Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded its CCL University online travel agent training program to include a new series of free webinars hosted by members of the company’s management team. Designed to help travel agents grow their business and learn more about Carnival, the “Winter Webinar” series kicked off Jan. 20. Agents can access the webinars by visiting the CCL University website at www.BookCCL.com/cclu.
The “Winter Webinar” series includes:
• How to Make the Most Out of BookCCL.com, 1 to 1:30 p.m., Jan. 27. Business Technology Manager Carlos Roldan and guest panelist Marketing Manager Walter Anasagasti detail the many sales tools in Carnival’s travel agent Internet portal.
• How to Increase Your Profits by Selling Up, 1 to 2 p.m., Feb. 9. Conducted by Director of Strategic Partnerships Brian Holmberg, this webinar helps travel agents increase their Carnival sales and commission earnings by selling up.
• Product Update/2010 Overview, 1 to 1:30 p.m., Feb 24. Terry Thornton, senior vice president of itineraries and revenue planning, provides an overview of Carnival’s 2010 deployments, including the first year-round cruise schedule from Charleston, S.C., and new seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle.
• How to Take Advantage of Today’s Social Networking Sites, 1 to 1:30 p.m., March 10. Justin French, managing director of sales and marketing for Canada, discusses how agents can utilize Facebook, Twitter and other sites to connect with clients and boost sales.
• Successful Online Advertising, 1 to 2 p.m., March 24. Isis Ruiz, senior coordinator-partner support, discusses how to take advantage of opportunities in the growing online advertising arena.
All “Winter Webinars” will be available on demand immediately following the live webinar via BookCCL.com/CCLU. Successful completion of each “Winter Webinar” session counts toward CCL University Grad School accreditation as well as two CLIA continuing education credits. All “Winter Webinar” attendees must be registered on BookCCL.com to participate. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit http://www.bookccl.com/.
Learn how to become a travel agent http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Wednesday
Tuesday
Starting A Home Based Travel Agency
Boom, Boom, Boom…what’s that sound?
Boom, Boom, Boom…there it goes again.
Hey, can you hear it? I sure can. It’s the sound of 78 million baby boomers getting ready to book their travel.
The Baby Boomers are about to experience the greatest wealth transfer in history as their parents pass away and a generation of savers passes their assets on to the boomers. Get ready for the real boom in travel -- it is about to begin!
Boomers are the greatest users of travel agent services and they understand the value that you bring to their travels. You don’t need to “sell” them on the value of using a travel agent.
Americans are planning to take a cruise.
Only about 25% of all Americans have taken a cruise. That leaves a huge market of 75%. that have never taken a cruise. This is an incredible opportunity for you as a independent travel agent. Do to the large volume of cruise we blocked the cruise lines are giving us extra FREE Amenities including: onboard coupon books, bathrobes, free photos, prepaid gratuities, free bottles of wine with dinner, shipboard credit to spend on anything from drinks to shore excursions, and more
Travel organization's predict a 500% increase in travel between now and 2025.
Travel is the fastest growing business on the Internet. Cruise Lines have ordered over 30 new ships over the past few years just to keep up with the demand. Our Exclusive Cruise Center has reserved thousands of cruise cabins, featuring hundreds of sailing dates.... All at Discount Rates The time to become a travel agent has never been better! You can profit from this remarkable growth by becoming travel agent now.
Now is the time to start you own home based travel agency.
Marketing, technologies and the backing of a good host agency, makes the decisive difference in the success or failure of a home-based independent travel agent.
Major host agencies like AARC Host Agency are offering valuable resources to home-based agents. This includes affordable desktop technologies, direct and e-mail marketing tools, education, training and networking. Host agencies offer tested marketing programs that benefit home based travel agents.
Another plus for home-based travelagents are the resources of the National Association of Career Travel Agents, which has aggressive training and unique networking capabilities, and the Outside Sales Support Network with a variety of business-building programs.
More empowerment comes in the form of top travel associations such as the Cruise Lines International Association and the United States Tour Operators Association. Both associations, backed by top suppliers and marketing acumen, will be actively supporting home-based independents in the year ahead.
