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The High-Hanging Fruit: Raphael Bejar, CEO of Airsavings looks at the new, improved value-based approach to ancillary revenue development

An extremely brief primer on the past two decades in the airline industry, in case anyone needs a refresher: First came the streamlining of the air travel product, where meals and other perks were reduced in a cost-cutting effort. Then the airfare was unbundled completely, allowing airlines to present a fare devoid of pesky line-items like taxes and airport charges. Then, in one of the most significant turning points in the economics of passenger aviation, airlines began levying fees and charges on those previously-included products and services.?

Paul Trowell from the Falkland Islands Tourist Board looks at the growth of niche tourism and responsible wildlife management

?	In an increasingly competitive marketplace tour operators are having to work harder and smarter to get their share of the mighty tourist dollar. One route to differentiation has been to specialise in niche markets such as wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers and photographers.?

?Messaging based on customer behaviours? is the key to building loyalty and retention says Richard Evans, director of marketing ? EMEA, Silverpop

The travel industry enters 2011 still shaking off the cobwebs of a tough year. December?s snowfall was the latest in a series of hardships for UK airports, with the BAA estimating the cost of the month?s weather disruption at ?24 million (ABTN, 12th Jan, 2011). And if that wasn?t all doom and gloom enough, the government?s VAT hike and public sector cuts have sparked fears of consumers cutting their holiday spending and refocusing on paying off existing debt. Fortunately, there are several exciting email marketing tactics that travel companies can use to overcome current industry challenges by building and retaining customer loyalty.

The need for speed ? Mark Harrington, CEO of Check Safety First, explains how real-time safety reports can aid both tour operators and hoteliers

How can hoteliers and tour operators work together to improve the regular flow of health and safety information, providing up-to-date intelligence which can help to avoid future liability and negative publicity??

Taxing times: Maia Honan from Positive Thinking looks at how to win over customers amongst all the VAT hype

There?s been a great deal of discussion about VAT rising to 20% in recent weeks, with all business sectors analysing what it means for them and how far their customers will be affected. For the travel industry, however, VAT is not a chief cause for concern. Holidaymakers planning their summer beach holiday don?t have to worry about paying more for their package holiday, according to ABTA, who is reminding travellers that the VAT hike does not apply to the total cost of an overseas package holiday.

Sam Cox, MD of RealGap Experience examines the trend in students opting for more work related experience travel

?Applications for university are up as students try to avoid the tuition fee rise that will see some courses cost nearly ?30,000 from 2012, and because thousands missed out on places last year. With early signs indicating that scores of sixth-formers are considering opting out of the UK system completely and applying for places in universities abroad, now that the UCAS application deadline has passed, what other options do students have if they don?t get their place at university?

Paul Fitzgerald from Crimson Hotels Group looks at why all star service is key in budget hotels

?	Customer service from a budget hotel? That?s not really what it?s all about I hear you say. However, I am firmly convinced that customer service is just as important at the ?no frills? end of the market as it is at the newly re-opened Savoy.?

Travel Opinions

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