Several major airlines --such as JetBlue Airways, Virgin America and AirTran Airways
-- have announced end-of-year sales for nationwide travel in early 2012, dropping fares to as low as $32 each way.
Many of these deals are only bookable through Jan. 2. Travel
is valid Jan. 4 - May 16.
Sample each-way fares:
- Long Beach-Las Vegas ... $32
- Boston-Chicago ... $48
- Washington, D.C.-Fort Lauderdale ... $58
- Buffalo-Chicago... $59
- New York-Cleveland ... $69
- Baltimore-Miami ... $88
- Boston-Denver ... $109
- Washington, D.C.-Los Angeles ... $129
- New York-San Francisco ... $149
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Thursday
Want More Business? Ask for It
Your best source for new business is satisfied customers and clients. It seems obvious that people satisfied with your services or products would be great brand ambassadors, yet asking for referrals or recommendations is one of the least utilized and most avoided techniques used by small business owners to gain more customers.
It’s not always easy to ask for referrals. You don’t want to turn off clients or embarrass them by asking and risk losing their business. Or perhaps you’ve already asked and are reluctant to ask again. Or maybe you’re afraid the request will make you appear needy or unsuccessful.
Here is another way to look at it: We’ve been asked for recommendations--whether it’s for a restaurant, movie, physician, school, or product. And as a business owner, you have most likely picked up business through referrals as well.
Asking for referrals proactively can increase your business even more than random and sporadic referrals. Here are steps to take to make asking for a referral easier and more effective.
Confirm Your Value and Define Your Brand
Confidence in the value your product or service provides is integral to making a recommendation request that yields positive results.
You should understand the unique value you provide to customers and how to articulate it. Be able to communicate how you help make customers’ lives easier, why they use your services and your advantages—this helps you define your brand from the standpoint of your customers.
Once you have the answers to these questions then you can formulate the ask.
Make the Ask
Who to ask: Target repeat customers—people you know by name and have regular interactions with. If you provide services, ask clients who are extremely satisfied with your work and can point directly to how you fulfilled their needs.
What to ask: Before you make the ask, reconfirm with them the value you provide. Let them know you are looking for clients and customers like them that stand to benefit from your services. Be specific with what type of clients you are seeking. For example, if you own a small real estate sales company you might want to ask a customer for young couples (like them) looking for their first home in a particular geographic region.
Another way to ask for a recommendation is to create programs to encourage referral business. Programs that incorporate discounts like a 2-for-1 offer, or a bonus card that becomes more valuable with each referral can also generate a buzz.
No matter how you ask, remember to always reiterate the value that these potential new customers would be receiving.
Show Gratitude
Regardless of who and how you ask for a recommendation, show your customers appreciation for any referrals they make. It could be a gift card, flowers, or a handwritten thank-you note--anything that enables you to “touch” your customers or clients and acknowledge their support. An act of gratitude is remembered for a long time, and serves as an incentive for them to keep on passing the word about your great business.
It’s not always easy to ask for referrals. You don’t want to turn off clients or embarrass them by asking and risk losing their business. Or perhaps you’ve already asked and are reluctant to ask again. Or maybe you’re afraid the request will make you appear needy or unsuccessful.
Here is another way to look at it: We’ve been asked for recommendations--whether it’s for a restaurant, movie, physician, school, or product. And as a business owner, you have most likely picked up business through referrals as well.
Asking for referrals proactively can increase your business even more than random and sporadic referrals. Here are steps to take to make asking for a referral easier and more effective.
Confirm Your Value and Define Your Brand
Confidence in the value your product or service provides is integral to making a recommendation request that yields positive results.
You should understand the unique value you provide to customers and how to articulate it. Be able to communicate how you help make customers’ lives easier, why they use your services and your advantages—this helps you define your brand from the standpoint of your customers.
Once you have the answers to these questions then you can formulate the ask.
Make the Ask
Who to ask: Target repeat customers—people you know by name and have regular interactions with. If you provide services, ask clients who are extremely satisfied with your work and can point directly to how you fulfilled their needs.
What to ask: Before you make the ask, reconfirm with them the value you provide. Let them know you are looking for clients and customers like them that stand to benefit from your services. Be specific with what type of clients you are seeking. For example, if you own a small real estate sales company you might want to ask a customer for young couples (like them) looking for their first home in a particular geographic region.
