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.

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Did you get your “Welcome Package” late last week for Convention?

If you haven’t seen it yet, be on the lookout for it because they are being sent via US Mail to all who have registered. With the Convention right around the corner, we got our hands on a couple of the BOMBSHELL announcements we’ve come to expect every year. In years past things like website upgrades, medical insurance, and the Bill of Rights have been announced.

This year will be no different.

Although we’ve heard that YTB is running out of money, (a new rumor we saw this week after our phone system crashed for about an hour Thursday morning) we caught wind of some new enhancements to pay to the field for both Website Sellers and Travel Store Owners.

Late last year, our Board of Directors suggested that in order to preserve the solvency for EVERYONE in the company, and because a these bonuses were being paid regardless of qualification, the company put a hold on the Director Bonus Program. After many changes, cutbacks, and redistribution of other funds, the Director Compensation is back.

The New Director Compensation is as follows:

a. All qualified Directors, regardless of level, receive a $2,000 Director check on July 20 and August 20.
b. Beginning September 20 (and subsequent months), checks will be issued on the following schedule:

(1) Level 1 Qualified Directors – $2,000
(2) Level 2 Qualified Directors – $4,000
(3) Level 3 Qualified Directors – $8,000
(4) Level 4+ Qualified Directors – $12,000

In addition to the Directors Compensation, there will be additional compensation announced at Convention for qualified Coach’s Corner Members of a “10% Performance Bonus”. This bonus will include your entire organization to the next qualified Coach’s Corner Member. The additional 10% will include all commissions paid to your organization for both Aisle19 (shopYTB) and travel commissions.

Although the travel industry has been in a tizzy over what it claims can not be more than a two way split of commissions, (that being the Agent, and the Host) the industry has been unable to produce, and we have been unable to verify any documentation or legal precedence that requires commissions be split only two ways. (In other words, it’s one of those “unwritten rules” in the industry.) Therefore, similar to the “$50 Bonus” we now receive that replaced the “$50 Reimbursement” of our web site fee with maintaining 6 additional Travel Stores, we will once again pay the “10% Override” in travel sales as a “10% Performance Bonus”.

The company realizes that it needs to incentivize team training and education when it comes to travel. This field training got YTB to where it is, (the 25th largest Seller of Travel in the Nation) and YTB is determined to reward those how help others learn and become successful sellers of travel.

Speaking of Travel Sales, would you like to learn how you can earn 100% commission on tavel? While we don’t know the exact details at this time, you will find out at Convention how to apply and train to receive an additional 30-40% on all your personal travel sales to with a 100% Commission Contract. We have also been told that as a Coach’s Corner Member, if you or anyone in your organization upgrades and qualifies for the 100% Commission Contract, your “10% Performance Bonus” will still be paid from those contracts.

The Franchising option we are currently working on for YTB also gave way to a new program that will allow a payment plan to get started as a TSO for $99.95. Website Sellers who sell this plan will receive 20% upfront and receive even more commissions over the 7 month installment plan by the new TSO. Associates who refer anyone to this plan will also receive their $50 for their referral.

There have also been many questions about the Aisle19 program and when the commissions will be paid. These are the “Downline Commissions”, not the “Cash Back” you have already received from personal purchases.

Aisle19 will officially change to shopYTB during the Convention and the commissions will be paid as follows:

a. January-March site owners 50% commissions will appear on the July 25 travel check.
b. January-March overrides will be included on the August 11 residual check.
c. April-current site owner 50% commissions will be in the August 25 travel check.
d. April-current overrides will be a part of the September 11 residual check.

While the process has taken some time, it looks to be “all systems go”, thanks to the fine work and co-operation between YTB and Aisle19.

Lastly, to answer your questions about bringing a guest to Convention, all you’ll need to do is accompany them through the registration booth at the America’s Center. YTB will have a convention bag and other materials ready for them! We are looking forward to seeing you and your guest in only 9 days!

Bring it on!

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!

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