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.

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

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The Travel Industry has been in turmoil for some time and the constant changes due to factors both inside and outside of the industry have forced many in the industry to scramble for market share and positioning. You may remember Candi May’s carousel with Travel Professionals, Bye Bye Now, and Carlson Wagonlit before she finally found a home with YTB.

Just this week I found two articles of more musical chairs.

I’ve mentioned Liberty Travel a time or two before and do recall earlier in the year when an Australian company (Flight Center) had purchased the Agency. This week they announced that they will be closing 15% of their retail locations, or 30 of its 197 stores across the country. The closings will occur in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New England and Upstate New York. While an exact number of jobs lost in this move was not disclosed, since the Australian buyout by Flight Center there has already been a loss of some 180 jobs.

This move has been positioned as a “consolidation” of sorts and employees will be moved around to other stores. That is if they’re actually performing. Other “dead wood” will be let go entirely. Shannon O’Brien, the company’s acting CEO, said outlets in undesirable locations will be closed for “a stronger shop network as our platform for future growth.”

It also looks like this move is necessary since Liberty will be costing Flight Center some $10.2 Million just in the second half of 2008.

Liberty Travel is currently ranked #10 on the 2008 Power List.

In another move this week, Uniglobe Travel Center, the host agency division of Uniglobe Travel USA, has agreed to purchase Magellan360. The sale will bring annual sales to $85 million with some of 400 independent contractors and home-based agents. Sales of $100 million are required to make Travel Weekly’s Power List, thus Magellan360 was unranked in the Travel Weekly Power List.

Magellan 360 has already been thrown around a few time in years past as stated in the Travel Weekly article.

Scott Ahlsmith, the Travel Institute chairman and Virtuoso vice president of global technological solutions, previously owned the 21-year-old business but sold it in January 2007 to Red Branch Technologies, which in turn is selling to Uniglobe. The transaction is expected to close on Nov. 30.

Uniglobe Travel Partners may pick up the spots it lost in 2008, (currently ranked 43 after falling from 40 in the 2007 Power List) and move is certainly a plus for Magellan360 affiliates. They will gain access to Uniglobe programs, including assistance with business planning, marketing toolkits and the opportunity to network with more than 750 franchised Uniglobe agencies around the world.

It’s never ending when it comes to these types of closures, purchases, and takeovers. The flux of this industry, while not entirely isolated to this particular industry, it does appear to me at least to be far more than any industry I’ve ever been involved with in years past.

Change is never easy, especially when it comes to a work environment. Nor does it matter if the change is positive or negative; it upsets the status quo. We’ll have to wait and see how all this shakes out for the companies involved. It will also be interesting to see how long this move lasts. From what I’ve seen, there may be even more before it all shakes out and settles down.

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 AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

TSO #588629