I happen to be out of town, (without internet access!) but enjoying the Holiday with family none the less. I decided to schedule something for today before news became old news next week. First and foremost however, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and although at the time of this writing, presents are still wrapped under the tree, by the time this is posted and you are reading, I’ll be enjoying gifts my kids had made for me, and of course finding what Santa brought.

That being said, don’t think for a second that there isn’t something to talk about over this extended Holiday weekend.

Are you kidding me? This Industry?

While the jury may be out if some made Santa’s “Naughty” or “Nice” list, after what I’ve been reading the last several months, it’s time to bring this “Naughty” Agency to the forefront after a year long hiatus.

Back in October 2007 this blog gained considerable notoriety after tackling the issue head on concerning Royal Caribbean who terminated its relationship with no more than four Agencies. Two of those agencies came to light very quickly and the industry outrage on the internet concerning “Card Mills” came to a head.

Although it’s been documented that Royal Caribbean did in fact terminate four Agencies, Lisa Bauer, VP of Sales with Royal Caribbean at the time, skirted the direct questions asked by Travel Weekly concerning just who these Agencies were. To this day, there has been nothing to verify, although there has been plenty of speculation, any more than two Agencies. That being of course YTB and the other being Joystar.

Other than YTB, I can’t think of another Agency that has been the target of more controversy than Joystar. If you look at the founders history, you’ll get a better understanding to just why, and I did document his exploits with the first Travel MLM (TravelMax) back in the mid 1990’s. It looks as if both Bill Alverson’s and Joystar’s issues have not subsided, but in fact increased a year later.

While you found nothing concerning any new issues on this blog, there has been plenty to write about concerning Joystar a year after being terminated by Royal Caribbean. In addition, no less than three headline news stories broke back in October of 2008 concerning the Host Agency. One, October 9^th, reported that Joystar failed to pay commissions owed to its independent contractors along with laying off 14% of its staff. Later in the month, on October 23^rd, it was reported the CLIA revoked Joystar’s Membership for not renewing its Seller Of Travel License with California. (Although it appears that SOT’s have been made current as well as its association with CLIA.) The very next day, October 24^th, it was reported that InterContinental Hotels Group filed a federal lawsuit against Joystar for claiming more than $163,000 in improper commissions.

And some think YTB has problems?

Actually, that’s what a small group would like you to believe as they obsess over anything they can drum up to cast fear and doubt because they’re convinced the YTB “model” is flawed…doomed to collapse. (Yet the “model” started to take shape over a century ago, and still standing tall.) Part of drumming up anything these poor folks can think of is this notion that after more than a year of inactivity, suppliers will again take up the cause of these Agents and Associations and start terminating relationships with Agencies critics simply don’t agree with moving into 2009.

One of the favorite ploys of critics is not implicating YTB directly, but word posts and threads in a way that gives them an out if egg is then thrown back in their face. Naughty for sure after reading comments, as there appears to be no question just who they hope the Agency is. Just one of the dozens of posts I sent to Santa this year for the “Naughty List”. As they wait to see if the rumor is true with gleeful anticipation, Santa more than likely coaled the entire lot of them for lack of good cheer.

I never like this type of speculation and rumor. It’s far too easy for hearsay like this to come back and bite you when documentation squashes the rumor you’re attempting to spread. Especially when you find out that the rumor started in an attempt to point the finger at one host, was initially about an entirely different host.

It appears the glass slipper that some are attempting to slip on YTB belongs to Joystar.

Agents are using the Joystar community board to voice their complaints. One posting dated Dec. 17 claimed Carnival Cruise Lines was prepared to cease doing business with Joystar if the agency did not make good to agents. When queried about the posting, Carnival declined to comment.

To be fair, there is nothing to substantiate ANY rumor that Carnival or any other supplier for that matter will be terminating anyone. Instead, I would look at the last year and ask just how many suppliers terminated its relationship with any Agency in 2008.

Of course that answer is Zip…Zilch…Nada…not one.

Yet there are some who still want to hang onto this small glimmer of hope that suppliers might come around. If the rumor is true about Carnival terminating its relationship with Joystar, can you blame them? (That would be “No”.) It’s been documented that Carnival believes these Agents, no matter what host they’re associated with are the life blood of their sales force.

