Join veteran Travcoa Travel Director, Sharon Zimmerman, as we virtually explore remote parts of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia by air, land and river. Enjoy Sharon's personal perspective on our journeys as she describes the luxurious lodges, sweeping landscapes, local cultures and the incomparable wildlife adventures of Southern Africa....Read More »
Wednesday, May 18 2pm Eastern, 1pm Central, 12pm Mountain, 11am Pacific.
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/637366432
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Monday
Perillo Tours Webinar
You are invited to join Steve Perillo - CEO of Perillo Tours and Carol Dimopoulos- Vice President, Perillo Tours Groups for an exciting presentation.
Home Based Travel Agents should attend the Perillo Tours webinar to learn about the new and exciting product line-up, including an overview of Perillo Escorted Tours, Italy Vacations.com customized FIT products and in-depth focus on PT Groups-Perillo Tours customized group division...Read More »
Wednesday, May 18 12pm Eastern, 11am Central, 10am Mountain, 9am Pacific
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/157997984
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Home Based Travel Agents should attend the Perillo Tours webinar to learn about the new and exciting product line-up, including an overview of Perillo Escorted Tours, Italy Vacations.com customized FIT products and in-depth focus on PT Groups-Perillo Tours customized group division...Read More »
Wednesday, May 18 12pm Eastern, 11am Central, 10am Mountain, 9am Pacific
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/157997984
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Line your pocket
Commissions on in-destination activities add up, said Natalie Darby, senior travel agent at AAA Tidewater in Virginia Beach. Darby recently put together an FIT where the client pre-booked $1,800 on a variety of day tours in several cities.
“I book day tours, city passes, private transfers or shuttles, and different excursions every time I book a European trip,” said Darby, who typically books through online activities specialists Travel Bound or Viator.
Agents told Travel Market Report that they’re earning between 5% and 18% on such bookings. Travel Bound’s commission levels start at 10%.
Commission potential depends on the activity. Prices for the average day tour run anywhere from $40 to $80. Those that include features such as a private car and guide or cooking with a chef are priced as high as $300, said Darby.
Those numbers may look small but, as Butler said, “If you do enough of the little bits on the bottom line, it becomes a top line.”
The money adds up
Consistency is the key, she added. “You can’t do one a month. If you do a handful every time you’re doing a European vacation, it builds up.”
Ray Espino, owner/travel consultant with A & R Travel and Tours in Burnham, Ill., agreed. “Think about a small tour in the Riviera Maya for the Mayan ruins – let’s say it’s only $8 [commission]. If you do this three or four times a week, over the course of a year it really adds up.
“Even at the end of the quarter when you run your quarterly report, it’s like ‘wow, we generated $1,500 off of these tours,’ and every single dollar helps.”
Improve customer service . . .
Another reason to pre-book activities for clients is to provide an additional service and enhance the perceived value of working with your agency, and that will be reflected in client loyalty.
The more travel agents can do for their clients, the more prepared the clients are for their travels, and that’s a win-win, Darby said.
By recommending activities, and then pre-booking them, agents remind clients of the expertise they provide, commented Ken Frohling, vice president and head of business development at Viator.
“They show clients they are the expert. Recommending [the tour] Be a Gladiator for a Day in Rome to a family traveling to Italy – that’s not something the customer would likely find on their own. It reinforces the expertise and service of the agent community.”
. . . and build loyalty
Butler agreed. “If you suggest something they haven’t thought of, they appreciate you that much more. They see that you’re that much more knowledgeable, because you clued them into something.”
Client appreciation will boost agency earnings in other ways, she said. “That circles back to commission because they’re going to come back to you for their next tour.”
Espino shares this philosophy. “Let’s say you book a Cancun package. We want to sell you a tour to the Mayan Ruins, to Cozumel. We want to book all those things for you, because it’s important that we create more value as a travel agent for our clients.”
It’s up to you
Few clients booking a land vacation for the first time are aware of the array of available activities or of the fact that their agent can pre-book their activities. It is often incumbent on the travel agent to suggest in-destination activities and explain why pre-booking is advisable.
At AAA Tidewater, agents routinely recommend to clients that they pre-arrange their activities whenever they handle a sale. “If they haven’t asked about it, I do suggest it, if I know they’re planning on sightseeing,” Butler said.
Ninety percent of the time clients are open to her suggestions. “You can at least talk them into one tour.”
