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!
Showing posts with label Independent Travel Agents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Independent Travel Agents. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Today's Travel Fashion Destination
Each decade seems to bring with it a small selection of "Hot Destinations". The 'it" places to which the well-heeled and well-traveled flock. In the late 1980s, Australia was the spot, then as we worked into the 1990s, Italy shared the spotlight. In the 2000s, its been Spain. Recently, a newcomer has emerged on the scene making a huge splash with Travel Fashionistas: Dubai.
Dubai had not placed high on the charts for the average American traveler previously, but in recent years, has made a grand entrance into the minds of travelers looking for something new and different. It's an amazing place, with sculpted landforms in the sea, and buildings of such great opulence that even the world's wealthiest are awed. Western and Eastern lifestyles are equally welcomed.
Seemingly untouched by regional politics, as it continues on its nearly-unimaginable sprawl, Dubai is a new center world banking, which helps to insulate it from the distress of the area.
For those not familiar with this johnny-come-lately destination, here's a brief introduction into what makes this city remarkable:
Enormous man-made islands, on which are built palatial homes, skyscraper condos and hotels, and busy marinas serving world-class yachts, for starters. There are the Palm Islands, which, from a bird's eye view reveal the formation of a Queen Palm tree sprouting from the coast. Then there is The World: a formation of islands that are shaped as if they are a map of our world, made up of a multitude of islands in varying sizes for everything from private, single-estates to sweeping commercial developments.
The city's collection of resorts and hotels will astound even the most well-traveled luxury seeker. Of course, the Burj Al Arab is by now very well known, but there are many others; perhaps not all as imposing in stature, but certainly equally magnificent in luxury.
Shopping is an attraction unto itself in Dubai. This is another area where one is sure to find an East-West blend, with regional treasures like carpets, gold, and jewelry, as well as established western designers, offering all forms of fashion. The Blue Souk (Central Market) is a busy and colorful market in Sharjah, and is famous for its carpet and gold shops, where one will find an enormous selection of Persian rugs, and blinding gold.
Although Dubai is an ultra-modern city, it has grown from the desert, with its heart and soul rooted in the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula. Desert activities are popular with both visitors and residents. Desert experiences include a midnight stay at an oasis under the stars in a bedouin camp, complete with camels tethered nearby, and for adventurers, there is the thrill of 4 or 3-wheeling through the endless dunes. Falconry is an ancient sport, and maintains its popularity throughout the Middle East even today.
Every great resort destinations offers a share of perennial favorites in the way of activities: golf, and water sports for example, and Dubai is no different, but its the restaurants and nightlife in Dubai that really make this city rock, with a wide selection of cuisines, entertainment, and clubs.
This destination is not for the weak-of-wallet, however. This is a destination where Multi-Millionaires-even Billionaires abound. Like many high-cost destinations, a cruise may be the best way for value-minded travelers to visit this city. In fact, one of our more active agents is leading the charge with a group traveling to Dubai on a cruise in February. The response she has gotten has been tremendous; far exceeding her expectations.
Naturally, she'll earn her share of the commission, which is likely to exceed $5000, but it also looks like she'll be cruising free. That's a great way to travel anywhere! We've had many individual bookings for Dubai, but I believe this group is but one of many to come. That's the beauty of being an independent associate: choose where you want to go, take a group, make money, and travel free! How can it get any better?
As a relative newcomer to travel fashion, I look forward to seeing all our ITAs recognizing the appeal of this sparkling destination, and making the most of the opportunity that this new destination offers. With the spike in travelers' interest, and a rapidly-expanding reputation, I expect Dubai will outlive its trendiness, and earn a permanent spot on the worldwide Hotspot list.
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!
Dubai had not placed high on the charts for the average American traveler previously, but in recent years, has made a grand entrance into the minds of travelers looking for something new and different. It's an amazing place, with sculpted landforms in the sea, and buildings of such great opulence that even the world's wealthiest are awed. Western and Eastern lifestyles are equally welcomed.
Seemingly untouched by regional politics, as it continues on its nearly-unimaginable sprawl, Dubai is a new center world banking, which helps to insulate it from the distress of the area.
For those not familiar with this johnny-come-lately destination, here's a brief introduction into what makes this city remarkable:
Enormous man-made islands, on which are built palatial homes, skyscraper condos and hotels, and busy marinas serving world-class yachts, for starters. There are the Palm Islands, which, from a bird's eye view reveal the formation of a Queen Palm tree sprouting from the coast. Then there is The World: a formation of islands that are shaped as if they are a map of our world, made up of a multitude of islands in varying sizes for everything from private, single-estates to sweeping commercial developments.
The city's collection of resorts and hotels will astound even the most well-traveled luxury seeker. Of course, the Burj Al Arab is by now very well known, but there are many others; perhaps not all as imposing in stature, but certainly equally magnificent in luxury.
Shopping is an attraction unto itself in Dubai. This is another area where one is sure to find an East-West blend, with regional treasures like carpets, gold, and jewelry, as well as established western designers, offering all forms of fashion. The Blue Souk (Central Market) is a busy and colorful market in Sharjah, and is famous for its carpet and gold shops, where one will find an enormous selection of Persian rugs, and blinding gold.
