Fifty-one percent of U.S. smartphone users accessed travel information on their devices during the three-month timeframe ending February 2012, says a new comScore study based on data from a comScore Travel Advisor report. Nearly one in five U.S. smartphone owners booked travel on their device during that same period.

“The on-the-go convenience of smartphones has facilitated their emergence as an essential companion for travelers,” says Mark Donovan, comScore SVP of mobile. “We all know how hectic a travel experience can be, but smartphones have really stepped in to meet a variety of needs for travelers, such as coordination of schedules, locations, trip itineraries and transactions. With more than half of smartphone users now engaging with travel content, there has never been a better opportunity for suppliers and OTAs to invest in their mobile strategies to provide a great experience and win loyalty from their customers.” It also means clients of travel agents will be better informed.

Additional highlights of the comScore study included:

• 51 percent of U.S. smartphone owners retrieved air and/or hotel content on their device – four in every five mobile travelers accessed both air AND hotel content, comScore says
• Mobile travelers tend to be younger and male, according to comScore: Sixty-two percent of the smartphone users accessing travel info were male compared to 52 percent of the total smartphone audience; 54 percent of mobile travelers were between the ages of 18 and 34 versus 42 percent of the total smartphone audience for that particular age bracket
• Top Mobile Air Travel-Related Activities: “Checked airfare prices” ranks as most common, comprising 26 percent of the smartphone audience, followed by “looked up a phone number” (i.e., airline), “looked at flight schedules” or “checked a flight status,” at 25 percent
• Transactional behavior kept smartphone users engaged as well – 21 percent of consumers “checked in for a flight”; 19 percent “received price alerts for flights”; 18 percent “booked a flight”; and 10 percent “cancelled a flight” – all via their smartphones
• Top Mobile Hotel Travel-Related Activities: “Looked up hotel address/directions” was found most popular, with 29 percent of mobile travelers. “Looked up/researched attractions/things to do at my destination/near my hotel,” came in second at 23 percent. Twenty-one percent of smartphone users “compared hotel prices and availability,” and 18 percent “booked a hotel room” and “received price alerts for hotels” via their mobile phone. Ten percent “cancelled a hotel reservation”

Learn more about the comScore study here.

Red Mountain FAM Trip Package

Rates from $150* per person, per night in Deluxe Accommodations

Upcoming Dates:

March 4 – 8, 2012

July 15 – 19, 2012

August 5 – 9, 2012

November 11 – 15, 2012

Includes:

• Property Tour & Welcome Reception
• One 50-Minute Sagestone Customized Massage
• Accommodations with High-Speed Internet Service
• Three Delicious & Nutritious Meals Daily
• Daily Guided Morning Hikes
• Unlimited Fitness Classes
• Healthy Life Classes & Events at the Wellness Center
• Personal Discovery Activities
• Eat Well, Feel Well Cooking Demonstrations
• Use of Resort Amenities including Indoor & Seasonal Outdoor Pools, Bicycles, Walking Trails, Strength & Cardio Studios

Limited Space Available… contact Lori Munk at 800-407-3002 or lmunk@redmtn.com to secure your reservation today!

*Based on 4-night stay in double or single occupancy in deluxe accommodations. Limited space available. Restrictions may apply.

With the potential for airfare price hikes, helping your clients book a “no fly” vacation may be an appealing option for consumers who still desire to travel.

“Due to the expansion of the cruise industry and availability of North America cruise ports, millions of Americans are within easy driving distance of taking a cruise,” says Cruises-N-More, a U.S.-based family owned and operated online cruise agency.

Cruises-N-More shares its five benefits for a “no fly” vacation:

1. Save money. No flight expense (which can be very expensive for a family of 4) means more money for things like spa treatments, souvenirs, specialty dining and shore excursions! You also get to skip the trials and tribulations of waiting in line and checking bags. Simply arrive at the dock with your bags, ready to go.

2. Steer clear of external factors. If you’re leaving directly from home and heading to the pier, there’s no waiting for transfers to the airport, and no worries about missed or canceled flights. This is a lesson many learned in 2010 when ash from an Iceland volcano prevented air travel, but cruise travel was largely unaffected.

3. Sleep at home. Leaving from close to home means no hotels, so you avoid the expense and the time-consuming check in/checkout process. Your first “check-in” is your stateroom – and you get to sleep in your own bed after your vacation is finished.

4. Cruise on short notice. Have a free weekend coming up? Check out 3-day cruises; cruising from a nearby port makes for an easy long-weekend vacation!

