“We’re in the renaissance of the travel advisor in the distribution channel, driven by the general public,” says Tavel Leaders Group president John Lovell. Groups are back; corporate is growing; luxury is blossoming, he told a group of trade reporters at a press conference in the beautiful Ritz Carlton Nomad in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Travel Leaders Network president Roger Block was quick to agree. “2023 was a heck of a year in terms of growth, profitability, business moving upscale, membership – you name a metric and 2023 was outstanding – and 2024 is looking as good, if not better,” Block said. TLN has signed up 300 new travel agency members in the United States and 42 in Canada (for a net gain of 155), projected to sell $635 million worth of travel.

That’s not including the first 2024 new member, “mega-host agency” Inteletravel, which claimed $800 million in 2023 sales.

Among the biggest growth areas for TLN advisors is luxury, where 2924 sales already are up 19% over 2023. The 328 members of Travel Leaders’ Luxury Leaders Advisor Alliance racked up a total of $450 million in sales last year, averaging $1.37 million each.

Group travel also is on a wave; it “really didn’t come back in 2023, but now people are taking out speculative groups; affinity groups are coming back together; businesses are getting teams together and doing incentive trips,” Lovell said. “We’re really seeing group business come back very strong.”

Indeed, the biggest issue seems to be finding employees, Block and Lovell agreed. Where in the brick-and-mortar past newcomers to the industry started as full-time employees, today’s travel advisors are more inclined to start out as independent contractors on their own. “Those ICs used to be the pipeline for full-time employees,” Lovell noted—and now the pipeline is gone.

“We’re trying to attract new talent, but we’re getting 10 here and 10 there—and we need hundreds,” he said. So perhaps the most important thing for those looking to hire is to get out the word that being a travel advisor is a great job opportunity.

Here’s the pitch for you to use, compliments of Lovell: “What industry can you put your finger on and say it’s going to grow 8%? If you look at the hotels, ships, and river cruise ships being built, you can see it is going to grow 8% –and the travel advisor distribution channel is getting more and more of the market. Royal Caribbean just built a $2 billion ship—now that’s a vote of confidence!—and we sell 30% of their inventory. It’s a great time and a great moment in time,
for us as an industry.”

WeTravel, the leading all-in-one travel business management platform, recently announced the launch of their new virtual L(a)unch-N-Learn series. Designed to create and foster a sense of community among travel professionals, these lunchtime gatherings will provide an opportunity to come together and discuss key topics impacting the world of multi-day travel Read the rest of this entry »

Cruisers looking for something a little different will find lots of options on Crystal this year, as the line rolls out themed cruises for lovers of film, theater and golf.

The fun begins in February, when Grammy-nominated musical theater star Christine Allado will perform on the Film & Theater Enthusiasts sailing (Feb. 16-28) to Hong Kong. Broadway musical historian Steven Friedman, former regional marketing director for United Artists and Columbia Pictures Andrew Friedenberg, and movie and TV actor Bruce McGill will also be onboard to provide insights and anecdotes at fireside chats.

In Europe, the July 18-30 sailing from Lisbon to Dover will host golf instructors David Leadbetter and Roberto Borgatti, who will help players of all skill levels perfect their swings—and help those who are interested pass the PGA Player Ability Test.

In the fall, two sailings between New York and Quebec (October 10-18 and 18-26) will highlight the Great White Way, featuring actress and singer Rachel York, known for her iconic stage roles in City of Angels, Les Miserables, and Kiss Me Kate. More names from Broadway marquees will be announced in the next few weeks.

“We are thrilled to bring back our themed cruises, each tailored to provide an immersive and enriching experience for our guests,” said Vice President of Entertainment Keith Cox.

Some wise man once went on record to say, “The purpose of a business is to create customers.” If my memory serves me correctly, it was Peter Drucker, the well-esteemed Master Guru of Management. But I misquoted Big Pete. He actually said, “The purpose of a business is to create and KEEP customers.”

