Archive for the ‘Travel Training’ Category

Face To Face

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
12
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Sorry I haven’t been around the last week. We’ve been working on a kitchen and bath makeover here at the house that was behind schedule and over budget. The project is now complete and turned out better than either of us had envisioned.

Just before the project got started, I received an unexpected call from Jeff Scott of First Alliance Travel and a request to hook up while he was here in Atlanta.

Our hour long meeting was very informal, and quite candid. I can’t get into everything, and I don’t want to overstep my boundaries or speak for Mr. Scott in regard to the company’s direction and plans – but there were two main topics I came away from this meeting that I wanted to share.

First and foremost – “he gets us”.

I would venture to guess that we all at one point or another fall victim to the bizarre myths and perceptions associated with MLM. (Jeff was no exception.) We’ve seen time and time again that those who take the time to truly study our model and get to know our Founders and our people don’t just change their perception- they’re blown away.

Instead of cult like – he found genuine.

Instead of greedy – he found caring and compassionate.

Instead of lazy – he found driven.

Instead of dumb – he found business and marketing savvy.

Second – this was absolutely the best move for our company and those of us who are passionate about travel. We both laughed at how the travel bug never leaves you. It’s by far the most romantic, sexiest product on the planet. First travel Alliance has the ways and the means to offer more product and the best possible prices.

We couldn’t go over all of the upgrades and changes in a single hour – and there’s no telling when this transformation as a true powerhouse Host Agency will be complete. When it’s all said and done however, not only will YTB Travel Network have the best product offering, but we’ll have most competitive pricing the industry (and your clients) have ever seen.

This can and will be a reality.

Furthermore, there were real issues with really dumb people who could never grasp the concept that YTB Marketing and YTB Travel Network are two separate companies. That myth or idea is going to be a lot harder to pitch now that we have a veteran core consisting of true Travel Professionals running the Travel Department. (Under a completely separate roof I might add.)

New training – the likes the industry has never seen will also compliment our opportunity to attract a new breed of Travel Agent. The Travel Agent industry is not only aging – how travel is sold changing at a rapid pace. Gone are the glory days of “order taking” and making money despite any lack of business smarts or sales ability. (A big reason why so many Agencies went belly up over the last decade and why those who are left don’t want us around.) Not only is YTB a new bread of Travel Agent – we’ve proven we can change and adapt to the current economic and technological times. We don’t fight it – we embrace it.

And that’s what this industry truly needs.

Not everyone currently involved in our company will take advantage of the new features and benefits associated with travel. However, if you’re like us, and have a real passion for travel and a sincere desire to excel – this is it. I firmly believe Jeff Scott and this new partnership with First Alliance Travel has all the makings of lighting striking twice for another history making run.

In closing – I can’t tell you how impressed I am after meeting Jeff face to face. His willingness and desire to find out more about who we are and what makes us tick is stimulating. He also strikes me a one of us – and someone we can trust.

Hold on to your hats folks – while these upgrades and benefits will take some time to launch and implement, it’s going to be one fun (and extremely rewarding) ride!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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YTB Offers Students Opportunity To Learn Travel

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
16
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I found a really a really nice article in Travel Weekly this weekend that highlights YTB and our Passport to Giving program.

If you don’t know about Passport to Giving, it’s one of the finest programs I’ve seen. Coach and YTB designed it for non-profits to help raise money by turning the non-profit members vacations into donations. I was actually trained in this program back in 2005 before I was trained as an RTA.

YTB donates a booking engine to the non-profit or association a custom site with their own logo free of charge, which includes waiving the monthly fee. Members of the association then turn to the non-profits travel web site to book travel and the commissions earned are paid to the association just like they are to the RTA’s, but tax free.

No strings, no catch, just our way to give back to the community by offering something totally unique to help raise money for non-profits.

According to the Travel Weekly article, the National Academy Foundation is operating an online travel agency for Freshman and Sophomores at Rochester’s East High using our Passport to Giving program and YTB Booking Engine to train students with real world examples and booking travel for real customers. Classes help prepare the students of East High for a potential carrier in the Travel Industry.