Another way to ask for a recommendation is to create programs to encourage referral business. Programs that incorporate discounts like a 2-for-1 offer, or a bonus card that becomes more valuable with each referral can also generate a buzz.
No matter how you ask, remember to always reiterate the value that these potential new customers would be receiving.
Show Gratitude
Regardless of who and how you ask for a recommendation, show your customers appreciation for any referrals they make. It could be a gift card, flowers, or a handwritten thank-you note--anything that enables you to “touch” your customers or clients and acknowledge their support. An act of gratitude is remembered for a long time, and serves as an incentive for them to keep on passing the word about your great business.
5 Simple Ways to Grow Tour Sales in 2012
by Nick Verrastro December 29, 2011
Increasingly travel sellers are turning to tour sales as a way to grow their bottom lines. Here’s advice for travel agents from leading tour operators on how to increase commission-rich tour sales in 2012.
#1 Learn about the tour product
Travel agents should learn about “the great value of tours, the wonderful assortment of destinations, including all the new destinations; departures and touring options,” said Brendan Tours president Nico Zenner.
Globus president and CEO Scott Nisbet urged agents to sign up for the tour companies’ complimentary training courses and webinars, “so they have all the tools they need to close the business.”
#2 Cross-sell past clients
Travel sellers should work their past customer files for new tour bookings, said Travcoa vice president and chief marketing officer Richard Genovese.
“In these times, it is difficult to find new business, but travel agents already have plenty of business in their offices,” he said.
The key is to get past clients to expand into new types of travel. The way to do that is to cross-sell tour and river cruise promotions to ocean cruisers and other international travelers, Nisbet said.
Reach out to past ocean cruisers and ask them if they want to really experience a destination they visited briefly on a cruise, advised Insight Vacations president Marc Kazlauskas.
#3 Stress value and ease of travel
Tours deliver incredible value, so agents should emphasize that, said Tauck Tours manager of corporate communications Tom Armstrong.
“With Tauck, for example, an independent traveler attempting to duplicate one of our itineraries on their own would spend as much as 40% more than they would traveling with us.”
Spending 40% less “makes a lot of sense in tough economic times,” said Globus’ Nisbet. Those kinds of savings are one reason why Nisbet expects that in 2012 many travelers will consider escorted tours for the first time.
The other factor driving first-timers: “They love the hassle-free aspect of touring and the plethora of immersive and cultural experiences touring affords them.”
#4 Tell clients about immersive experiences
“Ask clients if they want to experience the destination as a local would. Then present the tour as a way to experience the culture, food, history, architecture and people like no other holiday,” said Kazlauskas.
“Get clients to understand the incredible breadth of tours today,” advised Tauck’s Armstrong.
“For example, Tauck now has tours designed specifically for families, as well as small-group tours for active, inquisitive boomer-age travelers.”
#5 Use tour operator resources
Tour operators provide marketing and training resources, and travel agents should take advantage of them, tour executives said.
Collette Vacations vice president of sales Frank Marini noted that tour operators will help travel sellers with marketing, mailings and presentations that will help drive demand.
Increasingly travel sellers are turning to tour sales as a way to grow their bottom lines. Here’s advice for travel agents from leading tour operators on how to increase commission-rich tour sales in 2012.
#1 Learn about the tour product
Travel agents should learn about “the great value of tours, the wonderful assortment of destinations, including all the new destinations; departures and touring options,” said Brendan Tours president Nico Zenner.
Globus president and CEO Scott Nisbet urged agents to sign up for the tour companies’ complimentary training courses and webinars, “so they have all the tools they need to close the business.”
#2 Cross-sell past clients
Travel sellers should work their past customer files for new tour bookings, said Travcoa vice president and chief marketing officer Richard Genovese.
“In these times, it is difficult to find new business, but travel agents already have plenty of business in their offices,” he said.
The key is to get past clients to expand into new types of travel. The way to do that is to cross-sell tour and river cruise promotions to ocean cruisers and other international travelers, Nisbet said.
Reach out to past ocean cruisers and ask them if they want to really experience a destination they visited briefly on a cruise, advised Insight Vacations president Marc Kazlauskas.
#3 Stress value and ease of travel
Tours deliver incredible value, so agents should emphasize that, said Tauck Tours manager of corporate communications Tom Armstrong.
