Articles tagged “asta”

Business Travel

U.S. and Canadian Travel Advisor Groups Look Beyond Rivalry to Reopen the Border

The entire travel industry greatly benefits when groups many would think of as competitors work together to provide assistance for travelers and travel advisors.

Rashaad Jorden, Skift | 3 months ago

Business Travel

Nearly Half of U.S. Travelers Plan to Use Travel Advisors Post-Pandemic, Survey Shows

There’s cause for optimism for this at-risk segment of the industry, just as National Travel Advisor Day hits. Travel agencies that are quick to adapt have the potential to capture a new customer base that outlasts the travel recovery years.

Lebawit Lily Girma, Skift | 6 months ago

Business Travel

U.S. Election Year Aside, Travel Advisor Execs Optimistic About 2020

The adage that U.S. presidential election years are bad for business may or may not hold true for 2020. Savvy travel advisors, however, may want to put extra effort into keeping clients confident and enthusiastic about upcoming travel plans.

Maria Lenhart, Skift | 2 years ago

Business Travel

Travel Agency Group ASTA Aims to Shield Hotel Guests From Resort Fee Pain

The American Society of Travel Advisors' show of support for the Hotel Advertising Transparency Act of 2019 indicates growing distaste among agencies, as well as the general public, for resort fees, particularly when they are not disclosed up-front. Such support is a logical step for the organization, which has long advocated for pricing transparency.

Maria Lenhart, Skift | 2 years ago

Tourism

Are Cultural Tours Built on Exploitation?

Cultural tours to communities of color involve many parties: travel advisors, tour operators, service providers, travelers themselves, and more. So who's responsible for making sure that a trip to an indigenous community or a historically black neighborhood is carried out ethically?

Sarah Enelow-Snyder, Skift | 2 years ago

Business Travel

Travelers With Disabilities May Find Advantages in Using Travel Advisor Specialists

The number of people with disabilities is increasing and travel advisors need to understand this demographic. If they don’t, not only will they lose business to specialist agencies, they may also risk prosecution.

Allan Leibowitz, Skift | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Four Seasons and Costco Direct-Booking Efforts Irk Travel Advisors

A recent Today Show segment touting Costco Travel is riling ASTA, as are Four Seasons ads on Facebook promising perks for direct bookings. Travel advisors are irked as well, but are finding ways to hold their own.

Maria Lenhart, Skift | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Would Tax Law Proposals Kill Travel Agencies in Some States?

As states look for new sources of tax revenue in the service-driven economy, businesses like travel agencies are viewed as likely targets. Part of the problem is ignorance among legislators of how agencies operate and why added taxes would be devastating for many.

Maria Lenhart, Skift | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Hispanic-Owned Travel Agency Emphasizes Trust as Key Selling Point

Express Travel, a travel agency serving a largely Hispanic customer base, has built an extensive clientele over the past 30 years. Relationships, community involvement, and intimate awareness of how its clients like to travel have a lot to do with its success.

Maria Lenhart, Skift | 3 years ago

Business Travel

Home-Based Travel Advisors Use These Tricks for Sanity and Productivity

Running a home-based travel agency is not without its challenges, including isolation, getting motivated, and keeping work and personal life from colliding. Fortunately, there is plenty of support, including from industry peers, to help the process.

Maria Lenhart, Skift | 3 years ago