Maria Lenhart, Skift
Contributions to the American Society of Travel Advisors’ political action committee are up this year, indicating growing awareness of the value of political advocacy. Making politicians aware of the particular needs of travel agencies — something many have little understanding of — is crucial.
6 days ago
Allan Leibowitz, Skift
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.
6 days ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
Supporting advocacy efforts on the state and federal levels for the rights of travel advisors is gaining momentum. Among indicators are growing contributions to ASTA’s political action committee.
2 weeks ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
Travel advisors serving the top end of the market these days are seeing an influx of clients with newly made fortunes eager to spend some of it on dream vacations. Satisfying their demands takes ingenuity and is redefining the nature of luxury travel.
2 weeks ago
Allan Leibowitz, Skift
Who would have thought that people would pay to do back-breaking work and enjoy the experience? Voluntourism is gaining momentum and putting pressure on advisors to match traveler skills and expectations with community and conservation needs.
2 weeks ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
Ultra-wealthy travelers are growing in number, and many are willing to pay for expertise in fulfilling their champagne wishes and caviar dreams. However, serving these clients, especially the newly rich, can put advisors to the test.
2 weeks ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
LGBTQ consumers are a particularly well-traveled and high-spending business source for travel advisors. Serving them requires knowledge and sensitivity about their preferences, as well as the legal and cultural landscape in various destinations.
3 weeks ago
Paul Biasco, Skift
Travel advisors serving the LGBTQ community need to be familiar with norms and laws affecting their clients in destinations around the globe. That doesn't mean banning every unfriendly destination, but does require knowing how to deal with them.
3 weeks ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
As Southwest Airlines ramps up its highly anticipated Hawaii service, fares from the mainland and between the islands are expected to become more competitive and encourage more tourism. The question is whether Hawaii’s infrastructure, which is already impacted by high room rates and occupancies, can handle it.
4 weeks ago
Nikki Ekstein, Bloomberg
Transformative travel has been a buzzword for a while, and these companies are finding a way to put the concept into practice. Actual therapy should be left to professionals, but there's no denying travelers can find a helpful fresh perspective through their journeys.
1 month ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
South Asian destination weddings, which involve large groups and multi-night stays, are big business for a growing number of resorts and travel advisors. Succeeding in the niche requires a marriage of cultural knowledge and logistical skill.
1 month ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
South Asian destination weddings are a lucrative and growing travel niche, fueled by demand from affluent Indian immigrant communities in North America. However, travel advisors need to be prepared for complex challenges.
1 month ago