January is just a couple of weeks away but there is still time to craft an actionable plan to grow your client base and meet next year's revenue goals. 

Sign up for our 5-day "Preparing the Pipeline for 2019" email course to receive expert tips and tools to help you formulate or refine your sales playbook for 2019. 
It’s five days of (quick) targeted lessons to lay the groundwork for 365 days of success:

• Take Stock: Calculate Customer Value
• Learn How to Capitalize on Emerging Trends
• Generate and Succeed with a SWOT Analysis
• Learn What Your Clients Aren't Telling You
• Sales and Marketing Calculator
• 5 Ways to Jump Start Your Strategic Plan
• 20+ Travel Trends and Disruptions from Industry Experts 

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! 

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!

Learn how to tap into a versatile suite of tools devised to save you time by making each step of the planning process easier and your sales efforts stronger. 

For 40 years, valued partners like you have counted on us to deliver world-class accommodations, exceptional privileges, and unparalleled service to your clients. That is the Classic^®Difference—the difference between a good vacation and a great one.

Register here to learn more about the Classic^® Difference.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mexico, especially the Yucatecan state of Quintana Roo, is as resilient as it is popular. Amid State Department warnings and the ongoing wall controversy, a record-breaking 10.6 million tourists visited Mexico in the first quarter of 2018, up 12.6 percent over the same period last year. Learn the newest hot spots, trends and travel specialties to recommend to your clients visiting Mexico and take the Cozumel, Riviera Maya 2018 Focus Series today!

An estimated 89 million visitors traveled to France in 2017, up nearly 8 percent from 2016. The government’s target is 100 million in 2020. Between here and there are some key events that should keep the country’s tourism momentum rolling. Discover what's new in the France 2018 Focus Series!

Whether they are in search of history, culture, cuisine or natural beauty, affluent travelers are captivated by Italy. Read about what's new in Italy in the Italy 2018 Focus Series!

Jumeirah is far from just another luxury hotel chain. Born in Dubai, it is one of the reasons that the Emirate is considered a leader in imaginative and exhilarating experiences, pushing the boundaries of luxury hospitality and always exceeding guest expectations.

Our Hallmarks underpin everything we do and the thoughtful and generous service you experience at Jumeirah celebrates the uniqueness of every single guest. For, when you have created one of the world’s most luxurious hotels through the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, you simply think about things that others do not. This is what makes Jumeirah so unique.

Our DNA is built on the highest standards of genuinely Arabian hospitality, the tradition of welcoming guests like no other. We have used this to create the standards of service that have made Dubai exceptional in what it offers to visitors, and are now taking these standards to people all over the world.

Whether your clients are experiencing our remarkable Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah or the honey made by the bees on the roof of Jumeirah Frankfurt, your clients can be sure that their experience will be different, fulfilling and rewarding.

Begin your Jumeirah education today!

This course will provide you with the necessary knowledge to book this successful brand that has been catering to couples and romance for more than 35 years. At all four Jamaican oceanfront resorts—two in Ocho Rios and two in Negril, guests will find virtually everything included. 

River cruising is a hot commodity for travel advisors desiring to increase earnings. Discover what's new in river cruising in the Focus Series!

Year after year in survey after survey, London lands in the top three of favorite European cities to visit, jockeying for position with Paris and Rome. Among the advantages the British capital has over its French and Italian counterparts, especially with first time transatlantic travelers, is a shorter flight time and, beyond some delightful differences in some word meanings, no language barrier. And, of course, there is no shortage of iconic attractions, from Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London to the Coca-Cola London Eye, shopping at Harrods, and the West End theaters, where “Hamilton“ and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” are the hottest tickets. Read more in the London 2018 Focus Series!

From the Panhandle to the Keys, Florida is dotted with a great number and variety of family-friendly hotels and resorts. In addition to amenities for all ages, they are convenient to fun activities, be it a great beach, a theme park, a wildlife reserve or other adventures. Here are some of the most recent developments on the Sunshine State’s accommodations front for you to share with your multi-generational clients.

For clients planning to take their first family vacation outside the continental United States, especially those living on or near the East Coast, the Caribbean offers many advantages. For starters, flight times are shorter; even the southernmost islands are only three hours from Miami. Read all about updates in the Caribbean in the Focus Series!

