Travel Research Online | The voice of the travel agency community

I recently returned from a trip to Anchorage, and while I was there, I was struck by the local concern for the well-being of the indigenous community and local economies. I have seen those same concerns expressed to an even greater degree by native Hawaiian travel advocates. At a time when our planet and its cultures are as accessible as they are vulnerable, the importance of traveling responsibly has to be taken seriously. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a long time since I’ve stayed at an all-inclusive resort, and even longer since I’ve been to Jamaica, where we celebrated our honeymoon 50 years ago. And I’ve never been to Breathless, the Hyatt All-Inclusive Collection adults-only brand of “chic, social resorts” that promises a “spirited escape that’s layered with amazing food, creative cocktails, top-notch service and luxurious spa experiences in stunning beachfront settings… amid an energetic backdrop of music and on-trend entertainment.”

If you’re planning to go to France, I’ve got an idea for you. First, let’s define our terms. The US airline industry is an oligopoly.

An oligopoly is “a state of limited competition, in which a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers.” In the US airline market, four airlines control 82 percent of the $194.7 billion market. That’s nice for them. It’s a big pot of gold for them to divvy up. For the passengers, maybe it’s not so nice, because choices are extremely limited. In contrast, the entire European airline market is valued at $67.81 billion, about a third of the size of the U.S. market, and 195 airlines are competing for that market. Just by calculating the basic math, it’s undeniable that the European airline market is many times more competitive than the American market Read the rest of this entry »

The growth of sites such as Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay have so revolutionized the stock photography landscape that giants like Getty Images, which owns Unsplash, and Canva (Pixabay and Pexels) are now major players. It all seems most attractive. A no-cost registration gives the travel professional millions of images to use on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms without laying out any money at all. It is the best of all worlds for the travel marketer.

Or is it?

Read the rest of this entry »

This week on the Rhine River, while cruising on AmaWaterways’ AmaLucia, I chose to straddle a saddle on four excursions by bicycle. “It’s the best way to see a place,” our guide Monika said as we rolled through Strasbourg, one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities. More than a dozen of us chose to cycle into the city center for an invigorating three-hour tour.

Today’s article is coming to you from 31,000 feet above the ground. I am comfortably seated in an aisle seat in row 31 on an American Airlines flight en route to Philadelphia. Tomorrow I have the privilege of giving a Keynote Speech to a group of medical device sales reps. My title is GOING FROM GOOD TO GREAT. Although I have been delivering talks like this for nearly 40 years, I find myself preparing my opening remarks and following suggestions as if it were my first public appearance. I suppose the hidden message here is to never rest on your laurels Read the rest of this entry »

Let’s consider the tactics we will use to achieve the goals we have set out for our business. In each instance, we want to be certain our mission statement remains our touch-point. This will keep us consistent and properly focused. Likewise, each tactic should be designed to contribute to our marketing funnels, continually drawing both existing clients and potential clients closer to us, engaging with us and becoming evangelists for our travel practice.

There are an endless variety of possible tactics you can employ. Read the rest of this entry »

Let’s face it: today’s consumer doesn’t expect much. Remember when gas station attendants would pump your gas, check your oil, and clean your windshield? Unless you’re in New Jersey, those days are long gone. Department store clerks were once more than cashiers, and waitstaff offered more than just food delivery. But now, mediocrity is the norm. And you know what? That’s fantastic news for us! Read the rest of this entry »

The Changing Face of Travel Agents 2023, the report released by The Travel Institute, offers valuable insights into the current state of the travel industry. Based on the findings, the gig economy continues to thrive, and more agents are interested in part-time work that provides greater flexibility and independence. 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 »

Travel advisors now have a powerful new tool with the launch of Travel Answers, a unified brand consolidating five leading wholesale travel companies. This rebranding combines Down Under Answers, Travel2, Islands in the Sun, Africa Answers, and Asia Answers into one platform.

The move aims to streamline operations, marketing, and travel advisor experience across these DMCs specializing in Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

AAT Kings has announced two new short break tours in Australia’s majestic Northern Territory, presenting travel agents with exciting new packaged offerings. Lasting 3-4 days, these immersive experiences balance efficient travel with in-depth discovery of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon.

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.

Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica, the small village of Tortuguero is a true ecological gem. Nestled within a vast protected national park, it is one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. Each year, thousands of endangered green turtles arrive en masse to lay their eggs on the long, isolated stretches of beach. This incredible natural phenomenon draws visitors from around the world hoping to witness one of nature’s ancient reproductive rituals.

Rwanda. The Land of a Thousand Hills and the horrific genocide of 1994. One of the most rapidly developing countries in Africa, where one-quarter of the population is still illiterate. A country with many faces which, after years of turmoil, has risen and is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination.

WeTravel, a booking and payment platform, has recently released a Where to Go 2024 list outlining hot spots in travel for 2024. They’ve based the suggestions on bookings through the WeTravel platform. London, Ghana, Paris, and more. These recommendations are complete with popular activities from cruises to festivals, and museums to nature. Read the rest of this entry »

Spain is a country rich in history and culture, and its cathedrals are a testament to true architectural mastery. From Gothic to Renaissance styles, these magnificent structures dwarf the ego and immerse the visitor in awe. Here are a few of the most significant cathedrals in Spain, including notes on their history, design, and construction. 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 »

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 »