Although Dubai is an ultra-modern city, it has grown from the desert, with its heart and soul rooted in the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula. Desert activities are popular with both visitors and residents. Desert experiences include a midnight stay at an oasis under the stars in a bedouin camp, complete with camels tethered nearby, and for adventurers, there is the thrill of 4 or 3-wheeling through the endless dunes. Falconry is an ancient sport, and maintains its popularity throughout the Middle East even today.
Every great resort destinations offers a share of perennial favorites in the way of activities: golf, and water sports for example, and Dubai is no different, but its the restaurants and nightlife in Dubai that really make this city rock, with a wide selection of cuisines, entertainment, and clubs.
This destination is not for the weak-of-wallet, however. This is a destination where Multi-Millionaires-even Billionaires abound. Like many high-cost destinations, a cruise may be the best way for value-minded travelers to visit this city. In fact, one of our more active agents is leading the charge with a group traveling to Dubai on a cruise in February. The response she has gotten has been tremendous; far exceeding her expectations.
Naturally, she'll earn her share of the commission, which is likely to exceed $5000, but it also looks like she'll be cruising free. That's a great way to travel anywhere! We've had many individual bookings for Dubai, but I believe this group is but one of many to come. That's the beauty of being an independent associate: choose where you want to go, take a group, make money, and travel free! How can it get any better?
As a relative newcomer to travel fashion, I look forward to seeing all our ITAs recognizing the appeal of this sparkling destination, and making the most of the opportunity that this new destination offers. With the spike in travelers' interest, and a rapidly-expanding reputation, I expect Dubai will outlive its trendiness, and earn a permanent spot on the worldwide Hotspot list.
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!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Myth Busting
Lend me a moment to bust a couple of old myths regarding Cruise and Tour Travel.
Myth 1: People want to believe that cruise and tour rates will be lower if they wait until closer to the time of departure, believing that, in desperation to fill a departure, operators will drop prices. This simply is not true. Cruise lines and tour operators are far too concious of what that would do to the integrity of their pricing systems, and simply won't risk devaluing their entire system just to sell one more cabin. Cruises and tours give the best rates far in advance, plus, the best availability is far in advance. The longer one waits to book, the less likely they are to be able to book the dates/locations/categories that they really want, and, in the end, if you can get the reservation, the rate will be same that everyone else paid-or more.
Myth #2: I wish I had a Dollar for everytime someone told me that they will just go to the pier with packed bags and get onboard for next-to-nothing. My response has always been the same, "Please, tell me if you succeed. I'm simply dying to meet someone for whom this works!" Nobody has ever called back to prove thier success. This, however, is not the sole means of debunking this myth; there are many other reasons, too. For starters, there's the overall devaluation discussed in myth #1, but, more importantly, today there is the Homeland Security issue. Security alone will not allow this to happen these days, (as if it ever did).
Don’t believe the old hype-be smart and book while the booking’s good! The longer you delay, the more it will cost you in the end.
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!
Myth 1: People want to believe that cruise and tour rates will be lower if they wait until closer to the time of departure, believing that, in desperation to fill a departure, operators will drop prices. This simply is not true. Cruise lines and tour operators are far too concious of what that would do to the integrity of their pricing systems, and simply won't risk devaluing their entire system just to sell one more cabin. Cruises and tours give the best rates far in advance, plus, the best availability is far in advance. The longer one waits to book, the less likely they are to be able to book the dates/locations/categories that they really want, and, in the end, if you can get the reservation, the rate will be same that everyone else paid-or more.
Myth #2: I wish I had a Dollar for everytime someone told me that they will just go to the pier with packed bags and get onboard for next-to-nothing. My response has always been the same, "Please, tell me if you succeed. I'm simply dying to meet someone for whom this works!" Nobody has ever called back to prove thier success. This, however, is not the sole means of debunking this myth; there are many other reasons, too. For starters, there's the overall devaluation discussed in myth #1, but, more importantly, today there is the Homeland Security issue. Security alone will not allow this to happen these days, (as if it ever did).
Don’t believe the old hype-be smart and book while the booking’s good! The longer you delay, the more it will cost you in the end.
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!
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Scoop on Making Money
How do ITAs make money, and how much money do they make? These are questions that I have faced many times, and no doubt, will continue to encounter whenever someone is considering joining our organization.
It would be easy for me to just roll off generalities and averages, but doing so would not give a fair or accurate representation. The truth is, we have some ITAs that are making a living as such, some that are supplementing their income, and some that are making little or nothing. How much an ITA earns depends on a few important factors:
o The amount of time put into their business
o The amount of investment put into their business
o The level of organization of their business
o Whether or not they have outlined and implemented a comprehensive business and marketing plan
o Whether or not their business and marketing plan was well-founded and realistic
o The type(s) of business they are targeting
… and there may be more. The fact is that, we offer a Business Opportunity. We provide support, materials, information, education, services, resources, and more-all designed to help ITAs develop their individual business. However, each ITA is responsible for doing the work. Like any business, results are proportionate to efforts.