Become a Certified Switzerland Travel Expert

The North America version of the Switzerland Travel Academy consists of core and specialization modules.

Core modules

Core modules (4 + News from Switzerland) cover what you need to know about Switzerland and inform you on the latest events and experiences in Switzerland. 

1. Basic and practical knowledge: This module is about the country’s geography, languages and cultures, customs and traditions, and important practical information.

2. How to travel to and within Switzerland: In this module, you will learn about Switzerland's transportation system, also known as the Swiss Travel System, which, precise like a Swiss watch, connects even the most remote places by train, bus, and boat.
   You will become familiar with how to travel to and within Switzerland, learn about the numerous means of transportation, and understand the different ticket options.
   Last but not least, you will discover the best scenic routes to transform a journey through the country into a unique experience.

3. Switzerland in 3, 5 or 10 days: Discover Switzerland’s must-sees and learn how to combine them into packages and itineraries, creating the perfect Swiss experience that suits your clients’ needs and wants.

4. Must-know for North American travel professionals: This is a market-specific module that provides important information relevant for North American clients.
   Learn about Switzerland Tourism contact points in North America, flights from North America to Switzerland, passport & visa regulations, tour operators (both outbound and incoming), and much more.

5. News from Switzerland 2018: This module presents the most important Swiss events, openings, and projects occurring in 2018 and is updated every year. Discover on what your clients cannot absolutely miss out!

Completion time for core modules: about 3 hours.

Specialization modules

Specialization modules offer a deeper focus on different topics and provide insights in touristic experiences, knowledge on a specific topic of interest connected with Switzerland Tourism’s partners, segments or campaigns.

• Road Trip: Grand Tour of Switzerland
• Cultural attractions and city breaks
• Nature and outdoor activities
• Snow and winter activities
• Perfect accommodation
• Luxury, wellness, and lifestyle
• Family vacations
• Meetings, congresses, and incentive planners

Completion time of each module: about 40 minutes.

Certification

The process of certification is easy and free:

1. Pass the final exam on the core modules to graduate as a Switzerland Travel Expert.

2. You will receive the certificate that is valid until December of the following year.

3. Every year, stay informed and renew your certificate by taking the exam of the updated “News from Switzerland” module.

After passing the core modules exams, you can continue your training to receive specialization certificates: choose the specialization module you are interested in, pass the exam and receive the certificate.

Graduate benefits

• Certification upon graduation
• Option to specialize in certain segments
• Rights to use the Travel Expert logo for letters / brochures / website / email signature
• Possibility of ordering brochures
• Enter to win an amazing trip to Switzerland (including flights with Swiss International Airlines and Swiss Travel Passes for two people) by graduating by November 30.

Interest in visiting Mexico has remained steady over the last several years, with Millennials and Gen Xers — the generation most likely to be traveling with children — showing the strongest inclination. Read on for information on things for families to see and do, as well as updates on places to stay. 

For the third year in a row, Las Vegas topped the 42 million visitor mark in 2017, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). That trend is expected to continue with the LVCVA forecasting a just-shy-of-the-record count of 42.7 million visitors for 2018.

The destination also continues to enjoy industry-leading occupancy rates — averaging 88 percent over the last four years — with an exceptionally large base of nearly 149,000 available rooms. That inventory always includes rooms in new properties as well as expansions and renovations of existing accommodations. Upgrades to amenities such as restaurants and spas are also part of the equation, spurred by the always desert-hot competition among the city’s hotels. Here are some of the latest developments on that front. 

Besides the broad appeal of Hawaii’s natural wonders, adventure activities and cultural attractions, there are places to go and things to do that zero in on special interest and niche markets. There is more information on things for families to see and do — as well as updates on places to stay — in the pages that follow.

As engagement season (unofficially Christmas Eve through Valentine’s Day) draws to a close, be prepared for newlyweds-to-be seeking out your services to plan their destination wedding or honeymoon (or both). Better still, try to set up a cross promotion with your agency and local bridal shops, advertising each other’s services. Read on for some other tips on getting and handling this business, gleaned and distilled from conversations we have had with travel agents and wedding professionals.

Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises offers gorgeous social spaces and impeccable butler-serviced suites rivaling any land-based hotel or resort while transporting guests to idyllic harbors. Currently, Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises is composed of Crystal Esprit as well as three new builds which are expected to be delivered between 2019-2021. The on board guest experience is exclusively designed for travelers who love adventure, culture and revel in the casual elegance of the Crystal Yachting Lifestyle.

The Crystal Cruises Specialist course is designed to help you understand and communicate Crystal’s commitment to offering the world’s most luxurious and acclaimed travel experiences.

This course will provide an in-depth review of the award-winning Crystal Experience at a time when the line's celebrated ocean cruises are being elevated to a new level of luxury, service and adventure. Use Crystals’ standout sales features when positioning the line to clients. The key to selling Crystal’s ocean cruises is emphasizing how Crystal goes beyond all-inclusive to ALL EXCLUSIVE.

Crystal’s all-suite, butler-serviced river ships feature the same classic elegance and luxury Crystal Experience found on board the company’s award-winning ocean ships. Sell Crystal river cruises to upscale/luxury travelers, particularly those who have stayed in five-star hotels or who have sailed on luxury and upper-premium ocean cruise lines, and to repeat Crystal guests.Take the Crystal River Cruises course to find out more!

Whatever it is that inspires your client’s wanderlust —the legendary elegance of a classic ocean voyage, the immersive discovery of a river cruise, the intimate adventures aboard a luxury yacht, or the soaring wonder of travel by chartered private jet — Crystal presents the world's most fascinating destinations to your discerning clientele with expert finesse and award-winning luxury.Take the All Things Crystal course to find out more!

Los Cabos’ tourism sector remains strong, Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, tells us. He notes that international visitation to Los Cabos increased by 20 percent year over year between January and July 2017, which is double the growth rate for Mexico as a whole. Tourism from the U.S. is a big part of that. Read more in the Los Cabos Focus Series!

Intoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters, and white sandy beaches combine to make St. Kitts one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean. Discover what makes this island so unique and become a St. Kitts Specialist now!

The Silversea Expeditions Specialist Course has been designed to help you sell this unique type of travel. You’ll learn how Silversea Expeditions differs from Silversea Cruises and who make up the best prospects for it.

Silversea Expeditions’ three ships (and fourth ship being added in fourth quarter 2017) sail on specially curated itineraries to all seven continents and more than 350 destinations. Silversea Expeditions not only visits some of the world’s most remarkable and remote destinations, but it also provides in-depth discoveries and truly authentic adventures of these locales.

Today, specialization is the key to success for many travel professionals in frontline sales. To help you excel and effectively sell one of the world's most spectacular destinations, Tourism Vancouver has designed the Vancouver Specialist Program, an interactive online training program that will provide you with the knowledge to increase your sales and deliver tailored itineraries for your clients.

The Vancouver Specialist Program is an educational tool designed to expand your knowledge of Vancouver and help you sell the destination more effectively. This program was designed to be intuitive, interactive and engaging. We believe learning should be interesting, fulfilling and fun – just like a visit to Vancouver.

Achieving a Vancouver Specialist designation means you will have even more confidence to promote and sell Vancouver. More importantly, your clients will really appreciate that the knowledge you have of the city will allow you to create a better travel experience for them.

When you earn accreditation as a Vancouver Specialist you will receive a Vancouver Specialist certificate in recognition of your qualification, as well as access to special benefits and sales resources to further enhance your ability to sell the destination to your clients. Vancouver Specialists are eligible for:

• Access to an Experience Pass which provides complimentary admission for you and a guest to attractions and sightseeing activities for personal fam visits.
• Access to industry rates for accommodation and additional sightseeing activities for personal fam visits.
• Exclusive invitations to our Virtually Vancouver webinar series where you will receive updates on what’s happening in the city
• Exclusive invitations for Vancouver fam opportunities

Navigating through the multigenerational travel niche can be a balancing act. Investigation, negotiation and good old-fashioned legwork all come into play when family dynamics are involved. But the rewards are handsome, as well. Read about multigenerational travel trends in the pages ahead.

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.

