Whether or not you believe in the curse of Friday the 13th (personally, I think Thursday the 12th is usually the worse of the two), we can always use a little bit of extra good luck around us.

In that vein, we bring you a piece from Jerry Soverinsky, a charming and funny writer, who takes us on a journey through the “Emerald Isle” in our cover story for April’s edition of Leisure Group Travel. Erin go breà!

And speaking of good luck, congratulations to Pearl Camiel from Del Ray Beach, Fla., who won two tickets to anywhere Southwest Airlines flies by sending in her Reader Service Card! If you haven’t already, make sure to send in your completed Reader Service Form at the front of the magazine, or go to LeisureGroupTravel.com to fill it out online.

Unlucky day or not, I hope you enjoy this colorful edition of InSite!

Ireland
Group Travel Made Easy on the Emerald Isle

Any mention of Ireland’s success must start with its people. The extraordinarily accommodating nature of the Irish provides the most welcoming environment for group travel. No matter how intricate or complex your group itineraries, they’ll never seem insulating, because the Irish will become part of your groups’ trip experiences.

It might be your motorcoach driver, or innkeeper, or maybe the guy pouring pints of Guinness at the local pub. More than likely,it will be all three, as you’ll get to know the people and personalities who make Ireland such a warm, intimate place to visit, and they in turn will provide both you and your group with stories that will remain with you for the rest of your lives.

Free Lunch

An ad exec with a significant destination-area newspaper recently declared, “Business is soft, and I do not think our advertisers would be interested in any new products to enhance their business.”

Well, this of course is bunk – this is exactly when you need to differentiate your business and apply marketing clout. Tight times, flush times – it does not matter. We need to get the message of our distinction out to our potential guests and visitors and get them in our doors.

City Focus: Lancaster, Pa.
Where In The World Is Dutch Country?

Lancaster, Pa., prospered as the largest inland town and major manufacturing center of munitions during America’s Colonial period. Due to an unusual set of circumstances, it served as the nation’s capital for one day during the Revolutionary War.

But those distinctions aren’t what most Americans think of when Lancaster comes to mind. The modest-sized city is much better known as “the unofficial capital of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.”

Exit 135
Marketing Lessons from Reality Television

Two glaringly obvious lessons gained from Deal or No Deal include

(1) guessing as a strategy, and
(2) greed as a human frailty.

As TV reality programs are taking center stage, Marchev asks what we can learn from them about building your company. Read on to find out what these two can tell us about life, business and what may happen when you end up with the million-dollar case.

Affinity Rules
From Old Boys Clubs To Mancations

Travel experts have identified four markets that are considered to be the hottest new travel trends: medical tourism, volunteer vacations, spa programs and guy-only trips, a.k.a. mancations.

The first three have been on the trend radar for some time; however, guys bonding with their best buds and taking off on the various groups’ brand of adventure has exploded onto the travel scene. While the girls wallow in spa treatments and sip cocktails on the terrace, the guys are off to revive their passion for youthful play, putting a new spin on what guys do best – pal around with their buddies.

Gals’ getaways are for being pampered and giving themselves special treats, while guys want to experience he-man, action-oriented activities.