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Chris Ryall is an industry insider with strong, outspoken opinions that readers enjoy, whether they agree, or take issue, with his viewpoint. Chris actually writes two columns, The Ryall Report, a general ‘whatever’s on his mind’ column which is often filed from exotic travel locations, and The Spa Scene, about (surprise) spas - which is an absolute must for any spa enthusiast or anyone with spa loving clients. THE FEDERAL ELECTIONTravel Issues M.I.A.
05 APR 2011: It has been more than a week into the federal election campaign and to my knowledge not one candidate has uttered one word or sent a tweet about any travel and tourism industry issues. Yet every day on the campaign trail these same politicians come face to face with the industry – flying on airplanes, waiting at airports, staying at hotels, eating at restaurants or conducting kissing baby photo-ops at local attractions.
WHO CHOOSESDo clients needs supersede preferred suppliers
22 MAR 2011: A couple enters the travel agency and reviews the brochure rack filled with the agency’s preferred suppliers’ brochures. They ask about going on a coach tour to Europe this summer. The couple were given a name of a coach operator that isn’t an agency’s preferred supplier. Does the agent steer them towards one of its preferred suppliers she is familiar with and get a higher commission? Or does the agent book the couple’s coach operator?
KNOW YOUR CLIENTSCreate Opportunities
08 MAR 2010: “Never mix business with pleasure.” This is repeated ad nauseum in job interviews, business schools and employee training workshops. For those who work in the travel industry this supposedly sage advice should be discarded. Agents looking to boost their income should turn their leisure or pleasure clients into their business clients as well. Business and pleasure can mix and it can be profitable too.
NOT JUST FOR SKIERSRelax at Mont Tremblant
07 MAR 2011: Mont Tremblant, located 130 km north of Montreal, is an internationally award winning winter playground known for its family friendly atmosphere. When March Break begins it will be filled with families skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding and indulging in those calorie laden but delicious beaver tails. The parents need a break as well and need to chill out and relax after another harsh Canadian winter. The solution? Say oui to a Mont Tremblant spa experience.
OVERCAPACITYIs it enemy number one
28 FEB 2011: Overcapacity. It is a familiar refrain in the Canadian travel marketplace and a troubling pattern that clearly exasperates Thomas Cook Group’s CEO Manny Fontenla-Novoa, recently making a visit to Thomas Cook’s North American headquarters.“We operate in 21 different countries and the Canadian margins are the lowest of any of those countries and it shouldn’t be that way because the economy is so strong.”
WELCOME TO THE USPlease pay our Deficit
22 FEB 2011: There are two recent news stories with a distinct cause and effect. The first story is about the proposed new border inspection fee for Canadians visiting the United States by air or sea. Then a new survey comes out that more Canadians than ever are driving to the US and flying from a US border airport.
CROWN JEWEL IN MUSKOKAThe Rosseau
14 FEB 2011: It‘s not a full frontal assault of the senses but a gentle assimilation. When I arrived at The Rosseau, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa located in Ontario’s Muskoka region, I wanted to fill my lungs not of car exhaust fumes of the city but the subtle fresh scent of sugar maple, red oak, and yellow birch trees that surround the resort.
WINTER TEMPTATIONSHow to Enjoy Winter – Really!
09 FEB 2011: Old Man Winter and I are not on the best of terms. In fact other than watching my son’s hockey games during the winter I wish we could just skip the winter season altogether and go straight from fall to spring. However, after a recent visit to Mont Tremblant, ranked as Eastern North America’s number one ski resort by Ski Magazine numerous times, I am rethinking signing those divorce papers between Old Man Winter and I.
TRAVEL TRENDSOpportunities for Agents
25 JAN 2011: Are you a trend-setter or follower? Was your agency the last one on the block to get upgraded computers or do business online? What about social networking with your clients – is that part of your agency’s marketing strategy? Travel Market Report.com, a US based news media resource geared towards the retail travel seller, asked a number of travel and trend experts of what they see as the major trends in 2011 and beyond – and this would apply to Canada as well. They outlined eight game changing travel trends where agents should be focusing their marketing efforts.
THE MIDDLE EASTWorld Travel Hub
11 Jan 2011: London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and JFK watch out. The Middle East is poised to become the world’s leading travel hub by 2025 according to a recently released report from Amadeus. The report entitled “Securing the Prize for the Middle East” is a fascinating look at the breadth and speed which the Middle East and the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) countries are investing in transportation and tourism related infrastructure. Some roadblocks may curtail that growth.
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