Travel Leaders Network has announced that John Lovell will take on the role of president following Roger E. Block’s transition to a senior advisor role. Both executives will begin their new roles on January 1, 2025. Lovell currently serves as president of Travel Leaders Group, while Block holds the same title with Travel Leaders Network. (The latter is a division of the former, meaning Lovell will simply be adding to his duties at Internova Travel Group, the parent company of Travel Leaders Group.)
Lovell has been with Travel Leaders Group since 2002.
On the airline front, Amadeus has signed agreements with United Airlines and Delta to offer their content on its NDC platforms. The partnership with United includes both NDC and EDIFACT content, providing travel sellers the broadest selection of flights and fares in the United States and around the world. On the other hand, the Amadeus Travel Platform will continue to make Delta's content available across multiple channels, including Amadeus Selling Platform Connect, Amadeus Web Services and Cytric Easy.
In other booking news, Central Holidays has launched a new technology system aimed at simplifying and enhancing the booking process for travel advisors and group planners. Advisors can conveniently facilitate online payments and receive immediate confirmation, view commissions and manage quotations through their private portal. The new system also incorporates a CRM (customer relationship management) tool, offering insights into booking histories.
Along similar lines, ALG Vacations has debuted ALGVPro Active, a new refresher course designed to keep travel advisors informed on the latest updates and enhancements since the original ALGVPro program debut in 2022. This course is a self-paced, on-demand online education program for travel advisors to learn and engage in its destinations, products, brands, services and more.
In addition, Brightline has been assigned the designator code “BE” by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This will enable Brightline to expand its reach through interline and codeshare arrangements with airlines worldwide, while also simplifying sales through travel agencies and tour operators via the GDS.
On the travel advisor appreciation front, Sandals Resorts International recently welcomed nearly 1,000 attendees to its Jamaica Love Showcase, where the prime minister of Jamaica announced that new airports, roadways and other infrastructure that will better connect the island for visitors. The event immersed travel advisors and partners into the island’s beauty, with an itinerary that included Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts tours, Island Routes excursions, Sandals Foundation activities and exclusive networking events.
First Look at New Cruise Ships
Princess Cruises has unveiled new spaces and amenities for Star Princess, the second Sphere Class ship, set to debut in fall 2025. A replica of Sun Princess, the upcoming vessel will offer several enhancements, including non-smoking casino areas, as well as expanded dining venues and new leisure experiences. A highlight will be the new SkyDeck Sports Court & Track. Active guests will enjoy the new sports court for pickleball and basketball, as well as a jogging track, splash pad, and shaded areas for relaxation.
Star Princess will sail its inaugural season in the Caribbean before repositioning to Alaska in spring 2026.
Following on that launch, MSC World America will sail into Miami next April with new sports bar and comedy club concepts, enhanced bar and lounge options, and more—all tailored specifically to the U.S. market. The new flagship will also be the first to have seven districts designed for guests of all ages. Guests can expect an adults-only venue, a mixology bar focused on bourbon, a full-scale microbrewery, a gin-focused bar, new coffee and sweets shops, and more.
Sailing from PortMiami, MSC World America will launch in April 2025 and will spend its inaugural season in the Caribbean, with all visits including a stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.
Need to Know
Dominica has introduced online immigration forms for embarkation and disembarkation. This new initiative, launched last week, aims to simplify the entry process, making it more convenient for travelers arriving on the island.
Travelers must visit edcard.dominica.gov.dm to complete and submit their details on the online ED card form at any time prior to arrival. After submission, travelers will receive confirmation and a QR code. It is essential to save this confirmation and QR code on a mobile device or print it out to present at the port of entry. Upon arrival, travelers should present their confirmation and QR code alongside their passport to Immigration and Customs authorities
Travel Trends and Insights
Sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor this week released the findings of its Q2 Luxury Travel Index. The headline news is that travel advisors are extremely optimistic about the future of the luxury travel industry, with an optimism rating of 8.6 (out of a possible 10). To that point, revenue was projected to increase for most when comparing Q2-2024 to Q2-2023.
Among other highlights:
- Travel frequency is increasing, according to more than half of respondents
- Travel advisors have a tremendous influence over their clients’ decisions, according to seven in 10 respondents
- Europe remains the most popular destination for vacations, according to 86 percent of respondents
- The use of artificial intelligence is on the upswing (43 percent in Q1 to 58 percent in Q2)
Allianz Partners has looked at the top destinations for Thanksgiving travel this year. Holding the top spot among domestic destinations was New York once again. Other top spots included Seattle and Dallas. On the international front, Mexico’s Cancun, San Jose Del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta claimed the top three spots.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has also announced the insights of its 10th annual “State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations.” What’s to know? Travelers looking for inspiration for their 2025 getaways should keep destinations such as Iceland, Australia and Canada in mind, as they have been ranked as this year’s top three safest countries.
A Moment of Your Time
Travel Agent has launched the latest iteration of its quarterly "Travel Trends & Advisor Insight Survey." We use these surveys to learn more about the current state of the travel industry, as well as your business. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey; following its conclusion, we will publish the findings here, so you will gain insight into the larger travel ecosystem and your colleague's businesses.
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