You can view their site at www.easthightravel.com. (Note: the YTB logo is replaced with NAF.org’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism logo.)

Now in it’s second year, the students earned about $2500 in commissions their first year. The facilitator of the program, Jim Spawton, is looking to boost that number to about $10,000 by asking the faculty, students’ families and local businesses for bookings that earn real commissions for the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. The commissions earned help pay for other student programs, all while teaching students what it’s like to run a real travel business.

East High is one of the 78 U.S. high schools with hospitality and tourism academies that are overseen by the National Academy Foundation.

Other big name companies such as Marriott and PepsiCo are also helping students of the academy. PepsiCo gave $7,000 to six graduates to further their studies, while Marriott offers internships to students to help them attain real world experience inside their hotels. A picture posted in the Travel Weekly article also has students working with the Waldorf-Astoria in New York.

I applaud both YTB and the National Academy Foundation for offering these programs to our future business men and woman.

While researching this article, I found a great “about us” video from the NAF.org website that highlights this important non-profit and how it’s changing our youth for the better. A great example can be found at about the 3 minute mark with a young lady named Nathsha who apparently started as an intern with Marriott and is now an Assistant Controller at the Bethesda Marriott Suites.

Enjoy!

UPDATE: Apparently, the constipation over YTB continues for one Anti-YTB Zealot. It’s been a long time since I’ve linked to anything this moron has written, but this one is just too classic to pass up.

Yes, John Frenaye has also found the Travel Weekly article, only to react with his own demonic twist and spin that no doubt matches all the classic myths, misrepresentations, and false claims we’ve come to know, but not quite love about this ignorant and constipated know-it-all.

I don’t know about you – but I’d love to take him up on his bet regarding the Facilitator being a member of YTB. Unfortunately,  we’ve learned John never delivers (just like he never properly researches) when shown point blank that he’s once again on loosing end of such unsubstantiated speculation and claims.

John, maybe the reason they didn’t pick you or any other “agency” is because you can’t get past your own dysfunctional behavior and limiting beliefs. Hell, you don’t even know the difference between a FAM and an internship. (Or who sponsors the internship you ignorant putz.)

Instead of being privileged like you were growing up – maybe a program like NAF could have shown you how the real world operates to provide you with the proper skill set to cope with life’s most basic lessons. Guys like me valued opportunities like this no matter who offered the tools or the opportunity. The internship I did with Pittsburgh’s number one radio station after college was invaluable to me back in the day.

After four years of blathering like a raving lunatic about MLM and YTB – it’s apparent that the travel industry desperately needs some fresh minds and faces that are capable of working instead of spiting at people and companies they don’t agree with, don’t like, and clearly are unwilling to accept as part of the solution.

Moron…

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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YTB Travel Agents Learn, Grow and Expand

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
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I participate in a private group on Facebook with other YTB Travel Agents. It’s one of the few places on the Internet we can discuss business openly without the fear of some jerk taking what’s said out of context or flat out rearranging our words to promote another agenda.

Instead, the group has been able to stay private (and therefore amazingly on topic) to discuss all things related to travel and servicing our clients. One of our Agents gave a review last week after sailing Carnival Splendor’s special one-night-only event which celebrated Splendor’s return to Long Beach for her regularly-scheduled series of 7-day Mexican Riviera sailings. (You may recall Splendor made International news last fall when it was disabled by an engine-room fire.) They were impressed with the ship and with Gerry Cahill, CEO of Carnival who thanked everyone for selling Carnival.

When Kim Sorensen announced the Home Office would be going virtual instead of live to save money for this year’s Funshine event, Agent’s in the group got together to create our own live event in Las Vegas the weekend before. We’ve shared ideas about which vendors we’d like to see there, and most of the Agents have had a grand time planning the event. Of course, the cost of doing something like this lies upon the Agents themselves. Because we’re successful business owners, we not only understand the concept, but appreciate what goes into organizing and planning an event like this.

The group also supports one another. If someone needs help with a particular niche – all they have to do is ask the group. One of the other members of the group will chime in to offer their assistance. We are free and open to discuss all ideas which has been invaluable in opening up new marketing ideas and offers for clients looking for new adventures.

