YTB offers FREE Cruise with Carnival…
I thought that might get your attention… ;-p
I’ve got a couple of questions.
I’m wondering if Carnival has a chance in the next couple days to get the word out about their new sales requirements for FAM’s to those of us in YTB? I’m also wondering what most of YTB will think of Carnival for making this move after our Top Producers enjoy a cruise with them for free. I couldn’t tell you if this has ever been done before, and I imagine that it probably has, but I’m wondering how often Carnival or any other cruise line reserves and entire ship for one company?
Wow…I have a lot of questions today, don’t I?
I spend a lot of time reading comments and posts on forums, message boards, and blogs and I find some of the positioning about what Carnival announced on Wednesday about their new requirements concerning FAM trips. For some reason, everyone who opposes the YTB business model thinks (in general terms) that Carnival is “putting the screws” to YTB for making this move, “turning up the heat” if you will.
Chaaa…right!
What Carnival is doing is trying to let the rest of the travel industry know they hear and understand the issues that Traditional Travel Agents have. For good reason too, Vicki Freed was hammered so bad on her Blog that she had to remove all comments from irate Travel Agents who condemned Carnival for supporting YTB and other Travel MLM’s. The problem is that Carnival knows exactly who and what YTB is. Not only has Carnival awarded their Pinnacle Award to YTB for the last three years in a row, but Carnival was also the company who came to YTB’s aid back in November to help prove to the rest of the industry that YTB sells travel.
Guys, they threw Travel Agents a bone, and they can chew on it all they want. Like I said in my last post, Carnival figured out a way to have their cake and eat it too. The issues are not either/or, and there is a way to have both.
I have to wonder when some will wake up and smell the coffee. They need to open their eyes and look at what just transpired. Can they not only see support Carnival gives YTB or the supporting documentation Travel Weekly and Modern Agent have provided with quotes about MLM’s producing impressive numbers for suppliers? Even long time opposition to YTB Travel Trade now understands the impact of YTB and our growing sales numbers.
Some also believe this is the beginning of the end of the impressive recruiting numbers that YTB has been producing, more than doubling our sales force from 60K to over 135K in 2007 alone. Little do they know, (or simply ignore) that YTB has been laying the ground work for what’s currently going on for months.
Back in August, at the National Convention, the Coach’s Birthday Bash was announced. While the contest does reward our top Power Team Builders, that’s only HALF of the ship. The other half of the ship this weekend are top Travel Sellers with our company. Winners of Travel sales were based on the number of bookings (double occupancy) for all cruises, tours, and vacation packages booked. Air, car, and hotel were ONLY included in the total if all three are booked together. No other combinations of air, car, and hotel applied.
Other Travel related programs introduced back in August included:
- In addition to our Directors who build teams, now any RTA who earns $25,000 in travel commissions in a 12-month period will qualify for fully paid health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Commission level must be maintained to continue to receive this benefit.
- Effective January 1, 2008, new requirements were placed in order to qualify for a YTB Referring Travel Agent credential card. RTAs joining as of January 1, 2008 must sell a minimum of $1,500 in travel before applying for the RTA credential card. ($2,500 for CLIA requirements)
- Fun & Travel Magazine was introduced as a twice annual publication all about TRAVEL! (And ONLY Travel) This magazine discusses travel trends, features preferred vendors, and reviews the hottest travel destinations.
- RTAs were also introduced a new opportunity to sell a one-year subscription in a Two Fly Free program for a $300 fee. This will allow for free airfare from select cities when purchased in conjunction with a 7-10 night hotel stay (intern
ational destinations are also available).
Many also don’t realize that YTB already had it’s own requirements in place for FAM’s. Any RTA who wanted a FAM trip with Carnival, or any other cruise line, needed to abide and follow the following company requirements.
“Book only two cruises (two cabins) at regular fare for your customers and you’ll be qualified to take another discounted cruise.
All announced to YTB Reps and RTA’s long before any of the current issues surrounding Travel MLM’s came to light from the other side. And we still grew like gangbusters in spite of these new requirements and policies that the other side thinks “turns up the heat”.
I have a good friend who’s outside of the industry, (
cruisinman) who’s been a real advocate of Travel MLM’s for years. He understands the model very well, as he was with other Travel MLM’s in the mid to late 90’s. For as long as I’ve known Tom, he’s been predicting that suppliers would either turn off, or require exactly what Carnival just announced concerning the FAM issue. If you look at the thread I’ve linked to and comments concerning Tom, you can easily come to the conclusion that not only do Traditional Travel Agents not like him, but he also doesn’t care what they think.I say “Bully Mr. Coleman for your insight.” While Tom hasn’t been on mark, (Nor have I) all the time, he does have a much better overview and understanding of the entire industry. He had this Carnival move pegged years ago, and I’m willing to bet that not one Travel Agent that he irritates will recognize that.
But I will.
Knowledge and understanding is power. For those of us who have a firm grasp of what’s really going on in this industry right now like YTB, this Carnival move helps YTB separate itself from all those “Overpriced Travel Clubs” that
Nadine Godwin mentioned in her predictions on Monday. I suppose we will always have individuals who take predictions like Nadine’s and twist them to mean something entirely different. Verbiage like “in some cases” automatically translates to “YTB”, the phrase “impressive sales” translates to “some sales”, and “players” translate to Travel MLM’s not Suppliers.If Travel Agents need to view the issues surrounding Travel MLM’s from this perspective, it’s certainly within their right. In the meantime, YTB just keep chugging along, doing what we do, and while I recognize what’s being said, I have to question the validity of the translations by those opposed to our model.
Subscribe to Just Picture It Now for additional announcements and details!
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Book Your Travel & Vacations With
Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635
