Travel Agent’s Japan Fam Trip

On Location

Before we began covering the Yokoso! Japan Travel Mart in Yokohama, Japan, Travel Agent had the privilege of taking part in the Hokuriku & Chubu fam trip, which took us to the lesser-known destinations of Japan including Kanazawa, Tateyama, Toyama, Shirakawago and Takayama. Never heard of these? Well, Travel Agent is here to teach you. We’ll take you through our four-day trip with hopes that you will pitch these Japanese gems to your clients.

Day One of Travel Agent’s Hokuriku & Chubu Fam Trip in Japan

The first day of our trip took us to the Kenrokuen Garden, one of the most famous floral nurseries in all of Japan. We hopped on a quick two-hour flight from the Haneda Airport and arrived at the Komatsu Airport. After a quick bus ride, we took a tour.

The best way I can describe it is like walking through a real life painting. I am not much of a flower guru so I’m not sure exactly what species I was looking at, but I can tell you the colors were something out of a Pink Floyd video. There were purples and pinks all over the place, and streams pretty much every inch of the way. The air was so crisp you felt like you had all the oxygen you needed to walk through the garden 10 times without losing your breath. The beauty about most tours we went on, including this one, was that they were just long enough to get your fix and none of them dragged on. A tour of the garden would take you about an hour or so.

Next, we toured the old Higashi Kuruwa, a high-class, eastern pleasure quarter where the geishas used to perform many Japanese fine arts. We saw several tea houses, or “Ochaya,” where the geishas used to live. Now, these houses, along with othera we saw, will look very similar to the first-time, inexperienced Japan traveler like myself, but the different history that each one offers evokes a different emotion.

We wrapped up the first day by visiting the old Samurai district and checked out a few historic houses where these tough warriors once lived. It was a surreal experience to be in the same building where some of the baddest warriors alive slept. I won’t be able to watch The Last Samurai again without thinking of these magical houses. Keep visiting as we will take you through the rest of trip. Teaser: The second day when we toured the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route was one of the best days of my life.

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The Threat of Green Fatigue

On Location

This week, Senior Editor Mark Rogers is attending the two-day Green Travel Summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach, CA. The event is the first fully dedicated forum focused on exploring green travel strategies and their impact on business travel and corporate meetings.

Throughout both days of the Green Travel Summit, there was tremendous enthusiasm and good will surrounding the concept of responsible and sustainable travel. But as the hours passed, I began to hear such comments as, “Whatever you say, don’t use the word eco-friendly. It’s worn out.” On the second day, “green fatigue” became a major topic of discussion.

During the “Experts Panel Rapid Fire Shootout: from Strategy to ROI” panel, Stephen Stokes, vice president of sustainability and green travel technologies for AMR Research, posed the question, “How do we get the message out that adopting green policies may cost more? If we over push the green bubble, it may burst. There’s already evidence of some green fatigue.”

During the panel’s Q&A, Guido Bauer, vice president of global sales for Green Globe Intl. Inc, took the mike and said, “The essential question you need to ask is, “How much is green going to make us? If I have a green meeting, will I make more money? Will more people come? If we can’t answer that question, investments will go away and we’ll see enormous green fatigue.”

At the coffee break immediately following the panel, I talked further with Bauer. “The way things are now, hotels have to save money on the back end, since they’re cutting room prices.”

Bauer carried this theme further when he sat on the “Greening of Hotels and Venues” panel.

Green Globe’s certification program is highly respected and is almost synonymous with the environmental benchmarking of hotels – especially in the Caribbean, although the company has expanded to having members in 51 countries, the latest being Estonia, where four hotels are going through the certification process. “On average our Green Globe certified hotels save a phenomenal $20 per guest – some save more, some save less,” said Bauer. He went on to say that the average cost of Green Globe certification for a 120-room hotel is $3,500.

“Green Globe is a for-profit company,” said Bauer. “We certify hotels, attractions, destinations, businesses, golf courses and restaurants. We have independent auditors – they owe us nothing. If a green certification company comes to you and they have their own auditors, shake their hand and say goodbye – because if you use them you’ll have no credibility.”

“To be sustainable you need to make a profit,” said Bauer.

Maybe that’s the final word on green fatigue. Bolster the bottom line and fatigue goes out the window.

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Green Hotels Need Win-Win Situation With Guests

On Location

This week, Senior Editor Mark Rogers is attending the two-day Green Travel Summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach, CA. The event is the first fully dedicated forum focused on exploring green travel strategies and their impact on business travel and corporate meetings.

“During the Olympics in Beijing, the capital went green by pre-setting the thermostats in the hotel rooms,” said David Jerome, senior vice president, corporate social responsibility, InterContinental Hotels. "It didn’t matter if you were comfortable or not. That’s not our way. As a hotelier, we want to make sure we meet our guest’s needs. The best practices are win-win. Instead of asking guests to put heir towel back on the rack, we prefer to use biodegradable cleaning material, carpet from recycled materials."