To qualify as a member of this group, you must be a YTB Travel business owner that has taken the First Class Training and/or e-Campus Training. We don’t discuss ZamZuu (although there is another private group for that side of the business) and this isn’t about “recruiting”.

This group is about travel – and I absolutely love it.

It’s also a place where we can celebrate our success in this business as Travel Agents. Someone books a large group cruise – we’re all there to congratulate them. Last week I saw a link from one of our own who was featured on the morning news in Las Vegas as an expert guest to offer Travel Agent advice. (Segment below.)

This isn’t the first time one of our own has been featured on television or in print with YTB Travel Network. (Before the 2009 Convention, Travel Agent Central contacted yours truly for an interview – so it does happen.) But what I really like about this interview – is it’s all about travel.

Some will tell you that travel is dead within our company. Others will tell you that it’s all about recruiting. For them, I’m quite certain that assertion makes them feel better. For the rest of us however that don’t get all worked up about misguided issues and fabricated events, we see things in a more accurate light. YTB Travel Agents are not only alive, but doing very well these days thank you very much.

Clearly, for our clients, suppliers, and this news organization it makes no difference which host agency you align yourself with. It’s up to you to create your own value as a “Travel Agent” to the general public regardless of how industry insiders perceive how we conduct our business. Travel Agent isn’t a credential you carry, or a host you align yourself with. It’s how you present yourself and service your clients that really counts. (Who knew?)

Nice job Doris! It’s an honor to be associated with you as a Travel Agent with YTB Travel Network.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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YTB = Your Travel Blueprint

Thursday, October 21st, 2010
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Two weeks ago, YTB Travel Network launched a  weekly webcast available from within its travel portal. What they created was travel training news show all about travel for travel agents.

Imagine that – a program about travel. It’s called “Your Travel Blueprint” and is YTB Travel Network’s very own news show created by our Travel Department for our RTA’s and Travel Agents.

If you’re familiar with ZamNuuz – you already know the type of format we’re talking about. Your Travel Blueprint however, is produced, designed, and segmented for travel tips, tricks, and valuable insight on how to build and grow your “travel business”.

Each week, beginning Thursday at 5:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Eastern a brand new weekly program will be aired from the travel portal for our valued RTA’s and Travel Agents. The weekly program will then loop continuously throughout the week, giving YTB agents the opportunity to catch the show at their convenience all week long.

If you’re serious about building anything you need a blueprint – a plan. Your Travel Blueprint will bring content, vendor profiles, along with tips and tricks in a fun and easy way to give agents the tools they need to build a viable and profitable travel business.

You can catch the current episode of Your Travel Blueprint right now by logging into the YTB Travel Portal and clicking the logo to watch the show. A new show will air beginning at 5:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Eastern tonight.

No more excuses – If you want to find out what’s going on with YTB Travel – this would be the place.

Your Travel Blueprint will not replace the YTB Travel Compass, the vast amount of content found in your back office in the media center, nor will it replace the weekly vendor webinars, FAM’s and Seminars @ Sea offered in the Travel Industry. Nor do we believe that [yet another] source of travel related information provided by YTB Travel is overkill.

YTB Travel Network always has – and always will be about “travel”. I know there are a few remaining stragglers who still can’t comprehend the distinction after all these years. (Giving credence to the quote “you can’t fix stupid”.) Truth is, YTB Travel Network took advantage of the huge paradigm shift from Brick and Mortar to Click and Order at the turn of the Century. Today, four of the top ten travel agencies are internet booking engines booking nearly $50 billion annually. It should also be noted that Expedia is now king of the hill, knocking off American Express and Carlson Wagonlit from a decade long hold at number one and number two.

As the travel industry continues to evolve and change – YTB Travel Network isn’t going to sit back on it’s heals and relish in our accolades or success – finding our own company in the middle of Travel Weekly’s Power Rankings. Always new. Always innovative. Always leading the way in how travel is sold and consumed that’s relevant to today’s changing market.