But how much would you want to wager, that if Carnival does terminate Joystar because its failed to pay the commissions owed its Agents, the speculation will be that YTB is next in line? It’s what some will do I’m sure in order to restore this whole fiasco about suppliers “getting it” to surface yet one more time. I know that sounds irrational, but you have to understand the anger and resentment that creates such illogical thinking. Just accept that this is another small thread critics reach for in their attempt to pin someone else’s misfortune to YTB.

With the news out Tuesday about Joystar being down to just 5 employees and the thousands of dollars in commissions owed its Agents, I have to wonder if Peter Stilphen, (a pompous and overzealous Joystar critic who’s been plastering both Bill Alverson and Joystar for years) will be having a Merry Christmas this year?

I don’t know if there will be anyone really posting about this over the Holiday’s or into next week for that matter. I guess I’ll have to check and update you when I get back first of next week.

In the meantime, I’d like to enjoy my time with family and finalize some goals I have moving into 2009 while I have some time away from the internet and all it’s trappings.

It will be interesting to see what 2009 will bring, and while there are some who claim to know what’s going to happen, take some time to do what a couple of my favorite mentors have taught me over the years.

“Don’t believe a word you hear, unless you can verify it on your own to be true.”

Which I suppose is one of the reasons why people like this blog so much. Instead of spreading rumors and hearsay about what they’ve heard about or read about somewhere else, without a single shred of documentation to back it up, they come here for documentation and truth.

That’s why I’m on Santa’s “Nice List”.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

I wanted to post something on Friday concerning Travel Weekly’s Preview 2009 and one presentation in particular. Before I did however, I wanted to make sure that what I thought I heard and my notes from the presentation were in fact accurate. So I decided to hold off until I could listen in again with the On Demand feature which is available for the next 90 days.

It shouldn’t be that big of a guess that the one presentation I was interested in was Thursday’s “What Proves You are a Travel Pro”. Questions were asked by agent groups looking for answers from association heads about - you guessed it, “credentials” as they explored just who should be recognized as a travel agent, and who shouldn’t be.

The presentation was kicked off with a brief presentation by Bob Sharak from CLIA, Kelly Chiusano from OSSN, Scott Koepf from NACTA, and Bert Rivero from IATA as they clarified their roles in the industry.

After the overview presentations, the Q&A started with Kim Sorensen who asked the first question to the panel. The question can be summarized in two parts:

With the industry in “a perfect storm” with agents and agencies closing down, what are these associations doing to not only attract but train new blood that enters the industry? Secondly, what type of training, qualifications and documentation should an agency provide for the new blood in order to guide them to obtaining the roll as “Travel Professional”?

We’ve documented here before, fairly recently as a matter of fact, that the industry as it stands is struggling. I’ve written about Liberty Travel closing a number of its locations, and Cruise Value Center closing overnight without warning. Those that are left have Liberty Travel closing a number of its locations, and Cruise Value Center closing overnight without warning. Those that are left have resorted to embezzlement, and defrauding airlines to make ends meet. Even the current leader in the Travel Industry is looking for a $3.5 Billion bailout.

Based on what we’ve seen in recent weeks, any illusion that the traditional industry is doing well, is just that; an illusion.

There’s no question in my mind that the industry is in dire need of attracting not only new blood but new ideas into this industry. To be fair, it’s not that the industry hasn’t changed, although it appears to be with a considerable amount of resistance. The industry does eventually adapt. (As I suspect it will with MLM’s.) Scott Koepf did a great job in summarizing all the changes with the age of internet bookings, cruise only agents, and home based agents who were at first frowned upon and met with resistance. Today, these entities are not only accepted, but respected.

The face of the industry has also changed from being viewed as an “Agency” to that of an “Agent”. I’m often asked by Traditional Agents how I maintain any type of bookings with all the negativity critics produce about YTB. The answer is simple; the relationship is with me, not YTB. When clients look to make a booking, they look at me, not my host agency. Pricing, service, and professionalism are a direct reflection on me, not my agency. You might want to read Chris Andersons, “The Long Tail” for better clarification on how our entire capital structure is changing in this way. Another reason why I believe YTB and Network Marketing is on the right track.

Even with this shift in capitalism, Agents and Associations look to be more concerned with complaining and how companies like YTB make them look. More importantly as we’ve heard time and time again, is their illusion that we only get involved to take advantage of industry without giving back in the form of travel sales. The solution for them of course doesn’t rest on their shoulders, but on the suppliers themselves. It’s suppliers who ultimately decide just who they want to do business to produce income and gain market share.

