New Outrigger Mauritius: Indian Ocean Retreat The Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa is offering soft opening packages starting January 15, 2014.  The 181-key beachfront resort on this scenic island near South Africa ensures that all suites and rooms have a sea view – and many have direct access to the white sand beach and the […]

As the world gets ready to welcome a billion Smartphone apps into the world by 2016 (Forrester Research) and downloads of apps in 2013 are estimated to be somewhere between 56 to 82 million (ABIresearch), Travel-Intel offers a quick guide to the best travel apps to consider for planning and traveling.

The face of spa and wellness travel is changing, getting a lift from the surge in popularity as more destination spa resorts go mainstream and medical travel gains steam. READ MORE …   Similar stories: Wellness Travel: Bounty for Body and Bottom Line A Heightened Sense of Luxury at Six Senses Ananda in the Himalayas: […]

By Bill Becken (Editor’s note: This is the second and final part of a series on travel agents and the cruise industry, following Part 1 published December 1). As depicted earlier in this series, the cruise business in 2014 will continue to edify not just guests but travel agents—as was done so well during 2013–with […]

America’s Party in the Entertainment Capital of the World rings in 2014 with a Rockin’ Countdown, some over-the-top fireworks, A-list celebrities, plenty of sparkling wine and some boast-worthy concerts. Here is the run-down:

What happens when Cowboys get the blues? Curious travelers can find out at the 30th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko this year happening January 27 – February 1, 2014. It’s literally the Sundance of ranch speak as cowpokes, range mamas, buckaroos and aficionados of veterinary science come down from their saddles to wax […]

Story and Photos by Susan McKee Water is the reason for Venice. In prehistoric times, fishermen settled on the 118 small islands in the lagoon at the northwest corner of the Adriatic to take advantage of easy access to the sea’s bounty.

Crazy for Spain: Super-charged Packages at the Ritz Madrid The legendary Ritz Madrid, sitting in the center of the city’s museum district, has “Mad Packages” this season for those in love with Spain. Mad for Spain This package focuses on Madrid’s cultural highlights, including world-famous art, historical architecture and traditional cuisine. The ‘Mad for Spain’ […]

While it may only be “One Percent,” the number is big when it comes to who is traveling and what they are spending. In fact, according to a report released last week from MMGY Global and the Harrison Group, that sliver of the U.S. population just got a bit bigger.

By Bill Becken The cruise business in 2014 will continue to support travel agents (and their clients) — as it has clearly done in 2013 — with more specialty/intimate offerings, and more creative sales and marketing approaches all designed to enhance profits all the way around.