If you’re serious about selling travel and building your travel business – YTB Travel Network would be the ONLY place to offer this type of training and information on a weekly basis. (AND IT’S FREE!)

Folks, no other Host Agency does this – no other agency provides so many sources of training and information for its members. It’s why we believe YTB Travel Network is the best “host agency” out there – all you have to do is apply the information that’s presented in a format that’s best suited to you.

So go check it out now – and keep up to date with all the latest industry information and upgrades that will be coming your way with YTB Travel Network.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Join Travel Weekly’s Winter Escapes Tradeshow

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
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Winter is always a great time to book next years cruises and summer vacations. Problem with that is you don’t get paid until next summer – right?

Travel Weekly just might have an answer for you over the next two days as they host another virtual trade show right on you computer that highlights Winter Escapes with a impressive collection of industry leaders, training sessions and trade show exhibitors.

Travel Weekly’s editor in chief, Arnie Weissmann will once again head up the next two days. This IS his baby after all, and he’s done an impressive job in finding relevant topics and suppliers who you can actually learn from in the travel industry. The show is free to attend, and you can still register from this link and make it to this event. Login details will be sent to you via email.

If you’ve been around the industry for a while, you’ll recognize some familiar names below with companies and associations who are known for offering great insight and solutions for anyone who is willing to learn.

Here’s a list of auditorium sessions from Travel Weekly’s Registration page.

A Conversation with CLIA Chairman Rick Sasso - Tuesday, Sept 21, 1 p.m
Travel Weekly Editor in Chief Arnie Weissmann will discuss the outlook for the winter cruising season with Rick Sasso, Chairman of CLIA and President and CEO of MSC Cruises. The two will discuss new ships and itineraries, CLIA predictions for winter cruising, what will motivate clients to book for the winter, and how the winter cruise client differs from summer cruisers. It’s an interactive session, and attendees will also be able to share their thoughts and questions with Sasso in this live conversation.

Unexpected Opportunities in the 2011 Winter Season - Tuesday, Sept 21, 2:30 p.m
The economic outlook is uncertain, but 2011 holds some unique opportunities for travelers, agents and suppliers alike. Join Travel Weekly Editor in Chief Arnie Weissmann; Brad Anderson, Co-President of America’s Vacation Center/Avoya Travel; Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President, Royal Caribbean International; Milton Hugh, Senior Vice President of Viking River Cruises and Tim Mullen, Senior Vice President, Apple Vacations as they explore what might make this season unexpectedly robust. You, too, will have a chance to interact, live, with the panelists.

Experience Starwood’s Travel Professional Program, Presented by Chris AustinTuesday, Sept. 21, 4:00 p.m.
Are you a Starwoodpro? Join Chris Austin, vice president of global retail, leisure and luxury sales for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and find out how you can become a Starwoodpro. Austin will take you on a virtual tour of the company’s travel professional website, www.starwoodpro.com. New for 2010 Starwood is adding destination modules to its ProLearning platform. Austin will share some of the highlights of all the available modules, explain how you can earn access to Starwood’s lowest travel professional rates, and highlight all the resources Starwood has created for it travel professional partners through starwoodpro.com.

A Conversation With USTOA & NTA LeadersWednesday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
Winter touring is a bit different from summer — different destinations, different booking windows, different itinerary lengths. Find out what how to more effectively sell winter tours with Travel Weekly Editor in Chief Arnie Weissmann, John Stachnik, Chairman of the United States Tour Operators Association and Lisa Simon, President of the National Tour Association. . Together these leaders represent the lionshare of the travel industry’s vacation package and escorted tour market. Attendees will be able to ask their questions as well in this interactive session.

Grow your business with cutting edge online tools, Presented by Debbie Maier, President, Mailpound Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2:30 p.m.
This session will share online solutions designed to grow your cruise business. Learn how to utilize free online tools to send targeted marketing pieces to your network of clients. Do you use Facebook? Learn how to easily post consumer friendly offers on your Facebook page. Whether your client is new to cruising or is a seasoned cruiser, enhance your communications with your clients and prospective clients with personalized, custom eFlyers and eBrochures.