Especially with the current economic conditions.

So how do these Associations help the new person who wants to get involved in the industry?

Bert Rivero (IATA) wouldn’t take any responsibility to ensure agents are trained properly. IATA is designed for those who have already acquired not only the knowledge, but skill set to sell a minimum amount of travel in a calendar year. IATA seems to be more interested in educating suppliers on how much money they’re loosing because of “card mills”.

Bert may need to take a lesson from Gerry Cahill with Carnival, who produced a very sound solution that was brought to light almost a year ago to curb this perceived problem of “card mills” taking advantage of FAM’s without giving back to the supplier. Of course, the relationship between YTB and Carnival has flourished, even with the new requirements, which doesn’t match IATA or the Travel Industry agenda.

Kelly Chiusano was much the same, in that OSSN really doesn’t have a current structure in place to guide, train or educate the new person who enters the industry. It’s up to the host to provide this type of training and education. She did mention that the larger host agencies did have training and education in place to help bring them into the fold and help them become a professional.

It wasn’t until we heard from Scott Koepf from NACTA who I think was the first to really understand the question in its entirety, and does provide both training and continuing education for those of us who aspire to become professionals in the industry. It looks as if YTB may be on the right track now that it has an entry level with Affiliates, Referring Travel Agent, and Travel Agent program in place. Each of the YTB levels produce a better understanding, better commission splits, and enhanced privileges within the industry.

CLIA, was by far the best equipped to answer this question, and Bob Sharak did an exceptional job of explaining how their association works hand in hand with host agencies and individuals to educate and train both the new recruit, but the seasoned professional in the industry. Not only does CLIA provide various training experiences, from on line to more intimate classroom training. CLIA provides various levels of qualifications starting with a brand new Associate Cruise Degree (ACD) along with various Cruise Counselor levels which stars with Accredited (ACC), to Master, (MCC) and even Elite (ECC) levels.

Like Carnival back in January, CLIA has come up with its own solution to the Agent ID cards with new requirements that include training and minimum booking requirements in order to obtain the privilege of carrying their credentials.

Instead of complimenting and giving CLIA credit for these new requirements, critics (as they always do) tend to twist and create problems within a solution, and are now obsessing over a loophole they claim to have found. Instead of highlighting the loophole from our critics, I would instead suggest that you chime into YTB who will be providing an overview of these new requirements with CLIA on tonight’s “Getting Started Call” with Jeannie Sharpless. This way you’ll be guided with an overview of how to qualify the right way. (If you miss the call, you can find it archived in your back office.)

By following the guidance of both CLIA and YTB, who knows, you too could qualify for that elusive roll as a “Travel Pro”.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

“This economic environment is unprecedented, and our travel agent partners need our unprecedented support,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales for Royal Caribbean International, in a statement. “Like everyone, they are feeling the pain, and we need to help them through this.”

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

I’ve known this site was being developed for a couple of weeks now, and have been checking its status on a regular basis.

I’m pleased to inform you that YTB has a new site up entitled “The Facts About YTB”. (www.thefactsaboutytb.com)

This site is designed to document and correct many of the slanderous and misleading claims that have been spread all over the internet by our critics and our competitors. I’m pleased to see the many links to third party sources, (much like I do here) to document who YTB is and what YTB does as fact not the fiction you see in various forums and message boards.

YTB is very proud of and stands by its business model. “The Facts About YTB” not only answers the claims, but does raise additional questions aimed directly at some of our competitors and critics that should bring into question their own business structure and tactics.

This site is also designed to be updated on a regular basis to keep current with issues as they arise.

As YTB continues to move forward as it gains larger and larger market share in the Travel Industry, we will continue to have some sort of opposition that may attempt to mislead you. Much the same way it has in the past. Look to this site as the “official word” on where YTB stands, and how YTB responds to the claims lodged against them.

Enjoy!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

I hate this kind of news, I really do. Yet another Travel Retailer has bitten the dust. What’s even worse is how this all came down. I’m applaud at how cold and callus this was handled and honestly, this story sounds like something Anti-MLM critics would come up with to attack an MLM as just another example makeing a HUGE fuss about how shabby, crooked, and flawed the MLM model is all over the Internet.

But alas, since this is a “traditional business model” and not an MLM, mums the word and nobody seems to be all that concerned. Even if it was brought up, the bad economy would certainly be a leading excuse to defend such deplorable behavior in the traditional business world.