“With Tauck, for example, an independent traveler attempting to duplicate one of our itineraries on their own would spend as much as 40% more than they would traveling with us.”
Spending 40% less “makes a lot of sense in tough economic times,” said Globus’ Nisbet. Those kinds of savings are one reason why Nisbet expects that in 2012 many travelers will consider escorted tours for the first time.
The other factor driving first-timers: “They love the hassle-free aspect of touring and the plethora of immersive and cultural experiences touring affords them.”
#4 Tell clients about immersive experiences
“Ask clients if they want to experience the destination as a local would. Then present the tour as a way to experience the culture, food, history, architecture and people like no other holiday,” said Kazlauskas.
“Get clients to understand the incredible breadth of tours today,” advised Tauck’s Armstrong.
“For example, Tauck now has tours designed specifically for families, as well as small-group tours for active, inquisitive boomer-age travelers.”
#5 Use tour operator resources
Tour operators provide marketing and training resources, and travel agents should take advantage of them, tour executives said.
Collette Vacations vice president of sales Frank Marini noted that tour operators will help travel sellers with marketing, mailings and presentations that will help drive demand.
Wednesday
The 3 Secrets to Operating a Successful Travel Business
Treat Your Travel Business as a Serious, Professional Endeavor.
Yes, travel is “fun” and “sexy”, but if you want to succeed you have to treat it as a business and not a hobby. Professionals spend time and money on training, they seek professional advice assistance from their host agency, lawyers, accountants and insurance agents and then they follow that advice because they recognize that it is in their best interest to do so. Professionals walk, talk and dress the part – they don’t use yahoo email addresses, meet clients wearing t-shirts and sweatpants, or send e-mails full of spelling/grammatical errors.
Invest in Yourself.
It takes money to make money. If you want to succeed in this business, you have to be willing to invest your time and money back into your business – often without making much of an income in the short term – until it starts to gain momentum and take off. You need to go into this knowing that you’re going to spend time and money on training, advertizing, insurance, marketing. If you’re complaining about spending money on insurance, a separate phone line or a laptop computer, then you need to remember that this is a business. And, as an industry, travel in general requires a modest start-up investment.
Establish a Support Network.
If you work in a travel store, you might talk to your fellow agents at the surrounding desks. If you’re a one-person home based shop, you’re going to have to work a little harder. Find like-minded agents on TRO, HBTA and network with professionals who can help you with travel-specific things like marketing, PR, trade shows, events, etc. One of the best things I did for my business was join MeetUp which is an association of professionals in various related businesses – I get referrals from them, of course, but I also get a team of local business owner I can turn to for advice and support on all kinds of topics.
Specialize
I handle all sorts of vacation requests from new and existing clients (family vacations, groups, etc.) but I only MARKET to honeymooners. My brochures/fliers are all targeted at brides/grooms. I spend thousands of dollars to participate in local bridal shows. And I spend a LOT of time networking within the wedding/event sphere. I don’t turn away other business (as long as it’s within my comfort zone – no business travel, but I don’t have to spin my wheels seeking it out. There are hundreds of niches in travel, pick 3 and stay focused on them.
This is just 3 of hundreds of success tips you will receive when you use AARC as your host agency.
AARC Host Agency|
800-619-8646
www.HomeBasedTravelAgenct.org
www.aarcHostAgency.com
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEXNufykTF0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Yes, travel is “fun” and “sexy”, but if you want to succeed you have to treat it as a business and not a hobby. Professionals spend time and money on training, they seek professional advice assistance from their host agency, lawyers, accountants and insurance agents and then they follow that advice because they recognize that it is in their best interest to do so. Professionals walk, talk and dress the part – they don’t use yahoo email addresses, meet clients wearing t-shirts and sweatpants, or send e-mails full of spelling/grammatical errors.
Invest in Yourself.
It takes money to make money. If you want to succeed in this business, you have to be willing to invest your time and money back into your business – often without making much of an income in the short term – until it starts to gain momentum and take off. You need to go into this knowing that you’re going to spend time and money on training, advertizing, insurance, marketing. If you’re complaining about spending money on insurance, a separate phone line or a laptop computer, then you need to remember that this is a business. And, as an industry, travel in general requires a modest start-up investment.
Establish a Support Network.
