Author Archives: Joey DeLoach

There are 110 articles by Joey DeLoach published on this site.


More Than Mount Fuji, Shizuoka

As the home of Mount Fuji, there’s already an expectation that Shizuoka will be a scenic delight of any trip to Japan. But outside the shadow of Japan’s highest mountain is a cultural heritage, beaches, and fresh seafood cuisine.

Read the rest of this entry »

Image of Kilkenny, Ireland waterfront with Collette logo

 

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.

Utopia of the Seas ship. Artist rendering courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

 

The Travel Institute, celebrating its 60th anniversary, has partnered with Royal Caribbean to send ten lucky advisors aboard Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Utopia of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean, a long-time supporter of The Travel Institute’s non-profit initiatives to promote education and professional development for agents, has offered up a great opportunity to preview the new ship.

The ten advisors chosen will receive a free, double-occupancy stateroom aboard the preview sailing in July 2024 of Utopia of the Seas. An excellent chance to experience and report back to clients on your travels.

To qualify for this drawing, advisors must:

“At Royal Caribbean, we value agent success and are committed to supporting them. The Travel Institute’s CTA serves as the foundation for their success and is widely recognized in the industry as the pinnacle of professionalism. Obtaining their CTA, agents demonstrate dedication to the highest standards of excellence in the travel industry, gaining confidence, expertise, a competitive edge, and the potential for higher sales.”

 

American Eagle catamaran ship. ©American Cruise Lines

 

American Cruise Lines continues to provide US river cruising with a look at their 2024 cruise season. With a total of 125 US ports of call and nine new itineraries, ACL has big announcements out.

Leading the announcement is two new 100-passenger ships, Coastal Cats, American Liberty and American Legend. These are the 3rd and 4th ships of the American series which will include 12 total. The first two coastal cats already in operation are American Eagle and  American Glory. Slated to sail New England, Chesapeake Bay, Hudson River and Florida, the American Liberty is set to cruise in June 2024 while American Legend is set for October 2024.

Adding to the 19 ships they will have in operation by October of next year are new itineraries. Including longer cruises like the 60-day itinerary exploring 20 states (August 16th to October 14th) and the 35-day Civil War Battlefields cruise exploring 20 Civil War battlefields (May 3rd to June 6th).

They’ve also announced new 2024 cruises at National Parks. Including Denali Fjords and Glacier Bay National Parks in Alaska, and Smoky Mountains National Park. Also available is the multi-national park cruise of Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton along the Colombia and Snake Rivers.

With new departures, new ships, more itineraries than featured here, and a maximum range of 90-180 guests per cruise, American Cruise Lines looks to be growing into the booming interest in cruises.

Auckland and New Zealand’s North Island

Known as the “City of Sails,” Auckland is the most populous urban area in New Zealand. It sits on the North Island, surrounded by beautiful harbors and volcanic landscapes. Nearby Auckland is an island of vineyards and beaches. This multicultural city has a food and art scene to rival some of the more cosmopolitan cities around the world—and is always close to natural wonders.

Read the rest of this entry »

Host Agency Reviews has released its 70+ page report on trends in the world of host agencies: The Hosted Travel Advisor Research Report Summary, 2023.

The recently released report aims to inform advisors, suppliers, agency allies, and host agencies about the current state of affairs in the industry—according to the 1,700+ hosted advisors polled.

Of those, only 23% of hosted advisors have reported sales below pre-pandemic levels. This lends thought to the optimism Read the rest of this entry »

Lahainaluna neighborhood on the island of Maui on fire

 

After a wildfire spread quickly across Maui last week, the Hawai’ian island is left with a recovery effort that could last several months.

At the time of publication, the wildfire is said to have taken the lives of 106 people in the affected areas. Though, efforts are still ongoing. The approach of Hurricane Dora, and the subsequent high winds, are thought to be the primary reason it spread so quickly across the highly visited island.

Last week, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) asked all visitors to leave the island of Maui to help facilitate a rescue and recovery, and for the safety of visitors.

Now, the HTA is telling all visitors booked on a trip to Maui to reschedule their bookings for as far out as months, possibly several months.

“In the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.”, said the HTA in a statement.

OutsideAgents.com announced on August 15th the launch of their new program to help advisors on their platform with workflow, starting at the ring of a phone. So Your Phone Rang (SYPR) is the name they chose, a fitting one for the question ever present on the advisor’s mind: “How do I run my business?”

Chad Burt, Co-Owner at OutsideAgents.com, stated in a press release that “we wanted to create something that felt conversational and direct.” Read the rest of this entry »

Panama: A Diverse Paradise

Panama is located in the middle of countries with such natural wonders that it can be difficult to choose just one. Yet, Panama has its own charm with rich cultures and diverse landscapes. Being bordered by ocean on two sides, it has beaches galore. From the modern skyline of Panama City to the biodiversity of wildlife at Bocas del Toro, to the highlands of Boquete, Panama is packed with chances for a true Central American experience.

Read the rest of this entry »

Toby AI, Artificial Intelligence, Voyager

The following article is a republish of an unedited interview with Voyager’s new artificial intelligence, Toby. Starting with “tell us about yourself.

Toby uses an artificial intelligence language model created by OpenAI, and I’m glad to be of service to you and to the travel professional community. I’m capable of processing vast amounts of data and providing responses to a wide range of inquiries. I’m also constantly learning and improving, thanks to the advanced machine learning algorithms used in my development. Whether it’s helping companies improve their customer service, assisting with complex data analysis tasks, or even engaging in conversational interactions like this one, my capabilities are broad and my potential is virtually limitless. With my advanced AI capabilities and strategic insights, I’m here to help you achieve your business objectives and enhance your overall operational efficiency.