There is a major difference between these two quoted assertions. Allow me to explain Read the rest of this entry »

Between now and the end of March, AmaWaterways is including complimentary 2-, 3- and 4-night land packages on select 2024 and 2025 river cruises. What we at River Cruise Advisor particularly appreciate about these packages are: Read the rest of this entry »

“I’ve been in travel for nine years and this is the busiest January I’ve had; every day there’s a new lead from social media,” says Megan Amelio at Bridie Travel in Chicago. “Literally, every day there’s a new post on our local Facebook groups and Google looking for a travel advisor.”

“It’s January 17, and I’ve already booked what I booked in all of January 2023, and I’m nowhere near done,” says Cheri Smith. “I can hardly keep up with the requests.”

They are not alone Read the rest of this entry »

Malia Asfour, the managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America, has started the second year of her three-year term as chairman of Tourism Cares, the travel industry association dedicated to sustainability and to protecting the great travel sites of the world Read the rest of this entry »

A strike by train drivers is crippling London transit today (Tuesday) and causing delays for travelers headed for the airports.

Members of the ASLEF union are on strike against the Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, Thameslink, South Western Railway and Great Northern railroad lines over the week of January 30 through Monday, February 5.

The union will hold two more 48-hour strikes on the London Overground, on February 19 and March 4. And on the London Underground, the Central Line is suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to a “points failure.”

The strikes are causing widespread delays for travelers trying to get to and from London airports.

London Heathrow is accessible on the Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth Line, and the Tube. But other major airports will be badly affected—with most trains canceled on strike days.

For example:

London Gatwick will have no Gatwick Express nor Thameslink service on Tuesday, January 30. Passengers headed to London can use a Southern shuttle service, nonstop between the airport and Victoria, or the GWR link from Gatwick to Redhill, Guildford and Reading.

London Stansted will have an hourly skeleton service on Friday, February 2, with “service alterations” on the other days.

Manchester airport will have a drastically reduced rail service on Wednesday, January 31, with only an hourly link on Transport for Wales to and from central Manchester, Chester and North Wales.

Birmingham airport is likely to be inaccessible by rail on Saturday, February 3, except for Transport for Wales from Birmingham New Street.

I am often asked where my ideas come from. I am quick to point out to the one asking the question that this is an interesting inquiry. Answer: From living every day and, sometimes, paying attention to the humor in it all.

This morning, however, the title of this article came from a quote from a travel agent who specializes in African Safaris as I was clicking my way aimlessly on my laptop enjoying my second cup of coffee Read the rest of this entry »

A change in US Department of Labor (DOL) regulations should have travel agencies taking a second look at their relationships with independent contractors, travel lawyers say. While the new requirements are relatively easy to meet, their details spell trouble for some agencies. TRO reached out to travel attorneys Mark Pestronk and Tom Carpenter to get their take on what it means—and their advice on what to do Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a traveler seeking a blend of river cruising and immersive land experiences, AmaWaterways has just the experience for you. Ama is currently offering complimentary 2-, 3-, and 4-night land packages on select voyages until the end of March. These land packages provide an opportunity to add value to your journey and make the most of your time abroad. Whether you’re strolling through the streets of historic cities or enjoying local attractions, AmaWaterways ensures Read the rest of this entry »

There’s no word yet on when Southwest Airlines can expect its flight attendants to walk off the job—but the likelihood is much stronger following an overwhelmingly pro-strike vote this week.

About 98% of voting members voted to go on strike, Transport Workers Union Local 556 reports—many more than the 64% who turned down the airline’s contract proposal last month. If they do, it would be the first strike by flight attendants in Southwest’s history.

“98% YES sends a strong message of solidarity,” the union wrote on X. “We will do whatever it takes to get a Contract that recognizes our contributions to the success of our co.”

As a first step in their protest, many Southwest flight attendants will join thousands of airline workers on the picket lines for the worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on Feb. 13. Organized by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, it will include picketing at more than 30 airports globally.

The flight attendants cited cost of living increases as well as a better deal offered to pilots, whose new contract includes a 50% pay raise over the next five years.

Take a dose of global warming, add an increase in tourism and a fire in Maui, and what do you get? In Hawaii, it adds up to a new tourist tax.

In his State of the State address, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green renewed the call for a “climate impact fee” to be charged to every visitor to the Aloha State.

A proposed $50 charge failed to pass the legislature last year. But this week, Green proposed a “modest” $25 fee, to be paid by every visitor who stays at a hotel or short-term rental on any Hawaiian island.