More experienced travelers recognize the value of pre-booking. “They know that if they book it as an excursion ahead of time, they get to skip the line, and that’s a big benefit.”
Free Travel School. Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
“I book day tours, city passes, private transfers or shuttles, and different excursions every time I book a European trip,” said Darby, who typically books through online activities specialists Travel Bound or Viator.
Agents told Travel Market Report that they’re earning between 5% and 18% on such bookings. Travel Bound’s commission levels start at 10%.
Commission potential depends on the activity. Prices for the average day tour run anywhere from $40 to $80. Those that include features such as a private car and guide or cooking with a chef are priced as high as $300, said Darby.
Those numbers may look small but, as Butler said, “If you do enough of the little bits on the bottom line, it becomes a top line.”
The money adds up
Consistency is the key, she added. “You can’t do one a month. If you do a handful every time you’re doing a European vacation, it builds up.”
Ray Espino, owner/travel consultant with A & R Travel and Tours in Burnham, Ill., agreed. “Think about a small tour in the Riviera Maya for the Mayan ruins – let’s say it’s only $8 [commission]. If you do this three or four times a week, over the course of a year it really adds up.
“Even at the end of the quarter when you run your quarterly report, it’s like ‘wow, we generated $1,500 off of these tours,’ and every single dollar helps.”
Improve customer service . . .
Another reason to pre-book activities for clients is to provide an additional service and enhance the perceived value of working with your agency, and that will be reflected in client loyalty.
The more travel agents can do for their clients, the more prepared the clients are for their travels, and that’s a win-win, Darby said.
By recommending activities, and then pre-booking them, agents remind clients of the expertise they provide, commented Ken Frohling, vice president and head of business development at Viator.
“They show clients they are the expert. Recommending [the tour] Be a Gladiator for a Day in Rome to a family traveling to Italy – that’s not something the customer would likely find on their own. It reinforces the expertise and service of the agent community.”
. . . and build loyalty
Butler agreed. “If you suggest something they haven’t thought of, they appreciate you that much more. They see that you’re that much more knowledgeable, because you clued them into something.”
Client appreciation will boost agency earnings in other ways, she said. “That circles back to commission because they’re going to come back to you for their next tour.”
Espino shares this philosophy. “Let’s say you book a Cancun package. We want to sell you a tour to the Mayan Ruins, to Cozumel. We want to book all those things for you, because it’s important that we create more value as a travel agent for our clients.”
It’s up to you
Few clients booking a land vacation for the first time are aware of the array of available activities or of the fact that their agent can pre-book their activities. It is often incumbent on the travel agent to suggest in-destination activities and explain why pre-booking is advisable.
At AAA Tidewater, agents routinely recommend to clients that they pre-arrange their activities whenever they handle a sale. “If they haven’t asked about it, I do suggest it, if I know they’re planning on sightseeing,” Butler said.
Ninety percent of the time clients are open to her suggestions. “You can at least talk them into one tour.”
More experienced travelers recognize the value of pre-booking. “They know that if they book it as an excursion ahead of time, they get to skip the line, and that’s a big benefit.”
Free Travel School. Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Thursday
Carnival Launches 'Bizbuilder' for Home Based Travel Agents
BizBuilder offers customized and real-time information tools for home based travel agents to ensure their marketing materials are more effective than ever.
Features include:
• A user-friendly and customized creation process for flyers. A drop-down menu used in creating collateral will automatically populate up-to-date ship and sail date information based on the destination selected. This live itinerary data feed ensures information is never outdated.
• Flyers may also now be customized with travel partner logos, contact information and specific call-to-action information for personalized marketing.
• A print-on-demand option allows travel partners to order professional printed flyers with ease.
• Ad slicks may be customized in a variety of sizes according to media specifications, allowing slicks to be sent to the media outlet without multiple editing steps.
Additional features that will debut on BizBuilder in the near future include:
• Customized postcards that may be mailed in bulk to a specific distribution list.
• Group flyers that may be customized to a specific interest group.
• Customized web banners.
• Informative flyers that may be customized to promote new product or itinerary information.
• HTML capability for sending customized marketing materials.
Home based travel agents will also have the ability to let Carnival know exactly what they want to see on future versions of BizBuilder by voting on GoCCL.com.
In addition, home based travel agents will have access to a quick tutorial prior to getting started in BizBuilder. All materials are located within GoCCL.com.
Visit www.goccl.com.
