Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle
alg

Skift Draws Ire of Travel Agents for Criticizing ASTA SeaWorld Reception

by Doug Gollan / August 30, 2017
Skift Draws Ire of Travel Agents for Criticizing ASTA SeaWorld Reception

An aerial view of SeaWorld's San Diego park. Photo: Shutterstock.com


Skift, a media group serving travel suppliers with marketing insights, came under fire from travel agents at ASTA’s Global Convention in San Diego this week after it attacked ASTA for hosting its opening reception at SeaWorld San Diego.

“Responsible travel brands are taking steps to ban bookings of tourist attractions involving direct human interactions with animals,” wrote Skift’s Dennis Schaal on the eve of the ASTA Global Convention.

“Given all the SeaWorld controversies that the film “Blackfish” uncovered, coupled with ongoing federal probes, couldn’t ASTA have picked an alternative venue for its opening reception?”

However, several agents felt Skift was unfairly picking on ASTA. Agents told TMR that sponsors of Skift's forums have commercial ties to SeaWorld and that the Skift annual forum was held two years ago at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a site that has found itself in the middle of several scandals (in 2012, the New York Daily News reported a worker died after falling while trying to crawl out of an elevator and, more recently, a dozen workers walked off their jobs citing “unsafe working conditions, lack of benefits, and poor pay”).

Café Moskau in Berlin, the site of a 2018 Skift Forum, has drawn the ire of some locals who see its conversion into a high-end conference center as part of the city’s ongoing gentrification that is eroding lifestyle of the city’s long-time residents.

“Frankly, if I called you up and said, ‘Hey, look at where Skift is holding their events, you might hang up on me,” the agent said. “I just happened to think they made a mistake in the way they came after ASTA in this case.” He pointed out SeaWorld is number nine on the list of things to do in San Diego, according to US News & World Report. TripAdvisor’s CEO is speaking at Skift’s next conference in New York. “I assume he was invited by Skift. I don’t think he is just showing up, yet TripAdvisor has Sea World on its list of recommended things to do in San Diego,” he added.

Several sponsors of the upcoming Skift forum, including CityPass and Mastercard are commercial partners with SeaWorld.

“It seems like a double standard to take a swipe at ASTA but take money from others that are selling SeaWorld,” said one agent.

“At the same time, I think Skift has started to understand the importance of retail travel agents, which is a big change from a couple years ago. They used to think everything was all about online, so I hope they continue to gain a better understanding of the importance of the trade. I just think they made a mistake in this case,” the agent added.

ASTA officials declined to comment.

  3
  0
algv
Related Articles
ASTA Happy with 2017, Excited for the Coming Year
Documentation is Key to Protecting your Travel Agency
How Small Can a Travel Agent Niche Be?
Are Travel Agent-Client Relationships at Risk to Supplier Loyalty Programs?
Is Anxiety Defining a New Normal for Travelers?
Consumers Would Trade Nicer Hotel Rooms for Better Experiences
Marriott CEO Talks Cuba, Loyalty Program at Skift Forum
Future of Travel Agents on Display at ASTA Entrepreneur Competition
American Society of Travel Agents Announces National Board of Directors
Longtime Travel Luminary Susan Tanzman Passes

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  2. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  3. CDC Adds Three Caribbean Destinations to “High-Risk” COVID-19 List
  4. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  5. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  6. Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  2. Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
  3. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  4. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  5. Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
  6. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
algv
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR Recommendations
Daniel Zim
Zim Travel Law, PLLC. Demystifying Complexity with Down to Earth Advice. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Rodney Gould
Rodney E. Gould concentrates in travel and tour-operator litigation and regularly counsels travel-related entities worldwide.
hbar
Tom Carpenter
Carpenter Law Office - Representing clients in the travel and tourism industries. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Top Stories
Travel Advisors Discuss Challenges – and Solutions – at TMP East 2022
Travel Advisors Discuss Challenges – and Solutions – at TMP East 2022

Advisors traded challenges and solutions during a peer-to-peer session at TMP East in Toronto.

Read...
Staffing Remains the Biggest Issue for the Travel Industry
Staffing Remains the Biggest Issue for the Travel Industry

Almost every single service sector worldwide is struggling with staffing issues and the travel industry is no exception.

Read...
Marketing, Engagement, & Partnerships Lead Discussions as TMP East Opens
Marketing, Engagement, & Partnerships Lead Discussions as TMP East Opens

The two-day conference provides attendees a packed schedule of general sessions, TED-style talks, panel discussions, a packed trade show floor and more.

Read...
U.S. Travel Association Names Roger Dow’s Successor in Geoff Freeman
U.S. Travel Association Names Roger Dow’s Successor in Geoff Freeman

Freeman will take the reins on Sept 1, taking over for Dow who is wrapping up a 17-year tenure as U.S. Travel’s leader. 

Read...
Legislative Day 2022: Two Big Priorities for ASTA’s ‘Most Significant Day’
Legislative Day 2022: Two Big Priorities for ASTA’s ‘Most Significant Day’

More than 230 travel advisors from 47 states came to D.C. for this year’s Legislative Day, just three states shy of its 50-state goal. 

Read...
What to Know About Shipping Luggage Ahead of Travel
What to Know About Shipping Luggage Ahead of Travel

Shipping luggage is safe and reliable, but there are some things to avoid. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/QTPIinGDcIY/0.jpg
Video: Can Booking Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Groups Be Profitable for Advisors?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy