| March 6, 2013 | News for travel agents |
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| Business and Industry Watch |  |  |
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- ASTA: International travel sales are up, domestic sales declining
ASTA reports that international travel accounts for 60% of its members' sales, which is a 49% increase compared with figures in 2004. "As travel distribution has changed, many travel agencies have found that consumers and business clients tend to use online resources for simpler domestic travel," ASTA CEO Zane Kerby said. TravelPulse
(3/5)      
- Delta Air Lines adds 17 daily flights from L.A.
Delta Air Lines says it will expand its service from Los Angeles by 17 flights a day as it seeks to capture demand away from airlines that use the city's international airport as a hub. Delta is looking to boost its L.A. departures to 118 flights a day by July. Bloomberg
(3/5)
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| Trends and Technology | | |
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- Carnival fire affected consumer confidence in cruise lines, poll finds
Cruise lines' approval from U.S. consumers took a significant hit after the fire aboard the Carnival Triumph last month, a new survey by Harris Interactive has found. Carnival Cruise Lines experienced a 17% drop in trust ratings in a survey conducted Feb. 19 to 21, while Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean International experienced smaller drops. The poll also found that 58% of noncruisers feel less inclined to take a cruise than they were a year ago. USA Today/Cruise Log blog
(3/5)
- Ancillary-service growth dims luster of elite-status perks
Priority boarding lines and complimentary upgrades are becoming less the exclusive province of frequent fliers and more often services available to travelers willing to pay extra, this feature says. The increase in passengers buying access to perks has meant elite-program members frequently find themselves competing for upgrades and facing flights for which as many as half of travelers have priority boarding. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(3/4)
| Consumer Travel News | | |
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- Tasmania offers a unique slice of Australia
Tasmania is not a common stop for visitors to Australia, but those who drop by this island state will find quirky attractions and a lush wildlife with a tinge of mystery, this feature says. The Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Tasmania, serves up an eclectic collection of art pieces that range from the dazzling to the disturbing. Out in the wilds, a camping trip offers a close encounter with the island's diverse wildlife as well as the hope of sighting a long-extinct native animal, if local tales are to be believed. The Telegraph (London) (tiered subscription model)
(3/5)
| Regulatory and Legislative | | |
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- Airport security lines grow as sequester takes effect
Security lines at major U.S. airports are already "150 to 200% as long as we would normally expect" due to spending cuts enacted Friday under sequestration, said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. She warned travelers to leave extra time for clearing security and said the agency has begun sending out furlough notices to agents. The Hill/Transportation blog
(3/4), CNN
(3/4)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Column: Marketing should show consistency, coordination
Marketing efforts are more effective when planned as a sustained campaign that offers a consistent message and is composed of coordinated efforts on multiple channels, Richard Earls writes. "When each effort is part of a campaign, you can more easily measure the results. You can determine what works and repeat your efforts, and ascertain what is not working to avoid wasting time and money," Earls writes. Travel Research Online
(3/4)
| Small-Business Strategies | | |
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- Harness your advocates to market your business
To magnify your word-of-mouth marketing, find your strongest advocates and encourage them to rate and review your business online, writes Rob Fuggetta, founder and CEO of Zuberance. Give advocates special deals to share with their networks of acquaintances, and offer social sharing widgets that allow advocates to talk up your company on social media. BusinessNewsDaily.com
(3/1)
- Creating an eye-catching, effective business card
Sort through the business cards you've collected and pick out the elements you like, but be sure to design your business card based on the nature of your business. For example, a financial services company might want to keep its cards simple, but a company that sells children's toys could get a bit more creative by using bright colors to attract attention. Choosing special shapes or paper for your cards can make them stand out. Entrepreneur online
(3/4)
| ASTA Spotlight | | |
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Take advantage of savings with ASTA's AMSI e-Mart
ASTA's AMSI e-Mart provides additional value for our members on products and services they use in their day-to-day operations. Our vendor partnerships generate discounts and special services designed specifically for you in mind. Visit our AMSI e-Mart to enroll in the programs and start saving today. If you are not an ASTA member -- contact Courtney Beddia, Manager, Sales & Marketing Programs, for additional information or join online.
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Receive discounts from ASTA's Tour Operators
ASTA offers our travel agent members specials available directly from the members of ASTA's Tour Operator Program (TOP). ASTA's TOP program is designed to highlight tour operator members who are eager to work with travel agents and offer reliable services. TOP members pledge to conduct their business with integrity and strive to perform to the travel agent's expectations. Take advantage of these exciting offers by checking out the TOP Member Specials!
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- Tuesday, March 05, 2013
- Monday, March 04, 2013
- Friday, March 01, 2013
- Thursday, February 28, 2013
- Wednesday, February 27, 2013
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