Bob Whitley, president of the USTOA, told Travel Agent that tour operator members of the association view home-based agents as critical to the expansion of tour sales in 2010 and beyond. Tours are increasingly important to home-based agents as a source of revenue, he notes.
CLIA’s Executive Vice President Bob Sharak also sees growth and opportunity for the home-based agents. CLIA’s 2010 program will stress the sizable benefits of joining the association as well as its extensive education and training programs.
Critical to their success is the turnaround in industry perception. Research by ASTA, PhoCusWright, NACTA and OSSN has shown the power of the home-based distribution channel, which accounts for about $9.7 billion in annual sales.
These figures have encouraged leading industry suppliers to pay attention to the sales potential of home-based agents and to develop marketing programs focused on them. And there is more coming as these agents diversify and move beyond cruise sales to tours.
Paul Davis, President of AARC Host Agency said "Sales earlier this year have sparked exceptional growth as people pick up on the opportunity to become a home based travel agent." Paul, also notes that the power of AARC Host Agency by giving it's agents free access to Vacation.com, CLIA, NACTA, Next Site, TRAMS, Passport on line and new CRM technology. He expects to add several hundred agents in 2010.
According to Paul "The degree of support provided by a good hosts agency to it's agents is more important than ever before. If a host agency is not accreted by both PATH and NACTA it should raise red flags."
PATH and NACTA member-hosts represent over 10,000 home-based travel agents.
Challenges abound. Competition from online travel sellers will be intense in 2010 as cost-conscious consumers look for the best deals. Still, discounts—product priced for sale to the bargain hunters—can work to the home-based agent’s advantage. So, too, will the flood of special deals and sales incentives offered by resorts, hotels, destinations, tour operators and cruise lines.
Americans see travel as a virtual birthright. So it comes as no surprise that the majority of adults in the U.S. [now 53 percent] are planning to take at least one vacation in 2010.
Many executives warn that agents should beware of selling commodity-priced services and the trap of discounting on yields. Virtually every executive believes that the home-based agent must focus on profitability and productivity while delivering superior customer service.
Yet, despite the pitfalls faced by the home-based independent travel agents, there is space for tremendous optimism. The dramatic launch of Oasis of the Seas by Royal Caribbean is a solid example of the attractiveness of cruising, while the equally impressive opening of the Las Vegas City Center complex underscores the powerful lure of a world-class destination.
There are great opportunities in cruise and vacation sales and a host of marketing opportunities in social media and networking. In brief, the travel industry is making a multibillion-dollar investment. It will be up to the professional home-based agent to take advantage of the opportunities.
Boom, Boom, Boom…there it goes again.
Hey, can you hear it? I sure can. It’s the sound of 78 million baby boomers getting ready to book their travel.
The Baby Boomers are about to experience the greatest wealth transfer in history as their parents pass away and a generation of savers passes their assets on to the boomers. Get ready for the real boom in travel -- it is about to begin!
Boomers are the greatest users of travel agent services and they understand the value that you bring to their travels. You don’t need to “sell” them on the value of using a travel agent.
Americans are planning to take a cruise.
Only about 25% of all Americans have taken a cruise. That leaves a huge market of 75%. that have never taken a cruise. This is an incredible opportunity for you as a independent travel agent. Do to the large volume of cruise we blocked the cruise lines are giving us extra FREE Amenities including: onboard coupon books, bathrobes, free photos, prepaid gratuities, free bottles of wine with dinner, shipboard credit to spend on anything from drinks to shore excursions, and more
Travel organization's predict a 500% increase in travel between now and 2025.
Travel is the fastest growing business on the Internet. Cruise Lines have ordered over 30 new ships over the past few years just to keep up with the demand. Our Exclusive Cruise Center has reserved thousands of cruise cabins, featuring hundreds of sailing dates.... All at Discount Rates The time to become a travel agent has never been better! You can profit from this remarkable growth by becoming travel agent now.
Now is the time to start you own home based travel agency.
Marketing, technologies and the backing of a good host agency, makes the decisive difference in the success or failure of a home-based independent travel agent.
Major host agencies like AARC Host Agency are offering valuable resources to home-based agents. This includes affordable desktop technologies, direct and e-mail marketing tools, education, training and networking. Host agencies offer tested marketing programs that benefit home based travel agents.
