Industry Forecast- Leisure Group Travel Magazine by Premier Travel Media

DECEMBER 2009

A Premier Tourism Marketing publication www.leisuregrouptravel.com

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contents Vol.19, No. 6

December 2009

COVER STORY

PENNSYLVANIA

COVER STORY MOTORCOACHES fOR THE 21ST CENTURy by stephen m. kirchner Bus manufacturers have revolutionized the industry, equipping cushy coaches with high-tech amenities designed to pamper the most demanding passenger.

FEATURES 16

Reader’s Choice Awards Top suppliers earn the accolades of Leisure Group Travel readers

Group Travel Outlook: 2010 A panel of four state tourism pros previews the year ahead

COLUMNS 8

INDIANA

On My Mind by jeff gayduk

On Tour by marty de souto

On Technology by john kamm

On the Record

On our Radar: WEST

On our Radar: MIDWEST

On our Radar: NORTHEAST

On our Radar: SOUTH

ON THE COVER: A deluxe coach from Motor Coach Industries cruises by the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario. (Photo courtesy of Motor Coach Industries)

G. Widman for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

DEPARTMENTS

advertorial

Members Drive ABA By Peter Pantuso President & CEO, American Bus Association Industry pros conduct business at ABA Marketplace.

very year at Marketplace I’m always energized by the enthusiasm displayed by attending delegates. But even more telling are the comments I receive from delegates on the networking floor, at the educational seminars, or during the evening events. Nearly all of our members, regardless of the main thrust of their comments, include the theme that they are telling me this because they feel that ABA listens like no one else does.

• Receptive operators have their choice of appointment session days;

• An operator-to-operator business session allows operators to do business with each other directly;

• The show features a shorter, more concise schedule, meaning less time away from the office;

• Two super-session educa-

ABA listens, all right. And we are constantly seeking input from

tional seminars have been

all of our members about the is-

added Friday, Jan. 15 – one on

sues facing them, the products

“Tour Trends For Group Travel”

and services we offer, as well as

and another dubbed “Product

the most recent show, so we can

Development Runway” – each

improve our value to the mem-

of which is designed to give

bers. In the days after Market-

delegates more value and

place each year, we have a full

takeaways that can be used

staff debriefing to go over what

upon returning to the office;

went well, what went superbly, what needs tweaking to make it

Marketplace is the year’s must-attend event.

• A longer Product Pavilion, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday,

better, and what we can offer next year

tal Region Marketplace at Gaylord

Jan. 16, featuring 600 operators mak-

– and in the coming years – to make

National from Jan. 15-19, ABA is offer-

ing decisions affecting fleets with total

Marketplace even better. We want to

ing many improvements designed to

coaches numbering more than 20,000

get the information downloaded from

increase your ROI for your business.

– the perfect exhibit opportunity for

our craniums while it’s still fresh in our

Here are some:

product and service suppliers and

• Sellers have an 11 percent in-

equipment manufacturers to show off

who traveled across North America to

crease in appointment slots, up to 58

their wares to a pre-qualified group of

get to the show to do so.

from 52;

operators they need to see.

minds because we owe it to delegates

The result, we hope, is a better Marketplace show each year, and that all we do for you improves on an upward trajectory. And at the 2010 Capi-

• Lodging and attraction appointment sessions have been combined;

• Lodging and attraction sellers have been given an open business floor;

ABA listens to members to make Marketplace the one “must-attend” group travel & motorcoach tourism event of the year – and as we finally begin to emerge from this long recession, we know many members can choose only one show. And we listen throughout the year so ABA is the “must belong to” association. Which is why we’ve gone that extra distance to ensure the one choice is ABA and Marketplace. We listen, and we take what we’ve been told face-to-face to implement better

The Capital Region's Gaylord National Hotel hosts the Jan. 15 -19 ABA Marketplace. 4 December 2009

programs in place. LeisureGroupTravel.com

Vol.19, No. 6 December 2009 Editorial & Advertising Office

621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com

NEWS AS IT HAPPENS • PERSPECTIVE • TOOLS

InSite On Religious Travel

Senior Editor – John Kloster john@ptmgroups.com

Senior Editor – Elana Andersen elana@ptmgroups.com

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski

ur latest e-magazine targets the fast growing religious travel marketplace, with destination ideas, packages and inspiration on faith-based group travel. InSite on Religious Travel is both a website and e-magazine, with the “best of the best” content and directory resources gathered each month and delivered via email to your inbox.Visit http://insite.religioustraveldirectory.com to subscribe.

Back To School

rob@ptmgroups.com

Regional Sales Managers International – Richard Haymaker

P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 richard@ptmgroups.com

Illinois – Jim McCurdy P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 jim@ptmgroups.com Eastern Midwest/Canada – Amy Janssens

P 630.294.0318 • F 630.794.0652 amy@ptmgroups.com

Northeast – Ellen Klesta

P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 ellen@ptmgroups.com

Southeast – Hutson Lambert P 228.452.9683 • F 228.452.6370 hutson@ptmgroups.com Southern – Dolores Ridout

top by the Group University bookstore for a full line-up of educational seminars and books on developing and managing your group travel business. Titles include Marty de Souto’s How to Plan, Operate, & Lead Successful Group Trips (132 pages), seminars in print on starting and managing a group travel program, organizing group cruises, pricing strategies and negotiation tactics. Order directly online and save – visit www.GroupUniversity.com today!

Online Exclusives

REAT DESTINATION ARTICLES DON’T STOP WITH THE PRINT EDITION -

LeisureGroupTravel.com features online-only destination features, breaking news and commentary from four travel blogs. Check out our Online Exclusives for the inside track on hot group travel destinations. Articles are available in new digital page flip and pdf formats for easy downloading and storage! From the home page of LeisureGroupTravel.com scroll down the left margin to the Online Exclusives section. 6 December 2009

P/F 281.762.9546 dolores@ptmgroups.com

Florida & Caribbean – Prof Inc.

P 813.286.8299 • F 813.287.0651 proftampa@aol.com

West – John Gibbs P 415.929.7619 • F 415.358.5550 johng@ptmgroups.com Western Midwest/Online Sales

Theresa O’Rourke P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 theresa@ptmgroups.com

The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

Leisure Group Travel (ISSN-1531-1406) is published bi-monthly by Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations. Other travel-related suppliers may subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular subscription price for all others is $18.00 per year. Single copies are $4.95 each.

Send Address Change to:

Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 609, Palos Heights, IL 60463

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on my mind ❖

jeff gayduk

2010 Crystal Ball SOME MIGHT QUESTION WHY we spend a considerable amount of time plotting our future, when according to Mayan prophesy the end of the line awaits us on December 21, 2012. If this is true (many believe the prophesy states that this date is the dawn of a new age – not the end of the line), I will take the glass-half-full approach – we have three years to build group sales! In all seriousness, 2009 was a character builder for many of us in the group travel business. We saw some positive signs around the country, but most folks I’ve spoken with were scratching and clawing their way through 2009. If you were lucky enough to make it

hance our ability to communicate with customers and prospects. Finally, the printed brochure is on life support. A leading indicator finds that 46 percent of adventure travel operators reported eliminating print catalogs altogether. If you’re not ready to eliminate your catalog, it’s time to take Mr. & Mrs. Nadkowski, whose last purchase was your 1988 three-day mystery tour to Tuscoloosa, off your list. Here are five predictions for 2010: Return to Europe. Fueled by Oberammergau promotions and an exchange rate that doesn’t leave Americans feeling gouged, group travel to Europe will see a nice rebound in 2010.

2009 was a character builder for many of us in the group travel business. through the year unscathed, you have my admiration. If you were battered and beaten, misery loves company. Before I get on to 2010 predictions, let’s reflect on what we learned in 2009. First, a recession is a terrible thing to waste, and the travel industry didn’t waste a drop. Second, whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Having made it through 2009, don’t you feel you can make it through just about anything? Third, amidst the rubble, a ray of light appears. I have seen some really good ideas surfacing this year – companies opening up new niche markets, exciting product developments and emergence of technologies that en8 December 2009

Smaller Groups - by Design. A group of 20 will no longer be considered a failure, but a benchmark for a type of trip that’s more flexible, enriching and easier to promote. Just ask name brands like Collette and Tauck, which have specific divisions catering to groups this size. Traveling on a bus trip with 42 people you never met before isn’t vogue. Traveling with 18 that you share a common thread with heightens the experience. Planning Closer to Departure. If we all truly don’t know what the next quarter is going to bring, why plan for an extended vacation next year? This requires you to negotiate favorable de-

posit and final payment terms to keep up with consumer desires. Cruises - Bigger & Better. Bigger is better when it comes to new vessels. The recently launched Oasis of the Seas (220,000 grt, 5,400 passengers) welcomes a sister ship, the Allure of the Seas. Together, these Royal Caribbean vessels can take everyone from my hometown on a cruise, at the same time! When it comes to cruises, more amenities equals more press coverage equals more bodies. Look for the cruise industry to score big with 16 new vessels christened during 2010. Year of the Short Getaway. American consumers seem destined to come out of their shell. When it comes to domestic travel, plan on them poking their heads out, not sprinting across country. Expect shorter, closer-to-home getaways, long weekends, attending festivals & events, maybe a little nicer hotel (that’s still hurting from the recession so they’re willing to deal on rate) that offers amenities where travelers can treat themselves. Regardless of what the pundits and politicos say, 2010 is your year to make or break. You’ve gotten this far, why stop now? Enjoy our 2010 Industry Forecast edition, with our best wishes,

Jeff Gayduk, Publisher jeff@ptmgroups.com Jeff has been known to predict coin flips at least 50 percent of the time, though he has a bias towards tails. LeisureGroupTravel.com

on the record ❖

Readers Give Their Predictions on How the Group Travel Industry Will Perform in 2010 FOLLOWING ARE ANSWERS from Leisure Group Travel readers who responded to the questions: What predictions can you offer on how the group travel industry will perform in 2010? How do things look for your business? Do you have strategies in place to improve your bottom line? tonY EtiEnnE

