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The article reports on the rebranding of Seattle-based Passport Travel & Tours Inc. as travel agency 58 Stars, co-owned by Mike Salvadore and Dan Burke. Topics discussed include the social media strategy of the agency, its partnership with social influencers that were important to baby boomer and Generation X clients, and company's pop-up strategy.

The article reports on sales performance of several cruise agencies including Holiday Cruises and Tours, Expedia CruiseShipCenters and Journeys Unlimited on the first half of 2016. Several factors related to the cruise sellers' sales performance, including the vote of Great Britain to leave the European Union (EU), low water levels and terrorist attacks in Europe, are mentioned.

The article discusses the American Society of Travel Agents' Supplier-Travel Agent Marketing Report released in February 2014 which revealed that U.S. travel agents continue to move away from global distribution system and toward direct booking supplier, aggregator and consolidator websites as well as through online travel agencies. It also discusses the drop in GDS bookings within sectors and in the overall use of GDS by agents as well as how agents book cruises, tours, airlines and hotels.

The article discusses the marketing of the Mundo Maya tour product in Yucatán state in Mexico. In Yucatán state, Maya-focused tour products that agents can sell include day-long sojourns and intensive multi-day excursions accompanied by expert lecturers. Leah Griffin, Innovation Manager for G Adventures, notes that their Chief Experience Officers have been given extra training about the Mayan calendar so that they can handle questions when they guide their groups in 2012.

The article discusses the marketing of the Mundo Maya, or Mayan world, tour product in Campeche, Mexico. Mainstream and specialty tours of Campeche include the archaeological sites of Edzná and Calakmul. More extensive itineraries include the ruins of Xtampak, Becán, Chicanná and Ixpujil. Specialty operators such as Tia Stephanie Tours allot more days in Campeche than do mainstream offerings. A sampling of tours that include Mayan sites is presented.

The article discusses the marketing of Mundo Maya, or Mayan world, in Mexico. Experts say that the end or reset of the Mayan Long Count calendar in 2012, with the days surrounding the winter solstice, give travel agents new opportunities to sell Mexico. Sandy Babin, Apple Vacation's vice president of marketing, notes that his agency will amend their Chichén-Itzá tour to make it more Mayan Prophecy focused.

The article discusses the marketing of upscale shopping in Mexico. Global Village Travels agent Gloria Hobbins notes the importance of shopping for her clientele. When with spouses, her core clients focus on the shopping opportunities while their spouses on the cultural and historical aspects. In order to lure upscale shoppers, Now Voyager Travel agent Marianne Braly uses the great value to be found in Mexico on high-end items.

The article discusses the marketing of luxury travel in Mexico. Among the country's upscale products are resorts, urban hotels and golf courses by internationally acclaimed designers. Aside from its internationally acclaimed luxury offerings and legendary service levels, much of Mexico's rich history and the cultures can be experienced in colonial towns, cities and diverse natural environments. Strategies for selling include getting leisure travelers into cities and marketing the spas.

The article discusses the marketing of golf travel to Mexico. In order to tap into the market, it is emphasized that travel agents need to understand their golf clients and know the difference between the country's primary golf destinations. The international status achieved by Mexico's golf courses is noted. Factors contributing to the growth of the golf product in Mexico include excellent climate conditions and relatively low land and development costs.

The article offers a guide for travel agents to boost Mexico sales. It is emphasized that travel agents who want to become top sales performers need to develop a strategic marketing plan. Ciara Pressler, president of The Pressler Collaborative, says that focusing on a highly targeted customer is crucial and recommends building a sales strategy around value. In developing a strategy, Nolan Burris, president of Visionistics, notes that psychographics are much more effective than demographics.

The article discusses five action items suggested for travel professionals to keep social media marketing tasks on the right track. These items include using data to set goals and establish priorities, using social media tools to improve time management, and developing an asset library of sharable content. Suggestions for planning advertising campaigns to increase brand awareness and engagement are also listed.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Going Social: "Develop Your Content Marketing"," published in the July 1, 2013 issue.

The author asserts that Facebook can use simulation models of impressive sophistication to test sales messages.

The article discusses the marketing of the Mundo Maya tour product in Tabasco, Mexico. U.S. leisure travelers are encouraged by the state to visit Tabasco on designated tourist routes that showcase its natural attractions and archaeological heritage. Tours are focused on nature and adventure excursions. The itinerary of Tia Stephanie Tours' eight-night program focuses on Maya epigraphy, while Mayasites cover the La Venta park and Comalcalco in its five-night Classic Maya of the Rainforest tour.

The article discusses the marketing of the Mundo Maya tour product in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Key selling points of the state are the sea, sand and surf as its Caribbean coastline provides a unique backdrop for its Mayan attractions. A variety of archaeological sites in southern Quintana Roo can also be found including the cliff-side ruins of Tulum as well as Cobá. GOGO Vacations' 10-night Treasures of the Yucatan with Cancún includes tours of Cobá and Tulum.

The article discusses the marketing of the Mundo Maya tour product in Chiapas, Mexico. In Chiapas, itineraries include rainforests, waterfalls, rivers and ancient Mayan sites, as well as the sites of Izapa, a Mayan ceremonial center, and Toniná, with its imposing pyramid and detailed sculptures. A top theme of the seven-night Unique Chiapas: Jungles, Rivers and Mayas tour of The Muddy Boot is adventure and its itinerary includes Palenque and a number of specialized activities.

The article provides news briefs related to the travel industry as of October 2011. The Corporation for Travel Promotion qualified for federal funds worth 22.2 million U.S. dollars to launch an international travel marketing campaign promoting the U.S. Paul Gauguin Cruises acquired Compagnie du Ponant's Le Levant for an undisclosed price. NYC & Co. formed a partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government for a reciprocal, multimedia marketing effort.

The article reports on the price-beat policy of Gogo Worldwide Vacations which guarantees that it will beat any package price by ten dollars per adult and five dollars per child.