerfjord at Geiranger, Alesund, and Hardangerfjord at Eidfjord, all in Norway. Two sea days gave us time to explore the ship’s Greenhouse Spa, watch free cooking demonstrations, try our luck in the casino, use the amply equipped exercise center, plus sample the two-story, main dining room, La Fontaine, and the superb, intimate Pinnacle Grill.

On one night of the cruise, a special Le Cirque menu was featured (offered in conjunction with the world-class restaurant of the same name with locations in New York City and Las Vegas). The restaurant’s famous crème brulee is on the menu and was even featured in the on-board cooking demo. (Tip: This special menu is only offered once per cruise, so be sure and book early, even before leaving home if possible. There is a small extra charge, as there is with the regular Pinnacle Grill menu, too.)

Ice Age Creations

Fjord, in its basic meaning is “where one fares through.” It has the same origin as the word “fare” (for travel) and the noun “ferry.” It derived, we learned, from a pre-historic word meaning “pass,” which became evident as we sailed these bodies of water with mountains and craggy terrain on both sides of our ship. The fjord’s opening to the sea is called its mouth. What sets a fjord apart from other bodies of water is its shape and what surrounds it. A fjord, often a great natural harbor, is longer than it is wide; if the opposite occurs, it’s then called a cove or a bay instead.

The fjords’ existence can be traced to a succession of ice ages that covered Northern Europe. Norway has impressive fjord bragging rights: Two of the three longest fjords in the world are found here, Sognefjord at 126 miles and Hardangerfjord at 111 miles. The No. 1 spot, though, belongs to Greenland.

Bergen delights with its colorful rows of wooden structures, now popular shops for visitors, plus its fish and flower markets. “Our most international city,” said one Norwegian guide of this, Norway’s second-largest city.

The don’t-miss here is the funicular ride up to Mt. Floein for a great view of ships in the fjord – a great view, that is, if it’s not too rainy. Keep in mind that Bergen gets 240 days of rain each year, which has earned it the nickname “City of Rain.”

Eagle Road & Seven Sisters Waterfalls

Our next port, Geiranger with Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was easily our favorite stop. We took the ship’s excursion of an unforgettable bus climb up the “eagle road,” with several switchbacks and a reported 11 hairpin bends. We stopped at several viewing points to see our ship at anchor in the fjord far below with the mountains rising alongside and an elevated view of the impressive Seven Sisters Waterfalls.

This highly photographed spot takes its name from the seven separate falls alongside one another that tumble to the fjord below; the highest begins about 820 feet up. Facing the Seven Sisters from across the fjord is another fall, this one nicknamed The Suitor.

We wished for more time in the Art Nouveau city of Alesund. All too quickly came Eidfjord, our final port before returning to Rotterdam. There we chose an eight-hour bus and train ride that included a picturesque stop at the Voringsfossen Waterfall. One of Europe’s highest, it cascades 600 feet down to the valley below and is easily accessible from the parking lot of the historic 1891 Fossli Hotel, located at the innermost end of the Hardangerfjord.

Well-known composer Edvard Grieg was a regular guest at Fossli Hotel and wrote his Opus 66 here. Many know his “In the Hall of the Mountain King” made famous by another Norwegian, dramatist Henrik Ibsen and his play “Peer Gynt,” first published in 1867.

If You’re Going: Holland America Line’s sailing season for the fjords is May-September. The MS Ryndam, with 1,260 passengers, sails from London, while the 1,404-passenger MS Rotterdam sails from Rotterdam. The “7-Day Norse Legends” cruise Sept. 7-13, visits the ports mentioned here. For pricing and more details, visit hollandamerica.com or contact your travel agent. For more on Norway’s fjords, check out VisitNorway.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Freelance writers Kathy M. Newbern and J.S. Fletcher report on luxury destinations, spas and cruising around the globe. They are award-winning members of the Society of American Travel Writers and created YourSpaReport.com and YourNovel.com, their personalized romance novel business.

Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/donnes-world/2013/may/21/norways-fjords-offer-cruising-spectacle/#ixzz2U30amH00
Follow us: @wtcommunities on Twitter

Questor share tip: Carnival remains a buy despite profit warning - Telegraph

Questor share tip: Carnival remains a buy despite profit warning - Telegraph

Destination Marketing Association International Set to Host 1,000 DMO Professionals in July | TSNN Trade Show News

Destination Marketing Association International Set to Host 1,000 DMO Professionals in July | TSNN Trade Show News

More than 1,000 destination marketing professionals are expected to attend the Annual Convention for Destination Marketing Association International, taking place July 15-17 at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando.

The professional development conference connects a community of 600-plus official destination marketing organizations (DMOs) that collectively command more than $2 billion in annual budgets around the world, according to DMAI officials.

Industry experts and out-of-industry specialists will share "best practices" and "next practices" in executive leadership, destination marketing and management, travel marketing trends and the meetings market.

As the global trade association for official destination marketing organizations, DMAI's mission is to protect and advance the success of destination marketing by advocating for the professionalism, effectiveness, and significance of destination marketing organizations worldwide.

"Here at DMAI, we have long realized destination marketing as a serious engine to drive job creation and economic growth through travel and tourism," said Michael Gehrisch, president and CEO of DMAI.

He added, "We equally realize the challenging environment for destination marketing executives, and are committed to improving the effectiveness of these organizations and ensuring their success."

DMAI's 2012 convention in Seattle attracted record-breaking attendance of more than 1,300 attendees.

The theme of this year's convention is“Better Together: Integrating Our Strengths”. A program of more than 40 educations sessions will deliver content on forming integrated teams, building collaborative partnerships within the community, creating integrated marketing and sales, and positioning and strengthening the DMO industry as a channel.

Opening the general session will be futurist & social Innovator Rachel Botsman. Named by Monocle as one of the top 20 speakers in the world, Botsman addresses high-profile events, including The Clinton Global Initiative, TED, HP, Google and No. 10 Downing Street.

She is a global thought leader on the power of collaboration and sharing through network technologies to transform the way we live, work, consume and travel. She has inspired a new consumer economy with her influential book “What's Mine is Yours: How Collaborative Consumption Is Changing The Way We Live”.

Closing the 2013 Annual Convention will be marketing and leadership strategist, David Meerman Scott. Scott is a marketing strategist, bestselling author, advisor to emerging companies, like Hubspot, and an internationalist. He will share a real-time perspective on marketing and promotion - sharing break-out B2B and B2C ideas that DMO teams can apply in their own practices.

Why PH tour operators aren't too worried by Taiwanese cancellations | ABS-CBN News

Why PH tour operators aren't too worried by Taiwanese cancellations | ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - With thousands of Taiwanese tourists canceling their plans to visit the Philippines, you would expect Cesar Cruz, president of the Philippine Tour Operators Association, to be a little more worried. 

But Cruz says he is confident Taiwanese tourists will eventually return to the Philippines. 

"Hindi kami masyadong worried. It could be like Hong Kong, na initially parang natakot bigla pero give it two or three months bumalik. China was the same, ngayon bumalik na rin charter (flights) ng China," he told ABS-CBNnews.com

"Because at the end of the day, kaya hindi kami nag-papanic, we realize that for markets like China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Philippines is the best destination."

On Tuesday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Taiwanese tour agencies have cancelled nearly all tour packages to the Philippines amid tension between the two countries over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman near Batanes island. 

Tourism Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz said the cancelled group tour packages from Taiwan involved roughly around 9,500 tourists. He expects the Philippines to lose between 40,000 to 50,000 Taiwanese 

In 2012, 216,511 Taiwanese tourists visited the Philippines.

PTOA's Cruz noted the impact for the tourism industry is quite big and sudden, especially for Boracay and Cebu which attract many Taiwanese tourists.

However, he cited the Philippines' experience with China and Hong Kong, which both tried to prevent their citizens from visiting the country. Now, tourists from mainland China and Hong Kong are slowly coming back. 