Predictions are tough to make, but I think that we can look at trends and what I see happening in the group marketplace is that it is slowly making positive steps forward. We are seeing a lot of research activity so we know the desire is still there for travelers. The average tour consumer seems to be prioritizing tour options right now, and we are definitely seeing great success with “bucket list”-type destinations….Egypt, Kenya, Israel, Antarctica, Galapagos and Australia…exotic places that people dream of seeing and that are best done in a group tour setting. The market of the past was typically one large, longer tour and one smaller tour a year. This seems to have been replaced by one exotic tour only or maybe two value tours. Collette experienced this with Oberammergau. For many groups, it was to be the tour for the year. However, we are now starting to see many tour groups begin to add product for the second half of 2010 and into 2011. The assumption being that the market is on its way back and group leaders want to be pro-active by having tour selections in place ensuring they cater to all audiences. Tony Etienne Director of Business Development Collette Vacations Pawtucket, RI 10 December 2009

PEtER StiLPhEn

It appears to us that group travel for 2010 is filled with both positive opportunities and negative realities, depending almost entirely upon which type of group travel activity and promotion are pursued. If one promotes on price by getting caught up in the current misguided promotional activities of tour operators and cruise lines that concentrate primarily on selling at the lowest price, combined with misleading advertising that contains almost unworkable restrictions in the fine print, 2010 will be a downer for group travel. Even if significant numbers are generated, the per-passenger revenue will be substantially constrained. On the other hand, if efforts are made to promote high-quality, highvalue group travel opportunities that feature all-inclusive pricing with roundtrip air transportation, travel protection insurance (not the cruise line or tour operator programs), and additional included sightseeing and local experiences, etc., profits will be up by virtue of increased revenues and satisfied travelers who have gravitated to the complete and forthright group travel experience. This type of group traveler is not attracted to the “lowest price” syndrome, desiring

John Stachnik

instead outstanding quality combined with outstanding value. We never try to match or beat a competitor’s pricing. We build the experience to incorporate what makes the most memorable travel experience, something that will be positively talked about with peers upon the traveler’s return. Our continued goal will be that travelers are not “dollared to death” once they are on a group tour. Our repeat factor exceeds 94%, some travelers having gone away with us more than 70 times as we have hosted groups on all seven continents. A number of our 2010 group departures are already guaranteed to operate with numbers presently reserved. We will continue to encourage early reservations with our 100% Reservation Deposit Refund Guarantee, allowing cancellations “for any reason” up to a date certain for each group departure. After that date, travelers are protected by the included travel protection insurance, which allows cancellations for covered reasons. It works. Larry L. Kopke Please Go Away Vacations Great Bend, KS LeisureGroupTravel.com

About half of overseas trips have been cancelled. Short trips (2-4 days) are better received. Domestic trips and Canada are OK. One-day trips are the high demand in our group (average 2 buses per). Bud Souza, Tour Manager/Host IBM Retirement Club San Jose/Santa Clara Valley, CA 2010 is shaping up to be the year of the consumer. As tour operators and other suppliers work hard to bring them back into the fold, the consumer will see offers and opportunities like never before. World-class events, such as the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany and the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, will move leisure travel more into the forefront with media. This will have an energizing effect for the tourism industry and encourage people to reconsider getting back on schedule with their travel plans. One final point: People are getting tired of hanging back and doing nothing. There will be more of a sense that “‘I’ve worked hard, I deserve this vacation” in the consumer’s mindset. Tourism will not return to record levels in 2010 because the first half of the year will still be down; the second half of the year, however, will set the stage for record growth in 2011 and beyond. John Stachnik CTP, CTC President and Co-owner Mayflower Tours Downers Grove, IL We have gone to our smaller bus for trips and plan around special eating places. We have a lunch bunch that has tripled in size (they go for lunch locally). We don’t do extended trips as our area is flooded with possibilities. Joyce Pottinger, Director Glenview Senior Center Glenview, IL LeisureGroupTravel.com

I predict a great year in 2010 bouncing off a mediocre year in 2009. There will still be pockets of inactivity from travel agents due to the pockets of higher unemployment in different areas of the U.S. I believe travel from abroad to the U.S. will take a good jump due to the fall of

the dollar. Hotel occupancy will improve slightly but will not be back to 20082009 occupancies. Cruise ships will still be full, however, with continuing price cuts on many itineraries. I doubt that many of the business models within the host agency segment will survive from

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December 2009 11

on the record ❖ 2009 and part of 2010, particularly a few of the smaller agencies and some of the multi-level models. A few more mergers and failures are on the horizon from the marginal tour operators. Our host agency, Coral Sands Travel, continues to be profitable and able to attract a good number of new affiliates each month. We notice that a much higher percentage of home-based travel agents are booking more travel, compared to five years ago. This is attributed to better and more training by hosts, organizations and suppliers and a more serious home-based travel agent. Our bottom line has been strong since we began six years ago. This is probably due to a consistent business model with little change over the years. Keeping it simple works best. Peter Stilphen, ECC CEO Coral Sands Travel America’s Host Agency Labelle, FL I hope to see a full bus more frequently. We treated the few we saw this year like they were an endangered species, and they certainly were rare birds. I believe the market will slowly expand this spring. Many of this past year’s missing travelers stayed home due to fear. As the economy rights itself, when swine flu becomes a past-demic and as the media begins spreading good news (well, it could happen), we’ll see happy days again. Many of those missing travelers still have money, they have just been afraid to spend it. I do believe that the trend toward last-minute purchases will present our industry with new challenges. Hotels and attractions that want deposits at 60 days will be scratching their heads as they find groups planning inside that date, and needing two weeks grace in 12 December 2009

which to sell it. Tour planners will start treating suppliers with penalties like lepers. Purchasing and distribution is moving toward instantaneous. Tour operators who print an annual catalog will also decrease in numbers. Writing copy for next year’s Christmas trip before you operate this year’s will soon be talked of as the way we used to

and instead provide a prepaid debit card valued at the cost of the meals ($25 in most cases). This gives customers personal choice and they can dine as a group or as an individual. We can track the actual restaurants where our customers are eating and what they are spending. We then go to the restaurants most often used and show them the revenue our pa-

Writing copy for next year’s Christmas trip before you operate this year’s will soon be talked of as the way we used to do things. — Bob Cline, U.S. Tours do things. In today’s world we can write a new trip this afternoon and put it in the hands of every customer tonight; there is simply no need to advertise an annual program. I also predict that new technologies will give me a greater feeling of inadequacy than my ex-wife ever did. But I am embracing these technologies more than I did her, so maybe it will work out OK. Bob Cline, President U.S. Tours Parkersburg, WV At Tye’s Top Tour & Travel, 2010 looks to be a great year for us—as 2009 is turning out to be. The age-old advice is still true—if you don’t change what you are doing, then the results will be the same. Our market is primarily 45-65. Ten years ago our market was primarily 65-plus. Here are major changes that have allowed us to capture the boomer market: 1. We got rid of as much structure in the tour as we could. 2. We increased the amount of leisure time by 30%, allowing our customers to experience what they want. 3. We did away with group dinners

trons are bringing them. In exchange for a marketing fee, these restaurants now appear on our list of suggested restaurants. We also get paid as a reseller of prepaid debit cards. The nightmare of group dinners has now become an additional revenue source. 4. We have built into many of our programs a substantial discount for tours that are paid in full six months prior to departure. This has increased our cash flow tremendously. 5. We have expanded our Internet presence and the majority of our advertising goes to this medium. 6. We have formed strong bonds with our industry partners to create new marketing opportunities, new product and new channels of distribution. In one case we sat down with a partner and went from not knowing they existed in August to having 25 coaches booked for next year and 11 completely sold out already! We have introduced 20 new or redesigned tours for next year. 7. Our customers are demanding, and any hotel that does not offer a satisfaction guarantee program or has nonrefundable deposits is no longer used. 8. We have partnered with other LeisureGroupTravel.com

tour operators to sell each other’s product and reduce costs by negotiating volume discounts for all of us. Mel Tye, CEO Tye’s Top Tour & Travel Merrimack, NH Looking at my 2010 file for motorcoach groups is exciting! I counted 42 groups from 16 states and a quilting group from the UK. With the new additions to our itinerary program, more groups are requesting and adding our behind-the-scenes guided tours of furniture manufacturers, Amish artisan and various cooking demonstrations along with many favorite attractions. La Vonne De Bois Amish Heartland Tours Berlin, OH I think that cruising will be large next year as most costs are known beforehand and there are some amazing ships coming out. I also think international travel will increase as more people become adventurous and more reality TV shows (like The Great Race) reveal new and interesting places to visit. Lori Leiman Lori’s Adventurers Queen Creek, AZ I predict that group travel will rebound 10-15% over 2009 based on the following reasons: • The President of the United States will not discourage group travel for corporations in 2010. • Prices and offers are as attractive as you will ever see in popular destinations like Las Vegas and the Caribbean. • The economy overall will improve (maybe only slightly) over 2009. Our group travel scheduled for 2010 is up over 2009 by approximately 15% and includes cruises, Mexico, LeisureGroupTravel.com

Caribbean and Europe. Our strategies to ensure the best bottom line include: • Extensive RFP for suppliers followed by thorough negotiations. • Closely monitoring currency fluctuations. • Creative use of human & financial resources. Stephen C. McSwain Executive Vice President ARTA Travel Plano, TX Preliminary group bookings show that 2010 will be our best year ever. We are seeing strong bookings for special events such as the Oberammergau Passion Play and Shroud of Turin exhibit, which travelers can see once in 10 years. So they are ready to travel in 2010, knowing the next opportunity will not be until 2020. Also, we are seeing strong interest in Egypt, South Africa and European countries where the dollar has power, such as Croatia, Montenegro, Romania and Bulgaria. Special interest tours are also selling well, especially women-only tours and food and wine programs. Our strategy is to offer innovative, well-priced programs and hub-and-spoke, such as “Croatian Explorer,” where clients stay 12 days and change hotels only twice. We are a smaller company that caters to the needs of our group clients and have very flexible programs. Edita Krunic, President Select International Tours & Cruises Inc. Flemington, NJ

IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE of Leisure Group Travel, our On the Record column will let you tell us about wacky things that have happened on the road. Please send us your response to this question: What’s the funniest or craziest incident that’s ever happened on one of your tours? What’s the most bizarre thing a tour member has said or done? Along with your comments, please include your name, company name and location. Also for publication, send a high-resolution photo of yourself, if available. A selection of responses will be printed in the February issue and appear online. Thanks in advance for your valuable input. Send to: Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com

December 2009 13

on tour ❖

marty de souto, ctc

Operational Hints for Hard Times MOST OF US ARE CONTINUING to offer trips during the current economic downturn. We know that if we stop our travel programs till better days appear on the horizon, we may never make a comeback. However, many of us have had to make certain modifications in our trips – perhaps presenting fewer trips, perhaps offering shorter, less-expensive, closer-to-home offerings. But going beyond those somewhat obvious solutions, here are a few less obvious ones:

the supplier what dates would be best for him. Often, your willingness to accept a date when a supplier really needs you will result in a much better “deal.”

