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.

Today’s cruise travelers aren’t playing shuffleboard all day, stuffing themselves at the midnight buffet or dressing in formal attire every night. Over the decades, guests have evolved in both their personal interests and mindset. Learn more about adventure cruising today!

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.

 

Costa Rica is an excellent choice for all your meeting, incentive, conference and event needs. In addition to high quality hotels and venues, including a new convention center in 2018, Costa Rica is a fascinating destination that will excite meeting attendees. We are recognized for our dedication to the conservation and protection of our natural resources, of which we offer a remarkable amount of biodiversity and protected national parkland.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts started in Switzerland, a small country known for big mountains and equally high standards of living. These standards have inspired the brand to make quality of life our promise to our guests. Quality of life can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s spending time with family and friends. For others, it’s having easy access to a place of relaxation. However you define it, we hope the contemporary Swiss style and locally inspired flair at our high-end (but not always high-altitude) hotels keeps you returning again and again.

We look forward to welcoming you to Swissôtel, where quality of life comes first.

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.

We don't have to tell you that today's affluent travelers are interested in authentic experiences. The more exotic and uncharted, the better. First comes fascination followed by luxury hotel developers and validated by travel editors' picturesque prose. Sri Lanka fits the "emerging luxury destination" paradigm to a tee, complete with Lonely Planet "Dream Trips" and Robb Report's "Top Destinations for 2016" write-ups and Shangri-La property openings.  Become a Shangri-La Specialist to prepare for those inevitable Sri Lanka requests and for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

The Silver Muse Specialist course is dedicated to educating you on all things related to Silversea’s new flagship, Silver Muse, which makes her debut in April 2017. With this ship, Silversea once again raises the bar in the ultra-luxury cruise travel market.

A small boutique ship with only 596 guests (less than 300 suites), Silver Muse boasts all-suite, all-balcony accommodations, making it the most intimate new ship in the ultra-luxury market.

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.

The three islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique form one destination made of unspoiled natural beauty, warm friendly people and year-round tropical temperatures. Here is a place where clients can discover blue waters framed by both white and black sand beaches and inland adventures that include tropical rainforests, waterfalls, Sulphur Springs, and breathtaking views. When selling the destination, describe it to clients as PURE: Peaceful, Unadulterated, Rustic and Easy-going. Take the course today!

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) must really care about making travel agents smarter. Becoming a GHA Specialist means gaining a wealth of knowledge on 500-plus leading hotels worldwide.

FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leader in the global hospitality industry, is also leading the way when it comes to rewarding its travel agent partners. The hotelier’s new Famous Agents program offers the opportunity for you to earn valuable rewards and enjoy countless member-only benefits from its three brands; Raffles, Fairmont, and Swissotel Hotel & Resorts. Click here to get started.

A sun-and-fun vacation in the Caribbean is certainly a great choice for a family getaway and the resort options are seemingly endless. That’s only half the equation, however. Every island in the region has a rich culture and history that begs to be explored and enjoyed. Read all about it in the Focus Series!

Las Vegas Welcomed 42.9 million visitors in 2016, surpassing 2015’s recordsetting 42.3 million, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). That total marks a third consecutive year of growth for the city, which got off to an even better start in 2017. January visitor volume was up 1.1 percent over January 2016, and the LVCVA is projecting another record year.

The destination also continues to enjoy industry-leading occupancy rates with an exceptionally large base of nearly 150,000 available rooms. That number keeps growing as well with new hotels and expansions to established properties. Here are some of the latest developments on that front.

Destination weddings continue to grow in popularity, with new trends emerging on a regular basis. We asked a number of destination wedding pros to share their latest observations, hot tips and sales advice about this dynamic niche. Read the focus series to learn more! 

With more than 56 million overnight stays in 2016, London has set a new visitation record. The milestone also means that in 2016, London drew more overnights than any other city in Europe, according to new research from the city’s destination marketing organization, London & Partners. European Cities Marketing reports there were over 41 million overnight stays from international tourists last year –– an increase of 7 percent over 2015.

London’s enduring popularity has its roots in Britain’s many centuries of rich traditions and colorful heritage — Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and all things royal are perennial must-see attractions, to be sure — but pop culture and recent history have served to enhance and broaden the city’s appeal. Here are some current and upcoming happenings that celebrate the timely and timeless aspects of London.

Here are some of the latest developments and offers that should be of interest to families planning a vacation in The Aloha State.