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President's Letter

What it Means to be Virtual

By Mark Murphy

Our company created the first Virtual Travel Event close to three years ago. Since that time others have tried to follow but have missed the boat for a variety of reasons. In one instance, a media company thought the sheer act of licensing a third party platform put them in the space. It doesn’t. Any event, whether online or in person, requires robust and relevant content.

Top Travel News

French Cruise Line Compagnie du Ponant Opens Miami Office

Compagnie du Ponant, the upscale, French-flagged, small ship cruise company, said it is refocusing on the North American market this year by opening a dedicated sales office in Miami. With a fleet of three yachts and ships and a new vessel debuting in May, Compagnie du Ponant is increasing its marketing efforts with the travel agency distribution system here and has hired cruise industry veteran Terri Haas as chief commercial officer. Haas will be based in the cruise line’s new North American sales office located at 2 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2000, Miami, Fla. 33131.

Turismo Chile Updates Post-Quake Travel Conditions

Turismo Chile issued an update on conditions in Chile following the magnitude 8.8 quake that hit the central part of the country in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb, 27. Santiago’s International Airport is now operating 80 percent of scheduled flights. National carrier LAN Airlines reports that it is currently operating 65 percent of regularly scheduled flights in and out of Santiago including domestic and international flights.

UNWTO Chief Sees Positive Signs for Travel in 2010

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, speaking on the occasion of the opening of this year’s ITB Travel Trade Show in Berlin, said the travel and tourism industry is leaving behind one of the most difficult years in its history, after international tourist arrivals fell by 4 percent in 2009, with earnings estimated to have fallen by approximately 6 percent. He said the return of growth in the last quarter of 2009 and the first results from January 2010 suggest that recuperation is under way. In this framework, he forecasted a growth of 3 percent to 4 percent in international tourist arrivals for 2010.

OAG Reports Global Airline Capacity Exceeding Pre-Recession Levels

The growth in global airline capacity this month has exceeded not only 2009 but 2008, before the onset of the global recession, according to OAG, the aviation data company, in its monthly report about trends in airline seats and flights. Monthly analysis of the OAG schedule information indicates that the total number of seats available in March will increase by 5 percent over 2009. The total number of seats available in March 2010 is 303.1 million, compared to 289.8 million in 2009, and 299.6 million in 2008.

Vail Resorts Reports 22.7 Percent Decline in Quarterly Revenue

Vail Resorts, Inc. has reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2010, ended Jan. 31, 2010, as well as its ski season to date metrics through March 7, 2010, and its calendar year 2010 resort capital plan. Mountain reported EBITDA and resort reported EBITDA (which includes the company's mountain and lodging segments) for the second quarter improved from the same period in the prior year by 3.6 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Princess Cruises Announces its Largest Europe Program for 2011

Princess Cruises has unveiled its most extensive Europe season ever for 2011, with more ships, departure choices and itinerary options than in previous years. In total, seven vessels will offer 42 itinerary choices, including seven new routes, with calls at more than 135 ports. More than half of these ports feature access to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which make up the planet’s cultural and natural heritage and include Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the birthplace of Apollo on the island of Delos (from Mykonos), and the 16th century Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.

Amadeus Survey Finds Travel Agents Optimistic About Future

Amadeus has announced the results of its recent survey inviting North American travel agents to share their outlook on the travel industry and how emerging trends are poised to reshape their business as the economy begins to recover. Almost 800 travel professionals responded to the 16-question Amadeus survey conducted online from Feb. 12 to 19, 2010. According to Tom Cates, chief commercial officer for Amadeus, one of the key survey outcomes is that, even in the face of current marketplace challenges, North American travel professionals are optimistic about the future -- for their own business as well as for the industry overall.

Cruise Lines Report Strong Bookings During Wave Season

Member companies of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) report strong bookings during the 2010 Wave Season, sparking further optimism for sales in 2010. Wave Season, the period between January and March when cruise lines and their travel agent partners highlight the full scope and variety of cruise vacations through special offers, typically generates the highest sales volume of any time of year. This year may break all records, as consumers take advantage of prices and value-added features like credits for shipboard spending, accommodations upgrades, free airfare and early booking discounts, according to CLIA.