Consider booking into a published tour or cruise date that is going to operate whether or not your group joins. If you only succeed in drawing small numbers, these travelers can still go – whether or not you reached the necessary minimum numbers to operate your own private trip.

Work with suppliers who are more flexible in their deposit demands, non-refundable policies, and last-dateto-cancel-without-penalty stipulations.

When planning your trip dates, don’t just pick dates out of a hat that you think will be good for your travelers or that are popular dates because of weather or festivals or what have you. Reverse your thinking – ask

14 December 2009

Consider joining with another organization from the outset so that both organizations feed into the same trip.

and other efforts to promote your trips. Work with suppliers you’ve worked with before, who remember you and how well you worked with them in the past. Now is not the time to experiment with suppliers who don’t know you and your track records and who, therefore, are liable to set stricter cancellation penalties, rules and regulations.

When writing your marketing materials, give your readers a reason why they can justify the trip. Potential travelers may not wish to appear frivolous when others are suffering financially.

If designing and costing the trip from scratch (rather than buying into an existing trip), budget more for marketing into your costing formula than you usually do. You may find that you need to do more mailings, more “last call” letters, more public relations, and more raffles and giveaways to fill your trips than you used to. We can no longer get by with just publishing the year’s calendar of trips and putting up a few posters.

Tough times may call for more mailings

at half-price” or two-for-one rates. Many cruise lines are doing this type of promotion now.

Consider offering your tour on what is called “tier pricing” basis – that is, different prices depending on how many participants eventually join. For example, if a group numbers 20, the price is $995, if 15 it’s $1,195, and if only 10, it’s $1,395. You’ll note that many adventure companies offer this kind of pricing in their brochures. They invoice everyone at the higher $1,395 price and if, ultimately, more join, they then refund everyone the appropriate amount just before departure.

Try other innovative pricing offers such as “bring along a new friend

Consider including some “do good” event within the trip. For example, require that each participant carry a backpack of school supplies and pre-arrange for your group to visit a school and donate these supplies to less fortunate youngsters. Projects like this will bring you more and better publicity prior to the trip.

Marty is founder and chair of the travel industry training program at Berkeley City College in Berkeley, Calif., where she teaches all aspects of group travel. You can reach her by e-mail at josemarty@yahoo.com. For information on her latest book, How To Plan, Operate, and Lead Successful Group Trips, click on Premier Tourism Marketing’s educational website, groupuniversity.com. LeisureGroupTravel.com

News Flash O Pl wi ne us t F 10 h ev ree Pa er id y

Carnival Cruise Lines

“Fun Ship® ” Cruises From Charleston, SC

Ina ugural Season with Supe r P rice s Carnival Cruise lines has just announced the repositioning of The Fantasy to Charleston, sC and U.s. Tours is among the first to offer fabulous cruise tour prices. Operating five-day cruises that will visit Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas, and six days that will feature Key west, Nassau & Freeport. U.s. Tours has added a night in Charleston sC and a historic district Carriage Tour. It is a great package from a convenient port.

select Dates and Prices aug 31- sept 6

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sept 28-Oct 4

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U.s. Tours Cruise Tour Package includes: • One Night at the Marriott Springhill Suites Charleston Riverview • Dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Charleston • All Breakfasts • Horse Drawn Carriage tour in Charleston • Visit to Charleston Old City Market • Five or Six Day cruise on the Carnival Fantasy • Visits To Freeport & Nassau in the Bahamas • Visits to Key West Florida on the Eight Day Tour • Bon Voyage Chocolates and Champagne • All Taxes & Fees on these services • Luggage Handling at the Hotel & Pier • One Free with every 10 paid Full Fare Guests • PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED!

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Rates are in U.S. Dollars per guest, double occupancy, capacity controlled and cruise only. Government fee/taxes are additional per guest. Restrictions apply. Ship’s Registry: Panama.

2009

Awards ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

RE ADER’S ★ C H★I C E

You voted… and the results are in! Congratulations to our 2009 Reader’s Choice winners, selected by readers of Leisure Group Travel. Subscribers voted by mailing in their Reader Service Card or going online at leisuregrouptravel.com. About This Year’s Award Winners

New York City once again proved it’s A-No. 1, top of the heap, earning Platinum in the Domestic Destination category. Washington, DC, and Hawaii bumped out Alaska and Las Vegas, our second and third place finishers in 2007 and 2008. Canada placed first in the International Destination sweepstakes, perhaps a reflection of closer-to-home travel in these difficult economic times. When it comes to Tour Operator, readers of Leisure Group Travel for the third year in a row give the Platinum and Gold to Collette Vacations and Globus, respectively. Tauck World Discovery knocked Diamond Tours out of its 2008 Silver slot.

16 December 2009

Several categories show remarkable consistency from year to year. Florida’s Disney World (admittedly a destination in itself ) was again favorite Attraction, with the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Mich., creeping up to Gold (from Silver last year). Mt. Rushmore, in a surprising move to some, won Silver, the first time it has placed in the top three. Broadway, for the third year running, took Platinum in Theater, with Wisconsin’s Fireside No. 2 and Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Maryland taking Silver for the second consecutive year. Sight & Sound, a consistent past winner, failed to make the cut. Marriott, another perennial favorite, again topped the Hotel Chain category, followed by Hampton, which has

LeisureGroupTravel.com

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

ATTRACTION

HOTEL CHAIN

Disney World • Platinum Tulip Time Festival • Gold Mt. Rushmore • Silver

Marriott • Platinum Hampton • Gold Holiday Inn • Silver

CRUISE LINE

DOMESTIC DESTINATION

Holland America • Platinum Royal Caribbean • Gold Princess • Silver

New York City • Platinum Washington, DC • Gold Hawaii • Silver

THEATER

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION

Broadway • Platinum The Fireside Dinner Theatre • Gold Toby’s Dinner Theatre • Silver

Canada • Platinum Germany • Gold Italy • Silver

GAMING ESTABLISHMENT

TOUR OPERATOR

Hard Rock • Platinum Harrah’s • Gold Belterra • Silver

Collette • Platinum Globus • Gold Tauck • Silver

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

earned Gold or Silver in previous contests. Holiday Inn won Silver. For the first time in recent years, Hilton did not place. In the Cruise Line category, Holland America continues to rate Platinum with group tour organizers. Princess repeated its 2008 Silver performance, while Royal Caribbean beat out Celebrity, last year’s Gold winner. In Gaming Establishment, Harrah’s slipped to Gold from its 2008 Platinum perch, but the real surprise was Hard Rock coming in first and two past favorites—Mohegan Sun and Greektown—not making the top three spots. Thanks to all who voted in this year’s Reader’s Choice Awards. If you disagree with the results, ensure your opinion is voiced in our 2010 Awards—voting starts next August.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

December 2009 17

industry forecast â?&#x2013;

john kloster

State Tourism Officials Preview 2010 Group Travel Scene Four marketing specialists

Leisure Group Travel organized a panel of veteran state tourism officials to explore the state of the business in 2009 and look into the crystal ball for trends they see shaping the market in 2010. Participants included Celeste Krolak, then the Tour Marketing Specialist at the Ohio Tourism Division; Cheryl Offerman, Travel Trade Marketing Manager of Explore

from diverse sections of the U.S.

Minnesota Tourism; Carol Torricelli,

assess the tourism climate in their

CMP, Director Domestic Sales for Virginia Tourism; Jennifer Sutcliffe,

states and discuss strategies

Travel Industry Marketing Manager

for attracting groups.

of the Arizona Office of Tourism; and Jeff Gayduk and John Kloster of Leisure Group Travel.

Will group travelers be back on the road when 2010 rolls around?

18 December 2009

LeisureGroupTravel.com

John Kloster: A year ago this week we were conducting a similar panel at the same time Lehmann Brothers was imploding, which really hammered home for everyone the financial situation we were actually in. At that time there was a great deal of trepidation about the economy and its impact on 2009. Now we can look back on 2009. How was business this year overall and specifically leisure group business? Cheryl Offerman: Our group business was certainly impacted this year by the economy. The jury is still out as to whether that’s due to people’s fear or that they really didn’t have money, but it seemed that as the year went on, that the group business picked up. We were in a kind of panic mode in the early spring, but the groups did travel. We did notice the often cited trend of groups coming from a closer range than extended tours and therefore more coach tours than air tours into Minnesota. As far as spending, we noticed people want value. They didn’t necessarily shun our resort stays or shopping experiences, but they were asking for value in the package. Carol Torricelli: I agree with Cheryl on all of the above. I believe Virginia experienced the same trends for leisure travel as well as business travel, impacted by the economy, H1N1 and the recent negative impact on business travel that prompted the meetings industry response with “meetings mean business.” So many audiences were impacted, from student groups, government and association meetings to leisure travel. However, many hospitality partners were encouraged to “stay the course” by creating incentives for travelers to buy, partnering with their hospitality communities for cooperative advertising, submitting suggested itineraries on our state tourism website, providing editorial and trip ideas for the media and offering packages to commemorate our anniversaries, such as the 40th anniversary of the Virginia is for Lovers slogan and the Civil War 150th.

JENNIFER SUTCLIFFE

CELESTE KROLAK

Arizona Office of Tourism

Ohio Tourism Division

Jennifer Sutcliffe: I think everything was hit all around. We don’t track leisure business specifically, but do know our business and meeting travel got hit by many issues, more recently Arthur Frommer citing Arizonans for toting guns at a recent Obama rally. We have a lot of Mexican visitors and being a border state, people think they might be at a higher risk for H1N1 here. There’s been a lot of media that people are getting killed here, although it has nothing to do with tourism. We’re a border state and deal with border issues, but they seem to be bigger news elsewhere than they are here. Clients still want to travel, but they’re waiting until closer in to book, they’re doing shorter trips, more value trips. Everybody here has some kind of a deal. It’s hard to say what kind of an impact it’s making incrementally and it seems everybody is just waiting it out. We’ve seen a lot of bankruptcies and hotels taken over by other companies. Everyone is feeling the pain and the CVBs in the Valley have had to struggle with their meeting and incentives business and the whole “meetings mean business” thing. The Social Security Administration had a meeting at the Arizona Biltmore and we got a lot of bad press for that, but it was great because it’s a great place to meet, it was off-season so they were able to take advantage of great rates. So we’re fighting back, but everybody is feeling the pinch. We still don’t have a budget. We went in knowing it was going to be a bad year and went in with a conservative budget, so I don’t think there are going to be any surprises and we’re still doing the big things. We’re still going to NTA, ABA, USTOA, but we’ve cut back on some other things and cooperative opportunities are going to be more closely scrutinized because everyone’s looking for ROI and it’s getting a little tougher, but we’re OK.