There are some things that can be done to sway momentum in one’s favor, though.
At Gulliver’s Travels, we are now encouraging our ITAs to write a Business and Marketing Plan, and to submit it to us for review. By writing a business and Marketing Plan, our ITAs are taking the time to really think through their business and decide what is important to them. We are then able to work together for better success. Once we receive it, we will check to see if it is well thought-out and the expectations attainable. We will then send an evaluation with suggestions that we feel would be helpful. Based on these plans, we will send news, specials, training events, FAMs, and other relevant information the right ITAs for maximum return.
The first thing we encourage our ITAs to do is to specialize. Having a niche, or specialty lends credibility and creates an instant comfort zone for customers in that audience. A niche can be anything from a sports interest to destination specialty. Some niches just develop naturally over time. This is because within niches, an agent is able to benefit from the best-and most affordable-advertising: word-of-mouth. Other niches have to be developed with expertise and time.
For years we’ve told our ITAs to sell group travel-and for good reason. Why knock yourself out on a booking for just one couple, when you can do the same booking for 10 or 20 or more couples at once? It’s good sense, and the customers benefit, too. Dealing with groups can be difficult, though. To start with, a “group” is hard to find, and even more difficult to secure. Also, once the booking is made, enforcing payment deadlines and coordinating requests can often feel like trying to herd cats. Group business is good and it’s profitable; but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Our ITAs should watch for our new “Guide to Groups” which is being written now and will be posted in the Back Office soon.
Another type of business that can be lucrative is corporate accounts; but be careful! Not all accounts are created equal, and there are considerable differences that make some business accounts profitable while others are a bane. This is another forthcoming publication that our ITAs will soon be able to access.
We have many other secrets for our ITAs, too, which they can find posted in the Back Office. We are constantly developing new materials and publications to help them. This way, they have real information that they can apply as they grow in their travel business.
We don’t have any agents that have made a Million Dollars (yet), and chances are slim that doing so will become a trend; but we won’t count that out, either. For the time being, we feel successful when an agent sets realistic goals and we help them achieve them, whether they’re making $4,000 a year or $40,000 a year.
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!
It would be easy for me to just roll off generalities and averages, but doing so would not give a fair or accurate representation. The truth is, we have some ITAs that are making a living as such, some that are supplementing their income, and some that are making little or nothing. How much an ITA earns depends on a few important factors:
o The amount of time put into their business
o The amount of investment put into their business
o The level of organization of their business
o Whether or not they have outlined and implemented a comprehensive business and marketing plan
o Whether or not their business and marketing plan was well-founded and realistic
o The type(s) of business they are targeting
… and there may be more. The fact is that, we offer a Business Opportunity. We provide support, materials, information, education, services, resources, and more-all designed to help ITAs develop their individual business. However, each ITA is responsible for doing the work. Like any business, results are proportionate to efforts.
There are some things that can be done to sway momentum in one’s favor, though.
At Gulliver’s Travels, we are now encouraging our ITAs to write a Business and Marketing Plan, and to submit it to us for review. By writing a business and Marketing Plan, our ITAs are taking the time to really think through their business and decide what is important to them. We are then able to work together for better success. Once we receive it, we will check to see if it is well thought-out and the expectations attainable. We will then send an evaluation with suggestions that we feel would be helpful. Based on these plans, we will send news, specials, training events, FAMs, and other relevant information the right ITAs for maximum return.
The first thing we encourage our ITAs to do is to specialize. Having a niche, or specialty lends credibility and creates an instant comfort zone for customers in that audience. A niche can be anything from a sports interest to destination specialty. Some niches just develop naturally over time. This is because within niches, an agent is able to benefit from the best-and most affordable-advertising: word-of-mouth. Other niches have to be developed with expertise and time.
For years we’ve told our ITAs to sell group travel-and for good reason. Why knock yourself out on a booking for just one couple, when you can do the same booking for 10 or 20 or more couples at once? It’s good sense, and the customers benefit, too. Dealing with groups can be difficult, though. To start with, a “group” is hard to find, and even more difficult to secure. Also, once the booking is made, enforcing payment deadlines and coordinating requests can often feel like trying to herd cats. Group business is good and it’s profitable; but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Our ITAs should watch for our new “Guide to Groups” which is being written now and will be posted in the Back Office soon.
Another type of business that can be lucrative is corporate accounts; but be careful! Not all accounts are created equal, and there are considerable differences that make some business accounts profitable while others are a bane. This is another forthcoming publication that our ITAs will soon be able to access.
We have many other secrets for our ITAs, too, which they can find posted in the Back Office. We are constantly developing new materials and publications to help them. This way, they have real information that they can apply as they grow in their travel business.
We don’t have any agents that have made a Million Dollars (yet), and chances are slim that doing so will become a trend; but we won’t count that out, either. For the time being, we feel successful when an agent sets realistic goals and we help them achieve them, whether they’re making $4,000 a year or $40,000 a year.
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!
Friday, September 26, 2008
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!
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!
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