Cruise Value Center, a cruise seller in East Brunswick, N.J., suddenly closed its doors on Monday after 14 years in business. Employees were sent an email on Sunday night, informing them that they don’t have a place to come to work Monday morning.

An agent, who spoke with Travel Weekly on the condition of anonymity, said it wasn’t clear whether they would be paid commissions on sales they had already closed, or if the cruise lines were going to be paid for cruises clients had booked.

“They left us all hanging,” the anonymous agent said.

Yep, sounds like something straight out of the pages of “MLM Myths and Legends”.

Too bad it’s not an MLM company huh?

Jeff Kavit handed over the reigns to a company called Travel Holding Entity out of Michigan last year, and of course couldn’t be reached. While the Cruise Value Center web site is still up, the 800 number no longer works. What’s surprising to me at least is that Cruise Value Center did an annual sales volume of $70 million and combined with Cruises of Distinction, also owned by Travel Holding Entity, was expected to produce $100 million in sales.

Ross Spalding, general manager of Cruise Value Center also resigned from his position (although it’s not specified when) “due to the unfortunate situation at Cruise Value Center.”

Back in June we were informed that Magic Johnson Travel folded abruptly, although not like this. Late last week, Liberty Travel consolidates and lays off a segment of its offices. Now with Cruise Value Center, I’d say the traditional travel industry is a real mess.

Too bad they don’t have the Government to bail them out like American Express does.

But as usual, the focus isn’t on any of this, it’s on little ol’ YTB and our critics seem to be in a tizzy about selling off an old office building for $1.5 million that we no longer need due to a 430,000 square-foot home office. (For the record, and to clarify the St. Louis Business Journal report, the Home Office is 130,000 square-feet on a 59 acre spread to expand even more.)

But hey, what do I know about what’s really important or relevant and what isn’t right?

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Have you noticed how everyone appears to be an expert concerning what’s going on with YTB these days? The fear mongering out on the internet and the doom and gloom paints a picture that nobody is giving YTB a shot. Not only does this include vendors and suppliers, but Trade Associations have turned their back and threatening to kick YTB to the curb.

We find that…well…interesting…

On Wednesday’s Monthly Newsletter, we reported that these same Suppliers and Trade Associations are actually working with and helping YTB and as we wipe away all the spaghetti and sauce being thrown at YTB, we begin to see the real story. (Critics like to call this “the truth”)

When one of our Newsletter Subscribers saw that we pointed to the DSA (Direct Selling Association) as someone who is supporting YTB in the perceived adversity from the other side, they sent the following link.

Amy Robinson is VP of Communications at the Direct Selling Association and has done an exceptional job in helping everyone understand what DSA membership really means. She goes into detail what went into becoming a member of the DSA, which YTB became a member of more than a year ago. Based on the DSA’s review of applicable laws at the time of application, company policies were consistent with the law and YTB was approved. Further clarification states that the DSA DOES make inquiries to law enforcement, the Attorney General in the state where the company is located, the Better Business Bureau, and on a case-by-case basis any other entity that may have relevant information to share.

Bottom line is that according to the DSA’s findings, YTB met the standards of both the Code of Ethics and laws applicable to direct selling.

It is also important to note that the mere existence of a complaint with any of these bodies does not preclude membership, but instead what is considered is the way any issues were resolved.

Until information is presented that runs contrary to the information the DSA evaluated as part of the application process, there are no grounds to revoke YTB’s membership.

We realize that our critics have tried and convicted YTB already. Fortunately, it’s not up to them; that’s what the legal process is for. If you do a Google search on “lawsuit” you will find 89,600 links for Amway, 147,000 links for Mary Kay, and 59,600 links for Nu Skin, all still in business, and in good standing with the DSA.

Would you stop using your computer because there are 432,000 links for Microsoft? Stop shopping because there are 3,640,000 links for WalMart? Stop eating because there are 1,160,000 links for McDonalds?

Maybe we should stop cruising because you found 185,000 links for Royal Caribbean? Stop using online booking engines because there are 216,000 links for Expedia? Or stop using traditional agencies with 286,000 links for American Express Travel?

Want to take a stab at how many links there are for YTB? Try 23,700 links which are all lower than any of the above mentioned companies.

Do you have kids?

