The Travel Industry News - Editorial Archives

August / September, 2006

A TRAIN OF THOUGHT ...

Dining Car on the China Orient Express

... or perhaps that should read, ‘a thought of trains’. Who is the ‘Train Expert’ in your agency? Be honest .. do you have one?

As airlines face difficulties, as cruise ships increase in size and increasingly seem to have ’health environment ’ problems ( I won’t even mention ’missing passengers’) .. what form of mass transit may play a major role in the US travel agencies again, while offering great value for money to the public? Buses/Coaches? Not likely as the cost of gasoline climbs and the roads become more congested.

TRAINS .. trains of all shapes, sizes, conveniences and speeds. In recent times train travel here in the USA .. .. has not performed up to expectations. They lack the speed & sometimes service, of their European and Asian counterparts and so .. have not been pushed by most agencies , which is understandable, but I like Amtrak’s ad slogan: ‘Stop the World, I Want To Get On’.

However, times are changing, and while we still may have to wait for government here to get on track, other lands afford excellent and convenient train connections as well as good food and service. Here is the great way for many tourists to explore a country or region, meet people, relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. When did you last enjoy the airport, the airplane ride .. or the scenery?

If you don’t have ‘an expert’ with which to impress .. and sell .. your clients, think about perhaps appointing a .. ‘Young Conductor’.. I know, I know .. you’re all busy all the time, well if you are and I certainly hope you are, you must be making all sorts of money and don’t need any other potential future sources of revenue. If that were only true...

For those less fortunate, of course your ‘Apprentice Conductor ‘ will have to assemble his or her files gradually and take advantage of the many companies out there who will be only too willing to get you started. I’d be interested to know how many of you have indeed sold train packages and/or groups. In today's world, while most adults and children here in the USA have indeed flown, you will be amazed how many have never taken a train journey, it’s a market waiting to happen for those who are knowledgeable and willing to market it.

HERE are a few companies who have brochures which include train travel, and they will assist you along the way. The ‘Internet’ is obviously a great source of train info.

GRANDLUXE RAIL JOURNEYS (formerly American Orient Express) caters to travel here on the West coast and Mexico. It is now under new ownership.

‘Rail Journeys By Private Train’ available from MIR Corporation. They utilize the ‘Trans - Siberian Express’ and the ‘China Orient Express’ to discover China, Mongolia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine & Belarus. HQ’d in Seattle. 800-424-7289 or www.mircorp.com

‘John Steel Rail Tours’ based in Gibsons,B.C. Packages include: various ‘Rocky Mnt’n offerings; Vancouver Island Explorer ’; ‘Prince Edward Is. Explorer’ & ‘Eastern Canada’ .. if you have a Canadian train question call them at: 800-988-5778 or www.johnsteel.com

Bet you didn’t think of Seattle based CLIPPER VACATIONS for train packages. Well they work with Amtrak, the Whistler Mountaineer and the Rocky Mountaineer. 800-888-2535

Trains in and around Europe? Think Portland based AVANTI DESTINATIONS who work closely with RailEurope. Their various brochures will be a good start to your ‘European’ train file, they know the product well - 800-422-5053 www.avantidestinations.com

If your clients are traveling from London to Paris .. they have to go via EUROSTAR train.

Australia is one BIG COUNTRY ... and train travel will allow your clients a fast alternative to motor coach and a more memorable journey than flying... and you can bet you’ll meet a lot of ‘Aussies’. Call Redmond,WA. based ABEL TASMAN TOURS at 800-727-1739 or www.attours.com

Scandinavia? NORDIC SAGA TOURS, 800-848-6449 or www.nordicsaga.com

David (ChooChoo) Bond

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