Resignation Refrains

There are certain phrases that, when I hear them, run straight up my back, evoking an instant tension deep in my soul. They are my "hot buttons." We all have them, I'm sure. Here at work, they break my heart.

Ours is a service-based business. We offer a service to our ITAs. Sometimes, for any number of reasons, people cancel. I know that we'll lose some ITAs, and I prepare for that. Every cancellation is important, and, when we receive a cancellation form, I look it over and take it seriously. It asks why, and includes a very brief satisfaction survey.

Usually, there's just a one-line simple sentence, like, "no time", or "in school" or something to indicate a change in lifestyle. And then there are those that hit my hot buttons. It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while, I'll see something like, "Not making money" or "Haven't used the service".

Please forgive the trangression, but... DUH! We offer a business opportunity. We provide support services, credentials, websites, booking systems, accounting and more for folks all over the country that want to be a part of the world of travel. We give them all of the support they need, so that they can build a business by marketing travel-even without experience in the travel business. On the inside, we have a full service call center with genuine, experienced travel professionals that offer guidance, work with the clients, book and manage travel sales, provide sales support and more. Its a great system and a great way to get into the travel business. We do not, however, include a golden egg.

All things considered, travel is probably one of the most marketable products in the world. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: every day, everywhere I go, I encounter people that react excitedly when they hear I'm in the travel business. It's been like this for over 20 years, and it never changes. So, how is it that anyone can think that it's not working?

We have many very successful ITAs that enjoy the income they earn by promoting travel. Several of our folks enjoy substantial travel benefits by promoting groups; earning higher returns and often free travel for themselves.

Any business takes work, time, and money and results are directly proportionate to investment. Our most successful ITAs are out there meeting people, making presentations, handing out business cards, managing thier database, keeping frequent communication, and working thier system. That's how they're successful.

Somebody hit my hot button today.

When Travel is your passion,
Gulliver's Travels is your
Work-at-home Solution!

(941) 328-6800

Call for Business Opportunity Information or
for Travel Services!

ITA #1153299
www.GulliversUSA.com/1153299

Tell us your read the blog!

Well, so much for that

Here we are, three weeks post election, and the economy continues to fail miserably. I guess I missed the mark with my prediction. Not that I believe(d) our new President-elect can solve these problems, but I did believe that the American people, so many of whom are completely entranced with Mr. Obama, would react with jubilation and optimism, creating an instant surge in consumer confidence. This, I thought, would bring about a swift reaction by infusing our economy with retail spending, creating a downline effect with impact on everything from unemployment to the stock market. Oh well; so much for that.

One sign of optimism is shining through the gloom; we've received a surge in inquiries concerning our business opportunities for Independent Travel Associates. This means that people are starting to reach out for the light at the end of the tunnel; looking for a new way to create income and enjoy the fun of the travel business. Good for them-and a hearty welcome to all of our new ITAs! This will be an exciting journey for you!

Back in Travelland, this is a slow time of year anyway. Anyone traveling for the winter holidays should have already booked by now. Other than that, people are thinking about holiday activities and spending, which, in this economy is making life rough for many of us.

Nonetheless, we are not without business and activity. Surprisingly, many folks are looking ahead to both the Inauguration and President's Day. The Inauguration is a big event this time around, due to aforementioned throngs of admirers. We have been chartering buses and booking hotels, though most of the hotels that are available are a couple of hours or more away from Washington DC. Still, when one travels from California or Texas, or various other far-flung areas, a two or three hour drive for festivities is a small price to pay-especially when that drive is saving you $500.00 per night or more.

President's weekend is always a popular getaway weekend-especially for those that live in the Northeast. The folks that are booking now are smart, and will be able to enjoy a stress-free getaway while their friends and families go through the last-minute scramble of trying to find anything they can book. Florida is a classic President's Day weekend destination with beaches packed on both coasts.

For those of you that have been around for a year or more, you know what is happening now; GROUPS! We're getting incredible cruise group specials now, and of course that includes Europe and Alaska; both of which must be booked in November if you want good dates, rates, and space. If you love escorting groups-or just traveling free-this is the time of year to grab your reservations, so do it now.

Ski has been pretty quiet for us this year; I'm not sure why this is, but I don't believe that America is sitting this ski season out. If expense is the problem, perhaps skiers need to look to less-expensive destinations such as North Carolina or New England, rather than the ever-popular Western destinations.

Well, the wait for wealth continues, but in the meanwhile we can still live the travel dream.

When Travel is your passion,
Gulliver's Travels is your
Work-at-home Solution!

(941) 328-6800

Call for Business Opportunity Information or
for Travel Services!

ITA #1153299

www.GulliversUSA.com/1153299

Tell us your read the blog!

Look out! Here it comes!

