The Travel Industry News - Editorial Archives

January 1, 2001

HERE WE GO AGAIN...

2001...is this truly the New Millennium beginning as many claim...or is it just one more year along the way?

For the travel industry, this past year has seen changes ripple through the minds of travel agents like a breeze before a storm..and yet...those of you who still read through these pages of TIN are emerging stronger, smarter and I hope , encouraged about your future.

Farewell 2000, Hello 2001

Please don’t misunderstand me, some agencies are still closing, while some are consolidating...and there are still those who will no doubt say “goodbye” in 2001.

D & D were making sales calls yesterday and as we drove in the area around Bellingham Wa, we realized that just a couple of years ago there had been 10 agencies in this immediate area...now there are two.

As we talked it wasn’t the fact that there were now only two left standing, but how did ten agencies make decent profits from this one relatively small area? The result? Let’s face it, for those of you who have survived and adapted the future looks promising for the travel pie continues to get larger and by the “Decreasing Competition” theory...your share of the biz out there should increase.

TIN came to life in 1981 and many words and thoughts have spilled onto its pages over the past 20 years.

Prior to writing each Jan 1 issue I have always looked back at the past year AND read through previous year’s earlier TINs.

Ten years ago in 1991 the front page began: “We’re off and running, the 90’s are under way and as we all expected the “winds of change” are running rampant thru the travel industry. Will TWA complete their proposed purchase of Pan Am? Will charter flights rise again from the Northwest? Will Alaska Airlines make it through another year without some corporate giant making them an offer they can’t refuse? Will TAs support Continental Airlines? Will travel industry folks talk themselves into a recession?”

JAN 1997...just four years ago we wrote: “Retail travel agents have just about recovered from shell-shock and are busy adapting their clientele, their ways of doing business and emphasis this year. We have seen some agents close their doors and even more consolidate either their own offices or with a former competitor. Agencies are now buying other agencies not for their locations and/or staff but for their client lists. I believe we will see further consolidations and more agencies considering ‘Service Fees’.”

After reading these “words of the past”, one gets the feeling that while things change they also seem to stay the same!

Some people may laugh at this...but I believe that there will always be travel agents...that human beings being what they are, still like to maintain the ability to touch, feel and yes...even talk to another real live person. The fact of the matter is most people like to be reassured, to be listened to AND occasionally be pampered.

Welcome 2001, we’re as ready for you as we are going to be...and...probably better prepared to handle the “new” changes and challenges than we’ve ever been.

So...”Let’s get ready to rumble!” .

POSITIVE NEWS INCLUDES:

There is an insert in this issue which is a copy of a speech given by the new ASTA President, Richard Copeland. Regardless if you are an ASTA member or not...there is much merit in what R.C. says...read it...I think you’ll find it interesting.
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The SEATTLE TRAVEL SHOW will take place at the Seattle Center from Friday, Feb 9th thru Sunday, Feb 11th.
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BRITISH AIRWAYS announced it expects to resume ‘Concorde’ flights by this spring.
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MIR Corp, who specialize in “Off the Beaten Path Small Group Tours’, custom services and FITs to Russia, Mongolia, China, Tibet, Iran and central East Europe...to mention but a few...have their new 2001 brochure available. Call 800-424-7289, fax 206-624-7360 or visit their website at www.mircorp.com
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AIRBUS is going ahead with the development of their new “Giant” the 555 pax A380...some of which can be equipped with bars, casinos and lounges! (can’t wait for some inebriated passenger to lose a bundle of money!)
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One of the world’s great hotels...THE ORIENTAL in Bangkok will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2001.
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The UNITED STATES AIR CONSOLIDATORS ASSOCIATION (USACA) selected Gary Jones, VP of Portland-based GATEWAY TOURS as President of the national association of reliable air consolidators.

PACIFIC GATEWAY has been in biz for 15 years providing TAs with discounted airfares on 14 leading US and foreign flag carriers. USACA provides TAs with integrity, trust & reliability...to be a member of USACA, members must transact at least $9 million in air consolidation, be incorporated for at least 2 years in the US, must never have filed for bankruptcy or ceased operation and have contracts with at least five major air carriers.
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THE FIJI VISITORS BUREAU will be bringing Fiji to Oregon & Washington state travel agents in early 2001. Cost to attend their excellent shows is $10 per agent. Wednesday, Feb 7th in Portland & Thursday, Feb 8th in Seattle...see CALENDAR for details.
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I have more news...but it’s not all good...and who wants to worry for 52 weeks when you can worry for just 50???

May the New Year bring you happiness and success and remember...” You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watching, and love like it’s never going to hurt...”

David (Loves to Dance) Bond

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