 

Like the destination itself, Key Lime Academy has been designed to educate, inspire and entertain while unveiling all of what the Florida Keys has to offer. Along the way, you will meet a diverse group of local personalities who will introduce themselves through a series of short videos. As a graduate of Key Lime Academy, you will have access to our Suggested Itineraries; a series of vacation ideas written by locals offering insider tips on attractions, photo ops, restaurants and places worth discovering. But be careful — chances are these suggestions will inspire your own visit to the Florida Keys sometime very soon.

If anything truly defines Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, it is the value we attach to lasting memories. Building upon a century of experience as hoteliers has endowed us with a rich tradition of hospitality. We offer experiences that are authentically local, in hotels and resorts of unrivalled presence. And genuine hospitality is achieved when engaging service and attention to detail elevate each stay into cherished memory.

As someone who has the responsibility of booking travel for others, you understand the importance of creating a seamless, efficient and satisfying experience, whether the travel is for business or leisure. Famous Agents is the industry’s most exciting travel agent education and rewards programme. Our members increase their earning power by staying up-to-date on all the latest news from Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel locations worldwide. They also earn fabulous personal rewards and enjoy countless member-only benefits.

Tourists continue to put the Caribbean on the map in record numbers and Barbados in particular is experiencing a boom. For specialists, a membership in Barbados Elite Club means your earnings should reflect your expertise. So, you've taken the in-depth course, you've enjoyed "Preferred Agent" status on the official BTA website and you've logged your bookings in the rewards program for a chance to win $500 every month as well as a trip to Barbados. Oh, you haven't? Refresh your knowledge to maximize your membership benefits.

Specializing in Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts, owner of Canada’s “best” hotel and 18 other premium properties, is easy (only nine lessons) and rewarding. You’ll have spacious (every guest room is at least 400 square feet) and luxurious go-to accommodations in several trending destinations, from Bali to Hanoi. More importantly, Pan Pacific Specialists are eligible to win a $50 gift card every month, a two-night North American stay every quarter and a six-night stay at Pan Pacific Singapore and Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort and $1,000 cash this year.

For over 20 years, Silversea has been committed to creating unforgettable luxury cruise vacations and destination immersion experiences for our guests. As our legacy of luxury continues, so does our commitment to excellence, innovation, expansion of product offerings, and unwavering commitment to you – our valued travel partners.

To ensure you have the tools you need to succeed, we designed this comprehensive training program to give you confidence in selling Silversea’s luxury intimate ships and expedition products. 

Rollings with the flow!  Read all about what's trending, new ships and itineraries, target markets and tips on how to sell the product more efficiently.

River Cruising continues to expand across the globe and new options are creating demand to entice more clients. Simply put, “river cruising is hot,” says Vicky Garcia, chief operating officer and co-owner, Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. “As a network, we continue to see double-digit growth in this segment, with some agents specializing in it quite successfully.” See what’s ahead.

Vegas is usually a one-and-done type of booking. Short stays, fast commissions. You can even specialize in one of the best values on the strip in 20 minutes. Become a Treasure Island Specialist to have a go-to Vegas experience that boasts modern rooms (starting at $59), 10 restaurants, a 95,000 sq. ft. casino and the salient Mystère by Cirque du Soleil. Plus, you'll receive 50 percent off show tickets upon graduation - well worth the 20 minutes spent specializing in a top U.S. destination.

The Antigua & Barbuda Specialist program is designed to help you become a Specialist in selling our amazing destination. Whether you specialize in destination weddings, family getaways, luxury experiences or special interest markets like sailing or eco-adventures, this course will provide you with all the unique selling points and product information your clients may need.

Family travel to Mexico is by all accounts booming. And that’s no accident. Suppliers, tour operators and travel sellers are redoubling efforts to highlight Mexico’s vast appeal. Read all about it in the Mexico Family Focus Series.

Welcome to the Wyndham Wise training course. We didn’t grow to 8,100+ hotels across 78 countries without our valued partners—like you.  In this course, you’ll gain actionable insight on how to sell more to key market segments.
You’ll graduate a Wyndham Sage, earn 2 CEU credits from the Travel Institute and be entered to win a $50 gift card.

For every destination that requires your expertise, there are at least 50 local hotels that you’re expected to know just as thoroughly. We suspect that you don't have the time to research every hotel, in every location, for every client. A more productive way to learn about 3,800 hotels in 92 countries is to become an AccorHotels Ambassador. Complete three courses and have 480,000 rooms in your arsenal – one and done!