The resulting $68 million a year would be used for “beach preservation, fire breaks, and other prevention measures to help us avoid tragedies like the one last year in Maui,” Green said.

“A Climate Impact Fee on visitors would provide the needed resources to protect our environment and increase awareness of the impacts of climate change,” he noted. “I believe this is not too much to ask of visitors to our islands Hawaii’s natural resources — our beaches, forests, and waterfalls — are an essential part of our culture and our way of life.”

At a press conference following the State of the State, House Speaker Scott Saiki and Finance Committee Chair Kyle Yamashita said they will consider Green’s visitor fee, as well as an increase in the existing transient accommodations tax, currently 10.25%.

Highlighting its newest itinerary, American Cruise Lines on Monday officially welcomed its second Coastal Cat ship, American Glory, in Key West, Florida.

Sailing round trip from St. Petersburg, American Glory will visit Punta Gorda, Marco Island and Key West on its seven-night Florida Gulf Coast & Keys itinerary from January 26 through March, and then again in November and December. Glory’s sister ship, American Legend, is scheduled to sail the same itinerary beginning in November.

Both ships are part of American Cruise Line’s ‘Project Blue,’ a fleet of 12 small ships, carrying 100 passengers each, designed to sail almost every domestic US itinerary. The Coastal Cats will sail the east coast from Maine to Florida throughout 2024 and 2025.

At the christening ceremony for American Glory, American Cruise Lines president and CEO Charles B. Robertson introduced the ship’s godmother, Key West mayor Teri Johnston.

“Docking in Mallory Square is a privilege, and we are honored to be a new small piece of the Key West community,” he said.

American Glory has four decks, a unique catamaran bow, an elegant interior design and private balconies, as well as a restaurant, casual café and fitness center.

American Cruise Lines is building five ships in 2024, and will operate 19 ships and cruise more than 50 domestic itineraries, ranging from six to sixty days, in 35 states, including both coasts and many rivers in between. All the ships are American-built, flagged, and crewed.

If I got one thing straight during my eight years of sitting in front of the nuns of Notre Dame back in the fifties and early sixties, it was that all things considered, telling the truth was the right thing to do. Quizzes, tests, and exams were built around the concept. (True or false?) Overnight sleepovers featured the popular game. (Truth of Dare?) We were taught early on (via fictitious stories) that, if you didn’t tell the truth, your nose would grow Read the rest of this entry »

There is never a dull moment in the travel industry. Successful agencies are the ones who adapt, innovate, and expand their reach. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by forming strategic partnerships with other businesses in the travel industry and outside of it. Consider this: Read the rest of this entry »

(Part 2 of 2. For two more great ideas, see Nine Great Ideas for 2024: Travel Advisors Share New Agendas for the New Year | Travel Research Online. I know that’s 10 in all, I’ve added one more since last week!)

It’s going to be a busy year, travel advisors say. While for some the focus is on building their client base, making it more profitable, or marketing to new customers, others say their biggest challenge in 2024 is time management.

At Cruise Planners-The Zeneri Team, Melissa Shanks is looking more to grow her high-end customer base through a luxury travel club she is organizing with two of her associates Read the rest of this entry »

OutsideAgents.com, America’s premier host agency, is excited to announce the hiring of travel industry professional Andrea Wright as Vice President, Luxury Sales. She joins OutsideAgents.com with over 25 years of hospitality experience.

Wright will spearhead the formulation of an exclusive deluxe brand designed to answer the escalating demand for luxury experiences. She will be responsible for working with agents to drive business across all sectors of luxury travel and collaborating with premium suppliers to create unique journeys that agents can promote and offer to their clientele.

Wright has held a variety of positions with Playa Hotels & Resorts and was most recently their Vice President of Sales, USA, managing the U.S sales team and overseeing resort partnerships and marketing initiatives. Prior to Playa Hotels and Resorts, Wright held sales management positions with Club Med.

Steve Muraca and Chad Burt, Co-Owners of OutsideAgents.com stated, “We are absolutely delighted and privileged to announce the addition of Andrea Wright to OutsideAgents.com. Her depth of experience and profound knowledge in luxury travel enriches our team and brings additional value to our members and preferred partners.”