CHERYL OFFERMAN

CAROL TORRICELLI

Explore Minnesota Tourism

Virginia Tourism

CO: One of the optimistic changes I see is so many of our hotels and attractions that relied so heavily on the meetings and convention business have now redirected at least a portion of their fundDecember 2009 19

industry forecast ❖

ing, time and activities toward the group market because the meetings market was hit the hardest in Minnesota. The people who pooh-poohed the group market for years now see they need these rooms filled and the group market was still moving and is still moving, so this is a new opportunity.

pricing. We’re working with our vendors in these tough times to hold the rates. So it’s a lot more customer service to maintain the rapport with the groups, so we will continue to work with them when the economy is better and they trust that we have their best interests at hand.

customer service portion has become key. For the customers who are coming to the area I’m trying to stress to make sure their needs are being met and that the rooms are ready, the restaurant is expecting them and that we can get them in and out without our delaying their trip.

Jeff Gayduk: We see a bit of that from the marketing side where we are suddenly getting interest from hotels that are now looking to do group marketing campaigns in print and online, so it’s interesting how the tides have turned. They’re facing the realities of the market, and the bottom line is that they need to fill rooms so that our core mid-market hotel advertisers are now being supplemented by the Hiltons and Hyatts.

One issue we’re dealing with is that a lot of the smaller CVBs are not receiving their bed tax from their hotels because

JG: You mentioned about going back on a smaller group and asking for concessions. Have suppliers agreed or have you encountered resistance?

[

JS: Since our Governor's Conference in July we have been approached by a number of people who are asking how to get into the group market. I just did a seminar in Tempe where they did have leisure business, where they were able to make a higher margin, and shied away from the leisure group market. Now they're saying we really need to rethink this and go for group business. I even got an email from a luxury hotel asking about NTA. I told them this probably isn't for you because you can't go into this market and then in two years say we're done with that. If you're going to do this, you have to make a commitment and you're not where they are staying. Celeste Krolak: We have a lot of automotive plants in our state and really suffered from the automotive downturn here and in neighboring states because a lot of their workers are our group travel customers and with them losing their jobs, it certainly had an impact on our numbers with a decrease in the number of tours from cities like Detroit. But we’ve seen an increase in last- minute travel and groups with smaller numbers that are trying to keep their same 20 December 2009

“Smaller CVBs are not receiving their bed tax from hotels because the money is not there.” —Celeste Krolak

]

the money is not there. When the CVBs don’t have dollars available for marketing, it’s impacting our ability to deliver cooperative projects we’re doing together. We have a lot fewer people attending the fall shows and into early 2010. Our budget is being reviewed and by summer 2010 they want our budget to be privately funded and not be a state agency. We have not registered for NTA, ABA, SYTA or OMCA. This is tough because the smaller areas count on us to represent them at these. My budget was cut 50%, and many of the group sales people in the CVBs have lost their jobs and not been replaced. It’s a struggle right now. But the

CK: Most have met the requests because they know it’s tough out there. The Greater Cleveland area missed out on some student business this year because so many of the groups wanted to travel in early May. Because Cedar Point Amusement Park doesn’t open that early, Positively Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame worked closely to accommodate groups in the downtown area. It’s a lot of creative thinking. JK: We’ve seen over the past few years the growth in affinity and niche groups. What are you experiencing on the destination side? What types of these groups are visiting and what are you doing to attract emerging markets, either by product development or marketing?

CO: We have really seen interest by niche groups in Minnesota. For example, groups are coming to our northern resorts for fishing. This is great for the smaller resorts, not the big golf resorts. The other big area for Minnesota is food, like cooking tours and wine-tasting events. Our wineries have been booming because of the tour business that has been coming to sample the wines, do a meal at the vineyard perhaps with entertainment tied in. That’s been a great trend for us. The other side is the cooking classes. The hotels and restaurants that offer cooking classes have been LeisureGroupTravel.com

doing really well. Several of the restaurants in the Mall of America offer classes and their schedules have increased dramatically over the past year. It’s kind of neat to see that people are getting off the coaches from the traditional sightseeing tours and getting their hands dirty with dead fish or with pasta. CT: We too have seen growth in the heritage and cultural niche markets, as evidenced by the growing interest in our Virginia wine industry, culinary tours, the arts and the performing arts. Also green travel is getting a lot of attention, with farm-to-table programs or serving your fresh catch of the day at a green-certified restaurant. If tour operators and meeting planners find the passions of their customers, I know they will find a match in Virginia. I can’t help but believe if you continue to promote opportunities and be more positive about the experiences you have in your towns and with regional

partnerships, you create the emotional connection. People need that. We’re listening to the news too much which can be very depressing. I think tourism for all of us gives us the chance to enhance the quality of our lives. JS: The big driver for us is the weather in the winter. Everyone wants to be in Arizona where it’s dry and warm, and that will continue to be a driver for all types of travelers and not necessarily for groups. In our marketing we know people are looking for nightlife. There’s been a lot of interest in culinary, which is a big umbrella with a lot of things that fit underneath it. Wineries are popping up in the north-central part of the state and people are doing wine tours. We have a guy in the Verde Valley north of Phoenix that’s doing kayak tours to the wineries that are adventure. Biking and hiking and being out in our natural areas to see the Grand Canyon and wide-open spaces.

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800-722-9199

industry forecast ❖

Sightseeing, of course, is still big, but they want to be immersed into the local native and western culture. Sustainability is also something we have tackled, so incorporating that into not only our marketing, but into our product in finding authentic and sustainable travel that has led into volunteerism. The national parks here already have programs and Game and Fish have volunteer programs and we are finding more and more people are looking for something to give back while they are here. This is common with girlfriends and families. We’ve not had a lot of student travel, but we’re finding more and more student tour companies inquiring about product in Arizona. We’re finding more and more CVBs focusing on sporting groups, both youth and adult. Sporting events are huge here, from golf to every major sport to two NASCAR races. The bowl games are huge with alumni groups. JK: We have operators telling us that their clients are asking for more options in their trips. We wonder if you are seeing that and what you are doing to facilitate that and to develop more infrastructure to support it. JS: I’m putting a lot less into the itineraries I create because people want a lot more flexible travel and don’t want the traditional trip that’s tightly scheduled from hour to hour. They want more free time with the possibility to visit the spa for a treatment or to go shopping or to the botanical garden. They are shorter trips with smaller groups and I’m hearing that straight from the tour operators. They want more six-day trips and not 12-day trips. They want a lot more golf and outdoor activities. People that come are being more active so they want more flexibility and choice. CT: What we are hearing are more requests for hub-and-spoke tours with a la carte options of activities when they arrive at their destinations. Buyers are customizing their tours to attract new audiences 22 December 2009

and depend upon the DMOs to provide these ideas to lure their tour. CK: One of the great things about having so many options is that when the group gets back together they can compare stories and hear more about what’s available in the area and that word of mouth is free marketing for future trips. Infrastructure can be an obstacle, both in terms of availability and in pricing. CT: If we can just stay solution-oriented, we can overcome just about every obstacle to make the experiences worthwhile. CK: It puts a lot more pressure on our partners to cross-sell and not limit their marketing efforts to their city or county. They have to be marketers for the whole state or region. JS: I totally agree. Hotels go to NTA and try to sell their rooms, but the groups aren’t coming to stay in your hotel. You’ve got to sell your area and even areas conducive for day-trips from your hotel. You’ve got to promote what’s accessible and not just that you can give them great rates and a free breakfast. CK: I tell our hotels, don’t talk about your $5-million renovation and think that’s unique because everyone else is doing that too. You’ve got to make them aware of local festivals and events and act as a destination advisor. I think oftentimes people miss that mark. Knowing the local area can make a hotel stand out, and I don’t think they always see that. CT: That’s also been our focus here too. In working with our DMOs, I have encouraged them to provide itineraries that focus on the experiences first, include hospitality companies and partner regionally with other DMOs. CO: In the current economic environment the hub-and-spoke itinerary with options is so critical. People can afford

to buy the tour and don’t have to pay for inclusions they don’t necessarily want. They’re way more in control of the budget. I know this is contrary to the idea of the traditional group tour where everything is included, but people have gotten way beyond that because they don’t want to pay for what they don’t want to do. This is making the tour more affordable for a broader number of potential tour participants. JK: How will business be for 2010 and how will trips be different going forward? Are hub-and-spoke trips and less inclusions part of that? CT: We’re seeing visitors mostly from our drive markets of neighboring East Coast states. DMOs are getting customer requests for hub-and-spoke trips with a la carte options. We’re also being cautiously optimistic. Between the students, the active boomers, fly-drive programs, the pre- and post- cultural tours from our meetings and the recently new statewide sports marketing efforts, if we just stay the course, I think we’ll see business slowly increase. JS: Operators are going after people they’ve never gone after before, purely out of necessity and doing things that are unconventional. One operator is putting advertising wraps on his coaches for the revenue. There will be more groups, but with less customers, so revenue measurement becomes subjective. We’re seeing shorter trips, but more frequency, and weekend getaways. Accessibility is a bit more of an issue in the West because cities are farther away from each other and we don’t have the rail system that’s in the East. But we’re going to see a lot more regional visitors, from Texas and New Mexico and even Western Canada with new service into Phoenix from Vancouver in January. So Canadians will be a growing market for us. For the group market, more experiential stuff and more of it. The groups will be small and with more affinity. Not your typical sightseeing tour that LeisureGroupTravel.com

visits the Grand Canyon and then is on to Las Vegas. We’re finding groups want to do fewer destinations and spend more time so they can experience more in the ones they do visit. CO: I’m predicting 2010 is going to be the year of the travel bargain. This is the year to stay at the Westin for what they used to pay at the Day’s Inn. The hotels are dealing, the airlines are dealing and as people get comfortable with the fact that we’ve probably reached a new normal, with the economy as it is, housing prices as they are and with a lot of people still working, people are going to be traveling even more. CK: I think more people have their finances in check and know what they’re spending and what their options are, so they’re looking for the affordable getaways, but from the group side fuel costs are now back to normal. If that holds true, we’re going to continue with the group travel, but if it changes all bets are off. We’re seeing operators trying to eat costs, so we’ve got them driving their own coaches where before they would have sent a driver. Many people are doing the work of two people, so they’re more stressed and need more than ever to get away. Whether it’s a two-day or a five-day trip, they’re making sure they’re getting their money’s worth.

