TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE

February 2009 - Wave Season Issue

Welcome to the February edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE, a monthly review of key issues for the travel media. These brief items — including news updates, tips and guidance — are designed to keep today’s travelers up-to-date on the changing travel landscape and help them make more informed decisions on their travel investment.

Travel Guard invites your comments and suggestions on any areas you’d like to see covered in this regular update. E-mail your thoughts to us at bmajor@mmgmardiks.com.

*Editor’s note: Wave Season – The January to March stretch that is traditionally the cruise industry’s heaviest booking period, places the focus on seagoing shipboard excitement, but also on potential mishaps that could impact this year’s voyages. We offer advice on how to cover your travel investment to help ensure your Wave Season is filled with nothing but smooth sailing.
 
For more information on any of the below topics, please contact Brian Major (bmajor@mmgmardiks.com or 212-219-7560, ext. 6764). For more information on travel insurance, visit Travel Guard’s web site: http://www.travelguard.com/.

In this month’s issue:

• PULSE-POLL: WAVE SEASON 
• TRAVEL TIP: A NECESSARY “OPTION” FOR SEAGOING VACATIONS
• EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: THEIR CRUISE IS COVERED

PULSE-POLL: WAVE SEASON

Caribbean Cruising is King: According to Travel Guard’s recent Pulse Poll survey, a commanding 71 percent of agents say the Caribbean (including Yucatan, Mexico) is the most popular destination for clients based on bookings to date. The next most popular destinations were Hawaii/Alaska, bringing in 12.8 percent, followed by the Mediterranean at 5.9 percent.

Riding the Wave: Despite the struggling economy, 44 percent of agency professionals say their Wave Season bookings to date are higher compared with last year. Only 21 percent of agents polled said Wave Season bookings have decreased, and 34 percent said bookings have remained flat compared with Wave Season 2008. Of those agents who said their bookings have increased, 38 percent said bookings have increased “somewhat” and six percent have experienced a “large” increase.

Cost Concerns: Not surprisingly, in light of the struggling economy, price is the most important factor for clients who are considering a cruise vacation, according to 44 percent of agents. Destination followed as the second-most important factor, with a substantial 34 percent. And, despite the best efforts of cruise line marketers, “specific cruise-line preference” ranked third, at 14 percent.

TRAVEL TIP: A NECESSARY “OPTION” FOR SEAGOING VACATIONS

All-inclusive cruises offer high value and the sense of escape and excitement that is the essence of the vacation experience, making seagoing vacations an ideal travel option in tough economic times. Today’s cruises also offer a variety of styles – from feature-rich floating resorts with wave-riding machines, miniature golf courses and rock-climbing walls to small luxury vessels featuring gourmet cuisine, superior accommodations and white-glove service.

However, any seagoing vacation can be negatively impacted by flight cancellations or delays that prevent arrival in time for your ship’s departure. Luggage delays can also ruin a cruise vacation, potentially exposing guests to hundreds of dollars in unplanned costs. Fortunately, Travel Guard offers the perfect coverage plan for cruise lovers - My Travel Guard.

My Travel Guard can be customized based on the specific type of vacation you’re planning, whether it’s a fun-filled mega-ship featuring non-stop activities and dozens of shore excursions (consider adding the Adventure Travel coverage  option), or an intimate, high-service luxury vessel complete with the best food and wine, sought-after international destinations and relaxing days at sea. The My Travel Guard plan offers 24-hour/7-day-a-week travel assistance*, allowing cruisers to find help at the other end of a toll-free call if a flight is delayed or cancelled, or some other travel mishap occurs.

Cruising can be a customizable vacation filled with options. Why not cover your voyage with a customizable coverage plan that provides a product built for your needs?
 
For more information on My Travel Guard or the complete line of travel insurance and assistance service plans, visit www.TravelGuard.com.

Gerald and Diane of Florida were looking forward to their cruise on the Bay of Biscay with hopes of relaxing and rejuvenating while taking in the cultural lore of the Spanish countryside. A few days before the trip, however, Gerald experienced health problems making their cruise plans less than smooth sailing.

When they were forced to cancel their cruise, they immediately called Travel Guard to see how their situation could be helped. Thankfully, Gerald and Diane had purchased Travel Guard’s Cruise, Tour & Travel plan, which included coverage for trip cancellation due to covered reasons. Much to their relief, they would be covered for pre-paid trip expenses.

Upon receiving their check in the mail, Diane wrote “I just want to thank Travel Guard for the outstanding service we received when we had to cancel our cruise. Your agents were so helpful and did everything they could to erase our fears. They were always prompt at answering our questions and concerns.”