Another plus for home-based travelagents are the resources of the National Association of Career Travel Agents, which has aggressive training and unique networking capabilities, and the Outside Sales Support Network with a variety of business-building programs.
More empowerment comes in the form of top travel associations such as the Cruise Lines International Association and the United States Tour Operators Association. Both associations, backed by top suppliers and marketing acumen, will be actively supporting home-based independents in the year ahead.
Bob Whitley, president of the USTOA, told Travel Agent that tour operator members of the association view home-based agents as critical to the expansion of tour sales in 2010 and beyond. Tours are increasingly important to home-based agents as a source of revenue, he notes.
CLIA’s Executive Vice President Bob Sharak also sees growth and opportunity for the home-based agents. CLIA’s 2010 program will stress the sizable benefits of joining the association as well as its extensive education and training programs.
Critical to their success is the turnaround in industry perception. Research by ASTA, PhoCusWright, NACTA and OSSN has shown the power of the home-based distribution channel, which accounts for about $9.7 billion in annual sales.
These figures have encouraged leading industry suppliers to pay attention to the sales potential of home-based agents and to develop marketing programs focused on them. And there is more coming as these agents diversify and move beyond cruise sales to tours.
Paul Davis, President of AARC Host Agency said "Sales earlier this year have sparked exceptional growth as people pick up on the opportunity to become a home based travel agent." Paul, also notes that the power of AARC Host Agency by giving it's agents free access to Vacation.com, CLIA, NACTA, Next Site, TRAMS, Passport on line and new CRM technology. He expects to add several hundred agents in 2010.
According to Paul "The degree of support provided by a good hosts agency to it's agents is more important than ever before. If a host agency is not accreted by both PATH and NACTA it should raise red flags."
PATH and NACTA member-hosts represent over 10,000 home-based travel agents.
Challenges abound. Competition from online travel sellers will be intense in 2010 as cost-conscious consumers look for the best deals. Still, discounts—product priced for sale to the bargain hunters—can work to the home-based agent’s advantage. So, too, will the flood of special deals and sales incentives offered by resorts, hotels, destinations, tour operators and cruise lines.
Americans see travel as a virtual birthright. So it comes as no surprise that the majority of adults in the U.S. [now 53 percent] are planning to take at least one vacation in 2010.
Many executives warn that agents should beware of selling commodity-priced services and the trap of discounting on yields. Virtually every executive believes that the home-based agent must focus on profitability and productivity while delivering superior customer service.
Yet, despite the pitfalls faced by the home-based independent travel agents, there is space for tremendous optimism. The dramatic launch of Oasis of the Seas by Royal Caribbean is a solid example of the attractiveness of cruising, while the equally impressive opening of the Las Vegas City Center complex underscores the powerful lure of a world-class destination.
There are great opportunities in cruise and vacation sales and a host of marketing opportunities in social media and networking. In brief, the travel industry is making a multibillion-dollar investment. It will be up to the professional home-based agent to take advantage of the opportunities.
Wednesday
Top Ten Tips on Sending Emails to Clients
You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make a good one. Here are some good tips when sending an Email to clients.
1. Use a salutation: Dear Ms Jones, Hi Robert,. Hello Jane,
2. Use the same rules of grammar and style that you would use in a business letter. If you don't know them get a copy of "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White at your local library and read it.
3. THERE IS NO REASON TO YELL AT PEOPLE. and that's what you are doing if you write all in caps. It is also harder to read.
4. When choosing a font use Arial or Verdana they are much easier to read on a computer screen.
5. Double-space between paragraphs and there is no need to indent.
6. Avoid colorful backgrounds and emoticons ( those animated smelly faces)
7. Writ complete sentences and coherent paragraphs. Proofread your Email twice before you send it.
8. Do not use short abbreviations like FYI they are confusing to a vast majority of recipients. Spell out what you are saying.
9. Use a meaningful and effective subject lines. other wise your Email wont even be opened. Avoid exclamation points and the word "free" they are usually stopped by spam filters.
10. Create a signature block that includes your full name phone number and you website address and Facebook page. Think of your signature block as your business letterhead. Use it on all emails you send out.