If you work in a travel store, you might talk to your fellow agents at the surrounding desks. If you’re a one-person home based shop, you’re going to have to work a little harder. Find like-minded agents on TRO, HBTA and network with professionals who can help you with travel-specific things like marketing, PR, trade shows, events, etc. One of the best things I did for my business was join MeetUp which is an association of professionals in various related businesses – I get referrals from them, of course, but I also get a team of local business owner I can turn to for advice and support on all kinds of topics.
Specialize
I handle all sorts of vacation requests from new and existing clients (family vacations, groups, etc.) but I only MARKET to honeymooners. My brochures/fliers are all targeted at brides/grooms. I spend thousands of dollars to participate in local bridal shows. And I spend a LOT of time networking within the wedding/event sphere. I don’t turn away other business (as long as it’s within my comfort zone – no business travel, but I don’t have to spin my wheels seeking it out. There are hundreds of niches in travel, pick 3 and stay focused on them.
This is just 3 of hundreds of success tips you will receive when you use AARC as your host agency.
AARC Host Agency|
800-619-8646
www.HomeBasedTravelAgenct.org
www.aarcHostAgency.com
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEXNufykTF0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Thursday
Get Your FREE Copy Now!
A couple of years ago I wrote a book and "Niche Cruise Line Directory" on selling niche cruises. While the book sold well, I chose not to republish it simply because it became out of date so quickly. I sold the book for $49.95.
However, I felt that the content was simply too valuable to let die, so I decided to give it away for free. I know, you are thinking "what's the catch?" There isn't any.
Better yet, I was able to make the content come alive by incorporating video for each of the lines profiles so that now not only can you get all of the details regarding each niche cruise line, you can also engage video training to help you familiarize yourself with the line that you are researching.
It is a very powerful way to learn how to make more money. So, I invite you to log onto the Travel Professional Community, Click on "Groups" and then Click on the "Agents Selling Niche Cruises" group and start learning. I guarantee you that you won't regret it.
Not a member? Join NOW. It is FUN and it is FREE
Christian Pilgrimages for 2012
We have put together pilgrimages that follow in the steps some of the most influential Saints of the Christian faith, St Gregory and St Paul along with tours to the Holy Land.
Aegean Med Cruises & Tours (www.aegeanmedtours.com)
We are tour operators with 39 years experience, sending our clients to Greece, the Greek Isles, Italy, Turkey, Egypt and the rest of the Mediterranean. We specialize in Pilgrimages, Cultural & Special Interest tours, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Incentive Groups, FIT's, European Cruises, Spa packages & FAM's.
If you are interested in putting together your own group we would love to help and extend certain conveniences and incentives to you. We can put together a customized flyer for you to circulate to your community, listing the destinations and tours they would be visiting.
Also, we are happy to offer One Free passenger for every 15 people booked. Please take a look at our itineraries below and do not hesitate to contact our offices via email (aegean@aol.com or jrav1982@yahoo.com) or telephone (888-968-0335)
Departure dates available throughout all of 2012
Phone Skills are an Essential Part of Business
How you answer the phone can make or break your next sale, and the future of a client relationship may also hinge on your next phone call.
More business is lost to poor customer service than to bad product – and phone skills are an essential part of customer service, according to Nancy Friedman, president of the Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training.
Establish rapport first
Instead of answering clients questions right off the bat, the agents should first established a rapport with client and made sure you have her contact information.
“A much better response to my question would have been something like, ‘Well, you came to the right place!’”
Don’t multitask on the phone
Always give clients your undivided attention while on the phone, Friedman advised.
“We all multitask these days, but you really can’t do two things at once,” she said, “Don’t check your email while on the phone.”
Any computer keyboarding while on the phone should pertain to the client’s business. “They will hear the typing, so make sure to let them know that it has to do with their account.”
Keep it personal
The personal touch has taken on new significance in this age when consumers get multiple emails daily, according to Friedman.
“Sending a thank you note to a client by email is OK, but who wants to be just OK?” she said. “Always send a personal note.”
Form letters enclosed with travel documents don’t cut it either. Even a Post-it note with a handwritten message is better than a form letter, according to Friedman.
“Items received without any note or any mention of the transaction are perceived as cold and rude,” she said. “A simple ‘thank you’ on company notepaper will do the trick.”
An efficient way to provide handwritten notes is to set aside a block of time to write several at once, perhaps 10 a week.
Another personal touch, Friedman said, is to write a Christmas card right after each sale – putting it aside to send at the appropriate time.