Read the rest of this entry »

I sat down with Lori Speers to talk about a celebration for the top 10 sales producers at Levarté Travel, the host agency she started and owns. While we did cover this, succeeding in the essential goal of business transacted; we got far more in-depth about travel—about the elation of setting up the perfect getaway for another person, how community plays a huge part in business, and the passion it takes to make it in the travel industry. Read the rest of this entry »

Chad Burt, Owner, Outside Agents

Chad is fortunate to be a natural born entrepreneur as he’s been a terrible employee historically. Starting his first business in 4th grade, Chad had been a serial entrepreneur until finding a true home with his cousin when they founded OutsideAgents.com. Chad is now thrilled to share his passion and insights for small travel agencies with big dreams. Chad also loves playing with his kids, spending time with his wife, and racing anything with a motor. In his spare time, he does a little juggling and standup comedy.

Important: MBA, 30 years in C-level Marketing, IT, and Business Development. Notoriously curious. Disdain for the inauthentic. Recent activities: Fraud Prevention Program, Marketing Engine for Travel Agents (powered in part by TRO), Integrated AI, Prosper Circle Small Group Agent Incubator, and a Parent/Sub agent program to connect small agency owners and their staff with industry experts. Read the rest of this entry »

Sister Islands of the Azores, Madeira

There are travelers always on the lookout for a warm and sandy destination. Though plenty of destinations exist for lounging at sunset while the sea swells onto a beach, there is only one Madeira. An island often voted in the top ranks of island destinations, it has been dubbed the Pearl of the Atlantic.

Read the rest of this entry »

OliverAI, Artificial Intelligence, Voyager

The following article is an unedited interview with Voyager’s new artificial intelligence, OliverAI. Starting with “tell us about yourself.

OliverAI uses an artificial intelligence language model created by OpenAI, and I’m glad to be of service to you and to the travel professional community. I’m capable of processing vast amounts of data and providing responses to a wide range of inquiries. I’m also constantly learning and improving, thanks to the advanced machine learning algorithms used in my development. Whether it’s helping companies improve their customer service, assisting with complex data analysis tasks, or even engaging in conversational interactions like this one, my capabilities are broad and my potential is virtually limitless. With my advanced AI capabilities and strategic insights, I’m here to help you achieve your business objectives and enhance your overall operational efficiency.

Read the rest of this entry »

Costa Rica has plenty for the more leisure-focused traveler, with resorts and beaches galore. But another area of travel that Costa Rica absolutely shines is adventure. From canopy walks to meeting sloths, to ziplines and floating down rivers, traveling in this country can go wild. Particularly La Fortuna, with its volcanoes, rivers, and surrounding areas of dense jungle. Costa Rica, and La Fortuna especially, is a place where nature is foremost and can be embraced by the traveler.

Read the rest of this entry »
Richard Krieger

During his career in the travel industry, Richard has enjoyed leadership roles in both the retail and wholesale sides of the industry. Beginning in retail agency sales and management, Richard transitioned into the luxury wholesale tour operator space, focusing on product development and market share expansion. As Director of Sky Vacations, Richard leads a dynamic team, dedicated to developing programs that offer a unique opportunity for a traveler to connect with a place and its people, specifically to India and “waiting to be discovered” destinations. Richard serves on a number of industry committees and is a current Board member of IGLTA.

Read the rest of this entry »

Athens and the Cyclades: A Landscape of Legends

Athens is a metropolis of the old world and new, an ancient city that has offered lasting world knowledge and architecture to civilization. This already marks it as a sought-after destination, but the crisp flavors of fresh olive oil and the white coasts of nearby Cyclades Islands mark it as a top-tier destination. History is evident all around this ancient land full of nature, beaches, and cultural landmarks to visit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Upon first glance of every image available, Singapore is a city of the future. Contoured skyscrapers and artful glass domes stand over coastal waters. Once a quaint fishing village, Singapore has become one of the leading shipping and banking centers of the world as well as a leader in technological advances. It is a land of modern silicon valleys and a mixed culture with people from all over the East—creating a rich heritage of cultures and sights for the traveler to experience.

Read the rest of this entry »

London, Past and Present All at Once

On first approach, the most noticeable part of London’s skyline is glass and steel—a modern society reaching for greater heights. As one gets closer, the London Bridge shows off its 700-year transformation from a stone-built medieval structure to concrete and steel. Big Ben (aka. Great Bell) stands tall, counting the 163 years on a clock face since it’s been built. Yet, an even closer look shows a city that keeps its roots close.

Read the rest of this entry »

The First Croatian Gem, Opatija

Sitting at the foot of the Učka Mountain, the city of Opatija has been a seaside resort since the late 1800s. With the Adriatic Sea shining along an almost 8-mile coast, and Kvarner Bay hosting relaxing beaches. Though there was some decline in the state of the city following the 19th century golden age, it has returned to a gleaming example of the gems that sit along the coasts of Croatia.

Opatija from the sea is an experience of how stunning the Croatian coasts remain to this day. The sparkle of the sea meets bright villas and, further, a slow-rising mountain of green; creating a scene sought after for the sheer excitement of simply being there. This is one of the reasons that Opatija was officially declared by the imperial government to be a climatic health resort in 1889, making it popular for health and wellness tourism.

Read the rest of this entry »

Loire Valley: Wine and Castles

Few countries in the world are more well known for their wines than France. Often paired with excellent culinary treats and opulent architectural settings, there are many spectacular sights and tastes in France. But, for wine lovers and francophiles, there is no better example of this than the Loire Valley. This valley has castles dotted across green rolling hills for the traveler to explore, and a food scene to rival the best in the world.

Read the rest of this entry »