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Features include:
• A user-friendly and customized creation process for flyers. A drop-down menu used in creating collateral will automatically populate up-to-date ship and sail date information based on the destination selected. This live itinerary data feed ensures information is never outdated.
• Flyers may also now be customized with travel partner logos, contact information and specific call-to-action information for personalized marketing.
• A print-on-demand option allows travel partners to order professional printed flyers with ease.
• Ad slicks may be customized in a variety of sizes according to media specifications, allowing slicks to be sent to the media outlet without multiple editing steps.
Additional features that will debut on BizBuilder in the near future include:
• Customized postcards that may be mailed in bulk to a specific distribution list.
• Group flyers that may be customized to a specific interest group.
• Customized web banners.
• Informative flyers that may be customized to promote new product or itinerary information.
• HTML capability for sending customized marketing materials.
Home based travel agents will also have the ability to let Carnival know exactly what they want to see on future versions of BizBuilder by voting on GoCCL.com.
In addition, home based travel agents will have access to a quick tutorial prior to getting started in BizBuilder. All materials are located within GoCCL.com.
Visit www.goccl.com.
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Wednesday
Apple Vacations
Apple Vacations is dedicating the entire month of May to you, our travel agent partners with new Travel Agent Incentives, Giveaways, and FAMs to the most desirable hotels in the tropics!
Cruise the Bible
Sea the Holyland, Steps of Paul, Cruise Pure Inspiring Experience, Cruise the Bible, Full Bible Cruise,
Grand Christian Cruise, Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises
http://www.stepsofpaul.com/
Grand Christian Cruise, Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises
http://www.stepsofpaul.com/
Fam Trip To Italy
Let Italiaoutdoors deliver the trip of a lifetime!
We are a two person team of fitness and culinary experts who personally create and lead custom active culinary adventures in Northern Italy. Be it biking, hiking, walking or skiing, Italiaoutdoors can combine your clients' favorite activities with a world-class food and wine program, including hands-on cooking classes. All of our tours are customized around our guests' fitness levels and preferred leisure activities. Designed and personally led by Vernon McClure, an ex-Army Ranger with 15 years experience in recreational programming and Kathy Bechtel, a professionally trained chef, cooking instructor and ski instructor.
Discover how unique, fun and affordable a custom tour can be. Eat, drink, cook, bike, hike, walk, ski, shop, explore, relax. Repeat. Learn more about our services at http://www.italiaoutdoors.com/.
See an Italiaoutdoors trip through the eyes of our guest: Master Chef Jody Adams on her blog
Interested in a FAM trip? We will plan a trip to introduce you to our programs and the regions we explore in Northeastern Italy. Contact us to get started!
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
We are a two person team of fitness and culinary experts who personally create and lead custom active culinary adventures in Northern Italy. Be it biking, hiking, walking or skiing, Italiaoutdoors can combine your clients' favorite activities with a world-class food and wine program, including hands-on cooking classes. All of our tours are customized around our guests' fitness levels and preferred leisure activities. Designed and personally led by Vernon McClure, an ex-Army Ranger with 15 years experience in recreational programming and Kathy Bechtel, a professionally trained chef, cooking instructor and ski instructor.
Discover how unique, fun and affordable a custom tour can be. Eat, drink, cook, bike, hike, walk, ski, shop, explore, relax. Repeat. Learn more about our services at http://www.italiaoutdoors.com/.
See an Italiaoutdoors trip through the eyes of our guest: Master Chef Jody Adams on her blog
Interested in a FAM trip? We will plan a trip to introduce you to our programs and the regions we explore in Northeastern Italy. Contact us to get started!
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Tuesday
Adventure and Special-interest Travel
Adventure and special-interest travel have been staples of Specialty Travel Index (the magazine and then the website) since its inception in 1980. Here we explore a sampling of some of the best adventure travel opportunities available. As you will see, adventure travel is not necessarily “roughing it”; often luxurious amenities and pristine surroundings go hand in hand.
Adventure travel can be challenging, but it can also be family-friendly and can be geared to all ages and abilities. It often is associated with certain activities (bicycling, kayaking, scuba, hiking, trekking, sailing, fishing, etc.) and certain types of gear. But, as Andy Alpine, co-founder of SpecialtyTravel.com, states, “The most profound aspect of adventure travel is what is does for the spirit of the adventurer. It can be a big life-changer. It may mean getting past perceived physical limitations, or becoming profoundly related to the natural environment in ways one might not have imagined. You come back with an expanded and deeper sense of yourself, other cultures, the animal kingdom, and life itself.”