"After that kasi slowly, nag-trickle in... Although naka-blacklist pa rin ang Hong Kong, kita mo dumarating na. At the end of the day, negosyo lang yan," Cruz said. 

The Philippines has been on the Hong Kong blacklist since 2010 after the Manila hostage crisis on August 24, 2010 that killed 8 HK tourists.

Tourists from mainland China stayed away from the Philippines last year as tensions between the two countries continued over the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea. 

At the end of the day, Cruz said there is a strong demand for tours to the Philippines from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. 

"The reality is the regular travelers, wala silang pakialam (they don't care). At the end of the day, they just want to go to a place to relax and it just so happens the Philippines is the best place, it's cheaper," Cruz said.

With the drop in tourists from Taiwan, the DOT may have difficulty in meeting its target of 5.54 million foreign tourist arrivals this year. 

"I just hope the DOT will not use this (row with Taiwan) as an excuse not to meet the target (this year). They still have to sustain. Medyo kulang pa tayo," Cruz added. 

Mmegi Online :: Ecotourism guideline to be implemented this year

Mmegi Online :: Ecotourism guideline to be implemented this year
MAUN: The reviewed ecotourism guidelines for forest reserves will be implemented this year, a deputy director in the Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism has said.

Rapelang Mojaphoko told the Botswana Guides Association (BOGA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Maun Lodge recently that the implementation will result in the opening up of the reserves for tourism activities.

She explained that opening up the forests reserves will help tour operators in diversifying their tourism product.She said the contribution of the tourism sector to the Gross National Product continues to be below its potential due to lack of diversification in the sector.

"The contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP in 2009 was a mere 3.7 percent. The sector is underperforming as it has the potential of contributing more than 10 percent to GDP annually," she said. Mojaphoko said there is need for the industry to embark on product diversification and tap into all available opportunities and innovations to unlock the potential. She expressed regret about Botswana's slippage in global competitiveness as per the World Economic Forum Report on Travel and Tourism.  "Our weakest link is that of work ethic.This poses a challenge for all key players to address this weakness individually and collectively," she said.

She disclosed that the Revised Tourism Policy will go to Parliament this year. She said this is a sign of the government's effort to create a conducive environment for sector growth. Speaking during the AGM, Bigani Setume from the Botswana Tourism Organisation, called on the Citizen Entrepreneurial Agency (CEDA) to introduce a financing product targeting the tourism sector. She said a majority of BOGA members are tour operators who need to be helped to acquire assets that appreciate in value.

"Currently the majority of mobile businesses operate at a risk because they just own vehicles and tents as assets. CEDA needs to come on board to help these small businesses on assets like campsites and lodges that appreciate in value," she said. She said the recently introduced integrated farming policy will enable some tour operators to use their ploughing fields for tourism activities.

PATA to award China Responsible Tourism Awards in Bangkok | Malaysia Sun

PATA to award China Responsible Tourism Awards in Bangkok | Malaysia Sun
BANGKOK, Thailand - The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will present its China Responsible Tourism Awards at the PATA Annual Summit in Bangkok on April 26. Mr. Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, PATA Chairman, will present the awards in four categories to the winners, who are: o Mt. Huangshan Administrative Committee - Destination & Attraction Category o School House - Hospitality & Catering Category o China National Travel Service (HK) - Corporation Category o Wild China Tours - Tour Experience Category Initiated by PATA China, the first annual PATA China Responsible Tourism Awar...

AH&LA Summer Summit - June 18-19 at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver, Colorado | Malaysia Sun

AH&LA Summer Summit - June 18-19 at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver, Colorado | Malaysia Sun
Conference features mid-year statistics/social data trends, a special meeting of members, and national awards The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) annual Summer Summit, held June 18-19 at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver, Colorado, will include a session featuring top-line forecasting and social data trends, a special meeting of members to vote on a proposed membership model, and the popular Stars of the Industry Awards luncheon, which honors exemplary employees and programs. Lindsay Culbreath, senior director of business development, STR, and Kristin Muhlner,...

