Last week when I started to bone up on eco-friendly travel, I bookmarked this article about Boeing.

According to the article, the industry plans to have a viable, renewable source of bio fuel for aircraft by 2015 so they can wean off petroleum, or fossil based fuel completely by 2020. A bold objective to be sure, but if successful, it could make flying the friendly skies completely carbon neutral.

Boeing isn’t the only company looking into a renewable source of fuel for its aircraft. Australian based Qantas recently partnered with Solazyme to supply an unspecified amount of Solazyme’s algae based aviation fuel, “Solajet”. According to Solazyme’s website, Solajet jet fuel “has passed all of the eleven essential tested specifications required to meet the ASTM D1655 (Jet-A1) standard. It is the world’s first microbially-derived jet fuel to do so.”

The US Military is also getting into the act with aviation biofuels. The Air Force recently certified the C-17 Globemaster III for unlimited usage of renewable jet fuels. The Navy has also tested the “Green Hornet,” an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet as part of its effort to confirm that this new generation of biofuel makes no difference in performance.

According to the report:

“The aircraft flew exactly as we expected- no surprises,” said Weaver, F/A-18 project officer for Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 and pilot for the Earth Day flight test. “The fuel works so well, all I needed to do was just fly the plane.”

Every report I’ve dug up over the last two years says pretty much the same thing. That’s important because, while I really like a lot of the new technology coming out, when it comes to transportation such as planes, trains and automobiles – we need to figure out a drop in replacement. Think about it. Electric cars for example are a great idea – but what do you suppose we do with the millions of cars already out on the road? I heard about a new propulsion system for ships on a podcast the other day. Great idea – but what do we do with the brand new cruise ships that were just launched? Scrap Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Carnival’s Dream?

Don’t think so.

Aviation is no different. You may recall that Boeing has unveiled its latest ‘environmentally friendly’ passenger 747 jumbo jet. Granted, it’s ‘environmentally friendly’, but it’s still fueled by fossil fuel, not hydrogen, electric, or some high tech propulsion system. Here’s what aviation is looking for when it comes to “alternative fuels” according to the research I found last week.

• The fuels have to be chemically identical and perform the same as existing fuels, and be approved for use.
• Enough sources for the fuels have to be available and at a suitable cost.
• Airports must be able to handle the fuels without having to make major changes in storage tanks, pipelines and other infrastructure.
• Commercial production must start, and enough made at a price that compares favorably with petroleum-based fuel.
• The fuels have to be sustainable, and not compete with food sources

That’s not only the smartest way to approach this, but it’s also the cheapest. Based on news articles and reports I’ve been able to gather and read over the last few weeks, it looks as if we’re heading in that direction at a rapid pace – and it’s gaining momentum.

This could be a real game changer for the airline industry. Travel Agents have been hammering the airlines for the last decade because the industry cutting off commissions. More recently, the general public has been in an uproar as they reluctantly dish out added baggage fees with disdain. (Losing the baggage certainly doesn’t help matters, now does it?)

The industry doesn’t have the best reputation.

When the airlines do go green, it won’t change everyone’s attitude. Some can never forgive – or forget. But it will be a shining example in our country that cleaner and renewable energy can be done successfully without changing the entire infrastructure – which in turn will keep our world moving.

That’s human ingenuity at its best.

I’m looking forward to the chance of flying some 30,000 feet in the air on green fuel. I may not notice any difference in performance, but I will know the population below will be breathing a little easier as biofuel takes to the skies.

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You may or may not remember the Internet landscape in 2001. At the time travel was moving away from Brick and Mortar and moving toward Internet only sites like Travelocity, Orbitz, and Expedia. Last year, Expedia overtook the top spot in annual travel sales according to Travel Weekly’s annual Power List report. Expedia jumped up and over two previous power houses, American Express and Carlson Wagonlit to land firmly at number one. The big 4 (Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, and Expedia) have had a firm hold of the top ten for years.

Oddly enough, YTB Travel Network was also founded in 2001 and made its own mark over the last ten years in the travel industry. (Much to the chagrin of traditional agents – who lost business due to both models.) All signs were pointing toward this massive market shift as technology made things easier, faster, far more accessible, and with the increase in competition, better pricing for the consumer. Some embraced it – others ignored it – while others tried to fight it.

