NEWTOWN SQUARE, Penn. (Jan. 29, 2018) – Apple Leisure Group® (ALG) CEO Alex Zozaya joined fellow tourism industry leaders during Trade Day at The New York Times Travel Show on for an insightful discussion of the trends affecting travel. The keynote panel took place on Jan. 26 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
From the outlook for international travel for 2018, to the impact of the travel warnings and natural disasters, the panel focused on what the future holds for travel professionals as well as anticipated customer trends for the coming year. Zozaya expects that “2018 will be another record year of people traveling from country to country,” and that despite some headwinds he foresees the current momentum to continue.
This includes the Caribbean, with all of the panelists in agreement that while some countries are still recovering from the recent natural disasters, overall the region is back and open for business. As an organization, Apple Leisure Group implemented various strategies in 2017 to not only help the Caribbean islands affected recover, but also encourage tourism to the region because as Zozaya said, “our job as a travel community is not just to do the business but to do what is right.”
A critical part of Apple Leisure Group’s distribution strategy and vertically integrated business model, Zozaya was optimistic about the future for travel agents. He also noted the vital role agents play in educating consumers to help ensure a better travel experience, especially in today’s climate with the new travel advisory system that was released on Jan. 10, 2018.
James Shillinglaw, veteran travel journalist and editor-in-chief of Insider Travel Report moderated the keynote panel, which included Andrew Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line; Guy Young, global brand engagement officer of The Travel Corporation; Jennifer Tombaugh, president of Tauck; and Ninan Chacko, CEO of Travel Leaders Group.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, The New York Times Travel Show is the largest travel industry trade and consumer show in North America.
Click the image below to view the video of the keynote panel discussion at The New York Times Travel Show.
About Apple Leisure Group
Apple Leisure Group® is a leading hospitality company holding a unique niche in the U.S. travel industry. Its vertically integrated business model and robust infrastructure leverages the expertise of six innovative subsidiaries to deliver exceptional value to savvy travelers and strong resort performance to owners. ALG’s award-winning subsidiaries include: Apple Vacations®, the world’s largest tour operator to Mexico and the Dominican Republic; Travel Impressions®, a prominent U.S. wholesaler possessing an extensive global portfolio; CheapCaribbean.com®, a popular online travel agency specializing in luxury vacation packages and resort accommodations in Mexico and the Caribbean; AMResorts®, provider of marketing and brand management services to six luxury resort brands; Amstar DMC®, a destination management company offering premium airport transfers, tours and excursions; and Unlimited Vacation Club®, AMResorts’ popular guest loyalty program for discerning travelers who expect the very best in a vacation experience. For more information on Apple Leisure Group, visit www.algdevelopment.com.