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ASTA
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ASTA
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IDE CONFERENCE
 ASTA
Researches Ways to Make the Internet Work for
Agents
In September,
2000, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
released the findings of "ASTA 2000," a five-part
research survey to explore the integration of the
Internet into agency businesses and the Society.
The research project is the first phase of ASTA's
new plan to help its members compete in the
technology-driven travel marketplace. (scroll for
more) Consumer surveys conducted by Kerr &
Downs Research Inc. indicated that although more
leisure travellers sought information from
800-numbers and the Internet than from travel
agents, travel agents remain the preferred method
of booking air and cruise travel.
When researching
and booking travel, consumers might research their
options on the Internet, but many end up making the
actual reservations some place else, often with a
travel agent. For example, only 51 out of 100
consumers who researched air fares on the Internet
actually booked their flights on the Internet. On
the other hand, 85 out of 100 consumers who used an
agent to research air travel made reservations
through the travel agent. More
DE-Asia Delegates
Experience Culture, Cuisine from Korea to
France
Alexandria,
Va.. Attendees will have the chance to experience
three elegant sit-down dining and entertainment
events during the course of ASTA's International
Destination Expo-Asia (IDE) in Jeju, Republic of
Korea, March 25-29, 2007, showcasing the cuisine
and culture of two IDE host cities&emdash;Jeju and
Lyon.
"Attendees at this
year's IDE-Asia will be treated to unparalleled
entertainment and cuisine that will give them real
insight into Korean culture that they in turn can
take back and share with their clients," said ASTA
President and CEO Cheryl Hudak, CTC. "Additionally,
guests will have a chance to experience a bit of
French cuisine, courtesy of next year's IDE-Europe
hosts, at the closing gala."
On Sunday March 25,
guests will be feted at a welcome dinner, courtesy
of the Korea Tourism Organization and Jeju Special
Self-Governing Province. This welcome event will be
a once in a lifetime opportunity for participants
to experience traditional Korean performances,
delicious food and the great hospitality of
Korea.
More
Africa Travel Magazine editions are keepers - in
demand for 5 years or more. So are the articles on
this website. That's why it's our policy to keep
material on past events and personalities
available. Need information on a past event? It may
be in our archives. Write aftrav@dowco.com
 International
Destination Expo
New international
meeting will debut in Prague, March 21-26,
2006
The American
Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is pleased to
announce the International Destination Expo (IDE),
a new education-intensive, international meeting
designed to immerse travel agents in the culture,
attractions and travel business of each year's
chosen destination. Included in the program of
events will be an open-floor trade show, one-on-one
business meetings with suppliers, product seminars,
networking events and plenty of sightseeing
opportunities. Agents who register by Jan. 1, 2006,
can take advantage of the early-bird rate of $229;
those who attend ASTA's World Travel Congress in
Montréal will receive $50 off early-bird
registration fee and pay only $179.
The show will debut
in Prague, March 21-26, 2006. The following year's
show is scheduled to be held on Korea's JeJu
Island, March 25-29, 2007.
"The IDE will be an
educational event with a strong emphasis on
classroom education and becoming a destination
specialist not only in the host country but the
surrounding region. U nlike
with most FAMs, agents who attend will have the
opportunity to be certified in the destination by
the end of the trip," said ASTA Executive Vice
President and COO Bill Maloney, CTC. "Additionally,
agents will meet with local tourism vendors in a
trade show setting. These vendors will be suppliers
that agents would normally never have the chance to
meet at a large U.S. show; they will be the smaller
vendors that agents really need to get to know in
order to thoroughly and expertly sell the
destination.
"The International
Destination Expo is not only for travel agents and
suppliers who specialize in selling the area, but
those who want to sell the area. U.S. travel
suppliers are welcome to attend the IDE, and we do
expect many will with the idea of meeting a
qualified group of agents and promoting their
product to them," he continued.
The International
Destination Expo is targeted to all ASTA members,
non-members and travel companies as an event
offering intensive education on the destination.