Jerome informed the audience that 38 percent of carbon emissions come from buildings. “ As a hotelier, how do we respond to this?” posited Jerome. “What if Apple built a hotel? What would it look like? What if Toyota built a hotel like a Prius? These are the kinds of things we’re thinking about at InterContinental.”

When asked if it was possible for InterContinental to go green across its hotel portfolio, Jerome responded that in addition to Green Globe and LEEDS there were 130 different competing green standards for hotels – that’s why the company created its own internal standard.

“There’s a huge demand for green hotels,” said Jerome. “I see us pushing against an open door.”

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Case Studies: Royal Caribbean Environmental Policy

On Location

This week, Senior Editor Mark Rogers is attending the two-day Green Travel Summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach, CA.

During the "Case Studies: Royal Caribbeans's Environmental Policy: Challenges & Successes" panel at this week's Green Travel Summit in Newport, CA., Jamie Sweeting, vice president of environmental stewardship and global chief environmental office for Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., summarized the cruise line's green accomplishments and hinted about new initiatives

Sweeting began strongly as he outlined Royal Caribbean's environmental programs. He pointed out positive achievements from the company, that one of its ships was managing to recycle 65 percent of its waste. Sweeting acknowledged that similar ships in the fleet were only recycling 10 to 15 percent, and the next challenge was bringing these other ships to a higher level.

He also mentioned some creative solutions on a smaller scale that were impressive for their creativity. “Instead of presenting our food on a bed of ice, we instead use sterilized, cooled river stones,’ he said. “This is not only more aesthetically pleasing, it’s cheaper also.”

Sweeting noted that it was challenging trying to meet the full range of environmental regulations imposed on cruise companies. "Even the water from deck run-off when it rains is regulated," he said.

Moderator Costas Christ, of Brooksville, Maine-based Beyond Green Travel commented that he picked up a hint of defensiveness in Sweeting's arguments. Although it was obvious that Royal Caribbean was deeply committed to green practices, Sweeting was, after all representing a cruise company, considered by many to be more guilty than green. Christ shared a comment he heard from a European cruise company exec at an earlier event: “If we’re not careful, we’re going to become the new tobacco – something you want to do but that you know is bad for you.”

"We've done things wrong in the past, but we have a commitment to improvement," responded Sweeting. “People may say we have Web 2.0 – now it’s time to move to Green 2.0.”  Sweeting revealed that in an attempt for greater transparency, in the second quarter of this year Royal Caribbean will begin releasing its green initiative figures and results to the public.

"Ultimately we want to be part of the solution," said Sweeting. “The problem is many people think we have a tarnished environmental record. We conduct our business in the marine environment and in the destinations we visit. We have to look after the oceans and the communities we do business with.”

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Building Responsible Travel Programs

On Location

This week, Senior Editor Mark Rogers is attending thetwo-day Green Travel Summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach, CA. The event is the first fully dedicated forum focused on exploring green travel strategies and their impact on business travel and corporate meetings.

Randy Krumpeck, global sourcing manager of travel and meetings for Sun Microsystems, sat on the panel for the Building a Responsible Travel Program session.

“We have over 500 hotels in our system,” said Krumpeck. “Sun Microsystems utilizes an interactive tool to determine a hotel’s sustainability program and there’s a built-in bias to choose eco-responsible hotels. Early challenges were determining what exact is a green hotel? Are they just checking off a few boxes in an RFP or are they actually eco-friendly?”

Krumpeck mentioned how the company was encouraging its employees to opt for rail travel when possible (limited to the eastern seaboard in the U.S. and points in Europe) and that they were shifting to hiring green limos and renting hybrid cars whenever possible.

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The Three-Legged Stool of Green Travel

On Location

This week, Senior Editor Mark Rogers is attending the two-day Green Travel Summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach, CA . The event is the first fully dedicated forum focused on exploring green travel strategies and their impact on business travel and corporate meetings. 

I was burning way too much fuel as I bombed down the 405 Freeway at 75 mph, heading towards the Green Travel Summit. I hate walking in on a movie once it has begun and I feel the same way about a major event– you don’t want to miss the keynote address because it sets the tone for what’s to come. I parked, ran into the hotel, grabbed my name badge and slipped into my seat. I was late but the event was a step behind me and I had my notebook out as David Refkin, former director of Sustainable Development, Time Inc, ambled up to the podium to give his keynote address.

“We have a problem and we have to deal with it,” said Refkin. He went on to limn the three-legged stool of sustainability – economy, environment and social responsibility.