Feel the client’s pain
Good customer service is also about feeling the client’s pain when something goes wrong – or at least giving the impression that you do, according to Friedman.
“Don’t ever argue with a customer. If they are upset, commiserate with them,” she said. “Don’t just give a quick ‘I’m sorry,’ but say, ‘I apologize for what happened’ or something that will allow the customer to feel you are apologizing.”
Low fences make loyal customers
While all businesses, including travel agencies, need to have rules and guidelines, Friedman cautioned about letting them become an obstruction.
“Keep your fences low enough for customers to step over,” she said. “When you explain the rules, keep it simple and positive.”
As an example, instead of posting a sign in the agency that says “No out-of-state checks accepted,” post one that says, “We gladly accept in-state checks.”
Checking it twice is nice
Even if you’re certain a cruise line has sold out every balcony stateroom, double check, Friedman advised.
“Double checking exceeds the customer’s expectations – and sometimes it pays off. Maybe there was a last-minute change.”
More business is lost to poor customer service than to bad product – and phone skills are an essential part of customer service, according to Nancy Friedman, president of the Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training.
Establish rapport first
Instead of answering clients questions right off the bat, the agents should first established a rapport with client and made sure you have her contact information.
“A much better response to my question would have been something like, ‘Well, you came to the right place!’”
Don’t multitask on the phone
Always give clients your undivided attention while on the phone, Friedman advised.
“We all multitask these days, but you really can’t do two things at once,” she said, “Don’t check your email while on the phone.”
Any computer keyboarding while on the phone should pertain to the client’s business. “They will hear the typing, so make sure to let them know that it has to do with their account.”
Keep it personal
The personal touch has taken on new significance in this age when consumers get multiple emails daily, according to Friedman.
“Sending a thank you note to a client by email is OK, but who wants to be just OK?” she said. “Always send a personal note.”
Form letters enclosed with travel documents don’t cut it either. Even a Post-it note with a handwritten message is better than a form letter, according to Friedman.
“Items received without any note or any mention of the transaction are perceived as cold and rude,” she said. “A simple ‘thank you’ on company notepaper will do the trick.”
An efficient way to provide handwritten notes is to set aside a block of time to write several at once, perhaps 10 a week.
Another personal touch, Friedman said, is to write a Christmas card right after each sale – putting it aside to send at the appropriate time.
Feel the client’s pain
Good customer service is also about feeling the client’s pain when something goes wrong – or at least giving the impression that you do, according to Friedman.
“Don’t ever argue with a customer. If they are upset, commiserate with them,” she said. “Don’t just give a quick ‘I’m sorry,’ but say, ‘I apologize for what happened’ or something that will allow the customer to feel you are apologizing.”
Low fences make loyal customers
While all businesses, including travel agencies, need to have rules and guidelines, Friedman cautioned about letting them become an obstruction.
“Keep your fences low enough for customers to step over,” she said. “When you explain the rules, keep it simple and positive.”
As an example, instead of posting a sign in the agency that says “No out-of-state checks accepted,” post one that says, “We gladly accept in-state checks.”
Checking it twice is nice
Even if you’re certain a cruise line has sold out every balcony stateroom, double check, Friedman advised.
“Double checking exceeds the customer’s expectations – and sometimes it pays off. Maybe there was a last-minute change.”
Wednesday
Free Travel Apps AARC Recommends
Travel Seeker – Compare flight options across airlines, dates and alternate airports or cities. This app uses Amadeus Master Pricer fare engine to deliver the best fares directly to your iPhone or Android device. Searches can be triggered by voice recognition and results filtered by price, airline, airport, trip length, stops and take-off or landing time
Word Lens – Point your iPhone camera at a sign in any language and get an instant English translation.
OpenTable – Find nearby restaurants, search by name and view reservation openings. Book a table on the spot!
GateGuru – “Locate the best food, shopping and service options within any airport.” Available for the iPhone.
Google Maps – just added a navigation feature that offers satellite images and street views with audio directions and is available on every Smartphone.
Yelp – A handy app that will let you locate and read word-of-mouth reviews local businesses. In need of a beauty salon, oil change or sushi restaurant while on the road—or want to help scout out a service for a client in need? Find what you’re looking for fast!