Finally A Social Media Solution For Travel Agents, Presented by Marilyn Macallair, Passport Online Inc.Wednesday, Sept 22, 4:00 p.m.
Introducing Agent SociaLink… the newest most innovative means for travel agents to enter and stay in the Social Media space. To compete these days you MUST be using some social media tools. Passport Online has created Agent SociaLink to help agents populate their travel agent social media sites using a clickable database of content. The new tool provides content from a variety of sources allowing agents to pick and choose information to add to social media outlets including Twitter, Blogs and Facebook. See it live and hear about agents who are already using Agent SociaLink.

As you can see, there’s something for everyone and it’s a great way to learn and grow as a Travel Professional. Two days of education, new product introductions and even prizes that will be awarded throughout the show.

So go ahead and register. If this one’s anything like the shows from years past – you’ll be glad you did.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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YTB’s Travel Training Roadshow Kicks Off

Thursday, February 18th, 2010
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During my second full year with YTB, the company launched what was known as a Regional Travel Training. The tour hit several of the major markets around the country where vendors and suppliers came to us, instead of requiring us to come to them. At the time, YTB had grown to a size that enabled suppliers to hit strategic cities in conjunction with YTB to offer information, support, and additional training for the field.

I remember sitting in the large audience at the time, taking notes, and thinking that YTB was well on its way to being a major player in the travel industry. It’s not that vendors don’t do this kind of training for other large Host Agencies, they do. But they don’t do it for just any Agency. (Maybe a BDM would, but not the President of the Company.)

The trainings inspired me to research more about the companies that spoke during the day and what they had to offer. I left with new tools and ideas on how to promote my travel business. Because of the training put together, I knew YTB was serious and I needed to get serious. It tools were always there, I just needed to take the time to go do it.

What also impressed me during that day was how excited the suppliers were about being with us. I’ve seen it for years. YTB happens to be a real breath of fresh air for most suppliers because of our passion and excitement. I remember seeing a vendor just last year up at Red Carpet who just raved about our Company. I believe the exact words were “Completely blown away”. It was such a shame to see that sour because Travel Professionals couldn’t accept the partnership. Anyone who actually catches our enthusiasm and passion are soon trashed by this group who’ve never seen or experienced the passion or enthusiasm they see when it comes to travel.

Remember Robert Dickinson? If you don’t, I sure do. (Wrote about it here.) That was another example of someone who saw the vision of YTB and was excited about being on YTB’s Board of Directors only to suddenly “decline” less than 24 hours later.

Regardless of the number of times I’ve seen individuals or companies pressured or harassed to drop YTB there are companies who see the fears and phobias that traditionalists have about MLM’s and support us anyway. (They’re just a little quieter about it publicly to keep from being spit at.)

If you want to know more about how vendors really feel about our company, go watch some of the videos in the Media Center in your back office. (Sorry, you’ll need to log in to see it.)

Or, you can show up at one of this year’s Travel Training Roadshows that kicks off this weekend in Costa Mesa, California.

President and Founder Kim Sorensen will be hitting cities, including here in Atlanta later in March, to offer travel training from some of the industries most respected suppliers in the travel industry. It’s your opportunity to see for yourself why suppliers and vendors appreciate YTB Travel Network, and why we as a company should support them. They’ve all got some great product and the proper tools to help you succeed in the travel industry.

The biggest advantage I’ve found in Regional meetings like this is more face time with the vendors. Funshine is great, but it’s also very crowded. With the country split up into regions there are fewer people, giving you a better opportunity to ask questions, get additional information and develop relationships. Heck, I ran into one of the supplier from the first Regional Training a year or more later and she remembered who I was.

Check your travel portal for cities, dates, vendors and times and make one of these roadshows this spring with YTB. I can tell you from personal experience, it inspires me to this day when I get around other passionate travel agents with a hunger to learn and grow their business.

It’s there for those who want it – and I know plenty who want to build this side of their business.

