Raffles Hotels & Resorts operates its extraordinary collection of hotels by the credo: “True luxury is not just about what you do, it’s about how you feel.”  The renowned collection of hotels and resorts offers celebrated landmarks in celebrated locations around the world. Each exudes unparalleled residential charm and enchantment, while embracing the heartfelt service for which we are known.

Raffles caters to leisure and business travelers alike, who celebrate the finer things in life; we are consistently ranked among the world’s top-10 hotel brands in the annual Conde Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards.

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.

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 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.

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.

Sure, your clients have been to the Caribbean and most likely, with their entire family in tow. But there is a reason why families frequent an area whose beauty is matched only by its bounty of attractions. One destination in particular, Cayman Islands, speaks directly to the prominent role that kids play in the vacation decision-making process by checking all the boxes. A range of full-service, family-friendly accommodations - check. Snorkeling, swimming and children's programs - check. Children's menus and delicious non-kid dining - check. Happy kids and even happier adults - check. Learn more to sell more.

Manage your Starwood booking like a pro from one easy account that monitors your profit performance. Become a StarwoodPro to learn about Starwood's nine world-class brands via five educational modules. You’ll be able to virtually visit Starwood destinations and learn the power of story-selling to help your clients visualize their next vacation – so you work smarter, not harder. Plus, you’ll qualify for Starpoints rewards, redeemable for free nights and award flights, complimentary in-room Internet for your clients when you book at spg.com and real-time online commission tracking.

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.

Fresh off a record-breaking year, Hawaii’s tourism will focus on the latest travel trends, from adventure to culinary tourism, to give visitors authentic cultural experiences with every Hawaiian vacation. Become a Hawaii Destination Specialist to stay on top of the latest tourism developments from one of the world’s most popular destinations.  Both existing and new graduates will benefit from a richer understanding of the six individual islands. In addition to learning insider tips and accessing customized sales tools, you’ll benefit from consumer referrals, up-to-date and robust marketing materials and ongoing rewards.  

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.

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!

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

 

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.