"With high adoption rates and low learning curves, these new on-the-go innovations keep you connected, your clients happy and your business growing. Stay in touch and in control when you’re on the road, make recommendations to your clients for their trips—and simplify your life by putting online solutions at your fingertips, " According to AARC
Bcome a home based travel agent www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Word Lens – Point your iPhone camera at a sign in any language and get an instant English translation.
OpenTable – Find nearby restaurants, search by name and view reservation openings. Book a table on the spot!
GateGuru – “Locate the best food, shopping and service options within any airport.” Available for the iPhone.
Google Maps – just added a navigation feature that offers satellite images and street views with audio directions and is available on every Smartphone.
Yelp – A handy app that will let you locate and read word-of-mouth reviews local businesses. In need of a beauty salon, oil change or sushi restaurant while on the road—or want to help scout out a service for a client in need? Find what you’re looking for fast!
"With high adoption rates and low learning curves, these new on-the-go innovations keep you connected, your clients happy and your business growing. Stay in touch and in control when you’re on the road, make recommendations to your clients for their trips—and simplify your life by putting online solutions at your fingertips, " According to AARC
Bcome a home based travel agent www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Learn About Atlantis – Among the Top Resorts in the World for Families
If you have families among your clients, you must become an Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas Specialist. With 141 acres of Aquaventure waterscape, there may be no resort in the world better suited to children’s love of discovery. Here, families share unforgettable experiences in an enormous underwater world of sea creatures; a playful universe of fountains, waterfalls, waterslides and swimming pools; buried treasures on huge beach expanses; dazzling lights and fantastical shapes.
Learn about the activities, range of accommodations, dining choices and more in the one-chapter course at www.SellFamilyTravel.com. Register now, and gain the tools and confidence you need to increase your family travel sales!www.SellFamilyTravel.com
Disney Vacation Rentals that Pay Commission
Your clients want a Disney vacation that's going to be as magical as the Magical Kingdom itself. You want to make a commission booking them that perfect rental. Thankfully, Travel Rental Network offers you a wide selection of unique, hand-picked Disney vacation rentals that will be sure to thrill your clients and pay you a well-earned commission. Can't find what you're looking for? Then give us a call, and one of our friendly staff will be sure to help.
| How to Book a Property with Travel Rental Network |
| All of the owners who list their properties with Travel Rental Network are aware that we market heavily to travel agents, and they are ready and willing to pay you a commission when you rent their property to your customers. Become a travel agent and earn commission and free vacations. www.homebasedtravelagents.org |
Monday
Five Things to Know Before Shipping Your Luggage
There are many options when it comes to traveling, a truism travel agents know better than anyone. One such option, to avoid airline baggage fees or to simplify your time at the airport, is to ship your luggage to your destination. Here are five things to consider before employing such a tactic.
1. Shipping your luggage makes the most financial sense when you’re dealing with overweight suitcases and domestic flights. While many airlines now charge for checked bags, the cost is generally less expensive than shipping...unless your luggage is overweight, which airlines charge quite a bit extra to check. Also, shipping overseas is seldom wise, since many air carriers allow you to check one or two free bags on international flights.
2. There are several benefits to shipping your luggage. National shippers like FedEx and UPS have a better success rate than airlines at delivering your bags. Plus, their tracking codes let you know where you valuables are at all times. And shipping saves you time at the airport, since you don’t have to queue up pre-flight to off-load your bags or mull around the baggage carousal after your flight—a true benefit for those travelling with children.
3. There are several disadvantages to shipping too. You have to pack and ship days before you travel, making it difficult to make any last-minute adjustments. Also, you’ll need someone to sign for your package, which is easy if you’re travelling to see family, but not so if you’re flying for business, in which case you might need to request that the shipping company hold your bag until you can pick it up. And finally, it’s wise to purchase insurance when shipping your luggage, which will cost you a few extra bucks.
4. Know your hotel. Call to confirm ahead of time your hotel’s shipping address (which may differ from its street address), whether they accept bags at the front desk and if you will incur a fee for doing so.
5. Sports Equipment - Instead of shipping sports equipment such as skis, it may be cheaper to rent once you arrive. The benefit of renting is that you may end up with better equipment or at least get a chance to try out a different brand or style.
Now is the time to become a travel agent. Become a travel agent and earn extra income and free vacations. www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
Friday
The Travel Agents Job
Your job is not to sell travel. That is an antiquated version of “travel agent” from years past. You are no longer a travel agent. You must become a Travel Advison, Travel Expert or Travel Consultant.