Refkin mentioned the dangers of heightened CO2 levels and rampant population growth. “Thirty-five percent of the population on Earth lives on less than $2 a day,” said Refkin. “These people want to improve their lives. And as they do, they’ll consume more energy.”

He continued, warning the audience that climate change will cause drought and crop failures, flooding, tropical diseases moving north, and increase weather variability that will impact air travel. “Putting a $ sign in front of CO2 will be a game changer,” said Refkin.

Refkin looked out over the audience of mostly corporate execs and said, “Won’t you want to be in business with a supplier that is selling carbon offset credits instead of buying them? You know what? That supplier's prices will be lower. I’m an accountant by training. It’s simple – you use less energy, you’ll spend less money.”

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Los Angeles Attractions, Shopping, Flea Markets, Coffee Houses

I spent the first 53 years of my life living on the East Coast. I heard all of the classic digs against Los Angeles— that it was “The Land of the Lotus Eaters”  or LaLa Land— that it was a place where abundant sunshine encouraged sensuality but bled away the intellect. Within hours of arriving in L.A I saw for myself what a lie that was. For every airhead stoner there were a dozen sharp and ambitious people from all corners of the world. It was also the most multicultural city I’d ever seen, where a five-minute drive would take you through five ethnic neighborhoods.

I’ve only been in L.A for a few years and I’m still finding my way around. This blog will be a combination of sorts. It will describe out-of-the-way places I discover, as well as keep you up-to-date on tourism news. Since it’s a work in progress, feel free to give me suggestions on what you’d like to see covered, or add a comment about what’s on your mind, whether positive or negative.

Visiting the Chocolate Fairy

During the recent Day of the Dead ceremonies I wandered down to Olvera Street in downtown L.A in El Pueblo State Historic Park. Olvera Street attracts plenty of tourists but also has appeal for the local Mexican community. Everything was kicked up a notch for the Day of the Dead— more people, live music, costumed performers on stilts, colorful shrines and, as you’d expect, skulls everywhere, from candy confections to key chains.

My son spotted a sign for Casa de Sousa Coffee House tucked away from the bustle of Olvera Street. Wending my way through racks of embroidered dresses and guayabera shirts that obscured the path to the door, I couldn’t help thinking, “There might be a café back there.”

Once inside, we wandered among the tables, examining the dense collection of artifacts and handicrafts on the walls. We ordered coffee and corn tamales, which were vegetarian and much lighter than the usual Mexican fare.

When I talked to Conchita Sousa, the co-owner (also known as the Chocolate Fairy), I learned that Café de Sousa had been named “Best Vegetarian Restaurant” in LA News’ Best of Downtown. I also realized I should have ordered the organic hot chocolate— a specialty of the house. You’ll have to search a little to find Casa de Sousa, but if you’re visiting Olvera Street, it’s a relaxing respite from the crowds. The café is half way down Olvera Street from Paseo de la Plaza, on the left (north) side, and up a short flight of stairs. There’s also an entrance on 634 N. Main St. Casa de Sousa is open seven days a week (213-687-0363). The café doesn’t have a website, but you can read more about Conchita at www.myspace.com/xocofairy.

Iconic Hotel Restores its Shine

One of L.A.’s iconic hotels recently came back on line after a $30 million refurbishment. The Art Deco Shangri-La Hotel was built in 1939 and has a long history of hosting celebrities. This was its first renovation in 20 years. The Shangri-La Hotel is in Santa Monica and is perched high enough to provide Pacific Ocean views from all of its suites and rooms. The hotel now has 71 rooms and suites (an increase of 17 rooms), a courtyard with elevated pool and cabanas, restaurant and rooftop bar. The hotel’s General Manager is Troy Pade (cell: 323-868-1057, troy@shangrila-hotel.com). Pade has over 12 years of sales experience working with high end leisure and corporate agents worldwide and is always open to VIP inquiries from agents. By the way, the Shangri-La Hotel doesn’t have any affiliation with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

The Melrose Trading Post

I know people who if you offered them a choice of tickets to a World Series Game, box seats at The Met or three hours in a flea market, they’d choose the flea market every time. If you have clients that fit this description, tell them about the Melrose Trading Post the next time they’re heading to L.A. It’s a large outdoor flea market on the corner of Melrose and Fairfax that is open every Sunday. You’ll find all sorts of stuff, from retro furniture to books, music, clothes, artwork and handicrafts. There’s usually live music— the day I was there a jazz combo was playing a tribute to legendary jazz trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker. The Melrose Trading Post is also a great place for people-watching. There’s a certain type of L.A. resident who is waiting to be discovered by Hollywood and it seems like a lot of them gravitate here on a Sunday. Maybe it’s the low admission price: $2 per person, $1 for students or 55 or older.