5. Environmental responsibility. For environmentalists, not flying reduces your carbon footprint – always a good thing. Combine this with an eco-conscious cruise, and you’ve got a cost effective family vacation you can truly feel good about.

Cruise Ship Spas allow clients to set sail amid the high seas without ever missing their spa treatments. Many cruise lines offer full-service spas on board, along with salons, fitness facilities and comprehensive treatment menus (select cruises even feature specialty themes or wellness programming).

For your clients who are ready to cruise, here are the Top 10 spas voted “Favorite on a Cruise Ship” in the 2011 SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards.

Carnival

Silver Sea

The Regent Palms, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos: Spring Greens Travel Agents Promotion

Book a minimum three-night stay from today through April 30 and receive a $50 cash bonus per booking

• Every 4^th Night Free
  Travel Dates: now to April 10, 2012
  Booking Dates: now to April 5, 2012
  Room Type: All unit categories
  4-night minimum required
• Great Savings Upgrade
  Travel Dates: April 11, 2012 to December 19, 2012
  Booking Dates: now to December 15, 2012
  Room Type: 1, 2, 3 Bedroom Ocean View, Ocean Front and Deluxe Ocean Front (wraparound balcony)
  Suites: 1, 2, 3 Bedroom Ocean Front Penthouse
  Three-night minimum stay required
  Based on promotional availability
• Suite Deal 25% Off
  Travel Dates: April 11, 2012 to December 19, 2012
  Booking Dates: now to December 15, 2012
  Room Type: Junior suites
  No minimum night length of stay required
  Based on promotional availability

www.regenthotels.com

Book through GDS, your favorite tour operator or call toll free 866.877.7256.

Travel agents, get ready to gain big commission at The Biggest Loser Resort Malibu, with this offer: Guest gets $100 spa credit, and the agent gets 10% commission!

Contact: 888-598-7389

Set on 160 acres amid the natural beauty and allure of the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area, the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge is flawlessly located within close proximity of the Malibu mountains and the Pacific Coast, and is the standard for personalized wellness and tailored fitness and nutrition. The southern California weight loss destination spa, voted among the top 10 favorite for “best fitness program” in the 2011 SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards, is the Biggest Loser brand’s second location, following its sister property in southern Utah.

Learn about the property’s structured weekly program, its portion-controlled cuisine, à la carte spa treatments and more.

Bordered by the River Ganges, with the majestic Himalayas rising in the background, Ananda in the Himalayas is a destination spa that epitomizes harmony between mind, body and spirit. The destination spa’s holistic approach combines Ayurveda, Vedanta and yoga to capture emotional and spiritual wellbeing, balanced by adventure-type experiences that ignite physical health.

“Our award-winning wellness programs like Detox, Weight Management, Yoga and Ayurvedic Rejuvenation are considered best in the world as they are very holistic and seamlessly integrates the best of Ayurveda, Yoga, Western and Oriental practices,” says Mahesh Natarajan, vice president of marketing at IHHR Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. “Together with cuisine tailor-made for each individual by our expert chefs, and personal sessions of meditation and Vedanta, Ananda works to create that perfect balance of mind of body to achieve best results.” Each program is customized to each client, beginning with a detailed wellness consultation. A wealth of on- and off-site activities like treks, rafting and jaunts to the spiritual town of Rishikesh are available to enhance the wellbeing experience.

Ananda has been named “Favorite Spa in India” and one of the “Top 10″ in the “Mind-Body-Spirit” and “Yoga” categories in the SpaFinder 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards. It’s also been recognized as “Best Spa in the World” and “No. 1 Spa Retreat” by Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Award (UK).

Why Your Clients Will Love Ananda in the Himalayas

It’s important for travel agents to know that Ananda is, in fact, easy to access, Natarajan says. “Three flights depart daily from Delhi International Airport to Dehradun airport, a total flight time of one hour,” Natarajan says. “From Dehradun airport, Ananda is a short 45-minute drive.” Ananda can help make arrangements for those who require overnight stays in Delhi, along with airport assistance for transfers to hotels, Natarajan adds.

Once clients do arrive at Ananda, they are greeted with an overwhelmingly exquisite landscape that encourages pure tranquility and peacefulness. Surrounded by a 100-acre forested residential palace of the Maharaja of Tehri Garwal, on whose palace grounds the spa destination is situated, Ananda captivates with the mystical allure of the Rishikesh valley and cascading sounds of the River Ganges.

