Register today for the Home Based Travel Agent Forum to be able to visit Starwood Hotels on the trad

Travel Show Marketing Group, producers of the Home Based Travel Agent Forums holiday inn sunspree orlando sat with Chris Austin, VP, Global Retail Leisure holiday inn sunspree orlando Luxury Sales of Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide to discuss this important brands’ role in supporting travel agents, product updates, and sponsorship of Keynote speaker, Zane Kerby, CEO of ASTA at the upcoming Las Vegas Forum.  The Forum is taking place at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas June 16 – 18, 2014.  Mr. Kerby will speak at the General Session on Tuesday, June 17 th .
Starwood, which has nine brands and 1,200 hotels across more than 100 countries, including 70 property openings just in the last year, has been visible and working aggressively with industry organizations, including ASTA to offer guidance and support in efforts to advocate for the travel holiday inn sunspree orlando agent community, and the value of booking with a travel agent.
The portfolio continues to grow, with plans to open 80 additional properties this year, also continues to complete major restorations across their brands, especially with their luxury properties.  Last year, Starwood completed restoration on their historic palace properties in Paris, Venice, Seville, and San Sabastian; with restorations continuing this year with the Imperial Hotel and the Bristol, both in Vienna.
Starwood has spent over $8Billion on their largest brand, Sheraton, to reinvigorate holiday inn sunspree orlando the brand, with many updates including the Sheraton Suite Sleeper beds, the Core Performance Fitness program, the Link Café off of all of the lobbies, and Sheraton Club Levels.  The Sheraton really is a great brand that the travel professionals support.  It’s a great combination of business travel and leisure with a very broad portfolio, with terrific resorts all over the world, including Brazil, Australia, Hawaii and China. holiday inn sunspree orlando Starwood understands that their guests look for different experiences, and therefore promote all levels in all brands.
When asked about the opportunities that travel agents have with Starwood to increase their profitability, Chris suggests that every single travel professional has a luxury customer, whether they know it or not.  What they need to start doing is become lifestyle planners, not just travel agents.  Find your clients “big” dates; their anniversaries, their birthdays – then actually plan ahead for these milestones.  Even if it is six years away, start upselling the client into a dream trip of a lifetime.  If travel agents take this approach, they will sell into luxury, they will sell into aspirational travel.  Everyone has the opportunity.  The beauty of having multiple brands, like Starwood does, you can take your weekend getaway client that is loyal to one specific brand, holiday inn sunspree orlando and become the lifestyle planner, and upsell them to a luxury dream trip, or a multi-generational trip.  Starwood has the right brand for every traveler.
Chris Austin’s advice to all travel professionals:  Agents can learn about the brands, by using Starwood’s Pro Learning educational program.  By matching the right brand to the right client, you will exceed the client’s expectations, and securing them as a client for life.   Narrow the focus, support the hotel partners/cruise lines/tour operators who support the travel professional, learn about the products, so you can upsell the client, whether it’s from one type of room to another holiday inn sunspree orlando level, or from one type of brand to another.
“Whatever the travel agent is selling, they should always should offer a hotel stay”.  If the agent is selling a cruise, they should always holiday inn sunspree orlando sell a hotel stay as part of the trip.  The agent shouldn’t just sell one night, because selling one night is selling convenience, selling two or three nights is selling an experience.”  Use the technology that is available today to support your business.  Utilize reminders for client’s milestones to create loyalty with your customer base.
Starwood is very focused on supporting the home based agent community.  The sales teams in the field are encouraged to identify the home based group.  It’s important for the sales team to know where the “at homes” are so they can communicate, and seek support and advice.  Chris really encourages agents to exploit Starwood Pro.  Check out the special offers and most importantly, embrace the education.
Register today for the Home Based Travel Agent Forum to be able to visit Starwood Hotels holiday inn sunspree orlando on the trade show floor, and to also hear Zane Kerby speak at the General Session.  To register, visit www.LVTravelShow.com .