It seems to be a good use of this column once a year to summarize what I learned from the buyer breakout sessions at our annual Select Traveler Conference. At these sessions, I ask group travel planners various questions about their current trips. • On the issue of...
"During our busy season, I drive past every hotel in town and count the motorcoaches in the parking lots every morning on my way to work. It's the only way that we have any idea how many groups are coming." During a research trip last year, I was discussing the issue...
I'll admit it — I've fallen asleep on a tour bus before, in the middle of a guide's presentation. And I'm willing to bet that you probably have, too. It's not just something that has happened once or twice. Whenever I'm on a tour that includes long stretches of...
"I've been with the company for 25 years now, but I've never seen it change so much as it has in the past two years." When Tony Etienne, vice president of affinity market sales for Collette, made this statement to the delegates at the Select Traveler Conference in...
It's been a long time since I've switched on a hotel room television. Last spring, in anticipation of the birth of our daughter, Daisy, my wife and I made the difficult decision to discontinue our cable service at home. In its place, we began subscribing to Netflix...
If the taxi industry had innovated when it had the chance, it wouldn't be shaking in its boots over Uber. If you haven't heard of Uber yet, you soon will. This technology-based ride-sharing company enables people who need transportation to open an app on their...
If there were one thing about group travel that you could change, what would it be? Our industry is in the middle of an important transition period. Tour operators and travel suppliers understood the previous generation of travelers well and tailored group trips to...
It's mid-February, which means that most of us who made New Year's resolutions have already given up on them. I'm not here to make you feel guilty; instead, I'd like to offer an alternative set of resolutions that you can still achieve this year. Unless you're taking...
Are there certain amenities that should be included on any group tour that happens anywhere in the world? I spent a lot of time on tours this summer and fall, and noticed some trends and amenities that I really enjoyed — and others that I missed. It made me wonder if...
Group travel today is much more than just sitting on a motorcoach. Today's more active group travelers demand more chances to learn about and experience the destinations they are visiting. Over the past decade, many destinations and attractions have seen the value of...
We're The Group Travel Leader, America's leading experts on all things group travel. Find hundreds of articles, podcasts and other free resources for your group travel program here.
Get the Group Travel Minute e-newsletter twice a month.