JS: And they need to submit good pictures. We at the state level are now working on our 2010 travel planners and we don’t want a picture of a building, but need images of experiential travel. We don’t want a picture of an animal, but we want someone interacting with the animal because that’s what’s going to pull someone in.

[

JS: And they’re waiting until the last minute because they’re comparison shopping. They’re looking around a lot more and are waiting and comparing because they know at the last minute there could be that deal. And that’s where the CVBs need to put together packages for operators with more in them so they’re a better deal than travelers going out and doing it on their own. They have to include the hands-on elements and the behind-thescenes elements that an individual traveler can’t get. LeisureGroupTravel.com

CT: Our statewide DMOs really need to be visible on the web. They need to get their itineraries on the state websites, keep them current and compelling.

“In the current economic environment the hub-and-spoke itinerary with options is so critical.” —Cheryl Offerman

the state person and let us help them create a package they can sell to their customers. JS: It just comes down to basic customer service. It’s that added value that doesn’t cost anything. CT: The buyers have all these tools at their fingertips. They can get the printed planner or they have the website to search for tour product, but it all boils down to the people who make the difference. And that’s why it’s important to continue to work with the DMOs or state office to customize any trip for any size and for any audience. CO: I would tell any operator to go for the deal. JK: Is there anything important we didn’t cover?

]

JK: The readers are tour operators and others who organize group travel. You have the chance to speak directly to them. What do you want to tell them about how they can best grow their business for 2010? CK: If they need help, they should let us know. If they don’t see what they’re looking for on our website or in our planner, we don’t want to be excluded from consideration. If they need help with packaging or aren’t getting the response they need from our suppliers, they should go to

CT: I think we all share the fact that we have experienced cuts this year, yet we continue to provide guidance with tour planning and offer customer service. Our DMOs are working together more regionally with more emphasis on partnerships. CO: For us, it’s all about partnering. It doesn’t matter if it’s with cities in your state or with neighboring states or with regions. It doesn’t even stop at the border, since we have a huge partnership with Manitoba.

Leisure Group Travel’s 2008 panel reflected concern that the economy was worsening and therefore tourism and tourism promotion would be negatively impacted. This year’s panel showed that cutbacks were needed and most tourism offices seem to have trimmed somewhat even before the full situation was evident. The result is that most states represented in this discussion were able to continue promotion to their most important markets, although nobody escaped cuts. LGT December 2009 23

on the road ❖

stephen m. kirchner

MOTORCOACHES

CRUISE A fleet of deluxe coaches is available to tour operators from DATTCO, Inc., a Connecticut-based transportation company.

On a recent fam tour in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, we waited outside the Quality Hotel & Conference Center for the New World Tours motorcoach to pull up for loading. I looked around and could see that no one was particularly excited about boarding the motorcoach….it would be just another motorcoach transfer. Just a short ride to the first stop on the tour. I was really looking forward to seeing the faces and hearing the reactions as our group boarded the coach. I had the advantage. I had been on one of these New World coaches before and knew everyone was in for a treat. Typical of their comments: “Wow, this is incredible!” “This is amazing, we’ve never seen anything like this.” “I’ve never been on an airplane this nice.” As we sat down we glanced at the 24 December October 2009 2009

beautiful 26” flat-screen monitors built into the overhead racks and waited for the introduction from Ronnie Stevens of New World Tours. We learned we were on one of New World’s Corporate Coaches, a luxurious ABC-Van Hool motorcoach equipped with just about every amenity one could imagine. And

it better be, for this coach was just as likely to be hosting a group of corporate executives in Washington, D.C. as it was carrying a group of travel industry professionals on a tour of the West Virginia countryside. As the motorcoach industry moves into the 21st century, the changes in pas-

New World Tours wows passengers with its state-of-the-art motorcoaches. LeisureGroupTravel.com

Prevost coaches feature video monitors and other high-tech amenities.

again have a distinct advantage over those who ignore them. Visit a motorcoach industry trade show today, such as the United Motorcoach Association’s Expo held in January at the Orlando Orange County Convention Center, and you see an incredible array of new vendors offering passenger comforts. Many are technology companies that were never seen before at such trade shows. For the tour planner, knowing about these new trends is not only important, it may make the difference between a happy customer coming back to you for their next tour, or going next door to

INTO THE 21ST CENTURY senger comfort are coming fast and furious, and it’s safe to say there has never been another time when customer comforts have become as important as they are today. Twenty years ago when we began seeing the first video monitors on motorcoaches, the industry saw its first real movement toward passenger comforts. While some in the industry resisted that change (“something else to go wrong”), it soon became clear that onboard video was a competitive advantage to those who had it, and a real disadvantage to those who did not. But for a long period of time, innovation on motorcoaches, as far as the passenger was concerned, meant going from a tube screen to a flat screen. The picture might have improved, but not much was different. NEW TECHNOLOGY That’s all changed in the past several LeisureGroupTravel.com

This bus manufactured by Motor Coach Industries offers wireless Internet.

years, and the technological changes have led to a dizzying array of new comforts that motorcoach passengers are now beginning to take for granted. And those companies in the forefront of offering these new comforts will

the planner who is knowledgeable and makes the right choices in motorcoach transportation. “Making the experience much more enjoyable for the passenger is the top priority,” said Michael Power, director of December 2009 25

on the road ❖ Michael Power—Director of Marketing and Communication of Prevost

Making the experience much more enjoyable for the passenger is the top priority.

Prevost coaches reflect the most current trends in passenger comforts.

marketing and communication of Prevost, a Volvo Company, and one of the industry’s major manufacturers. “Technology is a large part of it, allowing the individual to control what he wants to see in entertainment.” Today customers have ipods, iphones, individual game machines, computer laptops and more. The day of everyone wanting to watch the same video, or engage in the same activity, at the same time, is over.

from 55, 56 and 57), providing more leg room, and the addition of WiFi and satellite TV. A safety feature appearing on new motorcoaches is the standard seatbelt on

every seat. Don’t be surprised if you are asked to keep it loosely around you at all times just as we have come to expect on an airplane. Companies can choose the option of in-seat video monitors like on some airlines, and customers can plug their ipods and computers into the system for power while onboard the motorcoach. Prevost offers an AV connector in the front seat that allows the input of a computer into the coach video system, allowing for corporate training presentations or for sports team coaches to review game film on the way to or from a game. It also allows a tour operator to outline the itinerary or make a presentation on what’s coming up on the tour. Power said technological trends make for safer travel as well. The com-

LEG ROOM AND SEATBELTS Trends today, Power said, put passenger comforts first, and include 52passenger coach configurations (down

Peter Pan passengers can expect the latest in technological advances.

Stephen M. Kirchner —President of the National Motorcoach Network

As the motorcoach industry moves into the 21st century, changes in passenger comfort are coming fast and furious. 26 December 2009

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Patricia Ziska—Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Motor Coach Industries

At MCI, we’re constantly advancing performance and safety features as new technologies become available. pany now offers its Prevost Liaison System, which follows the coach on the road, provides diagnostics of all aspects of the motorcoach above and under the hood, and reports to the operator and the driver any problems. This space-age system is linked to over 30 satellites. Peter Pan Bus Lines is one of the first intercity bus lines to have wireless Internet available to passengers through the installation of WiFi technology on its fleet. Peter Pan is in the process of installing WiFi on 150 buses. “We’re proud of our reputation for being on the leading edge of technology in the intercity bus industry,” said Peter A. Picknelly, president of Peter Pan. “We were among the first to include video monitors on our motorcoaches. Other technological advances such as a real-time monitoring system that records the speed and the operation of the vehicle by our operator and a GPS tracking system are routinely retrofitted into all of our coaches. “Passengers want to use laptop computers, accessing the Internet to do work or to check e-mail, and the installation of the WiFi wireless compatibility on our coaches gives Peter Pan an advantage over air travel or travel by auto,” Picknelly said. Today motorcoach operators work with the manufacturers to customize the consumer experience before the motorcoach leaves the production line. “From new interior fabrics and colors to the very latest in onboard amenities, ABC Companies and Van Hool were able to create a series of coaches for us that truly exceed the expectations LeisureGroupTravel.com

and needs of our varied customer base,” said Dennis Lyons, vice president, Coach & Tour Group, DATTCO, Inc. Patricia Ziska, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) vice president and chief customer officer, said, “We plan to bring more innovation to our product. We take seriously our commitment to advancing employee safety and our continued quest to be environmentally

not all companies are created equal, and not all companies offer all the amenities that your customers expect today. When you plan your next North American tour, don’t forget that the key component often overlooked is the quality of the motorcoach. Make sure you ask the right questions and demand the right answers from motorcoach operators before you sign the contract.

MCI takes pride in its commitment to environment-friendly technology.

responsible by lowering our carbon emissions footprint.” She adds, “At MCI, we’re constantly advancing performance and safety features as new technologies become available. We’ve even developed several of our own, including our patented spiral entryway and the very first Hybrid intercity coach. Interiors are more luxurious than ever before, giving passengers the most comfortable travel experience available today.” If you haven’t been on a motorcoach recently, you are in for a surprise. But you will need to do the research because

The result will be happy customers who will return again for their next motorcoach tour adventure. Even more important, they will tell their friends about all the benefits of traveling on a motorcoach today….friends who, coincidentally, may want to come along on next year’s tour. LGT Stephen M. Kirchner is president of the National Motorcoach Network, a marketing organization that has been promoting motorcoach travel to consumers for over 25 years. It operates the National Reservation Center at www.motorcoach.com. He is also publisher of Byways magazine, a publication featuring North American tour destinations that offers a free subscription to consumers and group tour planners at http://bywaysmagazine.wordpress.com. December 2009 27

West on our radar

Groups touring the West in 2010 can look forward to a variety of new sightseeing and entertainment options. Here is a sneak peak at what’s new: ARIZONA Hollywood production company Miziker Entertainment Group this winter presents the Howdy Dinner Show & Extravaganza, a brand new offering at Rockin’ R Ranch in Mesa. Running through May 2010, the 90-minute experience includes pre-show entertainment with bar service at the Saloon, dinner served by wait staff in character and an old-fashioned musical centered around an 1880s traveling troupe in search of gold and new discoveries in the Wild West. Audience participation is encouraged. Much of the area’s pioneer lore and legends is based in the Superstition Mountains just east of Mesa. Thousands of dollars in renovation were part of the overhaul at the ranch, with new props, furniture and an enhanced menu of Western fare.