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of ...

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of ...

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION WELCOMES FOXX CONFIRMATION HEARING - WSJ.com

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION WELCOMES FOXX CONFIRMATION HEARING - WSJ.com

Travel and Tourism News Middle East - Articles

Travel and Tourism News Middle East - Articles

Pacific Asia Travel Association annual summit PATA to award China Responsible Tourism Awards in ...

Pacific Asia Travel Association annual summit PATA to award China Responsible Tourism Awards in ...
Apr 25, 2013

BANGKOK, Thailand - The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will present its China Responsible Tourism Awards at the PATA Annual Summit in Bangkok on April 26.

Mr. Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, PATA Chairman, will present the awards in four categories to the winners, who are:

• Mt. Huangshan Administrative Committee – Destination & Attraction Category

• School House – Hospitality & Catering Category

• China National Travel Service (HK) – Corporation Category

• Wild China Tours – Tour Experience Category

Initiated by PATA China, the first annual PATA China Responsible Tourism Awards were launched at the second China Responsible Tourism Forum in Shanghai in November 2012.
The goal of the awards is to recognize innovative and experiential businesses practices in China that have made efforts to create experiences that:

- Have a sustainable business model

- Give back to the community

- Drive responsible tourism

- Are innovative in nature

- Create a unique and authentic experience

The highly-innovative best practice cases presented show that China is at the forefront of grassroots responsible tourism development.

The vision of the awards is to encourage responsible and sustainable tourism practices in China as a whole, while promoting China as a responsible tourism destination to the world. The China Responsible Tourism Awards are held in conjunction with the annual China Responsible Tourism Forum.

Through public voting on Tripshow.com, and judged by a panel of experts, the awards recognize exceptional achievement. Enhancing China's best practices in responsible tourism, the awards will contribute to PATA's bigger strategic objective of societies embracing the complete visitor economy – the theme of the 2013 PATA Annual Summit.

The National Tour Association Ranks New Orleans as a Top Destination | Travel Video News

The National Tour Association Ranks New Orleans as a Top Destination | Travel Video News

North Korea plans to try U.S. tour operator | The Columbus Dispatch

North Korea plans to try U.S. tour operator | The Columbus Dispatch

PYONGYANG, North Korea — A U.S. tour operator faces indictment in North Korea on charges that he tried to overthrow the government there, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said yesterday.

The announcement about the tour operator, Kenneth Bae, an American born in South Korea, could complicate Washington’s difficult diplomatic balancing act as it tries to hold a tough line with North Korea over its nuclear program while avoiding confrontations that could lead to an armed conflict.

Bae, from Washington state, traveled with a group of businessmen in November from Yanji, China, to the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, where he was arrested.The news report yesterday said that the North has finished its investigation and that Bae has admitted his guilt to charges that could draw the death penalty.

South Korean human-rights advocates have described Bae as a devout Christian who not only ran tours to North Korea, but also was interested in helping orphans in the communist country. They said security officials in the North might have been offended by pictures of orphans that Bae had taken and stored in his computer.

North Korea, a police state, often has used the plight of detained Americans as a bargaining chip in its dealings with Washington. Some were freed only after former American presidents traveled to the North.Bae is the sixth American detained by North Korea since 2009, but he faces the gravest charges.

The North has been locked in a standoff with the United States and South Korea since it detonated a nuclear bomb in February. Some analysts say that the nation’s leader, Kim Jong Un, might be chafing at his inability to shift the two countries from the tough stance they have taken of refusing to offer the North aid to relieve tensions.

In January, Bill Richardson, a former American ambassador to the United Nations, tried to see Bae during a private trip to the North, but he said he was rebuffed by the government.

The Korean Central News Agency said that Bae had “admitted his criminal plot to overthrow our republic out of hostility.” It added that his crime had been “clearly substantiated by evidence."

The Korean Central News Agency did not say when Bae’s trial will begin.