I do, and I absolutely love them. Being a Dad is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

As a parent, you learn things. Like, have you noticed how you tell them not to do something, there are times they do it anyway? Like “Don’t touch the stove!” and the next thing you know you’re putting ice on the burn and Neosporin with a SpongeBob SquarePants band aide on their finger, sealed with a kiss for good measure as you wipe away the tears.

Telling them not to do something can also work to your advantage. My son for instance hates vegetables. (Wonder where he got that from?) A fun way to get him to eat his vegetables however is to tell him not to eat them; and before you know it, the plate doesn’t have a single vegetable left.

It’s interesting how some people never grow out of this childish mentality. You can tell a grown adult the rules of engagement, what type of boundaries there are, what’s appropriate and what isn’t, or just flat out tell them no, and they will do everything in their power to break the rules.

As if to say ”Oh yeah? You’re not the boss of me! I’ll show you!”

The problem with this type of behavior is that like the vegetables, you can very easily bait these children to react exactly the way you want them to.

I caught wind of some new enhancements concerning our company who has been the center of attention for the last year. I happen to be quite proud of how our company and these new enhancements have come about. What I came to realize is our founders and the company have no intention of buying into the hype out there in cyberspace. They just keep finding ways to enhance and make our company a much stronger business model.

My dilemma was while I wanted to let our critics know about the new enhancements, I couldn’t just post it on the internet. (You know…those crazy rules we have.) But I could bait the other side with a post to conveniently have this information fall right in their lap.

I realize that nobody reads this blog, but by Tuesday afternoon, I had 25 new subscribers to my newsletter, 10 of which were bogus. (Well, 13 actually if you count the chump in Arizona who signed up under 3 different e-mail address.) The children, as predictable as ever, just HAD to get this news I told them they couldn’t have.

Of course I weeded out a few, but let some pass for yesterdays monthly newsletter announcing the commission enhancements and agent levels the company is rolling out this month.

I set the newsletter to go out at 11:30 AM like I normally do and as if to “show me” how smart they are in getting one over on me, it was promptly posted on the blog of choice just 26 minutes later and also linked on a message board for all to comment on.

Of course, there needed to be the negative twist and spin that’s associated with all the posts found on the blog. We found more of the same rhetoric about giving the company more money, instead of offering us more money for the work we actually produce, and I couldn’t imagine that by some miracle the mans total perspective would be changed in a mere 26 minutes after the years of being fed by others who are also on the outside looking in with skepticism.

I will give him credit though were credit is due. If you read down in the comments section, he did make this following quote concerning an additional tid bit in my newsletter, also found here on Tuesday.

“As to why I was not invited? Why the hell would I be? They are looking for industry leaders. Not me. I am just an industry insider with an opinion. They are also looking for host agencies. I am not that either. But then again, comprehension was never your strong suit.”

This is encouraging to see. Does this mean that after looking at the fact that YTB isn’t going to just blow away based on some frivolous lawsuits he’s beginning to realize his place? Is this an admission of who the real Industry Leaders are?

All this aside, it pails in comparison when he FINALLY puts YTB in the same category as other host agencies.

Now he’s getting it!

Maybe a little more time for this news to sink in and realization that there are adults who are talking face to face to iron out their differences caused the abrupt face? Some may consider it nothing more than a Freudian slip however and I’ll certainly agree with that perspective as well.

One other note there Johnny; I realize that typos are the norm with you, your blog is riddled with them and it does make it difficult to comprehend when you have to weed through so many mistakes and typos, but as you noted first thing Wednesday morning “spelling does count”. Don’t tell someone that spelling counts, and then make the same miserable mistakes the very next post. If you have to take your daughter to school, understandable, but posting something just for the sake of posting something makes you look desperate and extremely unprofessional to boot.

With the “breaking news” yesterday and the frenzy of 4 posts on the blog, desperate is a very appropriate word.

Things must not be working out the way he thought they would.

Thank God!

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

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

I’ve got to thank my upline Director, Tim Dominey for sending me this little gem on Travel Weekly. Most of the time, I send him stuff but today, he’s outdone himself.

Travel Weekly has set up its very own Virtual Leisure Summit slated for October 20th and 21st. Among the presenters of this summit, Travel Weekly has acquired Peter Yesawich, the nations leading seer on leisure travel trends, and Marc Mancini, Ph.D, the industry’s most prominent educator to conduct presentations during this two day event.

Those who register for the webinar sessions can ask question, interact with the presenters, and even contribute their own insights on this online conference.