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Miziker Entertainment Group, which will lease the facility at Rockin’ R Ranch, specializes in design, production and the daily operations of themed shows, permanent attractions and events for parks, resorts and cities. A Mesa fixture since 1984, the Rockin’ R served up chuckwagon suppers and offered country music and Western stage shows. (480-832-1539, howdyshow.com) CALIFORNIA Disney’s California Adventure theme park unveils a new nighttime spectacular in spring of 2010. Disney’s World of Color in the Paradise Pier section will be a nightly, 25-minute visual symphony that takes guests on a magical journey through animation and artistic storytelling. Dramatic effects will include high-definition images projected

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ucson is Puttin’ On The Ritz. The first name in luxury has arrived in Tucson. A new 250-room Ritz-Carlton golf and spa resort will open its doors December 18, 2009. The 850-acre project includes two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses and clubhouse, a 17,000 sq. ft. spa, three signature restaurants, several swimming pools, a four-story waterslide, a “casita village” and the service and style expected of a Ritz-Carlton experience. The clubhouse complex and the initial 27 holes of golf will host the 2010 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Feb. 15-21. Jacki Ludwig Director of Tourism Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau 100 S. Church Ave Tucson, AZ 85701 Direct: 520.770.2147 Fax: 520.884.7804 jludwig@visittucson.org Visit us at www.visitTucson.org

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on a curtain of water that is 40 feet high and longer than a football field, with 1,200 fountain nozzles, pyro and laser effects, and a musical score. Featured in the show will be such Disney favorites as Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King, Pocahontas and Toy Story. Also on the horizon at the park are a Little Mermaid attraction (opening in 2011) and a new Cars Land (2012) based on the Disney/Pixar movie Cars. Playing to America’s love affair with automobiles, the new land will include Radiator Springs Racers, where riders find themselves in a race around hairpin turns and steep banks. Other enhancements in the multi-year expansion include new landscaping, retail and dining, plus an interactive Walt Disney Story attraction based on the vision of the animation pioneer who started everything. (disneyscaliforniaadventure.com)

L NEVADA California Trails Interpretive Center, located eight miles west of Elko, debuts next summer, but the Elko Convention & Visitors Authority can arrange group tours prior to its opening. Galleries in the $14-million structure will spotlight wagon trains, the Gold Rush and such chapters in history as the Donner Party (trapped in a blizzard and reduced to cannibalism). The motorcoach-friendly facility will have an amphitheater and a meeting room for up to 80. Dutch oven dinners can be arranged for groups. The center also will feature hiking trails. (800-248-3556, exploreelko.com) OKLAHOMA The Ancient Village, a popular outdoor museum, will be rebuilt and open next summer at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah. The village, first constructed in 1967, depicts Cherokee LeisureGroupTravel.com

life before European settlement, featuring demonstrations of various crafts, from cooking and gardening to arrowhead, pottery and basket making. Groups can arrange a stickball game or blowgun shoot. The Cherokee Heritage Center also includes the Cherokee National Museum with its famed Trail of Tears exhibit and Adams Corner Rural Village, a circa-1890 pioneer town simulating a rural Cherokee community prior to Oklahoma statehood. In downtown Tahlequah, the Cherokee National Supreme Court Building, the oldest government building in Oklahoma (1844), is being renovated and will open next spring with exhibits on the Cherokee judicial system and Cherokee Advocate newspaper, which was printed in the building. (cherokeetourismok.com) TEXAS The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, opening in January 2010, will be the world’s largest JW Marriott Resort. Located less than 20 miles from the San Antonio International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown, the 600-acre property is comprised of rolling hills, meandering creeks and live oak trees. Activities include two PGA TOUR Tournament Players Club (TPC) championship golf courses designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman, plus a 26,000-square-foot spa. Water fun includes a rapid river ride, slides, lazy river with children’s pools, an adult pool, hot and cold plunge pools, whirlpools and an expansive activity pool. (jwsanantonio.com) WASHINGTON The Tulalip Tribes’ Hibulb Cultural Center, opening next summer in Tulalip, will showcase the history, culture and spiritual beliefs of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and other tribes. Exhibits will feature their traditional hunting, fishing and gathering lifestyles. (360-716-2635, tulaliptribes-nsn.gov) LeisureGroupTravel.com

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ix flags have flown over Texas, but nine have flown over its oldest town - Nacogdoches! Uncover the stories behind the flags - battles won, lives lost, hearts broken, and independence gained. Tour the homes of Texas legends, walk the brick streets of yesteryear, and experience the picturesque downtown filled with one-of-a-kind shops, antique stores and art galleries. Historic landmarks, including the Old University Building and the Sterne-Hoya House Museum, are walking distance from the visitors’ center. Nacogdoches is also a nature lover's paradise and boasts the state’s largest azalea garden. Step-on guide services are available. Nacogdoches has it all! Group Sales Contact: Sherri Skeeters, sherri@visitnacogdoches.org General E-mail: info@visitnacogdoches.org Address: 200 East Main, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 Toll Free Phone: 888-OLDEST-TOWN (888-653-3788) URL: www.VisitNacogdoches.org

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Group planners will find a number of new attractions and blockbuster museum exhibits. Here is a sampling of what’s on tap for 2010: ILLINOIS The Field Museum in Chicago presents the exhibition Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age from March 5-Sept. 6, 2010. Visitors will learn about the colossal mammals (early cousins to the elephant) that roamed the earth millions of years ago and meet 40,000-year-old “Lyuba,” the best-preserved baby mammoth in the world. They will journey back to the Ice Age through video installations, roam among saber-toothed cats and giant bears, and see some of the oldest human artifacts in existence. Other upcoming exhibits include Climate Change (July 2-Nov. 28) and Gold (Oct. 22, 2010April 24, 2011). Gold tells of man’s fascinating with the world’s most desired metal, offering displays of enormous

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Midwest

This photo of Abraham Lincoln and son Tad will be on display at the Indiana State Museum.

gold nuggets, gold bullion, coins from shipwrecks, gold bars and jewelry. (312922-9410, fieldmusem.org)

on our radar

INDIANA Rare Abraham Lincoln memorabilia will be on display Feb. 12-July 25 at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. With Charity for All is an exhibit of family photographs, furnishings, artwork and documents from a collection assembled by the Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. (now the Lincoln Financial Group) in Fort Wayne, which closed its corporate museum last year. Items in the collection, which was donated to the state, include copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment (which abolished slavery) signed by Lincoln. The Library of Congress’s With Malice Toward None: Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition also opens at the museum Feb. 12 (Lincoln’s birthday) and runs to April 11.

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Featured are the Bible upon which Lincoln, and later Barack Obama, took the oath of office; the contents of his pocket from the night he was assassinated; and documents and correspondence from his political career. (317-232-1637, indianamuseum.org) IOWA The Great Rivers Center, a $40-million expansion to the National Missis-

LeisureGroupTravel.com

sippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, will open next summer. Exhibits will explore the science and history of the Mississippi, its watershed and other rivers of America. Three-dimensional films with 4D special effects will reveal the wonder of biological diversity and the interconnected lives of underwater creatures in major rivers. (800-226-3369, rivermuseum.com)

KANSAS Boot Hill Casino & Resort, scheduled to open in mid-December in Dodge City, will be the first state-owned and operated casino inÂ Kansas. The first phase of the $90-million project will feature about 575 slot machines and 10 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker. Phase 2 is scheduled to be completed in December 2011, adding a hotel, day spa, two more

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ordering Chicago along Lake Michigan, Chicago’s North Shore is the most picturesque region in the metropolitan Chicago area, boasting a scenic byway along the lakefront rich in natural beauty and homes and gardens of distinction. The region features the Chicago Botanic Garden, the only Bahai House of Worship in the Western Hemisphere, the Illlinois Holocaust Museum, and the Charles Dawes Gates House, home to the Evanston Historical Society. Chicago’s North Shore is only 20 minutes from downtown Chicago and its 17 lodging options are group-friendly. Most of our hotels offer motorcoach parking, hot breakfast and indoor swimming pools.

Group Tour Contact: Caryn Shulman, Tourism Marketing Manager Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau 8001 Lincoln Avenue Suite 715 847-763-0011, ext.25 www.visitchicagonorthshore.com Skokie, IL 60077 cshulman@cnscvb.com

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Go A Little Overboard At Navy Pier! Navy Pier® is Chicago’s lakefront playground and the Midwest’s #1 tourist and leisure destination, attracting nearly 9 million visitors annually. From rides to restaurants, exhibitions to entertainment, shopping to dining cruises and tour boats Navy Pier has it all!

Upcoming events include: Bank of America Winter WonderFest: Navy Pier's South Dock December 4, 2009 - January 3, 2010 This magical event features inflatable slides, an indoor ice skating rink, great rides, live entertainment, cookie decorating, hundreds of decorated trees and the most stunning lights in Chicago! Save the date: December 3, 2010 – January 2, 2011 Chicago Flower & Garden Show: March 6 - 14, 2010 Whether you are a beginner, a gardener who needs some help taking things to the next level, or a horticultural aficionado who is looking for what’s new in landscape design and horticulture, you’ll find it at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show! Save the date: March 4-13, 2011 Tall Ships® Chicago: Navy Pier August 24 - 29, 2010 The six-day festival includes international music, ship exhibits, crew challenges, arts and crafts, boat building, maritime displays, fireworks and more. For more information on Navy Pier, visit www.navypier.com

32 December 2009

on our radar: midwest ❖

restaurants and lounges, and approximately doubling the gaming floor. With the championship Mariah Hills golf course nearby, the destination resort and entertainment center combine modern amenities with an Old West theme. (boothillcasino.com) MICHIGAN Mackinac State Historic Parks next year will unveil the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum. Housed in the 1838 Indian Dormitory on Mackinac Island, the museum will center around fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac Island through the ages, from Native American baskets to present-day paintings of the island by residents. Plans for the three-story building, which served as the island’s public school for 100 years and a summer art school, include a studio that will provide a hands-on art learning experience for visitors. Guests will have the option of taking an easel into Marquette Park to paint lilacs, weave Native American-style baskets or create hand-tinted photographs. (231-4364100, mackinacparks.com) MISSOURI The Missouri History Museum in St. Louis welcomes Treasures of Napoléon from Nov. 21, 2010-Feb. 13, 2011. The exhibit, which showcases more than 300 objects related to Napoleon Bonaparte, includes framed paintings, prints, letters and furniture from imperial palaces. Created from the collection of First Empire authority and Napoléon expert Pierre-Jean Chalençon, the exhibit showcases the world-class art and design of Bonaparte’s era as well as personal possessions. The collection also includes depictions of him by great artists of the time. (mohistory.org) LeisureGroupTravel.com

The Northeast is buzzing with new tourist attractions and exhibitions for 2010.