Travel Agent Commission

10% on Ananda’s rates

Quick Travel-Related Facts

Ananda is accessible by train, air, and car. By train: The resort is a four- to six-hour trip aboard the Dehradun Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi (excluding Sundays), and Mussorie Express from Delhi to Haridwar, followed by a 60-minute drive. By air: Guests can schedule one-hour flights from Delhi Domestic Airport to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, followed by a 60-minute drive to the resort. Airline options include Air Deccan and MDLR Airlines. By surface: Delhi is a six to seven-hour drive away by car. It is recommended to leave early in the morning to reduce travel time.

Namale, the Fiji Islands Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive, award-winning oasis in the South Pacific that will appeal to romantic and adventure-loving clients.

The boutique-type resort, at at the edge of a lush rainforest along a secluded stretch of powdery sand that borders the Koro Sea, features 19 Fijian bure and villas. Each is distinct in style yet defines the eco-luxury experience evocative of the islands. The on-site spa, perched atop volcanic rocks, offers dramatic allure, and entices with an international menu of services and a hydrotherapy area, complete with a waterfall massage, aromatherapy baths, hot tub, plunge pool and sauna.

“Namale is Fiji’s number-one, five-star luxury boutique resort that offers an exclusive, private and luxuriously authentic experience,” says Hudson Mitchell, director sales, marketing and guest services, at Namale. “The experience that we offer is heightened by the interaction of friendly Fijian staff and guests. By far, the experience has been made more enjoyable by our staff.”

Why Your Clients Will Love Namale

Namale’s all-inclusive rate is inclusive of food and beverages, and there are no limitations on the alcohol consumed. In addition, “we cater for 44 guests at any one time and we have over 120 staff on call to look after the needs of our guests” – a ratio of three staff to one guest, Mitchell says.

Namale boasts a comprehensive balance of on-shore and ocean activities, including a new state-of-the-art dive-and-cruise boat. Select experiences are also designed to immerse clients in the Fijian culture as well: The Namale band entertains guests and invites them to try the traditional Fijian cava drink throughout the week, and local villagers regularly visit the 525-acre resort to showcase a meke, or authentic dance ceremony, and handcrafts and souvenirs.

“We have combined the majority of activities from all other five-star resorts in Fiji, added more to this list and have this on offer for our guests,” Mitchell says. There are some activities that are unique to Namale exclusively, he adds.

Be sure to tell clients to spend an entertaining evening at the resort’s open-air Walu Restaurant, where they’ll enjoy such amenities as traditional Fijian feasts, barbecues and buffets – all with the ocean as its backdrop.

Travel Agent Commission

15%

Quick Travel-Related Facts

The Savusavu Airport is located 10 minutes from Namale.

Airport transfers can be provided.

Minimum spa age is 12.

Namale now offers air conditioning in all rooms, as well as complimentary WiFi access.

The popularity of travel agents is on the rise, and several prestigious media outlets (Forbes magazine and the New York Times, among them) have recently highlighted the importance of retail travel sellers. Consumers see value in using travel agents, reports a recent Travel Weekly article, “Consumer media discover that travel agents do still exist.” The message is moving…“from 2011 being the year people asked if there were still travel agents, to 2012 being the year of ‘How can I find a travel agent?’” says ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar, as quoted in the article.

The story quoted several potential influences including recent negative travel issues (the grounding of Costa Concordia and even large magnitudes of U.S. snowstorms), lack of personal time for planning and researching a trip, an inundation of online content and a more proactive approach to consumer media outreach.

Our SpaFinder Travel Agent program communicates to both agent and consumer with our bimonthly e-newsletter, monthly webinars, Travel Marketing Program and Travel Agent website. This lucrative resource offers agents the chance to search for commissionable bookings, FAM specialization trips, elite certification training and more.

Related Stories:
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The New York Times: Is the Best Travel Search Engine Around the Corner?
Forbes: Why You Need a Travel Agent, Part 1
Forbes: Why You Need a Travel Agent, Part 2
Forbes: How to Find a Superstar Travel Agent, Part 3

A NEW YORK SPA STATE OF MIND

Located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan’s Midtown district, the Peninsula New York embodies the alluring glamour and sophistication of both the city and its 1905 Beaux-Arts landmark building. The Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond-awarded hotel, within close proximity of designer shops, museums and theaters, is designed with a classic yet captivating tone that draws a prominent business and star-studded clientele.