In 2009, the parent company of YTB Travel Network (YTB International, Inc.) considered, and tested the waters with online retail. What we found was not only a brand new revenue stream, but another untapped market that was poised for massive growth. Early in 2010, YTB launched ZamZuu and has been in the driver’s seat with hundreds of online retail stores that add value to an already massive client base.

And the timing couldn’t have been better.

Internet Retailer, a leading authority for e-commerce, is reporting that early data analysis for Internet Retailer’s forthcoming 2011 Top 500 Guide — web-only merchants took business away from the rest of the market in 2010.

Without Amazon, No. 1 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide which grew sales year over year by 39.5% to $34.20 billion from $24.51 billion, the remaining 54 online-only merchants grew revenue 27.6% to $5.27 billion in 2010 from $4.13 billion in 2009.

Even combined revenue from merchants who have both a brick and mortar location and web presence show money moving to the internet. Web sales increased 32.9% compared to their total retail sales which grew year over year by only 3%.

Internet Retailer ranks the Top 500 business-to-consumer retailers based on online sales, including retail chains, catalogers, web-only merchants, brand manufacturers and digital content sellers. The list is literally a who’s who in retail. While the 2010 listing is still being collected and crunched, these early numbers show a significant shift in how people shop in the modern era.

What I really like about the publication is the snapshot it provides on just how well retailers doing on the internet. (Both web-only and combined B&M with web presence.) It’s not just sales numbers, but how retailers market on the internet to generate sales. What type of affiliate program they have, or which affiliate network they use. (Be it direct like Amazon, or through Commission Junction or Google like Staples.) It also provides demographics and shopper profiles to help affiliates match up stores with their core audience demographic.

Like the travel sales we’ve seen shift to the internet, it’s no accident that retail is also making significant strides on the World Wide Web. The growth is quite impressive.

Fight it – ignore it – even justify it if you want. Like travel, it’s a battle and opportunity you’re going to lose out on if you’re not in the game.

The smart ones, not only see, but seize the opportunities that show this kind of growth and promise.

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I mentioned Tuesday that YTB always has a number of blockbuster announcements during Coach’s Birthday Bash. Word has started to get out about some of the upcoming releases and the company isn’t wasting any time in getting out the good word.

Not only is the company gearing up for its annual Birthday Bash next week on January 11th – but a date has been set for another ZamFest party the last half of January – from the 17th to the 31st. (Also found on www.ZamZuuTV.com.) The theme for this party is geared around better health. With the New Year, we’re all thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. For many, that resolution centers on better health. To kick off the New Year, ZamFest is throwing resolutions out the window and focusing on solutions. We don’t just talk about improving our health; we’re actually doing it.

The company will close out the month with Carnival for a Winter Warm Up Sail-A-Thon January, 27 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Central with some great deals to Europe and the Caribbean in 2011 and beyond. More information can be found here, or on BandBVacations.com during the week of the event.

Speaking of Carnival – sales are up. We know that because YTB Travel Network’s commission percentage went back up to previous levels. (You can find the percentages in your Travel Portal.) All the doom and gloom last year from the peanut gallery (minus the “pea”) was nothing more than hype. They never can figure out which way is up or even accurate. We however, told you sales were on the rebound, and based on this commission percentage increase – we were right on mark. Regardless of right or wrong, it never would have happened if our Agents didn’t take responsibility on their own and give a little more love to a great cruise line that has taken very good care of us over the years.

We didn’t whine about it – we actually did something about it to rectify the situation so that everybody wins. That’s the YTB way.

And lastly, you’ll notice a change in our air, car and hotel products.

Back when we first started with YTB, I remember a bidding war between Priceline and Travelocity for the privilege to host these products on our sites. Priceline was a good vendor for us then, but Travelocity wanted it more. A bidding war broke out between the two and what ripped Priceline off our sites and slid Travelocity in was a better deal for the Agents.

After a four year relationship with Travelocity, Orbitz has now taken over the huge influx of air, car and hotel bookings made through YTB Travel Network.