Northeast on our radar

Following are just some of the new developments on the horizon:

tions between Norman Rockwell’s DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Penn Station; Westside’s B&O Railroad A major new exhibition dedicated iconic images of American life and the Museum and the University of Maryto the understanding of human origins movies. Two of America’s best-known land to Harbor East and Fell’s Point; will open on March 17, 2010, at the modern filmmakers—George Lucas and the Shot Tower/Marketplace Metro National Museum of Natural History and Steven Spielberg—recognized a Station to Harbor East, Fell’s Point and in Washington, D.C. Based on kindred spirit in Rockwell and formed Johns Hopkins Metro Station. The free decades of cutting-edge research by in-depth collections of his work. Lucas, shuttles will run every 10 minutes from Smithsonian scientists, the $21-million Spielberg and Rockwell perpetuate early morning to late night, seven days David H. Koch Hall of Human ideas about love of country, personal a week. (baltimore.org) Origins will tell the epic story of honor and the value of family through The Baltimore Museum of Art’s human evolution and how humans their work. The exhibition showcases groundbreaking exhibition Cezanne and evolved over six million years in remore than 50 Rockwell paintings and American Modernism (Feb. 14-May 23, sponse to a changing world. Following drawings from these private collections 2010) is the first to explore how the process of scientific discovCézanne transformed modern ery, visitors will explore the art in America. The show evidence for human evolution features 16 paintings and waterand come face-to-face with colors by the French master representations of early hualongside a wide range of works mans. Included will be hunby more than 30 American dreds of fossils, reconstructed artists, from Marsden Hartley faces of early humans and 75 and Maurice Prendergast to cast reproductions of skulls. Alfred Stieglitz and Man Ray. The March 17 opening marks (artbma.org) the museum’s 100th anniverAmerican Cruise Lines’ sary on the National Mall. newest ship, the 104-passenger (202-633-1000, mnh.si.edu) Independence, is under conThe exhibition One Life: struction at Chesapeake ShipHopping around downtown Baltimore will be easy when Echoes of Elvis salutes the building in Salisbury, Md., and the Charm City Circulator shuttle buses roll out next year. King of Rock ’n Roll from will join its fleet of small cruise Jan. 8-Aug. 29 at the National ships for the 2010 season. The maiden Portrait Gallery. Marking the 75th that are rarely seen by the public. Exvoyage is set for June 12 on the Chesaanniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth, it cerpts from interviews in which Lucas peake Bay. Other cruise destinations features work by such artists such as and Spielberg talk about Rockwell and will include New England, the Hudson Ralph Wolfe Cowan, Red Grooms, the works in their collections will be River and Historic South. The fifth Robert Arneson and others who have shown in the exhibition galleries. ship of the Guilford, Connecticutcreated mythical, spiritual and earthly (202-633-8530, americanart.si.edu) based line will feature luxuries that ACL images of the man whose legacy inguests have come to expect, including cludes superlative moments in music, MARYLAND staterooms with large, opening picture entertainment, life and the afterlife. Fast, frequent and free...that’s the windows, roomy baths and 80 percent (202-633-1000, npg.si.edu) trademark of downtown Baltimore’s with private balconies. Every stateroom The Smithsonian American Art Charm City Circulator, a new shuttle will be fitted with flat-screen satellite Museum presents Telling Stories: Norbus system coming in spring 2010. VisTV and DVD players, individual man Rockwell from the Collections of itors will find getting around Baltimore climate control and wireless Internet George Lucas and Steven Spielberg from easy with 21 sleek, hybrid buses serving access. The ship’s layout will include an July 2, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011. It is the first three different routes – Federal Hill and elevator to all decks and a glass-enclosed major exhibition to explore the connecthe Inner Harbor to Mt. Vernon and dining room. LeisureGroupTravel.com

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on our radar: northeast ❖ Also new for 2010 will be a sister ship’s “Philadelphia and Potomac Cruise” between Philadelphia and the Washington, D.C. area. The sevennight trip on the American Spirit follows the Delaware River, through the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, into the Chesapeake Bay and up the Potomac River. Stops include the C&D Canal; Chestertown, St. Michaels, Annapolis and St. Mary’s, Md.; and Mt. Vernon/Alexandria, Va. (800-8146880, americancruiselines.com)

historically themed nighttime ambulatory light-and-sound show, set to launch in the July 2010. A major digital upgrade will make the only show of its kind even more dazzling as participants wearing 3-D sound headsets tour the outside of several of Independence National Historical Park’s most significant

G. Widman for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

Auguste Renoir’s later years as he considered his legacy and created masterpieces that draw comparisons to those of the old masters. With 100 works of art, including 20 by avante-garde painters like Matisse and Picasso, who drew inspiration from his artistry, Late Renoir paints a portrait of the artist as innovator, teacher and elder artistic statesman. (215-763-8100, philamuseum.org) The Pittsburgh Penguins NHL hockey team will have a new home when the $321-million Consol Energy Center opens in August NEW HAMPSHIRE 2010. The arena, named after the The M/S Mount Washington, largest producer of bituminous the iconic Lake Winnipesaukee coal, will include a full-service cruise vessel, will undergo a $1restaurant, public bars and a food million renovation this winter to court on both the main and update its passenger facilities and upper-level concourses, five retail reduce polluting emissions with shops and an enclosed bridge new technology engines. The curconnected to a new parking rent twin diesel engines were ingarage. The building also will be stalled in the spring of 1946. home to concerts, circuses, stage Offering sightseeing, Sunday shows and sporting events such brunch, sunset and dinner dance as college basketball tournacruises on New Hampshire’s ments, indoor soccer and tennis. largest lake, the 230-foot ship deThe replacement for the current parts from Weirs Beach in LacoMellon Arena (built in 1961) nia from late May to late October. will be the first LEED-certified Philadelphia’s popular Lights of Liberty show will (603-366-5531, cruisenh.com) National Hockey League arena in unveil major upgrades next summer. the country. (penguins.nhl.com) NEW YORK buildings to see and hear recreations Visitors to the Rochester Museum RHODE ISLAND of the events that took place during the & Science Center can delve into The beachfront Ocean House nation’s founding. Summer will also the forensic science used by today’s luxury resort in Watch Hill will re-open mark the debut of an indoor Lights of crime scene investigators when it welin June 2010. The Victorian-era Liberty show. (215-629-5801, historic comes CSI: The Experience from Oct. 2, property is perched high on bluffs philadelphia.org) 2010-Jan. 2, 2011. The multi-media overlooking Little Narragansett Bay, The Philadelphia Museum of Art environment and special effects come with sweeping views of the Atlantic hosts two blockbuster shows in 2010. direct from the CSI television series. Ocean, Montauk and Block Island. Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris, (585-271-4320, rmsc.org) Facilities will include 49 elegant guest on view Feb. 24-April 25, explores the rooms and 23 private residences, farmdecades between 1905 and 1945—the PENNSYLVANIA to-table cuisine, a 2,000-sq.-ft. spa period some consider to be the artist’s The Lights of Liberty will shine ever and more than 10,000 square feet of most productive and influential. Late brighter after a complete overhaul of the event space. (oceanhouseri.com) Renoir (June 17-Sept. 6) follows Pierre34 December 2009

LeisureGroupTravel.com

South on our radar

From New Orleans to the Carolinas, planners organizing tours in the South will find many new itinerary brighteners in the region. Here is a quick glimpse at what’s creating a buzz: FLORIDA The new Northwest FloridaPanama City International Airport is on track to open in May 2010 as the first international airport to be built in the U.S. in the last 16 years. Southwest Airlines, the first to announce service to Panama City Beach, will operate eight daily flights beginning May 18. Located on Panama City Beach’s expansive West Bay, the airport and Industrial District Authority aim to make its terminal the first in the nation certified to LEED standards under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council. The airport will be developed in conjunction with a nature preserve that will include Florida’s largest expanse of undeveloped coastline. The refuge, called the West Bay Preservation Area, will protect 40,000 acres around the West Bay, including 33 miles of undeveloped shoreline and an additional 44 miles of tributaries and creeks. Visitors to the preserve will enjoy hiking, fishing and bird watching. (visitpanamacitybeach.com) GEORGIA BabyLand General Hospital, where Cabbage Patch Kids dolls are “delivered” and “adopted,” plans a Grand Opening Celebration and Reunion on May 8, 2010, at its new location in Cleveland, hometown of creator-entrepreneur Xavier Roberts. The gracious, threestory Southern-style mansion, a showcase of fun and fantasy being built on 100 acres, will offer mountain views from 72 windows. Actual move-in date is expected before the end of 2009. BabyLand is working with lodging facilities, restaurants and other attractions to do Cabbage Patch Kids girlfriend getaways. (cabbagepatchkids.com) LeisureGroupTravel.com

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is adding a $110-million dolphin exhibit that will open in November 2010. The 1.3-million gallon exhibit will include dolphin encounters, viewing windows and dolphin shows. (georgiaaquarium.org) The Allure of the Automobile presents 18 of the world’s rarest cars from the 1930s to the mid-1960s at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art from March 21June 20, 2010. Included are masterpieces by Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Ferrari. The exhibition traces the evolution of the motorcar, examining the contrasts between European and American design, and significant changes in automotive styling and engineering before and after World War II. (high.org)

KENTUCKY The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington will host the 2010 Alltech FEI Games from Sept. 25-Oct. 10. Held every four years, the competition features the world championships for eight equestrian sports. This will mark the first time the event has been held in the United States. The City of Lexington is planning a 17-day festival to run concurrently with the 2010 Games. From May 29-Oct. 15, the Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse will present A Gift from the Desert: The Art, History and Culture of the Arabian Horse, a major exhibition that honors the horse of the Near East, with particular emphasis on the Arabian horse. In September, the Morgan Horse Pavilion, built by the American Morgan Horse

prime time With our 200-year history, Greenbrier County is a great location for your next tour. Conveniently located less than four hours by motorcoach from many major Mid-Atlantic cities, Greenbrier Valley is an easy getaway for those cherished times. To request a copy of the Group Tour Planner, please contact Group Sales at 800-833-2068 or amy@greenbrierwv.com

December 2009 35

on our radar: south ❖

A D V E R T O R I A L

ust 45 minutes south of Memphis lay Antebellum splendor featuring shops, restaurants, museums, daily historic home and garden tours, golfing, camping, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, civil rights history, extensive Civil War history, AND Graceland Too - a shrine to The King built by his biggest fan!

