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Chris RyallChris Ryall is an industry insider with strong, outspoken opinions that readers enjoy, whether they agree, or take issue, with his viewpoint. Chris actually writes two columns, The Ryall Report, a general ‘whatever’s on his mind’ column which is often filed from exotic travel locations, and The Spa Scene, about (surprise) spas - which is an absolute must for any spa enthusiast or anyone with spa loving clients. ALWAYS INCLUDE AIRWhat you really really want in a fam
SEP 2010: The Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) issued a press release last week highlighting its recent survey of certified travel counsellors on the subject of familiarization or fam trips. This is no doubt one of the perks (it sure wouldn’t be the salary!) of working in the travel industry. Over the years I have organized and escorted numerous agent, tour operator, and meeting planner fams to various parts of the world from Australia, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands to all over the United States to the Middle East and Gulf countries.
CUSTOMER SERVICEProvide it Or Lose Business
24 AUG 2010: Customer service. A simple concept to understand but it seems an incredible challenge for so many companies and organizations. On a recent vacation swing through parts of Ontario from cottage country in the Muskoka region to larger cities like Kingston and Ottawa I had the opportunity to be the recipient of both exemplary and shoddy customer service.
TAKE A BREAKThe Travelitis Affliction
10 AUG 2010: Everyone needs a vacation from our daily work routines. After many years in the travel industry, I have found it increasingly difficult to go on holiday. The real challenge is getting my travel induced brain to take a holiday as well. Let’s call this affliction “Travelitis” – the inability to totally retreat from travel industry jargon, training, observations, and analysis.
SAY AHH TO MEDICAL SPASMedical Tourism Flourishes in Thailand
09 AUG 2010: Now this was one medical procedure (okay that’s a stretch) which I was looking forward to at the S Medical Spa located in central Bangkok. The two Thai therapists, Alisa and Orawan weren’t holding pain inducing syringes but just rubbing their hands with aromatic oils ready to apply on my aching body. It was a ninety minute blissful four-handed massage by two skilled and perfectly in sync therapists.
TRIBAL TRAVELLERSChoose your Tribe
27 JUL 2010: Travel marketers and researchers drool when given the task of identifying and categorizing new market segments. They think of catchy terms to describe the different market segments like boomers, zoomers, Generation X and Y, gamers, GLBTers, armchair travellers, gazers, geezers, thrill seekers, and more. Two leading US based market research companies Ypartnership and the Harrison Group, have now come up with a new name for market segments, “tribes”, in their comprehensive “2010 Portrait of American Travelers.”
RELAX & ENJOYGetting more from your spa experience
19 JUL 2010: A spa visit is a welcome addition to any Canadian summer getaway. Enjoy nature’s beauty and idyllic weather while relaxing at a summer spa retreat. Resort spas can be found in Muskoka, Vancouver Island, Quebec’s Eastern Townships, Alberta’s Rocky Mountains or along the Atlantic coast. Let’s look at the spa experience and how to get more out of it.
PROCEED WITH CAUTIONTravel Alerts Can Be Dangerous
13 JUL 2010: Travel alerts and warnings issued by governments to the public can give the impression that the destination is far scarier and more dangerous than the reality. Thailand, Jamaica and even Canada have been the most recent victims of travel warnings and alerts when people only hear snippets on the news or by word of mouth and believe the whole country is under siege.
G8/20 SUMMITSTourism Bonanza or Bust
29 JUN 2010: Burning police cars. Tear gas. Smashed store windows. Hundreds of arrests. After the unfortunate events of this past weekend in Toronto it is doubtful the Canadian Tourism Commission, or Tourism Toronto, or the folks that promote the Muskoka region will be using images from the recent G8 and G20 Summits in their future promotional material. Come visit our friendly city Toronto - land of the G20 impenetrable security perimeter, fences, barbed wire, 20,000 police, and don’t even think of visiting without having identification on you at all times.
WINGING IT OUT OF BUFFALOThe Welcome Mat is Out
15 JUN 2010: Buffalo, New York is famous for the best chicken wings, its hard-luck Buffalo Bills football team and some brutal snowstorms. It is also becoming a very popular departure city for Canadians to fly out of instead of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. I know many in and out of the travel industry who love flying out of Buffalo. On a recent business trip I decided to check it out myself for value and convenience.
SPA & COUNTRY RETREATSte. Anne’s Spa Offers Both
14 JUN 2010: Living in a sprawling metropolis like Toronto or other large cities one must endure the noise, pollution, traffic jams and incessant ringing of cellphones. It’s enough to send someone fleeing to the serenity and calm of the countryside. Ste. Anne’s Spa, voted Canada’s Best Spa from 2006-2009 by SpaFinder Reader’s Choice awards, captures the best of a country and spa retreat. This sanctuary is located less than 90 minutes east of Toronto in Grafton.
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