In addition to the educational sessions from these two industry leaders, Travel Weekly’s Editor and Chief Arnie Weismann has also invited a few others to participate in this highly focused tradeshow, which has been limited to 25 relevant exhibitors and industry leading suppliers. Among those invited to participate as industry figures include Americas Vacation Center co-President Van Anderson, NACTA President Scott Koepf, Vacation.com CEO Steven Tracas, and Ensemble CEO Jack Mannix.

And for those that can’t seem to find the time to get themselves to Wood River, Illinois, you can thank Arnie Weissmann of Travel Weekly for giving you a stage with YTB Travel Network President, Kim Sorensen from the comfort of your own home.

Notable names missing from this list are Frenaye, Ainsworth, and Holmes. It could have been just a simple oversight, but my guess it’s more like a snub. Not to worry however, I’m sure these individuals can find the time in their busy schedule to at least participate in such a highly focused and relevant summit like this.

Spending time online is all they do.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Being the Internet Marketer I am, I can always tell when people are talking about either what I write, or about me specifically. Such was the case yesterday, when I found a few hits from one of the old watering holes.

I’m not quite sure what I should take from this post. I’ve heard this type of talk of “common ground” before from the author, and it’s been commented several times about getting together to hammer out how mutually getting along could go a long way in easing the animosity and anger we’ve all come to know.

Problem as I see it however is no matter what YTB does, it’s never going to be good enough. I’ve learned an awful lot about this small group of Traditionalists in the past year, and no matter what YTB does, no matter what YTB comes up with, no matter what advances YTB makes in the Travel Industry, it’s always met with this “Yeah But” Syndrome. (YBS for short.)

Take the Davidoff’s training at the National Convention for example. A good article from someone who obviously knows something about the Travel Industry also who sees something positive in the MLM model and recommends the model deserves close study, not condemnation.

What do we get?

“Yeah, but they were paid!”

What’s so frustrating for me specifically about this author, and the mindset of these few Traditionalists was summed up on one comment in the original post.

“But if indeed they are seeing a future for YTB, maybe it is time for them to inform the rest of the world, and not via a sound bite for an article.”

One, THEY seem to be the only one’s who can’t accept one of their own who was able to get past their own limiting beliefs. And two, if it really was that important, why don’t they just pick up the phone and ask? Is it really that hard to do?

Apparently yes, because that would mean they would actually have to do something in order to be informed, and that’s exactly why these few Traditionalists are no farther along than they are concerning acceptance or even tolerance and why we’ve been round and round in circles for almost a year now.

I once heard the definition of insanity explained like this.

Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.

If the answer is finding some common ground here, maybe it’s time to change the way we are doing things?

YTB has made many changes since I’ve been associated with the company. It’s constantly growing and evolving. While I understand some view the company as being “reactionary” that’s not always the case, and it’s not always a bad trait to have when it comes to building a business.

Case in point; Marc Mancini was hired to do our E-Campus Training before all the attention YTB was getting about not being focused on Travel. The announcement of Royal Caribbean as well came just after our second Funshine Travel Show of the year. YTB has always had Travel Training for those that want to focus on that aspect of our business.

“Yeah, but it’s not your only focus!”

I’ve also mentioned here before that the California Legislation passed in January of 2007 and the outcome of minimum booking requirements. These requirements for RTA’s concerning credentials not only put California on the map in terms of number of RTA’s, but were so successful; YTB rolled it out company wide. It added legitimacy for the average person that our Traditionalist’s react with this “Yeah, but $2,500 isn’t very much.”

As a side note: did anyone pick up that the California complaint does make the old claim that YTB is nothing more than a “Card Mill”? As if the minimum requirements they were responsible for didn’t exist?

Suppliers and Associations alike have also made solid changes to help curb the illusions that all YTB is after are perks. Carnival for example installed new minimum requirements for FAMs back in January, and now CLIA has installed requirements for Accreditation for those of us who want to gain added respectability.

“Yeah, but how many of you are really going to achieve that?”

I really didn’t want to go into the “reaction” of these Traditionalists when YTB hit Travel Weekly’s Power List in 2007.

“Yeah, but those are fees not Travel Sales!”

That’s still ringing in my ears. Even Travel Weekly got tired of backlash when the 2008 Power List came out.

“YTB has to be singled out because it faced another year of controversy because of the structure of its business – losing IATA and Royal Caribbean accreditation. Editors checked with the company multiple times to ensure that its reported total represented only direct travel sales, not referr