Skift Take

The low base fares promoted by some budget and mid-level cruise lines rarely indicate what the actual cost of a sailing will be. Travel advisors are stepping in to advise clients about onboard charges and, in some cases, showing that a higher-end cruise with all-inclusive pricing is actually a better value.

Whether you are a home-based travel advisor or you work in a large office servicing high-profile accounts, the Travel Advisor Innovation Report will have you covered with the trends, news, and features you’ll need to stay on top of an ever-changing marketplace.

If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. That certainly can be the case with cruises, where low base fares and promotional offers often don’t come close to reflecting what the actual cost of the cruise will be. When passengers get on board, they may be shocked to find how little is actually included in the fare as they face charges at every turn for cocktails, coffee drinks, fitness classes, Wi-Fi, and a whole lot more. Gratuities are often automatically added to the tab as well.

For travel advisors, helping clients understand what to expect in the way of automatic tipping and other onboard charges is a way they are demonstrating the value they bring to the table. In some cases, travel advisors can do a cost comparison for clients showing that a luxury cruise with all-inclusive pricing may actually be a better value than a lower-level cruise with a tempting base fare.

Of course, the fact that all-inclusive pricing translates to higher commissions for travel advisors is a motivating factor too.

For more coverage of pertinent issues, click here.

Any suggestions for the coverage you would like to see are welcome. Feel free to contact me at [email protected].

— Maria Lenhart, Travel Advisor Editor

Featured Story

Travel Advisors Step In as Cruise Fees Reach Tipping Point: The base fares advertised by many cruise lines rarely indicate the proliferation of onboard charges that can send the cost of the cruise soaring. Travel advisors are stepping in by counseling clients about the added costs and, in some cases, presenting all-inclusive cruises as a better value.

Tourism

Bahamas Join With Travel Advisors on a Tourism Offensive After Dorian’s Destruction: The Bahamas isn’t wasting any time, pitching itself to the press in New York City on Wednesday. It needs to quickly revive the tourism economy to have the funds to rebuild after Hurricane Dorian. Heading into peak season, tourism officials are pushing hard.

Is Tour Operator Cox & Kings the Next to Fall? Debt-addled Cox & Kings appears to be teetering on a brink of collapse. It has closed the Australia/New Zealand operations. Virtuoso has severed ties with it, while a rescue does not look imminent.

Saudi Arabia’s High Tourism Hopes Begin With a Botched Campaign Rollout: Saudi Arabia certainly put a lot of thought and money into its latest promotional pitch ahead of a rumored e-visa scheme. But it takes more than drone shots to kick off a successful tourism marketing strategy — clarity in message matters too.

Luxury Can No Longer Exist Without Considering the Locals: Costa Rica is one of the few countries that considers social progress as a key metric of tourism industry success. That’s why tourism industry entities, including luxury hotels, are encouraged to train and hire locals. Opportunities create a wealth ripple effect.

Grassroots Is Great But Key to Greening of Travel Will Be Big Global Finance: For all the small steps being taken in travel to improve sustainability, it will ultimately be institutional investors and other big money groups that help the sector navigate and fund a complicated transition into the future.

Hotels

Hyatt Taps Danny Meyer to Help With Food and Beverage for New Brand Caption: Most hotel operators will say that food and beverage can be a money loser for brands, but offering some version of it remains an essential part of the guest experience. Hyatt just stepped up its game.

Airlines

United Airlines Simplifies Seat Upgrades With Points Incentives: The majority of U.S. travelers don’t have to worry about how they’ll upgrade on United Airlines. But United’s most loyal customers, who contribute more than their share of revenue, care deeply about the process. United can’t make things too difficult for them, or they will defect.

This Startup Wants U.S. Airlines to Use Buses to Replace Smaller Regional Jets: It’s hard to think of the bus as a disruptive form of mass transportation. But who knows? Maybe this company, Landline, will revolutionize how Americans buy airline tickets.

Meetings

Event Planners Struggle to Balance Tight Security With a Welcoming Environment: Preparing for risks can be overwhelming — but it shouldn’t feel that way for an attendee.

Skift Travel Advisor Editor Maria Lenhart [[email protected]] curates the Skift Travel Advisor Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday. Have a story idea? Or a juicy news tip? Want to share a memo? Send her an email.

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Tags: airlines, cruises, fees, hotels, meetings, tourism, travel advisor innovation report, travel agents

Photo credit: A guest wears a Carnival Corp. Ocean Medallion wristband. Travel advisors and their customers have to grapple with a bevy of cruise fees that are added to the fare. Carnival Corp.

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