Learn how to become a travel agent go to www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
1. Use a salutation: Dear Ms Jones, Hi Robert,. Hello Jane,
2. Use the same rules of grammar and style that you would use in a business letter. If you don't know them get a copy of "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White at your local library and read it.
3. THERE IS NO REASON TO YELL AT PEOPLE. and that's what you are doing if you write all in caps. It is also harder to read.
4. When choosing a font use Arial or Verdana they are much easier to read on a computer screen.
5. Double-space between paragraphs and there is no need to indent.
6. Avoid colorful backgrounds and emoticons ( those animated smelly faces)
7. Writ complete sentences and coherent paragraphs. Proofread your Email twice before you send it.
8. Do not use short abbreviations like FYI they are confusing to a vast majority of recipients. Spell out what you are saying.
9. Use a meaningful and effective subject lines. other wise your Email wont even be opened. Avoid exclamation points and the word "free" they are usually stopped by spam filters.
10. Create a signature block that includes your full name phone number and you website address and Facebook page. Think of your signature block as your business letterhead. Use it on all emails you send out.
Learn how to become a travel agent go to www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
Travel Agents Earn 18% Commission
Sceptre Tours is paying up to 18 percent commission on select tours booked before Feb. 15. Agents can now earn 18 percent commission on Escorted Tours to Ireland, Britain or Italy (excluding the Irish Escape Tour); 18 percent commission on European River Cruises; 15 percent commission on Customized Independent Ireland, Britain, or Italy Vacations; and 15 percent commission on Customized Golf in Ireland or Britain. The higher commissions are land and cruise rates. Airfare is still paid at 5 percent commission. This promotion applies to new bookings only made before Feb. 15. The 18 percent commission is not applicable on the Irish Escape Tour. Agents can continue to earn more with Sceptre's book-three-get-paid-for-four program, through which they automatically earn commission on a fourth booking when they book three individual tours.
Sceptre Tours District Sales Manager are: Northeast, Brian Accomando at 516-428-3874 or bbaccomando@sceptretours.com; Mid-Atlantic, Anna Maria Lorang at 516-456-5432 or alorang@sceptretours.com; Midwest, Cheryl Gatto at 516-456-4707 or cgatto@sceptretours.com ; Midwest and New York State, William Colgan at 516-263-8560 or wcolgan@sceptretours.com; and South, Southwest and West Coast, Bill Gardiner Jr. at 516-456-7292 or wgardiner@sceptretours.com . Based in Lynbrook, N.Y., and founded in 1981, Sceptre Tours provides travel to Ireland, Britain, Italy, as well as river cruising. For more information, call 800-221-0924 or visit http://www.sceptretours.com/.
Learn how to becoe a travel agent http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
Sceptre Tours District Sales Manager are: Northeast, Brian Accomando at 516-428-3874 or bbaccomando@sceptretours.com; Mid-Atlantic, Anna Maria Lorang at 516-456-5432 or alorang@sceptretours.com; Midwest, Cheryl Gatto at 516-456-4707 or cgatto@sceptretours.com ; Midwest and New York State, William Colgan at 516-263-8560 or wcolgan@sceptretours.com; and South, Southwest and West Coast, Bill Gardiner Jr. at 516-456-7292 or wgardiner@sceptretours.com . Based in Lynbrook, N.Y., and founded in 1981, Sceptre Tours provides travel to Ireland, Britain, Italy, as well as river cruising. For more information, call 800-221-0924 or visit http://www.sceptretours.com/.
Learn how to becoe a travel agent http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
Travel Agent Hawaii Training
TravelAgentAcademy.com proudly announces their newest affiliate parnter, Outrigger Hospitality. We invite all home based travel agents to their exciting and educational rewards program! Gain deep knowledge of Outrigger Hospitality hotels, resorts and condominiums in Hawaii and Asia Pacific. Once you are certified you are eligible for...
• Reward points with every reported, qualified booking redeemable for cash or gift certificates at Amazon.com
• Complimentary client welcome amenities delivered in your name
• Exclusive Specialist incentives and special promotions
• Plus Much More!
