Travel Business News - North America

AirGuide Business, Oct 13, 2008

Oct 13, 2008

Bournemouth University International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR) School of Services Management will examine and discuss the future of tourism at World Travel Market in London. Tourism Futures will explore the challenges and opportunities currently emerging in the tourism industry. The seminar will investigate these major trends and provide examples on how the industry responds to change and development. The forum brings together academic and industry experts to identify and debate new trends, opportunities and challenges. [sup.3]The notion of the tourism experience is central to the future success of the industry and destinations. It goes beyond the focus on consumer behavior and requires an understanding of how tourism experiences feel in the widest sense, both from the visitor's perspective and the host community's perspective,[sup.2] said Nigel Hemmington, dean and professor at the School of Services Management, Bournemouth University. The Tourism Futures session takes place Nov. 13 in North Gallery Room Six from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.wtmlondon.com Oct 11, 2008

ASTA announced its newest member benefit -- the Travel Agent[sup.1]s Management Toolkit. Sponsored by Best Western, this interactive toolkit combines the best of the Model Agency I and II programs and is designed to provide ASTA members with the essential tools to assist them in running their businesses in a more efficient and profitable way. This course is interactive in that, where appropriate, it links to tools found on www.ASTA.org -- such as the Financial Benchmarking and Salary tools -- and encourages agents to input the data requested as they work through the course so that when complete they will have actionable data. Once completed, travel agents will be able to chart their agency[sup.1]s progress against industry benchmarks; develop an income statement, balance sheet and key financial ratios; forecast profitability by using financial forecasting tools; assess their agency[sup.1]s staffing needs; develop a simple marketing plan; and write a successful business plan. For more information, visit www.ASTA.org/education Oct 9, 2008

AARP Services

AARP Services Inc. and Grandtravel have announced a new relationship that will provide AARP members with vacations, discounts and experiences that enrich the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. Grandtravel is a premier provider of luxury vacations for grandparents and grandchildren and is committed to enriching multigenerational bonds through hands-on adventures. Under the agreement, AARP members will receive a $200 per person discount off Grandtravel 's escorted tour vacations, which, in 2009, include trips to Alaska, Italy, London/Paris, New Zealand and Washington, D.C./Williamsburg. Grandtravel offers smaller, intimate group travel experiences. Activity directors, who are certified teachers, accompany each group, enhancing the educational component for children. For more information, call 800-247-7651 or visit www.grandtrvl.com/aarp Oct 10, 2008

American Express

American Express Travel is partnering with Royal Caribbean International for the unveiling of the final [sup.3]neighborhood[sup.2] aboard RCI[sup.1]s Oasis of the Seas, which the cruise line will launch in November 2009. The cruise ship[sup.1]s design features [sup.3]neighborhoods,[sup.2] which will provide an array of experiences to cater to guests[sup.1] personal style, preferences or moods. The unveiling of the final neighborhood, available exclusively to American Express cardmembers, customers and travel agents, will take place Oct. 21 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, via a live WebEx webcast. The webcast will be co-hosted by Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, and Lynne Biggar, senior vice president and general manager of the American Express Consumer Travel Network. Oasis of the Seas[sup.1] neighborhoods already announced include Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center. For more information, call 800-297-2977 or visit www.americanexpress.com/travel. Oct 10, 2008

American Express

American Express Travel U.S. Representative Network announced at its annual conference in Seattle this past week that it welcomed 10 new agency members. The new members are: Corporate Travel Planners of San Antonio, the largest privately held travel management company in Texas and one of the top 50 travel companies in the nation; Cruises-N-More of Lake Mary, Fla., listed in the top 1 percent of travel agencies in the nation; Elite Travel Group of Clearwater, Fla., which specializes in luxury travel, corporate incentive groups and destination weddings and honeymoons; El Sol Travel of Tempe, Ariz., Arizona's largest independently owned travel management company, serving corporate, government and leisure clients worldwide; Laguna Niguel Travel of Laguna Niguel, Calif., a full-service leisure and business travel agency; Main Street Travel of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., the premier travel agency in the Lakewood Ranch area; Mundi Travel Consultants of San Jose, Calif., a family-owned business whose team of travel consultants boast an average of 20 years of industry experience; Town & Country Travel, Inc., of Pittsford, N.Y., which provides personalized service to a comprehensive base of leisure and business travel clients throughout the United States; Travel On, Ltd., of Beltsville, Md., the largest travel management company in Maryland and recently recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the top 100 privately owned companies in the Washington, D.C., area; and VTI Travel of Boardman, Ohio, which operates satellite offices in Colorado, West Virginia, California and Pennsylvania. For more information, call 800-297-2977 or visit www.americanexpress.com/travel Oct 10, 2008