Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/187632
•pg_42-55__BMT_pg3-58 9/25/13 12:27 AM Page 51 T R AV E L DATA U.S. TRAVEL AGENTS SEE INCREASE IN AIR TICKET SALES JULY 2013 VS. JULY 2012 U.S. retail and corporate travel agencies, satellite ticket printing offices and online travel agencies. Results do not include sales of tickets purchased directly from airlines. Total sales are equal to the total amount ARC, the financial settlement link between airlines and travel sellers, paid for a ticket, which includes taxes and fees. reported in August that the consolidated dollar value of airline tickets sold by U.S.-based travel agencies experienced an increase of 0.25 percent* yearROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES 50 MILLION GUESTS over-year in the first seven months of 2013 compared to the same period last year, totaling $53.3 billion vs. $53.1 billion in 2012 and $50.5 billion in 2011. Sales for July 2013 were up 6.86 percent at $7.1 billion compared to On August 12, Royal Caribbean International recognized an July 2012 at $6.7 billion and July 2011 at $6.5 billion. important milestone in its 45-year company history as it welcomed its 50 Ticket transactions for the first seven months of 2013 decreased -0.96 millionth guest onboard its fleet of 21 ships. The momentous occasion percent to 87.5 million over the same period in 2012 at 88.4 million. Year- kicked off a year-long celebration honoring the cruise line's guests, busito-date passenger segments decreased -2.1 percent to 215.3 million com- ness partners, employees and crew. pared to 219.9 million in the seven months of 2012 and 219.6 million in "For more than 45 years, Royal Caribbean's guiding principle has been 2011. to deliver the WOW to our guests, providing them with experiences, servMore detailed information is available at https://www.arccorp.com- ices and amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean," said /news/stat/2013-07.jsp. Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. About ARC: "The men and women on our ships who deliver these WOW moments ARC powers the U.S.- are what inspire our loyal guests to return to sail with us again and again." based travel network with Spreading across the globe like a New Year's Eve-style party, each of premier business solutions, Royal Caribbean's ships will recognize the milestone with shipboard festravel agency accreditation tivities. The onboard events will mark the start of a year-long campaign services, process and finan- where consumers are encouraged to share their favorite WOW moments cial management tools, and with Royal Caribbean over the years by posting photos, videos and mempowerful data analytics. orable stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag Nearly 14,000 travel agen- #RoyalWOW. cies and 190 airlines use "Every day on our ships, guests from around the world are creating and ARC's settlement services, experiencing unforgettable WOW moments," said Lisa Bauer, execuwhich in 2012 totaled more tive vice president, Global Sales and Marketing, Royal Caribbean than $84 billion. As the International. "As we mark this incredible milestone, we are inviting industry's gold standard of guests to relive those special moments and celebrate with us by sharing accreditation, ARC allows their personal Royal WOWS." participating agencies and Royal Caribbean's exceptional Gold Anchor Service is one of the faccarriers to focus on what's tors that has helped the cruise line achieve this significant milestone and important – increasing their why the line was recently ranked among the top cruise lines in a recently revenue. Established in 1984, ARC is headquartered in Arlington, Va. For more released cruise line satisfaction report. This and other recent accolades information, visit www.arccorp.com. across the globe – including awards from Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + *Ticket Sales Leisure, Travel Weekly and the World Travel Awards – highlight Royal Results based on monthly sales data ending July 31, 2013 from 13,701 Caribbean's commitment to providing unparalleled vacation experiences. Continued from page 5 Daytona Beach Resort, Daytona Beach, FL. March 11-14 10th Annual New Mainstream Business Summit, Conrad Hotel, Miami, FL. sum- www.DaytonaBeachMeetings.com mit@geoscape.com 2015 May 28 Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum, JW Marriott, Washington, DC. www.lipp- manconnects.com April 5-8 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Convention, Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC. For more information: (202) 416.4579 or registration@aacc.nche.edu. May 6-10 2014 Humane Society of the U.S. Animal Care Expo, Ocean Center and the Hilton June 17-19 Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) Tradeshow, Baltimore, MD. www.aibtm.com September 24-26 National Black MBA Association 2014 Annual Conference & Exposition, Los Angeles, CA. For more information contact Carol Martinez, LA Inc. The Los Angeles CVB at (213) 236-2357. April 18-21 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Convention, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. For more information: (202) 416.4579 or registration@aacc.nche.edu. 2016 January 3-13 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC), Boston, MA. (617) 954-2168 B M & T ••• September/October 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 51