The program line-up in Prague begins with a series
of half-day tours, an opening general session and a
welcome event. The following two days will feature
open-floor trade shows, special events and product
and destination seminars. In 2006, the seminars
will include destinations such as Czech Republic,
Hungary, Poland, Germany, Austria, Romania,
Bulgaria and Slovak Republic. Agents will also be
able to learn about the niche markets that these
destinations have to offer, including spa, cruise
options, attractions, golf, wine and cuisine.
Exhibitors also will be conducting product seminars
so agents will be able to learn more about their
latest products and services.
Additionally, there
will be extensive pre- and post-tour offerings each
year to the destination and surrounding areas.
Prague, for example, will offer 17 tours, including
the Czech-specific Grand Tour of the Czech and
Slovak Republics and the Czech Geniuses of
Classical music. Additionally, agents can
experience all of Central Europe on such tours as
the World of Spas and the Central Europe
Adventure.
For more
information, contact ASTA's Meetings department at
meetings@astahq.com or visit www.astanet.com/conference/ide06/index.asp.
About
ASTA
The mission of the
American Society of Travel Agents and its
affiliated organizations is to enhance the
professionalism and profitability of members
worldwide through effective representation in
industry and government affairs, education and
training, and by identifying and meeting the needs
of the traveling public. The Society is the world's
largest and most influential travel trade
association with over 20,000 members in 140
countries.
ASTA's
World Travel Congress
Cutting-edge
education, a bustling trade show and lively
networking... these are the main features of ASTA's
annual conferences. From specialty events like
ASTA's Cruisefest and In-Country Study Conference,
to the premier event of the travel industry, the
ASTA World Travel Congress, this is where working
travel professionals meet, share challenges and
gather the tools they need to stay on the leading
edge of their profession.
ATA
and Africa Travel Magazine played an active role in
ASTA World Congress, providing direct reports daily
to this web site by Karen Hoffman and Robert
Eilets. As partners in tourism with ASTA for years,
we intend to increase our coverage this
year.
For
information on ASTA see the association's web site:
http://www.astanet.com/conference/index.asp
Commentary
TRAVEL
AGENTS STRIKE BACK:
Associations in
the United States and the United Kingdom have
reacted to the threat of Internet-related direct
bookings with a double-edged strategy designed to
a) help members better capitalise on the power of
the Internet and b) plant an element of reasonable
doubt in the minds of consumers about buying
through an unknown, uncertified dot-com company as
against a trained, certified and accredited travel
agency. This edition of Issues & Trends reports
on the strategies of the American Society of Travel
Agents and the Association of British Travel Agents
to safeguard their members'
livelihoods and profitability.
Research
The survey showed
that the "look-book" ratio for travel agents
exceeds that of the Internet across all travel
categories.
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Travel
Agents
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Internet
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Air
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85%
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51%
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Hotel
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84%
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50%
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Cruise
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88%
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33%
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Car
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85%
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55%
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The research also
found that travel agents are the preferred option
when booking family vacations, complex itineraries
and international travel. When comparing travel
agents with the Internet, consumers said travel
agents are more convenient, do all the work and
allow them to talk to a person. The Internet, on
the other hand, is available on nights and
weekends, offers more options and gives the
consumer greater control.
However, leisure
travellers do have trust concerns when using the
Internet, citing security, difficulty finding
information and not trusting the information online
as issues.
The research
project utilised member surveys, member group
interviews, non-member focus groups, a consumer
telephone survey and existing travel industry data
to create a complete picture of the technology
landscape. This will be the basis for the Society's
future plans.
A consumer
telephone study was conducted by Kerr & Downs
in spring 2000. The agency research was carried out
by ASTA's research department and Plog Research in
Reseda, California. ASTA also called upon its
research family of 500 members to assess the level
of technology being used in agencies
today.
According to ASTA
President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Richard
Copland: "The research shows that frequent
travellers value and appreciate the convenience and
expertise an agent offers. We also found that our
members are stepping up to the challenge and
opportunities afforded by new technology and using
the Internet in their daily operations for e-mail,
client communications, research and even booking
travel with suppliers.
"This research
project will be the cornerstone for all the
important initiatives we undertake in the coming
months. The message is clear: We must waste no time
in further integrating the Internet into our
businesses and our Society."
ASTA
World Travel Congress
Information:
http://www.astanet.com/conference/index.asp
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