JG Black Book recently partnered with the Harrison Group, a YouGov company, to explore travel industry trends. The 2012 Survey of the American Luxury Travel Consultant focuses on travel professionals’ knowledge, observations and contributions to the travel experience, while also focusing on travelers themselves and the critical factors influencing their decisions. The survey revealed the evolution of travel agents’ roles, resulting in the rise of a new travel professional, the Personal Travel Ambassador, as well as the changing needs of the American consumer. The research found that travel consultants’ ability to execute and manage the hassles and risks that are the reality of travel today has made them ambassadors for their clients, increasing demand for their services from travelers who know that their own abilities and those of online travel companies are not sufficient.

JG Black Book of Travel, the leading travel services firm founded by Jena Gardner in 2002, is pleased to announce the launch of its new Latin America office, based in Buenos Aires. To lead the company's expansion, JG Black Book of Travel is thrilled to welcome Tania Milena Popovic. With over 14 years in the tourism industry, Tania brings a varied background and extensive travel experience to her new role as Director of Industry Relations Latin America.

A new study of 25 mature- and emerging-market economies forecasts a boom in the luxury sector over the next decade. The report, conducted by consulting firm Deloitte, predicts growth of 119% in worldwide millionaire households forecast over the coming decade. In the U.S., the number of households with assets of $5 million to $30 million will rise to 4.18 million, representing a growth of 83%; and in the $30+ million asset segment, we’ll see a 24% growth to a total of 620,000 households. The aggregate wealth of millionaire households in the U.S. will likely reach $87 trillion by 2020, up from $39 trillion in 2011. 

WomensRadio is produced by Women’s Online, Media and Education Network (W.O.M.E.N.), which began 17 years ago and operates every day from a strong sense of mission – to give women a greater voice and by doing so, to encourage more balanced communications in every aspect of our lives, thereby bringing greater balance to our world.

Visit their website to listen to Elaine Masters's interview with Global Group by JG CEO Jena Gardner as they discuss the travel industry and the importance of ecotourism.

"Woman business owner Jena Gardner says she’s been involved in the travel industry for nearly her entire adult life but she didn’t fully understand the enormous reach her company could have on the industry when she first started it. Now armed with this understanding, Jena has turned her company, Global Group by JG, into a world-leader within the industry.

This understanding of her industry and audience has even allowed the entrepreneur to branch off into different areas of business. Global Group by JG now includes a network of brands dealing in sales and marketing, public relations and retail.

Jena shared some interesting insight with MyCity4Her.com on starting her business, her idea of success and gave sound advice to other women in business and entrepreneurs."

Read the full interview here.

On November 8, 2011, JG Black Book of Travel, in conjunction with the Belize Tourism Board, conducted a travel industry focus group. Key topics included the importance of building relationships with wholesalers and understanding the US market and its expectations. The group presented insights from top industry specialists, among them Mauricio Leyton and Helen Nodland from Virtuoso. Representatives from Frontiers, Black Tomato, Great Getaways, Travel Beyond, Currie & Company and Brownell Travel also participated.

JG Black Book of Travel is pleased to announce the launch of its new London office. As doors opened in October 2011, it proves an excited step forward for the company. "Our focus has always been to assist our partners in maximizing their reach and visibility among leading travel professionals," said Jena Gardner. "We're excited to be able to further solidify our presence in the UK and European markets, building upon the strong record of success we have already experienced there."

For the third consecutive year, JG Black Book of Travel is among the fasest-growing companies that make up Inc.'s 5000 list, ranking number 3,325 overall and number 24 within the travel industry. In the last three years, the Inc. 5000 have created 370,592 jobs and are fueling the economy with creative innovation and job growth across industries. Jena Gardner is also a proud member of the Inc. Business Owners Council, an organization of top entrepreneurs and family business owners.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel released its 2012 Travel Price Forecast, which projects supplier prices for airlines, hotels, ground transportation providers, and meetings and events spend. CWT's analysis confirms that prices in most geographic areas and for most categories of spend are expected to rise in 2012, with the most substantial increases to occur in Latin America and Asia. Higher ADRs, though more modest in their increase, are expected for most other global regions CWT analyzed.

Jena Gardner has recently been selected as one of 12 judges among a panel of highly regarded figures representing a wide range of professional backgrounds and expertise in the field of Travel & Tourism from all around the world. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, now in their seventh year under WTTC's stewardship, are aimed at recognizing best practice in sustainable tourism within the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide.