July 1, 2020 Travel Agent Magazine
Keeping up with all the newest hot spots, trends and travel specialties can be daunting when trying to make a recommendation to a client. Luckily Travel Agent will keep you Focused! The Focus Series is a collection of product immersion supplements which include sales tips, fresh ideas, client mining, and special hidden gems only you can share with them.  From global destinations to niche travel, the Focus Series is a surefire way to help you stay one step ahead in this fast moving business.

Year after year, Italy has consistently remained the European country generating the most interest among U.S. vacationers. If you have clients who are planning to visit Italy and are looking for insider insights, here are some tips and recommendations.

Your clients want to head to Asia and you want to send them there, but does your expertise match your enthusiasm? Start by specializing in one of Asia’s most exotic destinations – Macao – in under 30 minutes. A short 15-lesson course, the Macao Specialist program provides targeted insights, like “Top 20 Selling Points” and sample itineraries, for in-depth knowledge into the destination’s unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures.

 

Join the Palladium Connect program to earn great rewards.  Palladium Hotel Group presents 10 educational courses and its Palladium Connect rewards program designed for its most loyal agent partners. The 10 courses have been broken down into key categories to help you boost your knowledge and sales of Palladium Hotel Group.

The e-learning Palladium Specialist course is part of the Palladium Connect Program, the hotel company’s rewards program for travel agents. You simply register for the program and earn money that can be redeemed for cash, gifts, gift cards or room nights at any of our 5-star all-inclusive resorts in Mexico (Costa Mujeres-Cancun, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit), Dominican Republic (Punta Cana and Cap Cana), and Jamaica (Montego Bay).

There are four ways to earn money through Palladium Connect:

• Become a Palladium Specialist
• Book Palladium Hotel Group properties in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and register your bookings
• Invite other agents to register with Palladium Connect
• Provide hotel reviews based on a Palladium Hotel Group stay

Become a Palladium Specialist.

Langham Hospitality Group is a global hotel company with over 20 hotels operating on four continents and another 10 projects in development under both The Langham and Cordis flags. Our seasoned management team draws on the best of its 150-year heritage and a modern, innovative approach to hospitality, to provide the highest level of service to our guests. You’ll graduate the course with a thorough understanding of why The Langham Hotels and Resorts represents the epitome of luxury and how Cordis appeals to a broad range of travelers looking for a locally-infused hospitality experience. 

We believe luxury exists in the smallest details, the most attentive service, and the most inviting atmosphere. On our cruises, we create opportunities for your clients to embrace each moment, inviting them to create memories that will last a lifetime. Through The Regent Experience training module we’ll look at how Regent Seven Seas Cruises^® provides passengers with an unrivaled experience and elevates the concept of luxury cruising with all-suite, intimate ships offering every luxury included and our award-winning, personalized service.

Nestled in one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean and listed as one of Saint Lucia’s top five resorts by U.S. News and World Report, Marigot Bay Resort and Marina offers an escape to personalized paradise. We invite you to embark on a voyage to discover why Marigot Bay Resort and Marina is the perfect setting for a luxurious Caribbean getaway. Sign up or log in to learn how our all-suite, all-inclusive option and A-list sales proposition is your answer to more luxury bookings to one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.  

At the conclusion of this five-lesson module, you will have learned about the exciting global destinations that our ships visit and the many ways your clients may explore over 450 ports of call. We’ll delve deeper into the major regions we sail to including: Europe (the Mediterranean & Northern Europe); The Americas (Caribbean & Panama Canal, South America, Alaska, Canada & New England and Bermuda); and The Exotics (Africa & Arabia, Australia & New Zealand and South Pacific & Asia). You’ll also learn more about transoceanic voyages and our longer Legendary Journeys — Grand Voyages and World Cruises. Learn more now.

Florida may be the proverbial “something-for-everyone” vacation destination. There are beach resorts galore, hundreds of championship-caliber golf courses, iconic theme parks, myriad museums and historic sites, wildlife attractions and so much more. It’s hard to go wrong wherever you send clients to in the Sunshine State. Certainly destinations such as Orlando, The Palm Beaches, Greater Miami and the Beaches and the island getaways of Lee County are proven draws, and deservedly so, but there is so much more to explore. Read more in the Experience Series!

This short five-lesson module will help you sell more of expedition cruising and voyages from the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™. You’ll learn about the world’s premier luxury expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor, as well as our three exclusive categories of voyages: Remove Expedition, Destination Exploration and Cultural Discovery. Read on and refer to our other courses to compliment your sales strategy.

For nearly half of U.S. vacationers, all-inclusiveness is an important deciding factor when selecting a hotel, according to MMGY Global’s 2019-2020 Portrait of American Travelers. These leisure seekers will find no shortage of all-inclusive lodgings in tropical realms relatively close to home. Here are some of the latest developments on that front in Mexico.

When your clients ask, “Is there an NH hotel at my destination?” you can easily choose from more than 350 hotels in 28 Countries, under three distinct brands—each with its own operational promise and differentiated experience. Take the course today!

Deep dive into the modern-day destination wedding and honeymoon market, which now encompasses pre- and post-celebrations (i.e. earlymoons, babymoons and vow renewals). We’ll cover everything from growth segments (babymoons) to key client targets (vow renewals) all with a focus on helping you sell more USVI—a destination that should be top of mind the moment a client says, “I’m engaged/pregnant/celebrating an anniversary.”

Multigenerational travel has been a top trend for nearly a decade but planning a trip that meets the needs of three or more generations isn’t any easier. We’ll teach you that in addition to stunning beaches and natural landscapes, the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the reasons why the Caribbean ranks so high among families and advisors alike.

Here is a sampling of what’s new on the expedition and adventure cruises horizon.

Here is a small sampling of places where married couples can symbolically tie the knot all over again in a simple or as elaborate a way as they choose. If your clients have a favorite island, destination or resort, chances are that with a minimum of research you’ll be able to find a blissful package or deal there to suit them.

Luxury destination weddings and honeymoons continue to evolve in their style as the bride and groom raise the bar on their expectations.

For destination weddings, couples are planning more customized experiences for their guests, and the planning is beginning earlier and earlier. Read more in the Luxury Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Focus Series!

Mexico’s beaches resort areas are perennially popular with honeymooners — and rightfully so. However, newlyweds these days may be looking for something more experiential in addition to the romance of sun, sand and sea. Read the Focus Series to learn more!

Here are some more fun and exciting things to do for Jamaica-bound couples, bridal parties, and pre-wedding bachelor/bachelorette getaways — with an emphasis on action, adventure and adrenalin.

Here are some of the best and brightest new hotel options that should appeal to your Europe-bound luxury travel clients, especially repeat visitors seeking a change of venue. 

Among international areas or regions that U.S. vacationers are interested in visiting during the next two years, the Caribbean is second only to Europe. Returning visitors, in particular, should be interested in the many significant tourism developments in the Caribbean over the past several months. Read the Focus Series to see what's new in the Caribbean!

If you haven't heard, European rail travel is quickly becoming the next big niche. Learn how to create more immersive European journeys and grow your repeat bookings to Europe in 5 days. Sign up for the email course to learn the ins and outs of planning and selling Europe rail travel—one of the most immersive, flexible and convenient ways to embark on a multi-country journey.

Interest in visiting Pacific Mexico’s two most popular tourism regions, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, is up a tick this year over 2018, with Millennials leading the charge. See what's new in the Focus Series! 

For 2019, what’s new under the African sun isn’t just safaris and wildlife, although those are certainly at the top of the list, but also new experiences, unique destinations and innovative spins on locales. See what's new in the Focus Series! 

As the industry sails through the second half of 2019, we take a look at what’s new, what’s next and what’s trending for the cruise industry and agents who sell ocean cruises.

Year after year, Italy has consistently remained the European country generating the most interest among U.S. vacationers. If you have clients who are planning to visit Italy and are looking for insider insights, here are some tips and recommendations.

Beaches and sun-and-fun activities are a given along Quintana Roo’s Caribbean coast. What makes this region truly appealing, however — especially, but not exclusively, for families — is its wealth of natural and historical attractions, from Cancun and Cozumel and along Riviera Maya all the way south to Tulum and beyond. Read more in the Focus Series!

If you’re like us, you’re excited by the record-breaking growth that Las Vegas has achieved the last couple of years. Whether your clients are embarking on an epic girls getaway or spring break with the family and everything in between, you want to make sure their stay is as exciting as the Strip and we’re here to help make that happen. Take the Venetian Specialist Course today!

It’s looking like a banner year for Saint Lucia. This year, it will be celebrating its 40th year of independence, the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival will be produced in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, and 2018 saw a 2.2 percent increase in global visitor arrivals. Here’s a snapshot of what travelers can expect this year. Read all about what's new in the Focus Series!

Year after year in survey after survey, London lands at or near the top of favorite European cities to visit. There is no shortage of well-known, popular attractions, from Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London and iconic museums and theaters to Piccadilly Circus, the Coca-Cola London Eye and shopping at Harrods and Carnaby Street. Read all about what's new in the Focus Series! 

River cruise popularity is soaring and is currently one of the hottest trends in the cruise industry. Here are some of the latest ship, itinerary and personnel developments on the river cruise fronts for 2019 and beyond.

In 2018, Las Vegas, for the fourth consecutive year, welcomed more than 42 million visitors, according to the city’s convention and visitors authority (LVCVA). See what's new in Las Vegas for 2019 in the Focus Series. 

From new favorites to old standbys, there are plenty of options for families looking to book a vacation at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. Read the Focus Series to find out more!

Here are some of the latest developments that should be of interest to your Florida-bound clients.

When choosing a hotel to stay at, an all-inclusive option is a determining factor for half of U.S. vacationers. Read all about all-inclusives in the Focus Series!