So go out and get it – starting this weekend.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Congratulations to YTB’s new “Travel Agents”

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
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Since day one with YTB, I’ve considered myself a “Travel Agent”. Not because I had any special training, achieved any special credentials, or aligned myself with any specific host. It was an attitude that I had when I joined. I was about as green as they came when I joined YTB, but I did have a passion for travel and a desire to learn that got me to the point that I am today. I’ve heard over and over that unless I align myself with one of those legitimate hosts out there, that I’d never be considered a “Travel Agent”.

Yet, the folks with all the arrogance and attitude – haven’t actually experienced the service and value I bring to my clients.

Funshine_geobowl6Fact is, anyone can become a “Travel Agent” with the proper mindset and willingness to learn and it doesn’t matter what company you align yourself with. Other than my family, 99.9% of our clients have no idea who or what YTB is. All they know is Doug and Ronda with BandBVacations.com. If a client has a change in schedule, a problem with a booking, or happen to need assistance with arrangements, the “Agent” they call is us, not the Home Office.

That being said, having the mindset of “Travel Agent” isn’t going to cut the mustard when it comes to servicing our clients. We could have all the love and passion in the world – but without the proper knowledge to actually assist our clients, mindset alone is moot.

It also takes knowledge and training to drive this business and make it a success.

When YTB launched the E-Campus training two years ago with theAcademy.com and Dr. Marc Mancini, I was ecstatic. At the time, it was a major advancement and move towards training our sales force. The move was also “pro-active”, being launched before all the attention and fuss in the news and media publications came out about YTB being some sort of “card mill”. (A term and definition we still don’t answers for two years later.)

Like Carnival Corporation, Apple Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, Collette, World Choice, Globus, and other preferred suppliers who do business with YTB, Dr. Mancini saw something in YTB that lead to this training to help the company achieve its long term goal of being a dominant force in the travel industry.

If you’re going to partner with someone, they might as well be the best. Here’s a little bio that I picked up on Dr. Mancini two years ago.

What’s even more impressive is that the YTB E-Campus program is designed by Dr. Marc Mancini, one of the travel industry’s most highly respected speakers, educators and consultants and authors of such books as Conducting Tours: A Practical Guide, Cruising: A Guide to the Cruise Line Industry, and Selling Destinations: Geography for the Travel Professional. Dr Mancini and his firm are the creative force behind some of the best-known and most successful training programs in the business including training programs for CLIA, AAA, and NTA.

What YTB did was land the industries leading authority in travel to design and implement a very intensive and thorough training program that covers the following 10 segments.

  • Course 101: Overview of the Travel Industry
  • Course 102: Lodging
  • Course 103: Tours / Groups
  • Course 104: Cruising
  • Course 105: Air Travel
  • Course 106: Rail, Car Rentals and the Rest
  • Course 107: Travel Sales, Service and Marketing
  • Course 108: Destinations: North and South America
  • Course 109: Destinations: Europe
  • Course 110: Destinations: Africa, Asia and the South Pacific

And for doing what we as “Travel Agents” should do for our business and completing this course, what do you think YTB did to reward those who took their travel business seriously?

  • The ability to drop the “R” from RTA and the title of “Travel Agent”
  • 75% Commission Contract
  • Monthly YTB Special Promotions
  • Entry For A Free Cruise
  • Exclusive YTB FAM Trips
  • Training Events & Trade Show (Funshine was comped)
  • The Fun & Travel Magazine to help you grow your business

Not too shabby for some rinky-dink MLM that has no interest in Travel huh? Fact is, those who claim YTB doesn’t offer training haven’t been paying attention to the facts. Instead, they choose to ignore any type of training to keep their fantasy over YTB being less than legitimate alive.

We posted a list of those who completed the E-Campus training this past weekend in our newsletter. If you’re a YTB TSO or Rep and you’d like a listing to view, please get signed up on our list. I don’t think it’s appropriate to post this list publicly. With all the attention and animosity from a very small and childish group in the travel industry who have nothing better to do it will simply create more spin and turn this significant accomplishment into something it’s not.

For those who did complete this training, you know who you are. You know the value of knowledge and learning. I commend you for taking responsibility and ownership of your travel business. You can now not only call yourself “Travel Agent”, but earn an above average commission percentage found in the industry. (Industry average being 74%.)

Congratulations!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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