Plus, if you use the website to make bookings from now through March 31, 2010 you can earn even more money. For every 50th online booking, the booking agent will receive a $50 check; for every 100th booking a $100 check; and every 500th booking, a $500 check!
Become an Outrigger Hospitality specialist today, click here!
Learn how to become a travel agent http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
• Reward points with every reported, qualified booking redeemable for cash or gift certificates at Amazon.com
• Complimentary client welcome amenities delivered in your name
• Exclusive Specialist incentives and special promotions
• Plus Much More!
Plus, if you use the website to make bookings from now through March 31, 2010 you can earn even more money. For every 50th online booking, the booking agent will receive a $50 check; for every 100th booking a $100 check; and every 500th booking, a $500 check!
Become an Outrigger Hospitality specialist today, click here!
Learn how to become a travel agent http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Tuesday
Geting Focused in Your Home Based Business
Do you ever feel like you run out of day before you run out of items on your "to do" list? Do you ever wonder how you can find more time?
You may not be lacking time as much as you are lacking focus and direction. "Focus" is your ability to decide what is important and what is not. As travel agents, it is easy to lose focus. We have so many good ideas, we see so many opportunities in each segment and we have so much to do as small business owners. But, we must remember that we cannot possibly be experts at everything, we cannot possibly have the time to do everything. We must prioritize our efforts and choose only the most important things to accomplish.
Once we choose our focus, we must then head in that direction. I see so many agents paralyzed with indecision, fear, or simply overwhelmed with everything. It's hard to decide what to do first. When in doubt, just do something!! Make sure the something is headed towards an area that you decided you want to focus on. As long as you start in that direction, you will begin to achieve your goals.
Next time you are pressed for time, ask yourself "What is most important to me, and how can I begin to do that?" In other words, what do you want to focus your energies on and how can you head in that direction?
learn how tobecome a travel agent. www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
AARC Host Agency
800-619-8646
You may not be lacking time as much as you are lacking focus and direction. "Focus" is your ability to decide what is important and what is not. As travel agents, it is easy to lose focus. We have so many good ideas, we see so many opportunities in each segment and we have so much to do as small business owners. But, we must remember that we cannot possibly be experts at everything, we cannot possibly have the time to do everything. We must prioritize our efforts and choose only the most important things to accomplish.
Once we choose our focus, we must then head in that direction. I see so many agents paralyzed with indecision, fear, or simply overwhelmed with everything. It's hard to decide what to do first. When in doubt, just do something!! Make sure the something is headed towards an area that you decided you want to focus on. As long as you start in that direction, you will begin to achieve your goals.
Next time you are pressed for time, ask yourself "What is most important to me, and how can I begin to do that?" In other words, what do you want to focus your energies on and how can you head in that direction?
learn how tobecome a travel agent. www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
AARC Host Agency
800-619-8646
Ten Commandments for Family Travel
1. Keep expectations realistic
Knowing that traveling with your children won’t necessarily be the same romp you took during your single days, for example, will help keep everybody’s expectations in check.
2. Select the destination wisely
Try to interest children in the destination before leaving on vacation, advises Tauck World Discovery. Use interesting books, fun movies or stories about the destination to generate interest with young family members.
3. Keep kids involved
Get everyone to participate in selecting the destination and activities, advises Abercrombie & Kent, Inc. When children (especially teens) have a choice, they feel more invested in the trip.
4. Stay aware of your family’s needs
Uniworld says parents should know whether their children will respond well to specific kinds of travel, such as a river cruise, while Collette Vacations suggests parents remember that escorted tours are usually best for adults.
5. Pack lightly
The less you carry, the less likely you are to lose the items most important to your children. Plus all that extra room leaves more space for souvenir and gift shopping.
6. Understand children’s limitations
It is important to be flexible. Parents shouldn’t feel compelled to do everything on an itinerary if their kids need more leisure time than others. Parents need to make sure there is enough down time for kids to rest and recharge. Goway Travel suggests scheduling time so kids can laze on the beach or visit a park or zoo.
7. Keep children occupied
Take a DVD player with the kids’ favorite movies — great for plane rides or for relaxation after a day out. Give kids a daily allowance so they know what they can spend, and provide them with a journal and a camera so that they can record the vacation. Keep snacks and games on hand for motorcoach rides and for travel in foreign countries.