Orbitz Worldwide has replaced Travelocity Partner Network as the provider of air, car and hotel products and is now the exclusive provider for these commodity products on the YTB Travel Network booking engine. YTB Travel Network has also negotiated a contract with Orbitz Worldwide that, effective February 1, 2011, will include a commission on airline bookings while continuing the elimination of a service fee. Please see the updated commission rates in the Commission section of the My Account tab in the Travel Portal.

Commissions earned on air, car and hotel products will now be paid based on the date of consumption, not the booking date. The date of consumption is defined as the date of completed travel. Nothing new there – as it’s in line with how the rest of the industry pays.

Customer Profiles was a huge factor for years for the field and it looks like Orbitz came through for us here as well. The initial launch of the Orbitz Worldwide Customer Profile is coming in February 2011. The new profile feature will provide the ability to use a basic customer profile that will store the customer name and credit card. Later this year this feature will be greatly enhanced. The new functionality will allow:

• Storage and use of TSA-relevant information (including birth date) for booking
• Storage and use in booking of multiple credit cards
• Storage and use in booking of loyalty program information for Air, Hotel and Car

Other new features supplied by Orbitz are marketing and promotion which will also be rolled out during the year.

The Orbitz deal utilizes the NeatAgent application tailored specifically for traditional bricks and mortar travel agencies. According to their website “These traditional agencies provide comprehensive travel services for their clients in person or over the telephone and represent more than 60% of today’s travel distribution”.

In other words – when you read the hype from traditionalists – just know they use it too. Just tell them “Thanks for sharing” and get back to work. (An idea they may want to consider to rectify their own dismal existence.)

Speaking of traditionalists – they never dreamed YTB Travel Network would even see 2011. We were supposed to be long gone according to them. (Wishful thinking at this point.) YTB Travel Network is alive and well and as long as they let us – we’ll continue play the role of thorn in side. (It’s their choice after all – not ours.)

The way I see it – looks like YTB Travel Network is packing more powder to shoot more cannon balls across their bow to let them know we have absolutely no plans of going away.

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Remember the fuss a couple years ago when online travel was gaining momentum over traditional brick and mortar? Today, Expedia books more travel than any other agency – traditional or otherwise. As well, four of the top ten travel agencies are online booking engines, booking more the $51 BILLION in travel in 2009 combined.

Today we see retail gaining momentum within the online arena.

Last week, data from Coremetrics, an IBM Company was released to the public – announcing that online sales in the United States were up 19.4% compared to last year’s Cyber Monday event. Web sales were also estimated to be 31.1% higher than Black Friday, three days earlier, making this past Cyber Monday the biggest online shopping day of the year.

John Squire, of Coremetrics stated that Internet shopping last Monday was highlighted by major retailers offering free shipping and other aggressive discounts to lure consumers.

“Consumers this year appear much more willing to open their wallets and are turning to online stores for the convenience of shopping wherever and whenever they like,” he said. “Retailers have done an exceptional job across the board of appealing to consumers with highly personalized promotions and a slew of free shipping promotions”.

The average order value (AOV) online was also up from $180.03 to $194.89 for an increase of 8.3 percent. (The largest jump by the way was 2009 with the average order jumping from $130 in 2008 to $180 in 2009.) Consumers flocked online a week ago, with shopping momentum not only being maintained throughout the day, but had stronger momentum all day compared to Cyber Monday just one year earlier.

Social Media is also making an impact according to the report:

The growing trend of consumers using their networks on social sites for information about deals and inventory levels continued on Cyber Monday. While the percentage of visitors arriving from social network sites is fairly small relative to all online visitors — nearly 1 percent — it is gaining momentum, with Facebook dominating the space.

ZamFest ring a bell for anyone? If you were on line at all last weekend, it seemed as if everyone was talking about the deals found online. Facebook, Twitter, even e-mail campaigns that flooded our in-box from merchants ready and willing to service eager shoppers.

During the Holiday’s in 2009, online spending jumped from just 6% to 12% and did not decrease afterward. If this trend continues into 2011 like it did in 2010, look for online sales to maintain between 15% and 20% of all retail spending.

