| February 14, 2013 | News for travel agents |
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| Business and Industry Watch |  |  |
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- Ex-GBTA executive "is the right person" to be ASTA's new CEO
ASTA has announced its appointment of Zane Kerby as the organization's new president and CEO. Kerby, a former senior vice president at the Global Business Travel Association, will officially assume his new role Tuesday. "ASTA is excited to bring Zane Kerby's energy and experience to its top staff position. We believe he is the right person at this critical time in the society's history, when we are reimagining ASTA's annual meeting and fighting to preserve the integrity of travel selling for travel agents," said ASTA's chairwoman, Nina Meyer. Travel Weekly
(2/13)      
- Carnival Cruise Lines cancels 12 more Triumph sailings
Carnival Cruise Lines has added 12 more sailings to its list of canceled cruises aboard the Carnival Triumph. Cruises scheduled from Feb. 21 through April 13 have been dropped following the earlier cancellations of sailings Monday and Saturday this week. The cruise line also announced that it is giving $500 in compensation to each passenger on the ship during its aborted Feb. 10 cruise. "We are very sorry for what our guests have had to endure. Therefore, in addition to the full refund and future cruise credit already offered, we have decided to provide this additional compensation," said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival. TravelPulse
(2/13)
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| Trends and Technology | |  |
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- At several airports, travelers can shop till they fly
Several airports, including those in Denver, Dallas and Los Angeles, are updating travelers' options for shopping. "Customers are used to wide choice. They go to the mall near their home, and they come to the airport and expect that," said John Ackerman, chief commercial officer of Denver International Airport. USA Today
(2/12)
| Destination of the Week | | |
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- Summer music festivals target travelers
Nowadays, the largest and most popular summer music festivals are likely to sell out soon after lineups go public. Planning accommodations, transportation and purchasing tickets in advance are key.
| Home-Based Agent Update | | |
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- Column: "Passionate" energy is key to closing a travel sale
Travel agents can make the travel-planning process with clients much easier by channeling their passion for travel into their desire to help their clients build the most memorable vacation, Richard Earls writes. "Once you realize that your mission is about helping others to travel, your travel practice becomes truly client-centric. You quit thinking with your own set of preferences and, importantly, you quit thinking with your own set of criteria about terms like 'fun,' 'luxury,' 'cost' and 'value,' " Earls writes. Travel Research Online
(2/11)
| Consumer Travel News | | |
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| Regulatory and Legislative | | |
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| Best Practices | | |
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| Small-Business Strategies | | |
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- Neglected customers often turn elsewhere
An average business loses approximately 20% of its clients each year by neglecting customer relationships, according to data compiled by customer experience consultants 360Connext. Fifty percent of customers will give a business only a week to address a problem before turning elsewhere, while a business has only a 20% to 40% chance of winning back that customer. MarketingProfs
(2/12)
| ASTA Spotlight | | |
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Press release: ASTA releases tools to help members protect their businesses
ASTA has released two member tools, the U.S. Travel Agency Regulatory Compliance Handbook and the Travel Agent's Guide to Copyrights, which are designed to help travel agents comply with their regulatory, statutory and legal obligations. The U.S. Travel Agency Regulatory Compliance Handbook explains the major federal statutes and regulations that directly impact travel agents. It not only outlines a travel agency's obligation with each rule, but also provides supplemental guidance that ASTA has obtained directly from DOT. The Guide to Copyrights features information on enforcement procedures that copyright holders are implementing to make infringers accountable, and modern techniques of legally acquiring permission to use copyrighted works.
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Get real-life experiences to share with your clients -- ASTA's International Destination Expo (IDE) Dubai 2013
Experience for yourself how mystical desert adventures, sumptuous luxury, bustling markets, ancient culture and modern accommodations will take your clients' breath away and far exceed their expectations. At ASTA's IDE, you'll take part in top-ranked training seminars that take you beyond the classroom. Dubai's top guides will escort you through the city's ultra-modern properties and historical attractions, ensuring that you experience the real Dubai. Secure new clients upon your return home by becoming a Dubai destination specialist. Register today.
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- Wednesday, February 13, 2013
- Tuesday, February 12, 2013
- Monday, February 11, 2013
- Friday, February 08, 2013
- Thursday, February 07, 2013
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