Institute, opens on the Horse Park’s grounds and will highlight the Morgan’s history with interactive exhibits. (feigames2010.org, kyhorsepark.com) LOUISIANA The Restoration Pavilion, opening next year at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, will allow the public a permanent behind-the-scenes view of how conservators restore and preserve tanks, airplanes, boats, weapons and other priceless pieces of equipment from the war years. The facility, part of the second phase of the museum’s $300million expansion, will also serve as a storage area for macro artifacts and parts of the museum collections. (nationalww2museum.org/expansion.restoration.pdf ) New Orleans’ Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in March introduces Para-

Holly Springs Tourism & Recreation Bureau 148 East College Avenue Holly Springs, MS 38635 Toll Free: 888-687-4765 Phone: 662-252-2515 Fax: 662-252-2696 info@visithollysprings.com www.visithollysprings.com Contacts: Suzann or Stephanie

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Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau

he Greenbrier Valley’s rich history and myriad recreational pastimes provide tour groups with an endless choice of leisure activities year round. The region’s mix of quaint downtowns, eclectic shopping, live performance venues and breathtaking scenery ensures that groups will have an outstanding experience no matter what the participants’ interests and preferences.

Washington Street Gallery in Downtown Lewisburg features one-of-a-kind works of contemporary fine art.

Greenbrier County CVB Amy Kaczynski, Director of Sales & Promotions 540 North Jefferson Street, Box 17, Suite N Lewisburg, WV 24901 amy@greenbrierwv.com 800-833-2068 www.greenbrierwv.com

36 December 2009

Rachael Stebbins Director of Marketing & Communications 304-645-1000 rstebbins@greenbrierwv.com

keet Pointe, where visitors will mingle with hundreds of free-flying parakeets and purchase feed sticks for the birds. In May the Audubon Nature Institute will unveil Cool Zoo Splash Zone, a water park right in the middle of Audubon Zoo. Guests can ride waterslides and get dunked by a huge alligator dumping hundreds of gallons of water. (auduboninstitute.org) NORTH CAROLINA Civil rights takes a front seat when the International Civil Rights Center & Museum opens on Feb. 1 in Greensboro in the F.W. Woolworth building where a landmark protest started. One exhibit allows visitors to experience the conversations of the four young men in a re-created North Carolina A&T dorm, prior to their historic 1960 act—seating themselves at the whites-only lunch counter. Artifacts include the original counter and stools. The museum will have 14 signature exhibits and a changing gallery. (336-274-9199, sitinmovement.org) The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh unveils a new 127,000square-foot, $73-million building in April. Dramatically expanded exhibition space will be highlighted by daylit galleries and dozens of new art acquisitions that will be on view for the first time. The aluminum-clad exterior will be surrounded by outdoor gardens showcasing large-scale sculptures. (919-839-6262, ncartmuseum.org) SOUTH CAROLINA The new, state-of-the-art South Carolina State Farmers Market will open April 17 at the center of the state, just off the intersection of Interstates 26 and 77 near Columbia. Featuring separate areas for major wholesale vendors and the retail sale of South Carolina agricultural products, the LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Georgia: A Winter Wonderland visitor-friendly market will feature a children’s play area, a 150-seat exhibition kitchen, a 400-seat outdoor amphitheater, a specialty foods shop, school bus drop-off area, an RV park, a fish market, a meat market, bakery and several restaurants. The site will also be home to South Carolina Department of Agriculture laboratories, a 200-seat conference center and offices. The new market will be three times larger than the old one. (scstatefarmersmarket.com) TENNESSEE Titanic Pigeon Forge, a $25-million project, opens in April 2010 to tell the story of the ill-fated ship, its one voyage and its passengers and crew. The attraction will display hundreds of priceless Titanic artifacts in 20 galleries on two decks that will also contain exact replicas of the “Grand Staircase,” a first-class suite, a third-class cabin and the Marconi wireless room. The bridge will offer interactive features similar to those of its sister ship in Branson, Mo. Visitors will be able to touch an iceberg, experience the chill of 28-degree water, sit in an actual life boat, “steer” the ship and send an SOS message. (titanicpigeonforge.com) WEST VIRGINIA The underground Casino at The Greenbrier will debut in April at the famous resort in White Sulphur Springs. The casino, for hotel guests and Sporting Club members, will feature 320 slots and some 40 gaming tables, including blackjack, craps, baccarat and mini baccarat, roulette and poker. The resort’s temporary Tavern Casino, discreetly located in a lounge in the Virginia Wing, opened in October and will be available for private parties and groups when the larger casino debuts. (greenbrier.com) LeisureGroupTravel.com

rom shopping malls to outlet centers, neighborhood shops to internationally known art galleries and antique treasures, Georgia is a holiday shopper’s paradise. Georgia’s mild winter temperatures allow for plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors. Stone Mountain Park hosts their annual family tradition “A Southern Christmas”, November 13 through December 30. Head south and discover 100 miles of pristine coastline along Georgia’s Coast. Experience the magic of Holiday Island on Jekyll Island in December, with more than a month of family friendly festivities. The annual Fantasy in Lights display can be found at the picturesque Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain from November 20 through December 30. End the year at the Peach Drop, the largest New Year's celebration in the southeast, in downtown Atlanta. Georgia’s mild winter climate is perfect for a holiday getaway.

Visit www.ExploreGeorgia.org

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What’s New and News for 2010 Mississippi Gulf Coast

• Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art – Frank Gehry • • •

•

designed complex opening 2010 Biloxi Arts District – across street, north of Beau Rivage Restoration Historic Properties Biloxi - Biloxi Lighthouse - Magnolia Hotel - Old Brick House Gulfport Restorations Downtown – historic restoration of 25th Avenue to include palm trees, historic lampposts creating walkable district. Grass Lawn – Replicated 1836 mansion Four Gulf Coast Events have received national or regional recognition - Biloxi Seafood Festival - Mardi Gras - Winter Classic, Olympic-Style Horse Show - St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

Contact: Janet Harrington Manager, Leisure Sales and Group Travel MS Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 6128, Gulfport, MS 39506 Ph: 888-467-4853 Fax: 228-896-6788 Email: janeth@gulfcoast.org Web: www.gulfcoast.org

Coming 2011

• Jefferson Davis Presidential Library • Infinity at NASA • Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum December 2009 37

on technology ❖

john kamm, ctp

Technically Speaking, 2010 Is Going To Be Awesome! 2010, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? That date sounds tantalizingly like the future. Shouldn’t we be vacationing on Mars? A machine should be reading my thoughts and committing them to digital memory, another machine bringing my bagel and schmear. Rosie, Rosie, wherefore art thou Rosie? Not much to look at but, man, was that robot maid

phones running Google’s Android operating system. The venerable iPhone will face some interesting competition. Notebooks or laptops are replacing conventional desktop computers at home, school and the workplace. They have the power of most conventional desktops with the added benefit of portability. With these machines, the

At this stage I liken Windows 7 to a new puppy. It is cute and full of promise. efficient and the Jetsons loved her. So, we’re not there quite yet, but there are some exciting trends to watch. Netbooks, small computer appliances configured for browsing the Internet and running minimal applications, are getting more alluring. They are perfect for travel or toting around the house if you can’t bear to be away from Facebook for even a moment. Handsets (the device formerly known as a cell phone) are giving netbooks a run for their money as the overhead of the operating system shrinks coupled with must-have applications and the ability to function on a Wi-Fi network. And they still make phone calls! Watch for a spate of smart-

operating system is a key consideration. Apple’s Snow Leopard is a magnificent example of software engineering, but the total cost of the machine with software is often hundreds of dollars more than a similarly equipped machine running Windows. Linux still requires a pioneering geeky aptitude but it is extremely useful for certain applications when security is of utmost importance. I’m forgetting something. Oh, yes, Windows 7. At this stage I liken Windows 7, just released to generally positive reviews, to a new puppy. It is cute and full of promise. Time will tell if it is a Lassie or a Cujo. Two things I know for sure—there is nothing sadder than a dog movie when

Become a fan of ours on Facebook and we’ll keep you informed of the latest news in the industry by sending you Facebook updates when news breaks. Simply search for “Group Travel” and look for the Premier Tourism Marketing logo! Leisure Group Travel is also joining the Twitter craze. Go to Twitter.com/LeisureGroup to get the latest “tweets” from the Leisure Group Travel staff.

38 December 2009

the canine character doesn’t make it in the end and the next computer most of us buy will be running Windows 7. Stepping up, I will go on the record here to predict that in 2010 someone will actually figure out how to use social media in a profitable business marketing plan. In traditional marketing models the communication is one-way – from the marketer to the consumer. In social media the communication is a conversation; if you start the conversation you better stay in it because it will continue with or without you. Marketers feel they lose control of the message and that makes them fidget. What about ROI, return on investment? Since it costs little or nothing to participate in Facebook or Twitter, there is minimal monetary investment. Better to think of the process in terms of ROE, return on effort. Yet, what metrics can we use to evaluate success or failure? Personally, I believe it is a secret government stimulus plan to find employment for our sons and daughters graduating from college in the next few years. Hire one of them, they get this stuff. They will happily tweet and post and YouTube your sales through the roof. Next year is going to be an exciting ride and we only get to take it once. Don’t be a whiner like George Jetson crying, “Jane, how do you stop this crazy thing?” Best get to it, there’s much to do. John Kamm is CEO of TourTech Systems, Inc., developers of TourTools®, the most popular tour reservations solution in North America. Visit www.tourtools.com for more information.

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