Posts Tagged ‘Trendy travel’
Thousands Attend the Luxury Travel Expo
Thousands Attend the Luxury Travel Expo
By Bobbie Green
Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center played host to the 14th annual Luxury Travel Expo. Eighteen hundred travel agents registered for the event. Five hundred travel suppliers showed up to inform and educate the agents about their products. The show is open to travel professionals only and not open to the consumer.
On hand as panelist and General Session speakers was who’s who of the travel business world. The travel show also brought together the professional under-40 agents group developed in 2010 at the Young Leaders Conference with one-on- one exchange with suppliers.
Everyone came away with new knowledge of products and latest trends in travel for 2012. The focus was on catering to the luxury-seeking client– what products would be right for them.
The Luxury Cruise ships are sailing full—there is a definite demand for the up-scale products. The ship-within-a-ship concept is a hot item. Even Norwegian Cruise Line, geared toward the younger traveler with less money to spend, has dedicated three decks on their ships to accommodate the luxury seekers demands.
Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Passenger Service for Norwegian, says the younger generation of travelers wants the exclusivity of “The Haven” Norwegian’s special place where suite guest have their own pool, special show seating and dining. Most of the larger Cruise Lines have their own form of ship-within-a-ship, where guest receive the service and atmosphere of a small ship.
Luxury Travel Advisor and Travel Agent publications gave leadership and innovation awards to Richard Sasso, President & CEO of MSC Cruises Inc., USA, Greg Tepper, President, Exeter International, Nicholas Clayton, President of Viceroy Hotel Group and Gary Davis, President of All About Travel. At the General Sessions. Personally, I wonder if anyone sent President Obama a memo on this travel show. There was talk from the stage, at the General Session, by John McMahon, Vice President and Group publisher of Questex Hospitality and Travel Group, of how President Obama has publicly stated travel agents no longer exist. I got the idea this huge room full of travel agents was not very happy about that.
When treated to an After Dark Party at the Palms Rain Nightclub, the agents were very happy about that.
Luxury Travel Advisor and Travel Agent magazines produce the Luxury Travel Expo; it is the largest gathering of luxury travel professional in North America, providing unparalleled educational programs and grand exhibit halls.
Next year The Palazzo will host the 2012 Luxury Travel Expo.
Trendy Travel
Variety Cruises, specializing in small intimate ships, is offering their first Gay Cruise program. Set to sail in august of 2010 around the Greek Islands. www.varietycruises.com.
All Star Adventure Tours of New Zealand is offering an Alternative, Snowboarding, awesome, and taught by professionals. US 866-758-2267 Outside US 970-372-4564
The worlds largest Zepppelin, airship ventures Eureka is coming to Long Beach, Ca. Passengers can experience the thrill of flying along the coast & Los Angeles area. Two hour flights start Sept 3,2009 for 6 day only.
luvluggage.com is the place to go and learn about the new trendy looks and technology in travel gear.
Mandarin Oriental a non-gaming hotel will open in December 09 on the heart of the Las Vegas Strip with top-notch accommodation, dinning and spa.
JW Marriott Hotel in Shanghai says it is offering the best viewing of the longest total solar eclipse in over a century. They are offering astronomical packages with amenities for the July 22 5-minute total eclipse.