AAT Kings, the century-old operator of tours down under, has made some important upgrades in the ways it conducts business with travel retailers, making it easier to access their tours, information, training, and special offers.

The enhancements of AAT Kings’ business practices are designed to make it easier for travel advisors to work with the company and to easily and efficiently get what they need for their clients seeking to travel in Australia and New Zealand. That’s AAT Kings’ home territory and its only area of operations. Read the rest of this entry »

When you think of US destinations that embody the “travel as a living classroom” theme, Washington DC is undoubtedly at the top of the list. With back-to-school season here, there’s no better way to enhance your child’s education than with a fun and enriching family getaway to our nation’s capital this fall. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building and beyond, it’s an experience filled with countless teaching moments. Beyond the iconic monuments and memorials, Washington DC boasts incredible museums, stunning architecture, rich culture, natural beauty, and so much more.

Margot Windenburg, the Senior Sales Manager for North America at AAT Kings, has been a driving force in the travel industry for over two decades, with nearly eight years dedicated to AAT Kings. Her profound passion for Australia and New Zealand is reflected in the meticulously crafted tours that offer travelers unforgettable experiences. The 2025/2026 season for AAT Kings and its premium sister brand, Inspiring Journeys, introduces exciting new itineraries such as the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Tour and the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company visit.

Margot is also a staunch advocate for AAT Kings’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, which aim to positively impact local communities and the environment. Her commitment extends to supporting travel agents through advanced tools like the TTC Travel Agent Portal, ensuring seamless booking and management. Margot’s expertise and dedication make her a key figure in delivering exceptional travel experiences across Australia and New Zealand. 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?

Nestled between the vast Atlantic Ocean and the serene Mediterranean Sea, the border that Spain shares with France is a blend of geographical marvels and rich cultural tapestries. Stretching from the rugged Basque coastline to the stunning peaks of the Pyrenees and dipping down into the charming landscapes of Catalonia, this cross-border region is a living mosaic of history, art, and nature. Travelers exploring this area are treated to a magnificent variety of landscapes and an intriguing mix of cultural influences that tell a story of centuries-old connections between the two nations.

Located in southern Kenya, near the Tanzanian border, Amboseli National Park is more than an afterthought to the great Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon. It has the “Big 5” of African animals to witness on safaris, large elephant herds, and is home to the proud Maasai tribe. Not to mention plenty of options for a few nights’ stay, from lodges to luxury camping.

The landscapes of Amboseli National Park range from the seemingly endless savannahs to the woodlands of acacia trees, to the swamps created by the runoff of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Impossible to overlook, Mt. Kilimanjaro is approximately 30 miles away. Views of this almost 20,000-foot-high mountain capture the attention and curiosity of travelers and locals alike–images memorialized in the minds of all who bask in the present scene. And particularly for those who enjoy photography.

Nestled in the Jiangsu province of eastern China, Suzhou stands as a captivating destination that weaves together the threads of ancient history, cultural richness, and natural beauty. Often referred to as the “Venice of the East,” this enchanting city has long been celebrated for its classical gardens, thriving silk industry, and intricate network of canals that grace its landscape

In honor of Father’s Day, and/or the issues fatherhood often brings up, the founders of The Journeymen Collective suggest that the best way to deal with and release the stressors in our lives—or to bond with your Dad?—may well be a luxury guided magic mushroom retreat in the mountains outside Vancouver.

Rob Grover and Gary Logan have hosted “entrepreneurs, CEOs, athletes, performers, couples, and small groups invested in the highest level of personal development and self-discovery,” they say, and have 60 years of experience in spiritual and metaphysical training, executive level mindset coaching, energetic healing modalities, and Alexander Technique lessons.

They offer online and support calls to prepare guests for programs that utilize psilocybin as a way to achieve self-growth in a trusted, safe, and luxurious setting.

For more information visit: https://www.thejourneymencollective.com/.

There’s no way to summarize a weeklong press trip to Israel in just one column. So I’ve taken two.

For the background on our amazing journey, see my column from last week, One Step Ahead of the Rockets: An Unforgettable Press Trip to Israel | Travel Research Online. But if you’re looking for details on how to plan a great trip, here are some highlights from the itinerary put together for our group of 20 international trade press by Ellen Shapiro of the Israel Ministry of Tourism and our tour guide, Mika Rabinovich. So here goes:

From Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, we’ll marvel at wildlife against a backdrop of spectacular panoramas. We’ll pitch camp in romantic lodges and sail on the beautiful African Queen. We’ll explore beautiful natural reserves and the secrets of Lake Kariba before taking in the grandeur of the “smoke that thunders,” Victoria Falls Read the rest of this entry »

Jerusalem — Maybe it’s because I respect war correspondents, who risk their lives to cover the story, and sometimes wish I was one. Maybe it’s because, since Covid, I appreciate the privilege of being among the first visitors to support a tourism industry in distress. Maybe it’s because my roots are here, in the only place on earth where Jews are not a minority.

Or maybe I’m just another Baby Boomer looking for a “safe adventure,” excited to push the boundaries and get my heart pumping a little, all the while knowing I really am likely to survive unscathed.