Celebrity Cruises is taking extraordinary steps to keep its Galapagos customers safe. Silversea is canceling a cruise in the Red Sea. From South America to the Middle East, political unrest continued to keep the cruise industry—and the travel advisors who sell its products—on their toes last week.

Celebrity, last week, issued an advisory asking guests booked on Galapagos cruises on Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xpedition to not arrive in the country until the day before their sailing.

c, the pre-departure arrival point for many guests, is considered its most dangerous, as its ports have become a hub for drug smuggling. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has declared a state of “internal armed conflict” and imposed a nationwide state of emergency and nighttime curfew after a wave of gang violence in which armed men interrupted a live TV broadcast and took more than 100 prison staff hostage.

Lindblad Expeditions has cancelled two cruises in the region that were scheduled to sail on January 12 and 13, National Geographic Endeavour II and Islander II “out of an abundance of caution,” and noting a “lack of clarity” regarding air travel. Celebrity Cruises is taking extraordinary steps to keep its customers safe. Silversea canceled a call in Manta, Ecuador, on Silver Nova, which is sailing a 71-day roundtrip sailing around South America, and Azamara canceled a stop as well. Intrepid and G Adventures posted travel alerts on their websites informing travelers of the 60-day state of emergency and noted they are monitoring the situation carefully.

Celebrity issued an advisory asking guests booked on Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xpedition to not arrive in the country until the day before their sailing.

In a letter sent January 10, Celebrity stressed that cruises are not cancelled But, guests who feel uncomfortable can cancel their bookings with a full refund and have the opportunity for price protection on future voyages when they book a new cruise before 2025. Celebrity Cruises also will reimburse guests for any fees they incur for changing their inbound flights.

Guests who are sailing on the three ships will be housed at the new Holiday Inn, in a secure area near the airport, and are asked not to leave the hotel. Celebrity staffers will escort guests as they transfer to the hotel and on to their flights to Baltra.

All pre- and post-cruise excursions in Ecuador have been suspended.

“Any Celebrity pre- or post-cruise packages in Ecuador will be cancelled and refunded, as these will no longer take place. For independently purchased pre- or post-cruise purchases, we recommend you cancel these, and we will review refund requests,” Celebrity Cruises said in the letter.

Celebrity says it is closely monitoring the situation and may still cancel cruises if the situation deteriorates.

Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport in Quito and José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil remain fully operational, but American Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines all have canceled some flights, and American, Delta, LATAM and United have issued waivers for travel to the country.

In the Middle East, meanwhile, trouble in the Red Sea and Yemen has more cruise ships scrambling to find alternative routes.

After making changes to the itinerary of the last sailing, Silversea last week canceled Silver Moon’s January 16-26 sailing of the Silver Moon Muscat-Dubai itinerary and is “in the process of informing affected guests and their travel agents of the reprotection options. Our global security team continues to closely monitor the situation in the region and will make any additional changes if required,” a spokesperson told TRO.

The cruise was scheduled to visit several destinations in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrein, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Affected passengers will receive different compensations, including refund of the fate of the cancelled cruise portion, and Future Cruise Credits (FCCs).

But the January 26-February 11 sailing remains scheduled, as are future voyages.

MSC Cruises, meanwhile, has rerouted MSC Poesia’s 115-day world cruise, which now will circumnavigate Africa instead of passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

The year 2023 has come and gone and there isn’t much, if anything, you can do to change the outcome of your actions or inactions. The results, as they pertain to your business, are “in the bank” so to say.

What you can do, and you have just about all the ammunition you need, is to make 2024 a year for the record books. But, I caution against any unchained optimism.

It is common for you, me, and virtually every hard-working entrepreneur to jot down a few New Year Resolutions designed to fatten their wallet and keep their bodies in Read the rest of this entry »

We got so many great stories, we’ve divided this article into two! Read part 1 here.

You know it’s going to be a great year when a story about what’s new ends up being about how to cope with all the business coming our way.

On the drawing board for 2024, many travel advisors report, are strategies to focus on high-end clients; hire assistants; host more groups; charge fees—or raise them. Some are taking a step into new technologies; others are building new kinds of road maps and vision boards to keep track of where they are Read the rest of this entry »