Your job is to help consumers make intelligent buying decisions. If you truly adopt the perspective of a consultant, why does price become the most crucial aspect of the buying process? Is that the chief consideration in any other buying decision you make? Do you buy a washer and drier solely on the basis of price? Does brand matter, do features, warranty, service and even more emotional considerations like color and appearance? Is price the sole determinant of the coffee you drink, the car you drive or hairdresser? My guess is the answer to each of these questions is a resounding “No”. Yet, many travel professionals are absolutely certain that the only thing that matters to their clients is price.
Here’s the thing – Travelocity is not your competition. Your real competition is perception – the client who doesn’t understand what you do and how you do it, who doesn’t understand the value of your services. As a professional it is your responsibility to make yourself understood through your marketing – and that is the value and function in your services.
Your job is to help consumers make intelligent buying decisions. If you truly adopt the perspective of a consultant, why does price become the most crucial aspect of the buying process? Is that the chief consideration in any other buying decision you make? Do you buy a washer and drier solely on the basis of price? Does brand matter, do features, warranty, service and even more emotional considerations like color and appearance? Is price the sole determinant of the coffee you drink, the car you drive or hairdresser? My guess is the answer to each of these questions is a resounding “No”. Yet, many travel professionals are absolutely certain that the only thing that matters to their clients is price.
Here’s the thing – Travelocity is not your competition. Your real competition is perception – the client who doesn’t understand what you do and how you do it, who doesn’t understand the value of your services. As a professional it is your responsibility to make yourself understood through your marketing – and that is the value and function in your services.
Wednesday
Start Booking Mardi Gras NOW...
Location: New Orleans, LouisianaThe weekend beginning February 18th and leading into Tuesday February 21st 2012 is the best time to visit the city of New Orleans. Let us make your travel plans now because finding a place to stay is not as simple as the “Big Easy” nickname would have you believe. Mardi Gras is a celebration which comes right before Lent and culminates on Fat Tuesday. It is one of the most fun events a person can attend because it includes floats, costumes, parades, and so much more. Be prepared while in the crowd and try and catch a “throw” which could be anything from beads to stuffed animals.
Learn how to become a travel agent and earn extra cash and free vacations. call 800-619-8464 or go to http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
Learn how to become a travel agent and earn extra cash and free vacations. call 800-619-8464 or go to http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
The New Brand Essence video
An exciting and powerful Carnival brand message...enjoy! Carnival Trade YouTube channel
E-BROCHURE
We are gearing up to our busy season and I wanted to make sure you had our update selling tool at your finger tips! Please check out this link and keep it handy! If you have not given our E-brochure a shot, please take a moment to see how convenient it is to use. Plus, it is just as convenient to forward on to your clients so they have all the info at their finger tips! http://content.yudu.com/A1qjgd/AllDestinations2012T/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl
Holiday Certificates
Do your clients and/or potential clients realize they can purchase travel certificates from you for Christmas gift ideas?!?
Once again, we’re running our Holiday Certificate Sale from now through 12/31/11. Yes, these are our preferred award certificates, but it’s only at this time of the year that we open the program so that everyone can purchase one or many…not just for corporate and incentive purposes.
What better gift to give than the gift of a Carnival Cruise Vacation! Remember that these certificates are commissionable to you and you earn your commission as soon as they are purchased!
Tuesday
Africa Travel Specials and Deals
Learn how to become a travel agent earn extra cash, work from home, great travel benifites.
http://wwwhomebasedtravelagents.org
Spas Free Travel Tools
Find Your Clients' Perfect Spa Match: Free Agent Tools
Hosted by SpaFinder CMO Sallie Fraenkel and VP Bradford Jones
Thursday, December 15 @ 12:30 p.m. EST – Limited Space,
Sign Up Now
Discover the ultimate spa travel to suit your clients' needs
Monday
Free New eBook: How to Use Google+ for Business
Google+ is the new social network on the block. With more than 40 million users and a growing influence on search, Google+ has definitely emerged as a key player in the online marketing ecosystem. Find out how to leverage Google + for your business and learn key tips for marketers. Click here
Learn how to become a travel agent and open your on online travel agency.
http://homebasedtravelagents.com
Learn how to become a travel agent and open your on online travel agency.
http://homebasedtravelagents.com
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