Travel Research Online | The voice of the travel agency community

Let me ask a question for your consideration: What Are You Worth?

Let me provide the answer for you: “It depends.”

The reason you have to give a less than precise answer regarding this question is simple: the value of any product or service is not entirely inherent in the product or service by itself. You cannot answer the question without asking about the context.

For example, consider a six night Western Caribbean cruise on Disney Cruise Line in March, inside cabin, for $1,296. Is that a good deal?  What if you upgrade me to a balcony cabin for free?  That cabin on the same cruise is listed for $2,490. Is it a good “deal” now?

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I love a good idea for growing your travel business—and this week I came across two. I was doing what I like to do best, talking to smart travel advisors, this time at the Signature annual conference in Las Vegas. I’m working on a story about what advisors are planning to do differently in 2025, so I’ve been asking attendees here what they’re up to.

I’ll include a few of those stories in a future column. But the one I heard from Amy Westerman and Dave Hoffman, of The Curated Travel Collection, was so good it deserves a story all its own. And the tips on growing your Facebook ranking made me want to marry AI guru Kha Ly so I could have his tech support 24 x 7.

Like all the best stories, Amy and Dave’s begins in a bar, where Amy got to chatting and “swapping stories” with another customer, as travel advisors are wont to do Read the rest of this entry »

The Tauck Rhine River Connoisseur river cruise that I recently joined included an optional (but included) tour of the Charlie Chaplin home and museum in Vevey, Switzerland, between Montreux and Lausanne, where Chaplin lived during the last period of his life. It’s called Chaplin’s World. Visiting the home and museum was an amazing experience. It revealed to me much more of the genius of that great early film innovator than I had known before.

The museum itself, apart from its subject, was an amazing achievement. Known as The Studio, it was a huge structure, like a large warehouse, packed with fascinating, room-sized displays showing various aspects of Chaplin’s life and career. Many of them included full-sized mannequins, or perhaps they should be called full-color sculptures of some of the main figures of Chaplin’s life

International travel becomes a bit more complicated when navigating with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction in your client’s rearview mirror. DUIs, seemingly straightforward in their nature, can actually vary significantly in their impact on travel opportunities, depending on the destination and the severity of the offense.

While some nations may treat a DUI as a minor offense, akin to a misdemeanor, others elevate its seriousness to that of a felony, especially if it involved harm to others or property. This distinction is crucial, as it directly impacts a traveler’s eligibility to enter certain countries. Read the rest of this entry »

After our Dream Cruise came to an end, I found myself wanting more time on the water and away from the tragedy that was impacting my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. So, I extended my vacation by two weeks to sail through the heart of Europe, from Amsterdam to Budapest, with Avalon Waterways on Avalon Tranquility II. I’ve sailed with Avalon a few times now, and each time I find myself appreciating the thoughtful touches and comforts that make their cruises truly special. Here are some of the small details that always make a big difference for me.

Regardless of whether you are a fan of a particular sports team or not, you must admit there are lessons to be learned from watching skillful athletes compete. From college to the Olympics to professional sport, I find myself drooling at times from what is unfolding right in front of me on the field of play.

In a single week, I witnessed. Unranked Vanderbilt University upset a highly ranked Alabama football team. I saw a multi-vehicle crash at The Talladega Speedway and I saw the Miracle Mets earn their way into the MLB Post-season playoffs with some last minute heroics. And it was this series of events that stimulated this week’s message. Read the rest of this entry »

KHM Travel Group began their journey as a host agency in the travel industry with a small, family-owned business. Now, they have a team of over 70 in a multi-office complex. These days they work to support over 5,000 independent home-based travel agents with unlimited support, one-on-one coaching, educational events, group travel support, and the in-house client management system called myTravelCRM. They have also offered marketing advice to Advisors mostly including boot camps and group camp events, basic marketing essentials, and regular updates via newsletters and blogs. Now, in a recent press release, they have announced an increase in what they offer in regards to marketing a travel agency. Read the rest of this entry »

In travel, customer service is king, and AI is here to stay, and it can help travel agents wear the crown a little more comfortably. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming how travel agencies handle day-to-day tasks and customer service—look at Travel Research Online’s Toby and Voyager Social. While some might worry that robots are about to take over the travel industry, rest assured, the human touch is still irreplaceable—AI is here to make your job easier. But, as I have cautioned in the past, it is a tool in the box, an arrow in the quiver, and NOT a replacement! Read the rest of this entry »

The Travel Institute is again offering its dedicated TRIPKIT^SM Scholarship Fund, providing tuition assistance on the education leader’s award-winning new agent training program.

First launched in January 2024 in celebration of the non-profit educator’s 60th anniversary, the TRIPKIT scholarship is available during October while funds last Read the rest of this entry »

North American tourism to Switzerland has doubled since 2019 and the demand for increased transportation has been answered. Convenient and culturally immersive, Switzerland has given the North American tourist, and diligently planning travel agents, a giant transportation high five. There are now three new and noteworthy options for entering this picturesque, storybook country. For business or leisure tourists, getting to Switzerland has never been easier or more culturally immersive Read the rest of this entry »

Our last article showcasing Costa Rica Dream Adventures included the thrill of walking along suspended bridges over the jungle forest below. And for the more adventurous there was ziplining through those jungle canopies, as well as how their safety standards for this experience are top tier.

CRDA’s customized Costa Rica trips are a traveler’s dream. But what about the support the traveler gets while indulging in the best this country has to offer? What about the travel advisor?

My first interview with Lisa Watson went great. She was easy-going and her dedication of work to the creation of FyndTravel was obvious. However, a dead computer on my end took all text and recordings with it to the scrapyard. Chaos happens, I suppose.

We tried again and, as expected, I found the conversation just as enjoyable and informative.

Lisa started our conversation by pulling up a screen share Read the rest of this entry »

In a bold stride to strengthen its dedication to advisor education and training, American Marketing Group (AMG) has grown its professional development team, focusing on delivering the exclusive benefits of its innovative programs to a broader audience. With the recent appointment of Diana Hnatov and Clare Burke, advisors affiliated with AMG’s renowned travel agency networks—TRAVELSAVERS, NEST, and The Affluent Traveler Collection—can expect significant advancements in their professional development journeys. Read the rest of this entry »

Bill Coyle has become an essential travel industry resource with over 30 years of experience leading his own brick and mortar travel agency, serving on several agent advisory boards, and advocating for travel advisors on a national level with the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). His experience empowers and educates KHM Travel Group’s agents as the Vice President of Agent Engagement. As KHM Travel Group’s first-ever Limelight Award recipient for going above and beyond, Bill brings a spirited passion for travel in all his professional endeavors and continues to book travel for his longtime clients. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s difficult to imagine Abu Dhabi before oil was discovered in the 1960s. Once a small community known for fishing and pearl diving, Abu Dhabi now sprouts from the deserts and stretches to the sky with heights previously unrecorded by humans. The extreme wealth of this city has also brought luxury beyond the standard. Let’s dive into Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and UNESCO City of Music.

For over two decades, Beyond Times Square has been the go-to destination management company for travelers seeking personalized, behind-the-scenes experiences in major US cities like New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia. Now the luxury travel experts are have announced the addition of two new destinations to their exclusive portfolio—the quintessential Southern charmers of Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina Read the rest of this entry »

Central Holidays has been a leader in creating remarkable travel experiences since 1972. Together with their parent company, SGI, Central Holidays has been at the forefront of delivering travel programs, value, and service across Italy, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Africa, West Asia, and Latin America. Specializing in bespoke group and individual travel, their itineraries are comprised of luxury, ultra-customization, experiential journeys, and cultural adventures that bring destinations to life in unforgettable ways.

Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost state, is separated from mainland Australia across the Bass Strait by 150 miles. This small, heart-shaped island is too often overlooked by international travelers. Tasmania boasts both rugged coastlines and pristine beaches, as well as ancient rainforests and alpine regions. Fascinating wildlife and diverse topography make Australia’s island state a destination worthy of consideration for any visitor to Australia.

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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TRAVEL INSTITUTE

FRAMINGHAM, MA, November 13, 2024 – The Travel Institute announces the appointment of Alex Pinelo, CTC, senior vice president of sales for AmaWaterways to its Board of Directors.

“I could not be more pleased to have Alex as the newest member of our diverse and dynamic board. An industry leader and true professional, he has consistently been a strong proponent about the vital value that well-educated agents provide,” shared Gary Pollard, CTC, chairman of The Travel Institute Board of Directors; president and CEO, Ambassador Tours. “His willingness to serve now demonstrates the continued value Read the rest of this entry »

Romance Travel Forum, an exclusive B2B event focused on destination weddings, honeymoons, and other romantic occasions celebrated with travel, recently concluded with outstanding reviews, and strong optimism for increased business amongst participants.  Produced by Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), an independent event organizer catering to the Travel Advisor market, this exclusive event was held at the Secrets Moxché Playa Del Carmen resort in Mexico from June  25 – 29.  The sold-out 2023 edition was Read the rest of this entry »