The election is finally over; a big relief. Needless to say, the economy was a major issue in the election, and our new President-Elect had a lot of popular support because of the belief that he will be able to improve the state of the economy. That belief alone is likely to spur consumer confidence and thereby stimulate new spending; a driving force in the economy. In addition, even prrior to the election, fuel prices have started falling; down to $2.25 in my home community! I drive 150 miles a day, so that's a great relief.

Whether your candidate won or lost, I believe that America will see near-instant reaction, based on increased consumer confidence, and this is good news for everybody. With the holidays drawing near, and the biggest travel-sales season just around the corner, now is the time to promote and sell travel! Hot items right now are ski packages, and cruises and tours to Alaska and Europe, (advance bookings for summer). So, if you've been holding off or restricting your spending, now is the time to breathe a little easier, and start thinking about having fun again.

If you're ready to start a new business, call us or visit our website and find out how travel can change your life.

When Travel is your passion,
Gulliver's Travels is your
Work-at-home Solution!

941) 328-6800

Call for Business Opportunity Information or
for Travel Services!

ITA #1153299

www.GulliversUSA.com/1153299

Tell us your read the blog!

Travel Fantasies and Personal Observations

In 1999 I designed and presented a training course for new Outside Agents. The first exercise that I assigned was for each agent to write down their travel fantasy. They were each given a small form with basic questions, as if they were submitting a travel request to a travel agent. They had to provide the number of people in the party, a departure city, length of trip, etc. Then the ideas were to be randomly exchanged, and each agent would research and "book" somebody's fantasy trip. The purpose was to drive home the idea that the world is full of magnificence and splendor; and that anything that could be dreamt could be booked.


When I thought this assignment up, I was thinking people would write things like, "Visit the gardens that inspired Monet", or "Research my ancestry in _______", or "Tour the royal castles of Europe", or "Work on a cattle ranch in Brazil". I could think of a lot of travel fantasies-for myself or others.


When I opened the "dream slips", I was very surprised to see that the entire group, (15 people) all wrote the same thing! They all wanted a trip around the world. What's more, most of them wanted to do this in 30 days less.


Now, indulge me for a moment, if you will. Certainly I want to see the entire world. I'd like to visit and make friends in every country. When traveling though, I long to feel connected to the place; to really feel the rhythm and to be submerged in the culture. When I leave, I don't want to feel like I've visited a place, I want to feel like I was a part of that place.


One of the best ways I know to really experience local culture is to go shopping where the locals do. I'm not talking about shopping for local specialty items or handicrafts, but to really shop; as one shops for their family; be it a grocery store or open market. If I don't know where to find such a place, I ask where to buy diapers or toilet paper or some other mundane household good. I've learned a lot at grocery stores; and it feels like an authentic experience.


It is precisely this desire for connection, I believe, that drives the popularity of cooking, walking, and bicycling tours. These trips require that we be deeply engaged. We're actually participating in local life. Most of all, it is meeting and interacting with people that creates for us the fondest memories.

Building relationships-whether with people or places-takes time. Relationships do not grow in a day or even a week. So, when I saw that 15 people, each with a self-proclaimed "passion for travel", wanted to travel around the entire world in 30 days, I felt deflated, but challenged, too. I had a clearer understanding of the task in front of me. So, I redesigned the exercise by writing new and different travel fantasies.


This way, I opened their eyes and really taught them things that they didn't know. They researched the destinations, spoke to the tour operators, and did all the legwork. They each presented an itinerary and travel proposal. I think of this still and wonder if that group learned what I tried to teach them. I know that I learned something from this excercise. I hope that if they were asked today about their travel fantasy, their answer would reflect this experience.

When Travel is your passion,
Gulliver's Travels is your
Work-at-home Solution!
(941) 328-6800

Call for Business Opportunity Information or
for Travel Services!

ITA #1153299

www.GulliversUSA.com/1153299

Tell us your read the blog!

The Start of My Life in Travel

In a large group meeting with several hundred of my closest colleagues, somebody asked, "How many people here-as kids-wanted to grow up and be a travel agent?" As expected, not many people raised their hands; but I did. I didn't always know it, but travel has always been my calling.

My passion for travel goes all the way back to 1st grade. I was attending a Christian school, and in chapel one Thursday morning we were told, "We have some special guests here today, kids. These folks are missionaries, and they travel all over the world helping people." When I heard that there are people that travel all over the world for a living, my whole outlook changed. At that moment, I was zinged. I felt a burning desire in my gut, and I knew my future was all about travel.

As the years went on, I never had a clear direction for my occupation, but my obsession with travel was there; always. In high school, which I did not enjoy, I managed to drag myself with self-promises that after school, I would travel the world. The mother of one of my sister's friends was a travel agent, and I was always anxious to talk to her; ask her about the travel business. After school, I went through a comprehensive travel school, and that was it; I was on my way. My first job was at a resort wholesaler, but that didn't last long. Frankly, I didn't really undrstand the "wholesaler concept". I decided it was time to take off. For a short while, I did travel; I went to work on a cruise ship. It was a lot of fun at the age of 19, and I go to travel through Canada and to Bermuda. I had a blast.