Type “world’s greatest city” into Google and what do you think will come up? Guess. If you guessed New York you would be correct. It’s the answer you will get from the overwhelming majority of people. There are many great cities in the world, many larger than New York, many older, many that have their own distinguishing features that New York does not have. But when you say “world’s greatest city,” most people will think of New York, and for good reason Read the rest of this entry »

On February 29, Collette announced that US travel advisors will earn an extra $100 for each booking made in March 2024. This applies to tours departing through March 31, 2025.

And, for the big questions, there is no limit on what US advisors can earn with this offer… and Collette has said the bonus cash will be paid out in April 2024, even if the travelers cancel their bookings. The booking must be active at the time of payout.

“We value travel advisors and want to see them succeed,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, chief executive officer at Collette. “This offer is one more way for us to show them our appreciation when they provide their customers with their expertise in planning a dream vacation.”

Adding to this, advisors will earn up to a $200 bonus with Collette’s Advanced Commission Program. These bonus cash payments are valid on new retail bookings only and are not applicable for group bookings.

For more information, please visit https://www.gocollette.com/en.

Keith Baron, former president of Abercrombie & Kent, joined Perillo Tours as chief operating officer a little over a month ago. Baron will lead the day-to-day operations from the home office in Saddle River, N.J., and report directly to Steve Perillo, the president and owner of Perillo Tours. Baron was in his first month at Perillo when I ran into him and Stephen Perillo at the USTOA conference this month.

Stephen Perillo seemed almost giddy with Baron joining Perillo. “The spiritual part is changed instantly,” he said, “the feeling. And he’s a hit in the office. You’d never know because there are 50 people in the office. You bring in someone new, and you don’t know who’s going to like whom. But everyone loves Keith. Everyone.” Read the rest of this entry »

You don’t necessarily have to love a niche to build a great business around it, says Corey Hargarther of Dream Vacations. You just need a great group leader and a unique spin that differentiates you from the competition.

That’s been Hargarther’s plan for his board gaming cruise group, and it’s working. Meeples at Sea, which began with 20 inside cabins on a four-night Carnival cruise out of Jacksonville, has grown to 60, mostly in balcony rooms, on Celebrity Apex.

“It’s not as much about finding a niche that appeals to the masses as it is finding some sort of differentiator Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a good year for Amtrak, or anyone who likes rail travel and would like to see the U.S. gain a little on Europe, Japan and China with their futuristic (to us) high-speed trains. We could be looking at the dawn of a new Golden Age of Rail Travel.

If you have ridden trains in any of those countries with advanced systems, you have an idea of how good they can get. America’s trains have lagged behind, but things are changing. If you haven’t ridden a train in the US for a while, it’s worthy of consideration. It’s a great way to travel Read the rest of this entry »

I see many grim projections about the possible future of humanity, and maybe Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destination, is seeing the same reports because Avanti is adding destinations like there’s no tomorrow.

Avanti seems to be on a never-ending quest to cover the entire world with its network of independent travel components. With Europe, Latin America and Asia already thoroughly covered, you wouldn’t expect expansion to be part of Avanti’s agenda anymore. But Avanti is the wholesaler that never sleeps. This year the company has made several significant expansions that reveal that its quest is never-ending. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a record-breaking year in the travel industry—but as 2023 nears an end, travel advisors who sell the Middle East are wondering about the possible fallout of the Israel/Hamas War. Some already are feeling the pinch as suppliers shift itineraries, customers try unsuccessfully to cancel—and travel advisors and their commissions are caught in the middle. Again.

“I have been fighting with Regent since they announced my clients would not be going to Israel and Egypt—which was the whole reason for their trip—and put Greece in its place,” says Samantha Hamilton at Ultimate Vacations. “My clients have already been to Greece and have no desire to go back Read the rest of this entry »

Award-winning luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways announced an exclusive 2-for-1 Land Package offer for guests reserving a full six- or eight-night land package in conjunction with select 2024 and 2025 seven-night river cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia. Guests reserving select Charms of the Mekong or Riches of the Mekong itineraries are able to take advantage of this offer* until December 31, 2023. The 2-for-1 Land Package Read the rest of this entry »

The September Alaskan air was cool but not cold. Nevertheless, I didn’t begrudge the coat I brought with me. I was too excited by what lay ahead to feel anything but anticipation in any event. It was my first trip to Alaska, and the second for my wife Judi. Today we were going to have the opportunity for a special adventure. Our destination: the glaciers of the Knik River Valley, a mere 45-minute drive north of Anchorage, where the Alaska Glacier Lodge would serve as our departure point into the vast, icy wilderness. Read the rest of this entry »

Collette, America’s oldest tour operator, passed another milestone in its 106-year history last week with the promotion of Jaclyn Leibl-Cote from president to CEO. She succeeds her father, Dan Sullivan Jr., who became CEO in 1990, and now will serve as executive chairman. Leibl-Cote is only the fourth person to take the top position since the company was founded in 1918 by Jack Collette. In 1918, the term “CEO” was not used; but Jack Collette was the equivalent for the time, the founder and owner. He ran the company until 1962 when he sold it to Dan Sullivan Sr., the grandfather of Jaclyn Leibl-Cote. She is the first female CEO of the company. Read the rest of this entry »