We know you have choices when it comes to small-ship, ultra-luxury cruises. This training course is designed to help you see why PONANT, a favorite among luxury travelers in Europe for over 30 years, is on course to become a leading choice among U.S. travelers. 

Nothing is as hot as expedition cruising, especially among luxury travelers, multiple advisors tell us emphatically. Simply put, travelers are clamoring for adventure experiences, more active, in-depth exploration and more voyages to such far-flung destinations as the Northeast Passage, Antarctica, remote islands in the South Pacific, The Kimberley in Australia, the Indian Ocean region, exotic African or lesser-known Latin American ports, or the Galapagos Islands. And it’s a trend that shows no signs of abating. Read the Focus Series to find out more!

Here is a small sampling of places where married couples can symbolically tie the knot all over again in a simple or as elaborate a way as they choose. If your clients have a favorite island, destination or resort, chances are that with a minimum of research you’ll be able to find a blissful package or deal there to suit them.

Luxury destination weddings and honeymoons continue to evolve in their style as the bride and groom raise the bar on their expectations.

For destination weddings, couples are planning more customized experiences for their guests, and the planning is beginning earlier and earlier. Read more in the Luxury Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Focus Series!

Focus on Mexico and you’ll see a destination weddings and honeymoons superstar. The reasons are plentiful. It’s a great value, especially with today’s strong dollar-to-peso exchange rate. It’s close to the U.S., with airlift continually on the upswing. Scenic settings provide romantic backdrops that include beaches, jungles, mountains and deserts. And the country’s rich culture maintains ties to ancient roots and puts a premium on hospitality. Read the Focus Series to find out more! 

Reports from various sources indicate that Jamaica continues to be one of the most popular destinations for American couples planning to be wed outside the United States. The island nation hosted about 5,000 destination weddings last year alone. With most marriages in the U.S. falling within the Millennial demographic, we reached out to several 30-and-under travel advisors to get their take on Jamaica as a destination, as well their resort recommendations for weddings and honeymoons.

In the pages ahead you’ll find more of what makes Jamaica a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, including accommodations news, adventures for couples to share and more.

We asked Millennial travel advisors to tell us about any unique hotels they’ve visited that they feel fit in very well with their locale. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of their Europe accommodation choices fall into the luxury category. Here is a sampling.

The Caribbean has a wealth of attributes that can inspire or amplify romance. Whether your couples are planning a destination wedding, a honeymoon, anniversary celebration or simply a romantic getaway, there are plenty of hotels to meet their needs. Read on to help you find your clients a place to stay that they will fall in love with.

Like you, our clients look to us for the unique and authentic.  Localized, immersive experiences aren’t just terms we added to our sales materials a couple of years ago. To us, unique and authentic aren’t a marketing strategy. For over 40 years, we’ve created distinctive hotels and resorts that capture the spirit of the destinations we are proud to call home. We strive to harmonize with each property’s local culture and environment–it’s the reason we got into the game. To pay homage to our communities. To connect through curiosity. To experience high touch, hand-crafted hospitality. Take the Noble House Hotels & Resorts course today!

Hawaii is rich with resorts, activities and sites well suited for romance travelers. From honeymoons, weddings or even just a getaway for two, the naturally breathtaking views of the islands provide a picturesque backdrop for lovers. Here are some recent developments on that front.

The diversity of Pacific Mexico sells itself. Natural beauty, varied ecosystems, rich culture and history have all made distinctive marks on the coast. The mountains meet the ocean in Pacific Mexico. And in Baja California Sur, they meet the desert as well. Read all about it in the Mexico Pacific Coast 2018 Focus Series! 

As cruise selling agents sail into the second half of 2018, the horizon is clear for robust cruise sales. But the cruise seascape always brings swells and bigger waves too. Being proactive in your sales game and knowing what opportunities to tap are critical for retailers. Here are key trends and events to watch through the end of 2018 and beyond.

With an increase in visitors, new air routes, and exhilarating hotel and lodge development, it’s a good time to recommend travel to East and Southern Africa to clients. Travel to the Middle East has held steady over the last four years, thanks in part to a stronger than average interest by Millennials, with Matures (born before 1946) not far behind. Discover what's new in these destinations in the Africa & The Middle East Focus Series.

It’s no secret that the consumer has changed in terms of what they want from a trip. Today’s traveler no longer wants to feel like a tourist, like a stranger in a strange town. The desire these days is to fit in like a local and to take part in activities that convey the emotion of what it would be like to live in the place they’re visiting. Or, at the very least, to feel like a very privileged guest who has been granted access to see the sights in a most respectful way. Here are some take-aways from a recent Tour Operator Roundtable we conducted that should help you sell your services to Millennials and other experiential travelers.

The St. Vincent and The Grenadines E-Learning Program aims to give you all the information you need for a sublime island experience, and we hope to do so by immersing you in the character, culture and flavor of our places and people.

From Paris to Provence, Brittany to Bordeaux, there are accommodations in France to suit every client’s wants and needs. Discover what's new in the Focus Series!