SpecialtyTravel.com helps you find for your clients exactly the trip to create an unforgettable customizable vacation.
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
Adventure travel can be challenging, but it can also be family-friendly and can be geared to all ages and abilities. It often is associated with certain activities (bicycling, kayaking, scuba, hiking, trekking, sailing, fishing, etc.) and certain types of gear. But, as Andy Alpine, co-founder of SpecialtyTravel.com, states, “The most profound aspect of adventure travel is what is does for the spirit of the adventurer. It can be a big life-changer. It may mean getting past perceived physical limitations, or becoming profoundly related to the natural environment in ways one might not have imagined. You come back with an expanded and deeper sense of yourself, other cultures, the animal kingdom, and life itself.”
SpecialtyTravel.com helps you find for your clients exactly the trip to create an unforgettable customizable vacation.
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
Dud Ranch Summer Family Vacations
The TOP 5 Reasons a Colorado Dude Ranch needs to be at the top of your list of Summer Family Vacations:
1. Our 27 Colorado Dude Ranches were built to cater to families and have activities for ALL ages from little Jimmy to Grandpa Joe. Check out the Children’s Programs and other Activities to see for yourself.
2. This is one ALL INCLUSIVE vacation that truly lets your clients leave their wallets at home. 3 hearty meals per day, comfortable accommodations, horseback riding, kids & teen programs, and much more are included in one simple rate to make budgeting and booking easy.
3. Our Colorado ranches have come a long way from the “City Slickers” days. Our dude ranch guests can find fine dining, comfortable and modern log cabins and lodges with daily maid service, country western entertainment, pools, hot tubs, and yes even some ranches have spa services. Check out other amenities here.
4. Travel to and from the ranch is EASY. By choosing a Colorado Dude Ranch you have many options to help your clients get to/from the ranch without a lot of driving. We have several ranches within 2 hours of Denver International & Colorado Springs Airports. Durango, Steamboat, Montrose, and Gunnison have local regional airports that cater to many larger carriers as well. Many ranches offer ground transportation to and from their closest airport to make life that much easier on their guests.
5. All 27 Colorado CDGRA ranches offer a commission to travel agents. As an agent, you gain a commission on the entire guest stay, meals included (not just lodging). Your client is virtually guaranteed to be satisfied with any agent who sends them to a Colorado Dude Ranch.
Request a brochure today that has information on all 27 Colorado Dude Ranches. Make sure to check the box that says you are a travel agent and you will receive a handy guide of the most common questions travel agents ask. http://www.coloradoranch.com/travel-agents.php
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
1. Our 27 Colorado Dude Ranches were built to cater to families and have activities for ALL ages from little Jimmy to Grandpa Joe. Check out the Children’s Programs and other Activities to see for yourself.
2. This is one ALL INCLUSIVE vacation that truly lets your clients leave their wallets at home. 3 hearty meals per day, comfortable accommodations, horseback riding, kids & teen programs, and much more are included in one simple rate to make budgeting and booking easy.
3. Our Colorado ranches have come a long way from the “City Slickers” days. Our dude ranch guests can find fine dining, comfortable and modern log cabins and lodges with daily maid service, country western entertainment, pools, hot tubs, and yes even some ranches have spa services. Check out other amenities here.
4. Travel to and from the ranch is EASY. By choosing a Colorado Dude Ranch you have many options to help your clients get to/from the ranch without a lot of driving. We have several ranches within 2 hours of Denver International & Colorado Springs Airports. Durango, Steamboat, Montrose, and Gunnison have local regional airports that cater to many larger carriers as well. Many ranches offer ground transportation to and from their closest airport to make life that much easier on their guests.
5. All 27 Colorado CDGRA ranches offer a commission to travel agents. As an agent, you gain a commission on the entire guest stay, meals included (not just lodging). Your client is virtually guaranteed to be satisfied with any agent who sends them to a Colorado Dude Ranch.
Request a brochure today that has information on all 27 Colorado Dude Ranches. Make sure to check the box that says you are a travel agent and you will receive a handy guide of the most common questions travel agents ask. http://www.coloradoranch.com/travel-agents.php
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
Thursday
Ship Inspection and Group Training
HOW MUCH FUN CAN YOUR GROUP HANDLE?
