Search

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) recently made it even easier for visitors to participate in voluntourism through the Malama Hawaii program. Launched by HTA and Hawaii Tourism United States in [...]

There is a lot to love about the destination wedding, honeymoon and romance markets, according to travel advisors and suppliers. The Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association (DWHSA), a network [...]

River cruise bookings continue to soar with even more new ships, destinations, and itineraries slated to debut 2024. Virtuoso, for example, is seeing a 27 percent increase in river cruise [...]

FEATURING THE BEST OF EUROPE Viking 18 Air Canada 20 Collette 22 Regent Seven Seas Cruises[R] 24 DIRECTOR, CUSTOM CONTENT: Lesley Krautheim EDITOR: Janice Perez GROUP DESIGN MANAGER: Mariza Moreira [...]

Whether it's immersive experiences through culinary, culture, and nature, or simply luxurious resorts and pampering, upscale clients and their travel advisors continue to choose Mexico for their vacations. 'I find [...]

As Fort Myers and other parts of Southwest Florida begin to recover following Hurricane Ian, phase one of VISIT FLORIDA'S new 'Sun's Shining in Florida' marketing campaign launched in October. [...]

Couples are looking for the ultimate escape at a time when enjoying those you love is a top priority After a trying year and a half, many couples are eager [...]

'Destination wedding business is booming,' says Cheryl Bailey, a Travel Planner at Yellow Umbrella Events in Austin, Texas, and a member of the Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association (DWHSA). [...]

As 2020 comes to a close, all eyes are on the river cruise horizon, where new ships, new itineraries and solid advance bookings for 2021 are all positive signs for [...]

Many European countries and the United Kingdom saw the return of U.S. travelers this summer. And, despite frequent changes to travel restrictions within the international landscape, tourism boards are working [...]

Couples are creating a wave of increased business for weddings and honeymoons. Destination wedding and honeymoon business is booming, according to resorts and travel advisors. Couples are ready to celebrate [...]

River cruising is experiencing significant growth, with an increase in products and destinations for 2025. River cruise lines are adding more ships, destinations, and itineraries, focusing on longer cruises, solo travelers, and groups. The trend of longer cruises is popular, with many travelers opting for back-to-back combinations of multiple river itineraries to create extended vacations. Additionally, there is a rise in solo travelers, leading to the introduction of new cruises exclusively for solo travelers by various river cruise companies. Group travel is also on the rise, with companies like Transcend Cruises offering exclusive buyout river cruise travel experiences. [Extracted from the article]

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has partnered with Kanu Hawaii, a local non-profit, to create a new dashboard that makes it easier for visitors to participate in voluntourism through the Malama Hawaii program. The dashboard, launched in April 2024, allows visitors to quickly find voluntourism opportunities and potentially qualify for special discounts or free nights from participating hotels. In addition to the dashboard, there are other volunteer opportunities available in Hawaii through hotels and non-profit organizations. Voluntourism is seen as a way for visitors to have more authentic experiences and contribute to the preservation of Hawaii's natural resources and cultural heritage. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the growing market for destination weddings, honeymoons, and romance travel. It highlights the increase in destination wedding bookings, with couples now inviting friends and family to join them on their trips. There is also a trend towards "minimoons" - shorter honeymoons taken close to the wedding date. Cultural immersion is an important aspect of modern romance travel, with couples seeking authentic experiences and local flavors. The article discusses various travel experiences and accommodations that cater to couples seeking romantic and personalized experiences, including resorts and hotels that offer cultural activities, private accommodations, and unique experiences. It also mentions the trend of personalization in destination weddings, with suppliers offering custom packages and unique venues. The size of destination weddings varies, with some couples opting for smaller guest lists to ensure a more inclusive and fulfilling experience for everyone involved. [Extracted from the article]

Nevada continues to welcome back meetings, conventions, and shows in 2022 and beyond. Las Vegas, in particular, is poised for additional bookings with recent infrastructure growth and more than $4.5 [...]

The 2024 Virtuoso Luxe Report highlights the top five European destinations as Italy, Greece, France, England, and Spain. The report also mentions the growing trends of immediate family and multigenerational travel, as well as concert-focused travel. Various travel companies are making additions and improvements to their offerings, such as AmaWaterways adding a new itinerary in France and Collette introducing four new small group Exploration tours. Viking has opened bookings for its 2026 ocean voyages, and Air Canada is now offering air-to-rail booking options for customers traveling to Europe. Hotel capacity in Paris has increased, and Club Med is undergoing a major upgrade to its portfolio, focusing on upscale properties. The company plans to expand its portfolio with three to five openings or renovations per year. There are also developments in various European destinations, including new properties in Portugal and upcoming events in France, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Viking, Air Canada, and AmaWaterways are highlighted as travel options, each offering unique experiences and services. [Extracted from the article]

Florida's tourism industry is experiencing growth, with record numbers of visitors in 2023. The state is attracting travelers looking for adventure and off-the-beaten-path locations. New attractions, hotels, and transportation options are being added, including the expansion of the Brightline rail system. Other developments include new hotels in Miami, a cruise app for Port Tampa Bay, and the addition of training modules for travel professionals. Orlando is introducing more theme park attractions, while Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale are seeing enhancements to their lodging and dining offerings. Fort Myers is also opening new resorts and restaurants. [Extracted from the article]

Vegas With an Eye Towards Sustainability Las Vegas, Nevada, and the travel industry within both the city and state are committed to sustainability efforts. If there is one thing you can count on in Las Vegas is that the city is in a constant state of growth. - STEPHANIE GLANZER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OF SALES, MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL BEYOND BUSINESS For many event planners, it is important to include leisure activities as part of the Las Vegas experience. [Extracted from the article]

Whatever sparks the urge or need for people to vacation together, group travel is a simple matter of 'the more the merrier' for client and agent alike. For the client, [...]