And here we are…ahead of the paradigm shift yet again. I’ve got to hand it to the Founders of our Company. True visionaries who always appear to be ahead of the curve before major shifts and trends start popping up. They did it with A.L. Williams – then YTB Travel – and now it looks like ZamZuu is destined to hit the same high marks.

Travel has always been my first love – and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity YTB gave me when everyone else in the travel industry didn’t give me the time of day. Now I’m involved in a new stream of revenue that increases the opportunity and income just by hanging around winners. I’ve been partnered with Affiliate Programs for years, referring products for years. (Long before ZamZuu.) This program not only expands the merchants, but manages hundreds of stores under a single umbrella.

You’ve got to love it – especially when you understand and can appreciate the kind of Founders that run this company. Smart, insightful, and extremely motivational.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Why would you? They give new meaning to the words “Happy Holiday’s”.

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Shopping for that perfect holiday gift?

What do you get for the person who has EVERYTHING?

What about the person that’s SO hard to shop for?

Have I got a stocking stuffer for you!

It’s that time of year again! Carnival Cruise Gift Certificates are available NOW through December 31, 2010.

Gift Certificates are a great way to save now, and cruise later. It also provides an opportunity for you decide on your own what cruise you might like, or even when you want to go over the next 18 months.

It’s your cruise right?

All Gift Certificates can be upgraded to ANY cruise of choice. Simply pay the difference. We have a certificate valid for a 3-4 day for two, but want to take the entire family on a 7 day this spring. The Promotions Department at Carnival will be extremely accommodating for any upgrade and use what you have to fulfill your dream cruise.

We’ve sold these certificates the last couple of years and they’re a HUGE HIT for just about anyone.

• Parents, Relatives & Close Friends
• Teacher & Administrator Holiday Gifts
• Holiday Party Giveaways
• Chamber of Commerce Luncheons
• Retirement gifts for years of service
• Great alternative to year end cash bonus!

Certificates range from 3 – 8 day sailings and are valid for 2 guests sharing a stateroom and start at just $518 for both guests!

*This price is for a 3 day cruise certificate on selected ships only, in an interior category 4A stateroom for Fall sailings only (9/1/11 – 12/16/11) and does not include Government Fees, taxes or gratuities. Ocean view and balcony certificates are available at an additional cost. Full payment is due at the time the certificate is sold.

Certificates will be customized with the name of the person buying the gift. Recipient can pay to upgrade the certificate for higher cabin categories, additional days of cruising or for travel outside of the Fall travel period. No minimum purchase required. Certificate is valid for 18 months unless otherwise required by law.

Regardless if you’re a seasoned cruise veteran like us, or a first timer, a 100,000 ton cruise ship could be the most unique stocking stuffer your special someone has ever seen.

Bon Voyage!

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It’s that time of year again – CLIA’s annual World’s Largest Cruise Night!

Every year in October, Travel Agencies from around the country round up clients in hotel rooms, office buildings, and even homes to promote what we’ve always considered “the best vacation money can buy” – a cruise. For Agencies it’s a great way to get a jump on sales for the coming year, and clients have an exciting vacation to look forward to.

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) came up with the idea six years ago and both cruise lines and travel agents have fallen in love with the idea as a way to boost sales in what “was” traditionally the slowest month for travel sales.

Today, CLIA, cruise lines, and travel agents all come together in the month of October to make this time of year the single biggest cruise promotion of the year. Last years event generated $45 million in cruise sales and nearly $6 million in new commissions for travel agents.

This year, YTB Travel network teams up with “The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World” to bring both savings and cruise upgrades which are available on virtually all “Fun Ship” departures through December 2011. Carnival will not only be offering the Best Available Upgrades on the majority of their sailings, but up to a $200 onboard credit per stateroom for all Carnival Magic Europe voyages booked on October 13.

The best part of this sale is YTB and Carnival comes to YOU via the World Wide Web in a special webinar hosted Wednesday night at 7:00 pm Eastern, 6:00 pm Central to showcase the largest fleet of cruise ships available, from the largest selection of ports in the industry. A special rebroadcast will air during the evening, so make sure you log in at some point during the evening.