Perfect opportunity for you, our travel partners, to invite your group leaders to learn more about Carnival Cruise Lines!
Seeking out cruise group leader "rookies" and experienced group leaders
Clubs, organizations, churches, family reunions, and associations...Just to name a few!
Your local Northeast Business Development Team cordially invites you to attend a customized group leader ship tour, presentation and luncheon on board the Carnival Miracle in New York Cityi!
Sunday, May 22, 2011 Event Time: 10:45am - 3:30pm
Event location
New York City Passenger Terminal 711 12th Avenue at 55th Street • New York City, New York 10019
Important Information
Check-In begins at 10:45am, No Boarding after 11:15am Photo ID is required for boarding.
Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend
We recently launched a comprehensive fundraising initiative called "Care to Play: Carnival for St. Jude kids." Our goal is to raise $3 million over the next three years. St. Jude is one of the world's premier centers focusing on the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. As part of our continuing partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to attend this VIP Shipboard event a $10 per person tax-deductible donation will be collected with 100% of the proceeds going directly to this amazing charity.
If you are interested in learning more and registering for the above event, please go
to: www.carnivalcruise.ca/rsvp and enter event code 4740 .
Perfect opportunity for you, our travel partners, to invite your group leaders to learn more about Carnival Cruise Lines!
Seeking out cruise group leader "rookies" and experienced group leaders
Clubs, organizations, churches, family reunions, and associations...Just to name a few!
Your local Northeast Business Development Team cordially invites you to attend a customized group leader ship tour, presentation and luncheon on board the Carnival Miracle in New York Cityi!
Sunday, May 22, 2011 Event Time: 10:45am - 3:30pm
Event location
New York City Passenger Terminal 711 12th Avenue at 55th Street • New York City, New York 10019
Important Information
Check-In begins at 10:45am, No Boarding after 11:15am Photo ID is required for boarding.
Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend
We recently launched a comprehensive fundraising initiative called "Care to Play: Carnival for St. Jude kids." Our goal is to raise $3 million over the next three years. St. Jude is one of the world's premier centers focusing on the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. As part of our continuing partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to attend this VIP Shipboard event a $10 per person tax-deductible donation will be collected with 100% of the proceeds going directly to this amazing charity.
If you are interested in learning more and registering for the above event, please go
to: www.carnivalcruise.ca/rsvp and enter event code 4740 .
Earn More Commission
If you book Sandales Resorts go to Vax and book it with Mark Travel, Funjet or Southwest vacations. They aere now paying What a Trip agents 16% commission. They are also paying or agents 15% commission on vacation packages.
Wednesday
Earn a Free Cruise
We are pleased to introduce Variety Stars, our new Travel Partners Rewards program allowing you to earn a free cruise for you and a companion.
With a few simple clicks on our website's Travel Agent section, you will receive access to our new VARIETY STARS rewards program. You will have access to agent specific information, specials, commission details and most importantly the opportunity to collect extra stars from each booking that you make. Our agent section will also have special sailing dates where you will have the ability to earn extra commissions.
Registration is a simple 1-2-3 process with your registration you earn your first star Automatically!
You are eligible for a FREE cruise as soon as you have earned 6 stars. You are only 5 stars away from a cruise on a Variety ship in Greece, South Italy, Black Sea, Turkey or West Africa! ....And remember your companion cruises for free too!
Join now by visiting the Agent Section of our site HERE.
Looking forward to welcoming you as a new Variety Stars Member.
Important : Our 2011-12 cruise book is available ! To order your brochure now please click HERE.
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
With a few simple clicks on our website's Travel Agent section, you will receive access to our new VARIETY STARS rewards program. You will have access to agent specific information, specials, commission details and most importantly the opportunity to collect extra stars from each booking that you make. Our agent section will also have special sailing dates where you will have the ability to earn extra commissions.
Registration is a simple 1-2-3 process with your registration you earn your first star Automatically!
You are eligible for a FREE cruise as soon as you have earned 6 stars. You are only 5 stars away from a cruise on a Variety ship in Greece, South Italy, Black Sea, Turkey or West Africa! ....And remember your companion cruises for free too!
Join now by visiting the Agent Section of our site HERE.
Looking forward to welcoming you as a new Variety Stars Member.
Important : Our 2011-12 cruise book is available ! To order your brochure now please click HERE.
Free Travel School.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and Free Travel Benifites. http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
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