Travel Factory Blog

Just returned from a great three days in Cancun. Funjet Vacations invited many of their top agents from around the United States to gather for meetings and discussions of new selling opportunities in Cancun and along the Mayan Riviera.

We stayed at the beautiful Hyatt Ziva, and what an experience!! They purchased that property which used to be a Dreams Resort, spent $50 million in refreshing and changing many things, and are now presenting it as a family vacation resort. If you have ever been to Cancun, it is located right at the northern tip of hotel zone in Cancun, in fact, our room looked out over the lighthouse and the beautiful all-color-of-blue water and beach.

The hotel has 12 unique restaurants, bars, and lounges, and remember, it is an all-inclusive property. So that means you don't pay for anything while there!! Kids love it....ice cream whenever you want it, a candy store that dazzles, and a great hamburger joint with a real 1957 rebuilt Chevy in with a table set up in the front seat. There also is a Kids Club with a water park and a tree house.

Another plus is that they have 3 infinity pools, including an adult-only pool, and three over-sized whirlpools. Coming soon is a Dolphin Encounter where one can swim with the dolphins in a safe environment. And it wouldn't be a proper resort without a spa, so they have all kinds of treatments available from the head to the toe in a beautiful facility.

Today I'm referencing an article by David Swanson in his post “Beyond the Guidebook” for some excellent insight into the cruise industry in 2016.

The cruise industry carried more than 23 million passengers in 2015, and this year there are nine new oceangoing ships that will make their debut. Would you believe there are millions of Americans who have never cruised? Many of those who cruised in 2015 were repeat guests, because they have discovered that this is absolutely the very best way to vacation. So, for those who haven't cruised, the lines are targeting you, so what's new?

Travel Weekly reported last week about the good fortune, or hard work, of the Walt Disney Co.’s Park and Resorts division. They reported a record first-quarter net income of nearly $1 billion. . .a nice 22% increase in operating income over a comparable period last year. Overall, Disney saw is net income increase 20% for fiscal first quarter and revenues rose 14% to $15.2 billion.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, beside Las Vegas and New York City is (Polynesian drum roll, please) Hawaii!!! The latest Travel Weekly reported that the final 2015 numbers aren't in yet, but the prediction is that it will be the record-setting year for visitor count in the 50th state.

One of the more popular destinations that we book every year is a 3-4 night trip to the “city that never sleeps”, Las Vegas. There have been some interesting changes that have developed over the past few months that makes one raise their eyebrows. One in particular is charging for parking. No one has ever had to park in Las Vegas, even at the downtown hotel/casinos. And visitors have been able to park at the Strip hotel/casinos at their parking garages for free.....but things are changing.

Not everyone reads “Women’s Day” magazine, thank goodness, but one of the contributors to that publication really raised a verbal firestorm among travel agents.  Anne Roderique-Jones article was titled “Ten Things Travel Agents Won’t Tell You”, and after some serious conversations it was changed to “Nine Things. . .”.  Still after that, there have been over 1500 comments posted to that article and the overwhelming majority of the comments were written by travel agents, travel agents organizations, or clients correcting some of the misconceptions in the article.

Las Vegas Is Reaching Out For Everyone!

One of the most favorite destinations in the United States for vacationers is the adult entertainment capital of the nation, Las Vegas.  Eat your heart out New York City, New Orleans, and San Francisco!!!

TSA Wants To Speed Things Up

Remember back in the 70’s and 80’s and even before, when you wanted to fly somewhere, you just paid for your ticket, went to the airport, checked in at the counter, went to the gate and left when the plane did.

Now, the security lines are horrendous in most airports and a 30-45 minutes wait is customary, then you have to almost undress, get randomly checked and patted, and finally get to your gate all out of sorts.

Are Cruises Surviving?

For the past year or so, understandably there has been much in the public media regarding the negative plight of some of the cruise lines. . .and it seems almost no one has been exempt.  The recent report by Carnival Cruise Lines on their second-quarter financial results indicate that they are having difficulties in filling their ships.  Their bookings are behind last year and what bookings they have are at lower prices.

Why Alaska??

We have just returned from our 19th year of escorting a group to Alaska, “The Last Frontier”, and from personal testimony, and among the 38 who went with us, it was a very successful adventure experience.

Our family just returned from one of the most memorable and fantastic family vacations you could ever have. . . .especially if your wife, children, and grandchildren are happy!!

Serious World Wide Bucket List for Favorite Travel Destination

Recently the website, Travel Advisor, released the results of a poll from their subscribers that asked for their favorite destinations around the world.  I’m not certain how many folks responded, but the results were very interesting, and challenging to those who like to travel.  Twenty-five cities were cited, but I’ll just hit on the top 15.

Airline Fees Frenzy is Still Alive. . And Well!!

My goodness, it seems every time we take a breath, another airline finds some other way to make a buck off of their guests.  Even though you might have purchased your tickets several months ago, just keep your wallet out when you arrive at the airport. . .you’re not through paying!!

The most successful river cruise company ever, Viking River Cruise, made the announcement last week that they were planning to get into ocean cruising in 2015.. . .but it will be different, very different.  This was reported by travel writer Tom Stieghorst.

The Inside Skinny on Airlines and Cruiselines

In a news story from the Seattle Times, they note that the airlines started charging for checked luggage in 2008 and fees have climbed steadily since.  In fact the report came out yesterday that the U.S. airlines collected more than $6 billion in baggage and reservation change fees from passengers last year. 

If I have that question once a day, I would be willing to say it averages 3-4 a day.  Everybody wants a free trip!!!  That’s what makes the traveling public so gullible to some shady travel deals.  The information I’ll talk about today comes directly from the Aviation Consumer Protection Page.

Visit Cancun on a Family Vacation in Mexico

We’ve been talking the past two weeks about all-inclusive vacations, and I thought I’d expand a little bit on that topic.  With a little help from one of the major hotel and resort companies, Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, here’s some of the reasons to consider an all-inclusive family trip to Mexico.

Last week we talked about the fact that many folks are frustrated about where to go for their family vacation with the understandable concern that everyone would be happy, wherever it was.  And we mentioned that we use the services of a very reliable tour operator, Funjet Vacations, to help us make those “happy and memorable plans, and have done so over 25 years.

When helping clients plan their vacations they are often frustrated because they just don’t know where to go where the whole family will be happy.  A good travel agent will start the interview and try to find out what they like to do, what they have done in the past that was fun.  Do they like to eat?  Do they like beach stuff?  Do they want a lot of activities, if so, what kind of activities?  Do they want to drive or fly? How long do they want to be gone?  Do they want a land based vacation or would they consider a cruise?  What kind of budget are they working with?  All important variables to consider!!!

What Do You Think About Carnival Cruise Line?

As many of you know, yesterday was the annual Abilene Expo down at the Civic Center where around 175-200 business in town set up booths to introduce their products and services as well as network with other business in our city regarding keeping our economy in the Big Country vibrant and alive.