8. Do not leave children unattended
Always be sure that your children are attended by a trusted family member or by a childcare professional.
9. Let children know that behavior counts
Be sure children understand that it is important to be polite and respectful when traveling with other people.
10. Consider scheduling pre-nights
When traveling long distances, pre-nights are recommended — especially for families with younger kids. Additional nights will help acclimate kids to a new time zone and will get them into a more normal routine.
Knowing that traveling with your children won’t necessarily be the same romp you took during your single days, for example, will help keep everybody’s expectations in check.
2. Select the destination wisely
Try to interest children in the destination before leaving on vacation, advises Tauck World Discovery. Use interesting books, fun movies or stories about the destination to generate interest with young family members.
3. Keep kids involved
Get everyone to participate in selecting the destination and activities, advises Abercrombie & Kent, Inc. When children (especially teens) have a choice, they feel more invested in the trip.
4. Stay aware of your family’s needs
Uniworld says parents should know whether their children will respond well to specific kinds of travel, such as a river cruise, while Collette Vacations suggests parents remember that escorted tours are usually best for adults.
5. Pack lightly
The less you carry, the less likely you are to lose the items most important to your children. Plus all that extra room leaves more space for souvenir and gift shopping.
6. Understand children’s limitations
It is important to be flexible. Parents shouldn’t feel compelled to do everything on an itinerary if their kids need more leisure time than others. Parents need to make sure there is enough down time for kids to rest and recharge. Goway Travel suggests scheduling time so kids can laze on the beach or visit a park or zoo.
7. Keep children occupied
Take a DVD player with the kids’ favorite movies — great for plane rides or for relaxation after a day out. Give kids a daily allowance so they know what they can spend, and provide them with a journal and a camera so that they can record the vacation. Keep snacks and games on hand for motorcoach rides and for travel in foreign countries.
8. Do not leave children unattended
Always be sure that your children are attended by a trusted family member or by a childcare professional.
9. Let children know that behavior counts
Be sure children understand that it is important to be polite and respectful when traveling with other people.
10. Consider scheduling pre-nights
When traveling long distances, pre-nights are recommended — especially for families with younger kids. Additional nights will help acclimate kids to a new time zone and will get them into a more normal routine.
Monday
Travel Agent Hawaii Training
Join thousands of home based travel agents in this exciting and educational rewards program!
•Gain deep knowledge of Outrigger Hospitality hotels, resorts and condominiums in Hawaii and Asia Pacific
•Receive timely insider information and property updates so you look like an expert to your clients
•Have a complimentary welcome amenity delivered to your clients in your name
•Earn reward points redeemable for cash and at Amazon.com with each qualified, reported booking
•Enjoy exclusive incentives and bonuses
•Receive a monthly e-newsletter with best offers and promotions
•Have access to personal assistance from the Outrigger Hospitality Help DeskIt’s easy to become a certified Outrigger Hospitality SpecialistTake the online learning course then pass the quick 10-question quiz. In less than an hour you’ll learn about
Outrigger Hospitality properties in Hawaii, across the Pacific, and in Asia. You’ll also get tips on how to match the right Outrigger Hospitality property to your most important client segments.
Click Here
Learn how to become a travel agent at http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
•Gain deep knowledge of Outrigger Hospitality hotels, resorts and condominiums in Hawaii and Asia Pacific
•Receive timely insider information and property updates so you look like an expert to your clients
•Have a complimentary welcome amenity delivered to your clients in your name
•Earn reward points redeemable for cash and at Amazon.com with each qualified, reported booking
•Enjoy exclusive incentives and bonuses
•Receive a monthly e-newsletter with best offers and promotions
•Have access to personal assistance from the Outrigger Hospitality Help DeskIt’s easy to become a certified Outrigger Hospitality SpecialistTake the online learning course then pass the quick 10-question quiz. In less than an hour you’ll learn about
Outrigger Hospitality properties in Hawaii, across the Pacific, and in Asia. You’ll also get tips on how to match the right Outrigger Hospitality property to your most important client segments.
Click Here
Learn how to become a travel agent at http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
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