YTB and Carnival will feature “Best Available Upgrades” which are available on virtually all sailings through December 2011 – and when booked on October 13th, use Fare Code: PCN when booking. Carnival’s bonus offer includes the Best Available Upgrade PLUS up to a $200 onboard credit per stateroom on European sailings – just use Fare Code: OCL. The sale is valid on new individual bookings made on 10/13/10. Best available upgrade available on like to like categories (interior to interior, oceanview to oceanview and balcony to balcony). Promotion is applicable on all sailings between through 12/31/11.

Best of all this is a fun learning opportunity. Cruising is all about you. You can find adventure, culture and education or, relax the day away. Dine on fine cuisine. Indulge at the spa. Reconnect with family. Share romantic moments. All this, in the destination of your choice, for a few days, a week or more, on a cruise that’s right for you.

Do something that’s just for you. Join us tomorrow night from the comfort of your own home for the World’s Largest Cruise Night Carnival Sale event and take advantage of Carnival’s exclusive offers and special promotions.

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Every challenge comes with an opportunity to learn and grow. Smart people and good companies take full advantage of such an opportunity while others – well…not so much.

Carnival has been an interesting “case study” over the last few years. The various challenges the with rising fuel prices and the eventual recession that followed keeping more people at home, Carnival has managed to handle the adversity very well with a willingness to make tough choices, and the ability to rethink and transform their operations to streamline their business and continue to turn a profit.

Automation has played a key roll in Carnival’s transformation and ability to remain “The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World”. It’s not that you couldn’t book and manage clients through Carnival’s agent portal prior, but much of the “call center” activities that lingering old timers have known for years is now gone. (And they’re visibly upset – as usual.)

Early Saver, Pack & Go and Interline Rates have been handled via automation for a while now. Resident Rates, Senior Promotions, Military Rates and Travel Agent Cruise Sales recently went into automation mode August 1st. With so many new features now handled online only, Carnival decided to streamline their Agent Portal for ease of use with a totally new agent portal called GoCCL.com.

GoCCL was created with the Agent in mind, making it easier-to-navigate, more information than ever before, and it’s even Google-search-powered. The end result helps agents speed up the sales process along with some innovative and creative tools to help market to clients and prospects.

Carnival focused on these key areas:

• Improved design and organization – Carnival took all the constructive feedback and designed GoCCL.com around the concept that the right tool is only one-click away. You’ll always be ready when your customer is.
• The right information – when you need it. Now, there’s no more searching around the portal for information you need. GoCCL.com features a completely redesigned Resource Center that gives you lightning-fast access to a comprehensive library of sales programs and product information. Finding the right link is a breeze with GoCCL’s Google-powered search engine.
• Booking Tools – Create and manage reservations, access FunShipPay and verify Guest Document Status.
• Marketing Tools – It’s the one-stop place for all of your marketing needs, including the updated Ad Wizard, eBrochures, Collateral Ordering Tool, Brand Center, Fun Itineraries – as well as our Carnival Fun Tees!
• Training – Explore informative training videos, exclusive Webinars and learn more about how to advance your business at CCL University. You can also browse schedules and register for executive conferences, exciting shipboard events and our signature “Funtastic” Fam Weekends.
• Resource Center – This is the place to get all the information you need. You’ll find Carnival news and updates, FAQs, forms and policies, and Carnival products and program details. Be sure to check out our value-packed Knowledge Center: a great reference resource with facts about Carnival procedures, ship and port information – and much more.
• Specials – Get the scoop on Carnival specials, Early Saver fares, promotional programs, featured specials and other great deals for your clients.
• News and Alerts – The home page news ticker displays Carnivals latest news and important advisories and remains visible throughout the site.

The GoCCL portal is a state-of-the-art sales and marketing tool that will not only keep Carnival number one, but possibly widen the gap as new agents embrace the technology that’s available today. From the looks of it, it will make sales and marketing faster, easier, and more powerful than ever before.

If you look back over this blog and all the articles we’ve written about Carnival over the years, you’ll see that change is in fact a good thing. It’s not about being broken or unproductive – it’s about tweaking and moving forward in today’s fast paced and information rich environment with more opportunities than ever before. Reminds me of another “business model” that’s near and dear to our hearts. (And we’ve documented plenty about THAT topic here too!)

So go check out GoCCL.com. I think you’ll like the upgrade once you come aboard!

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