Almond Resorts has created an online training course giving agents and tour operators the opportunity to learn about the company?s five four star premium all inclusive resorts on Barbados and St Lucia.

Amongst the economic doom and gloom, there have been some positive and encouraging signs for the travel industry in recent weeks.? According to an ABTA survey, 68% of people are prepared to increase their holiday budget or spend the same as last year to ensure they have something to look forward to.? Almost half believe the break from routine and credit crunch pressures is a vital escape to maintain sanity!? ABTA predicts that the average spend in 2009 will be ?632.04 per person.

Amongst the economic doom and gloom, there have been some positive and encouraging signs for the travel industry in recent weeks.? According to an ABTA survey, 68% of people are prepared to increase their holiday budget or spend the same as last year to ensure they have something to look forward to.? Almost half believe the break from routine and credit crunch pressures is a vital escape to maintain sanity!? ABTA predicts that the average spend in 2009 will be ?632.04 per person.

By Peter Marsh

Every enquiry is important? but they all fall into one of two types, be they walk-ins, telephone callers or e-mailers:-?
Lookers; possible customers, shopping around maybe but also they could be wasting your time.
Bookers; who definitely want something ? you just have to find out what.?
Each are potentially valuable, but what are the extra ideas that could convince them to book with you?.?

By Richard English

I was quietly nursing a drink at a recent travel function when I was approached by a young lady, also bearing a drink, and wearing a determined expression on her face. I didn?t recognise her and was slightly taken aback when she said, ?Ah. I know you! You?re Richard English? I had to admit that I was, indeed, he, and apologised for the fact that I didn?t recall where we had previously met.

By Richard English

Many years ago I was the manager of a travel agency in the Home Counties and we had a friendly postman whom I shall call Fred. Fred used to book with us and one year had made a booking to Moscow ? a rather less common destination in the days I am speaking of, but Fred was an adventurous kind of chap.