'For luxury clients, travel is a given; it's almost a right,' says Martin Rapp, vice president of leisure travel for New York City-based Altour. Like all travelers, this market wants [...]

The article discusses the growth of the global wellness industry, with wellness tourism projected to reach close to $1.2 trillion by 2025. Luxury travel advisors are seeing a rise in demand for personalized holistic wellness experiences, with clients seeking transformative experiences that promote long-term well-being. The industry is focusing on holistic health, offering personalized wellness programs that integrate physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as incorporating nature-focused wellness experiences to enhance mental and physical rejuvenation. [Extracted from the article]

The Luxury Travel sector is experiencing significant growth, with future sales projected to increase by 38 percent in 2025-2026. High-end travelers are increasingly seeking exclusive-use experiences such as luxury yachts and private residences, as well as personalized itineraries. Trends include a rise in solo travelers, particularly women, and multi-generational family trips. Luxury travel advisors emphasize the importance of personalization, privacy, and unique experiences tailored to individual preferences. [Extracted from the article]

Mexico country promises lifetime experience to its visitors. Apart from wonderful beaches like Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco and Los Casbos verdant of nature and the rich culture of the Mexicans are the main attractions of Mexico.

The city hasn't returned to pre-pandemic numbers, but Las Vegas hosted nearly five million meeting attendees in 2022, more than double the number in 2021. Through April 2023, more than 2.3 million convention attendees traveled to Las Vegas alone, says Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). A strong 2023 and anticipation for that to continue for the next few years is making the meeting and convention industry feeling positive these days. [Extracted from the article]

The travel industry is facing a critical challenge in recruiting and training new travel advisors. With more consumers relying on travel advisors for their expertise, agencies are struggling to attract qualified applicants to meet the growing demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a three percent increase in travel advisor positions from 2022 to 2032, with 8,600 openings each year on average. However, many experienced advisors have left the industry during the pandemic, and agencies are finding it difficult to replace them. Consumer research shows that 50 percent of travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor after the pandemic, highlighting the need for more advisors. The survey also reveals that many candidates lack the necessary skills and training to succeed in the role. Training is considered essential for new entrants to the profession, with agencies using various methods such as job shadowing, supplier programs, webinars, and specialized programs. The importance of training is emphasized, as educated agents tend to be more successful. American Marketing Group offers a comprehensive travel advisor educational program called KORE, which covers essential travel knowledge, business skills, and real-world insights from industry experts. The program is self-paced and fully digital, allowing new advisors to train at their convenience. Graduates of the KORE program are paired with a mentor and have the opportunity to work with an agency after graduation. The program has received positive feedback from graduates, who feel well-prepared and confident in their new careers. [Extracted from the article]

"Usher: My Way The Vegas Residency" at Dolby Live at Park MGM Las Vegas recently announced 25 new shows for March through July 2023. When a destination offers more than 14 million square feet of meeting and events space and 150,000 hotel rooms, "it means Las Vegas offers groups an unmatched value proposition", says John Schreiber, CEM, vice president of business sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. - JAN STIEGER, CAE, CMP, CRCP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RECEIVABLES MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL (RMAI) Las Vegas Attraction News LEISURE-FOCUSED NEW ATTRACTIONS AND RENOVATIONS ENHANCE THE MEETING EXPERIENCE. [Extracted from the article]

Las Vegas certainly offers beautiful meeting rooms and state-of-the art conference facilities, but it also knows how to deliver something different for meeting-goers. Restaurants, nightclubs, world-class attractions and entertainment offer [...]

Las Vegas hosted more than 21,000 meetings, trade shows or conventions, ranging in size from 10 to over 150,000 attendees, in 2012. Close to 5 million delegates attended these events. [...]

METALCON International's annual convention draws up to 8,000 attendees and exhibitors, so when the group comes to Tampa, as it did in 2003, 2006 and 2009, it literally takes over [...]

When the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) looked at destinations for its 2016 Annual Meeting, it considered a return to the site of its successful 2009 meeting--Tampa [...]

The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort (Royal-Hawaiian.com) Relax with a Couple's Massage at Waikiki's Only Oceanfront Spa The award-winning Moana Lani Spa, a Heavenly Spa by Westin, is the only oceanfront spa in Waikiki, with iconic views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. The resort boasts more than 500 rooms/suites with private lanais, the Ho'ola Spa, a wedding chapel, fitness center and two restaurants. While the Pacific Tower, the taller of the two towers, is set back from Waikiki Beach offering terrific views of Fort DeRussy, Waikiki, the city of Honolulu and resort grounds. The Malama Hawaii initiative invites visitors to give back during their travels to the Hawaiian Islands. [Extracted from the article]