Overlooking the city, the Peninsula Spa is a wellbeing urban oasis, providing clients with holistic European- and Ayurvedic-inspired treatments from a bespoke menu. A stylish indoor pool area cocooned amidst a glass setting, an afternoon tea service at Gotham Lounge and a sumptuous 1930s Shanghai-style rooftop lounge are just a few of the enticements that clients will discover at the legendary hotel.

WHY YOUR CLIENTS WILL LOVE THE PENINSULA NEW YORK…

The cosmopolitan appeal of the Peninsula New York, christened one of Condé Nast’s Top Hotel Spas in North America, attracts all types of travelers. Business groups have 3,300 square feet of meeting space and a dedicated consultant and banquet team at their request, while families traveling with the little ones will appreciate thoughtful touches like children’s robes and slippers, books, DVDs and bubble bath products found in room. And for those traveling simply for leisure, a visit to the full-service spa or a short stroll to Central Park or the high-end boutiques on Madison Avenue are not to be missed.

Peninsula Academy programming features a full itinerary of walking tours, private shopping excursions and more that offer insight into New York’s culture, cuisine, arts and history. (Clients should give the hotel a few days’ notice if participating.) The classically designed guest rooms and suites provide an idyllic place to retire following a day of meetings or exploring Manhattan.

Opulent dining attractions include Fives, where guests will enjoy American creations by Executive Chef Cornel Ruhland, followed by after-dinner drinks and live piano music at the restaurant’s cozy bar. The refined Gotham Lounge serves afternoon tea by day and evening cocktails by night, while the Salon de Ning rooftop terrace lounge, for light Asian cuisine and nightcaps, exudes enchanting, dramatic style with ornate woodwork, vivid fabrics and patterns and Fifth Avenue vistas.

…AND ITS PENINSULA SPA BY ESPA

Bathed in amber, cinnabar and charcoal hues, the Peninsula Spa by ESPA totals 35,000 square feet within the hotel’s top three floors. A rich, organic vibe ensues throughout the 12 treatment-room spa, from the entryway to therapy areas to relaxation lounges. Meticulous details, from a couple’s suite with a private steam shower and bath to a seasonal terrace to individual lounge beds with Frette linens and personal sound systems, can be found with every glance.

The spa journey begins with a welcome tea ritual in the Asian tea lounge proceeded by a client-therapist consultation in the treatment room; clients can follow up their service with a healthful dish from the Naturally Peninsula cuisine menu. The gym is stocked with Life Fitness equipment and hosts group aerobics, core workout, mat Pilates and yoga classes. Private fitness memberships, allowing access to the entire facility, are also available.

PENINSULA NEW YORK PROMOTION

MANHATTAN RETREAT – 10% COMMISSION TO TRAVEL AGENTS

Escape the cold this winter and warm up with The Peninsula New York’s “Manhattan Retreat” package, which offers great value plus a choice of value-added benefits tailored for romantic, family or spa getaway. With room rates from $475 per night, the Retreat represent a 25% savings off normal room-only rates, plus guests receive perks including daily breakfast, spa discounts and hotel credit.

The package is based on a two-night minimum stay and is valid from January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.

This retreat is designed as the perfect winter getaway, beckoning guests to enjoy the hotel’s five-star spa facilities and glass-enclosed pool with special discounts towards spa treatments and more!  Benefits include:

• 30% off treatments at The Peninsula Spa (excluding services at Mélange Salon)
• Continental breakfast for two adults daily in Fives restaurant or from Room Service
• $50 hotel credit
• Guaranteed 4:00 pm late check-out
• Complimentary in-room wired and wireless high-speed Internet access
• Complimentary local telephone calls and daily local newspaper
• Complimentary use of the fitness center and swimming pool

Room Type                             Rate

Superior Room                        $475

Deluxe Room                          $575

Grand Luxe Room                  $675

Validity: January 1, 2012 – March 31, 2012

Terms and Conditions:

• Minimum stay of two consecutive nights
• Valid only for Thursday, Friday or Saturday arrival
• The rate is subject to availability and black-out dates may apply
• The rates are subject to 14.75% tax and $3.50 occupancy tax per room per night based on single or double occupancy
• Advance reservations are required
• This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer(s), program(s) and/or promotion(s), and is not valid for groups
• In case of any dispute, the hotel reserves the right to make the final decision

QUICK FACTS

Three airports — La Guardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark International Airport — are all within 30-45 minutes of the Peninsula.

Clients can arrange airport transfers through concierge services.

The Peninsula is pet-friendly property.