Landing back on Terra Firma, I got my first job in a travel agency, and that was it; it's been onward and upward ever since. Since my first agency, I dreamed of owning my own agency. Always hungry for knowledge and growth, I experimented by building different segments, trying different forms of marketing, and embracing each development in technology.

Way back when I started in the started, over 20 years ago, agencies generally had three type of agents: Corporate, Leisure, and Outside. While I was always inside-mostly on the leisure side of the coin-I was fascinated with outside agents. I believed that outside agents had the best of everything. I still think that, except today, they're generally no longer outside agents. Today, the name has changed to "Independent" agents. Some call them home-based agents, but I resent that label. I equate independent agents to REALTORS; there are a lot parallels. Would say that someone is a "Home Based REALTOR" , or are they just a REALTOR? Would you say someone is a "Homebased sales rep", or are they just a sales rep? What difference does it make where they work? Independent agents have to be serious and really work to build a business. Just like REALTORS, some succeed, some don't; overall it's an age-old principle-What you get out of it is proportionate to what you put in. Today, Independent agents have the world at their fingertips, and truly have tremendous opportunity.

Technology is amazing. Of course, I can't let any discussion about technology pass without pointing out that the travel industry has always been on the cutting edge of technology, as far back as the early 1960's when the general population had never seen a computer. In any case, technology has been both a boon and a bust for our industry; it is a double-edged sword.

Sure, the internet has forced us to change our business models, and adapt to new ways of conducting business, as many people prefer to book online. Who wouldn't? Booking online gives the consumer instant response, and control-or at least a perception of control, (in reality, travel-related business is never under control). So the internet hit us hard-for a little while. Our industry partners hit us, too-hard! They no longer needed pofessionals representation, when people can online and book themselves. Well, we are a resilient bunch, so we have adapted, and the travel industry is alive and better than ever.

Technology is also our friend. It drives our business engine. Today's technology has allowed us to build a great booking website, plus extend our power across the country. We now have agents working for us from San Diego to Maine and Seattle to Key West.

Travel is a passion like this for a lot of people; it's just that many people don't understand how to make that passion work for them. Many people come into the trave business as a second-or supplemental career. These are folks that are passionate about travel. They have varying levels of experience-some are professional agents that have been in the business for decades, while others want to build a travel business from scratch. To be honest though, this is a crazy, messy business, and you really have to want to succeed to make it work.

This is why I love my job. I am the National Director and VP or Operations for Gulliver's Travels, Inc. We operate a national network of Independent Travel Associates that promote travel and profit by selling travel. Our program allows anyone to join us, start networking in their "Circle of Influence" and build a profitable travel business.

Many programs in our "genre" have been labeled bad because they're "card mills" or MLM's; both of which our industry is entirely intolerant aout. I understand why agents hate these types of business; some of the reasoning is fair and some of is fear. Here at Gulliver's Travels, tough, those old, worn arguments don't stick. We have a different type of business. Our is based on professionlism.

So, how do we do it? How do we create a new business model, and how do we keep or continue to attract talented, motivated, and passionate travel personnel? Well, I believe we have it here at Gulliver's Travels. Here we have a dynamic, advanced website booking engine, and all of the support services that an entrepreneur needs to thrive in today's travel industry.

There are others out there that think they're like us. They tell you to pay, promise you discounted travel and call you a travel agent. Once you're in though, you know what happens; the focus changes. They're not about travel-they're about recruiting. They don't care if an agent sells a single trip to a single passenger; they just want you to bring in your friends, neighbors and relatives. They don't have professional, seasoned agents in a supportive call center, and they don't help you really service travel customers.

Our focus is different. We are all about travel; it's what we love and why we're here. We know our products, and we know our business. We offer programs, packages and specials that people really want. And yes, we actually sell travel.

That's not to say that we don't want new agents; of course we do. And sure, our agents get a referral reward when they sponsor new agents. But our agents know that the ticket to their success in our organization is through promoting and selling travel.

My road in travel started in 1986, and it's been a long and bumpy ride, but today the skies are blue and the horizon is promising. I am very grateful that I am still able to work in the business that I love. Many agencies didn't make it through the hard years, though most of those agents are still out there, looking for a way to keep going. Gulliver's Travels offers a business opportunity that is unmatched in professionalism and support. I hope that I reach those lost agents and show what we can offer. I hope I can reach a new audience, too, of people that love travel and have entrepreneurial spirit in abundance.

If you think you'd enjoy a career in travel, and you're ready to commit to building a business, give us a call, and let's see what we can do together.

When Travel is your passion,
Gulliver's Travels is your
Work-at-home Solution!
(941) 328-6800

Call for Business Opportunity Information or
for Travel Services!

ITA #1153299

www.GulliversUSA.com/1153299

Tell us your read the blog!