LAX Layovers Lighten Up

I’m in and out of LAX at least once a month, and I often overhear travelers mention long layovers for connecting flights. Now they have an alternative to balancing a cup of Starbucks coffee on their knee. Last month saw the opening of the reLAX Lounge, the first pay-to-use, business lounge at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal. The $25 admission charge gives you three hours use of the lounge, which includes free refreshments and WiFi. (You have to be 21 or older to use the lounge). The lounge is located before passenger security screening at the center of the terminal’s mezzanine level. Passengers with flights at other terminals can also use the lounge. In a nice nod to travel agents, they’ll receive a commission for selling the lounge. For information, agents can email Walter Vergara, marketing director for the lounge's operator, Airport Terminal Management (walterv@aeroportservices.com).

Green Wheels

I’ve heard people claim you can get around L.A. by mass transit, but I haven’t put it to the test myself. To get the most out of your time in L.A.— especially if you want to hit the beaches— it’s a must to have your own wheels. You can suggest your clients get a taste of green by renting a vehicle from Econation Green Limousine Service. The company is making a name for itself by providing environmentally-friendly luxury ground transportation and limousine service with reservations around the clock. Green vehicles from the company include Town Cars that run on compressed natural gas, hybrid SUVs and sedans— even a biodeisel bus perfect for groups. To book, contact Ben Block, managing partner of Econation, at ben@madisoncapitalventures.com, 877-326-6286.

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The Family of Man

During a recent visit to Fiji, an intriguing new concept in tourism kept coming up in conversation as I traveled around the islands. It was called Tribewanted and, as far as I could make out, it was a unique blend of volunteer tourism and retro-Club Med. I did a little research and learned that Tribewanted was enticing international travelers to come live on a remote Fijian island as part of a genuine tribe. Tribewanted is based in the local community on the Island of Vorovoro. Guests can really sink into village life, doing such things as gardening, cooking, fishing and helping with building projects. If they prefer to flake out on the beach, they can do that, too. I don’t think a concept like this could work just anywhere, but during my trip to Fiji I found the people to be among the friendliest in the world. When I’d drive by in a car, total strangers– a high percentage of them– would wave to me and shout, “Bula!”

When I got back to the States I contacted Giles Dawnay, Tribewanted project director, and dug a little deeper. I asked him if it was fair to characterize Tribewanted as a hip, counterculture timeshare program.

“This island is whatever you want it to be, and everyone takes away their own experience,” says Giles. "If you want hands-on culture, to learn to challenge your thinking about how you live your life in the 'real world,' meet a lot of interesting people from around the world, take some time out from a hectic, relentless lifestyle or even just live the basic island dream, then you'll enjoy this place.”

Giles says that the concept and idea for Tribewanted came first and the hunt for an island second. The island of Vorovoro actually came up through a search engine.

“What's been so interesting about this project is that we've brought together two cultures that couldn't be any more different,” says Giles. “There's us from the fast-paced, 'efficient' west who place a lot of value in material and possession, and then the Fijians who are mainly people- and community-based. As the project has gone on, we've understood their culture better and better and adapted ourselves to it.”

I asked Giles about the adjustment period guests go through when they arrive. “As part of the orientation speech, we tell people that it takes about 24 hours to find their feet,” he says. “There are so many names and faces to take in, not to mention culture, tradition and Fiji time!” Not everyone takes the same amount of time to adjust. Giles tells the story of one couple who, within 30 minutes of being on the island, decided to stay for another three weeks. Giles advises newly arrived guests to relax and be patient—that it will all make sense eventually.

During their time on the island, guests have the option to help out in the local junior and senior schools and attend events in the local villages in the community. “All this is left up to the guests to decide if they want to go or not,” says Giles. “Sometimes a guest who really gets out there ends up getting invited to some of the local Fijians homes for meals or even staying a few nights.”

There’s a maximum of 30 guests staying on the island at one time, so availability is limited. “The reason we are limited to 30 is because the online tribe voted to keep it like that,” says Giles. “If we have too many people, then it could really dilute the overall experience for everyone involved.” He adds that this decision can be frustrating on a business level. “We've had to turn people away recently, but from an experiential one it keeps things just right.”

I asked Giles, should Tribewanted becomes a success, if there are plans to introduce the concept to other destinations.

“The Tribewanted model is one we feel could potentially work anywhere,” says Giles. “It just needs the necessary cultural tweakings to do so. If you're looking at going really tribal, then Africa would probably be pretty mind blowing. For now we're concentrating on giving everything to this project in Fiji and trying to make it reach as close to its potential as possible.”

The price is a very reasonable $600 for seven nights. This includes airport pickups, five meals a day and accommodation in shared local bures and vales on the island. Tribewanted pays agents 10 percent commission. Giles Dawnay can be reached at giles@tribewanted.com.

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