Most Clicked ASTA SmartBrief Stories
1. Russian cruise ship struggles to break free from Antarctic ice
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009
Google (11/18)
2. Column: Some types of clients can be extremely frustrating
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
Columnist John Frenaye explains that there are three types of clients he finds irritating. For example, he wonders why some would-be travelers ask questions to which they already know the answer. He also says that trying to please some clients is an exercise in frustration. Finally, clients who ask for advice and then do nothing about it frustrate Frenaye. He wonders how other travel agents deal with these types of clients. Travel Research Online (11/14)
3. ARC, AA strive to reduce duplicate bookings
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
American Airlines says that duplicate bookings cost the company "huge sums of money" as it loses the opportunity to sell those seats to other passengers. The carrier has teamed up with ARC to develop a tool to identify duplicate bookings so that they can be eliminated. Shelly Younger of ARC said the firm is looking into the issue to determine whether other airlines would be interested in the tool as well. Travel Weekly (11/18) Air Transport World (11/19)
4. Hawaii's beaches are eroding; problem likely to worsen
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
The beaches of the Hawaiian Islands are succumbing to erosion, and geologists warn that the problem will likely get worse as climate change causes a rapid rise in sea levels. "It will probably have occurred to a scale that we will have only been able to save a few places and maintain beaches, and the rest are kind of a write-off," said Dolan Eversole, a geologist with the Sea Grant program at the University of Hawaii. MSNBC (11/14)
5. Cruise lines' offerings sway even most reluctant clients
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
More than 1,300 travel agencies held World's Largest Cruise Night events this year, resulting in roughly $45 million in sales. The successful sales push adds to agents' optimism over cruise sales, which is one of the industry's most reliable segments. To help with sales, cruise lines are offering a variety of deals, new ships and other incentives, making it a great time to be selling cruises. Travel Agent (11/13)
6. British Airways, Iberia agree to create massive airline
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 13, 2009
After more than 15 months of negotiations, British Airways is merging with Iberia to create a European airline with roughly $20 billion in annual revenue. Last year, the carriers transported 62 million passengers compared with 121 million for Delta Air Lines. Willie Walsh, CEO of British Airways, will head the new company. Wall Street Journal, The (11/13)
7. Disney World strives to halt spread of H1N1 influenza
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
Chicago Tribune (11/14)
8. Major airlines expand surcharges on busiest travel days
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009
The busiest travel days of the year are becoming increasingly expensive as the three largest airlines in the U.S. expand their use of surcharges for those days. For example, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have all added $50 one-way charges on some Feb. 8 flights. The Super Bowl is Feb. 7. "This is becoming kind of a grab" for travelers' cash, said Robert W. Mann, president of R.W. Mann & Co. "Nickel and diming in the form of $5 and $10 bills is really where it's going." Bloomberg (11/17)
9. Poll: Do you use a travel agent when booking a trip?
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
Look out for the ASTA SmartBrief Year-End Report on Dec. 8 and 15. The results of this poll will appear in Part 2 on Dec. 15.
10. Learn and earn! Seminars @ Sea
ASTA SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
The National Association of Career Travel Agents offers all travel agents an amazing opportunity to sail on the best ships at special agent rates. In addition, unique educational seminars are provided onboard and led by industry experts. Click here for dates and details.
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