press kit - ifeinfo.com
TRANSCRIPT
Press Kit
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Table of Contents
I About CruiseOne Dream Vacations
II Fact Sheet
III Press Releases
IV Media Highlights
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations
In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the
top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International
Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World
Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their
customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and
Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking
status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean
Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on
CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like
CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow
us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Fact Sheet
Founded 1992 (CruiseOne) and 2016 (Dream Vacations) Key Executives Brad Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Jeff Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Debbie Fiorino Senior Vice President
Drew Daly General Manager of Network Engagement and Performance
Joelle Delva Vice President of Operations Sandi Szalay Vice President of Information Technology Tim Courtney Vice President of Franchise Development Rosemarie Reed Vice President of Marketing Number of Agents 1000+ franchisees Support Provided Marketing Franchisees enjoy free and low-cost turn-key personalized
marketing programs including bull CruiseCreatetrade Plus a web top publishing system which
enables franchise owners and agents to customize marketing collateral
bull Marketing co-op programs with major cruise line partners bull Personalized trigger-based CRM programs bull Lead generation programs bull A lifestyle magazine and weekly cruise deal e-newsletter bull National and local public relations and field marketing
support bull Free Automated Social Media program bull Free Honeymoon Registry bull Free library of professional travel videos
Training Focuses on the core components of the cruise travel industry and includes curriculum presented by the companiesrsquo cruise line and travel partners Continuing online education keeps agents at the top of their game Five regional training opportunities offered each year that include exciting land- and cruise-based seminars culminating with an award-winning annual National Conference Technology
Best-in-class technologies help franchise owners and agents market sell and service customers while remaining profitable Cutting-edge technology solutions include
bull Customized websites for agents bull State-of-the-art reservation system ldquoMy Cruise Controlrdquo
with real-time access to live cruise line inventory bull Private intranet keeping franchise owners and agents connected to promotions and selling tools
bull Personalized mobile websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
bull Group Registration tool that creates professional websites to showcase amenity options market to groups simplify the booking process expand outreach and close deals
About CruiseOne In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOne
is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines
About Dream Vacations Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations is a CruiseOne company and is
part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours
About World Travel Holdings World Travel Holdings is the worlds largest cruise agency and
award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of more than 40 diverse brands In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises villas hotels resort vacations cars and luxury travel services World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of licensed private label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers including almost every US airline leading hotel brands and prominent corporations The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and the countrys original host agency and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in work-at-home employment Its global presence includes operating multiple owned and private label cruise and vacation brands in the United Kingdom World Travel Holdings has offices in Long Island NY Wilmington Mass Ft Lauderdale Fla Virginia Beach Va and Chorley United Kingdom
Address 1201 W Cypress Creek Road Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 Phone 888-249-8235 Websites CruiseOne Consumer ndash CruiseOnecom
Dream Vacations Consumer ndash DreamVacationscom CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash DreamVacationsFranchisecom
World Travel Holdings ndash WorldTravelHoldingscom
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Social Media Facebook bull CruiseOne ndash FacebookcomCruiseOne bull Dream Vacations ndash FacebookcomOfficialDreamVacations bull CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash
FacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise bull World Travel Holdings ndash FacebookcomTravelDreamJobs
bull CruiseOneDream Vacations ndash CruiseOne Dream_Franchise
bull World Travel Holdings ndash WTH_Inc
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Travel Agency Franchise Launches Experiential-Focused Brand Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company
Food Truck Takeovers in NY Calif and Fla highlight launch campaign
Fort Lauderdale Fla (April 5 2016) ndash Leading home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg
launched today the newest addition to its travel franchise portfolio ndash Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company More than 50 percent of CruiseOnersquos existing franchise owners have transitioned over to the new brand which speaks to all types of vacation experiences ldquoIn order for us to remain a leader in the travel franchise industry it is important that we evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our customers ndash our franchisees and their clientsrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company ldquoThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response from all of our key stakeholders ndash franchisees cruise lines tour operators resorts and employees ndash about the addition of Dream Vacations to our family of brandsrdquo Dream Vacations Start Here began as the tagline for CruiseOne and has evolved to become the name of its new sister brand Franchisees and customers will receive the same support and advantages the differentiation is by having a name that conveys the product that is being sold ndash every type of vacation experience for every type of traveler Recognizing that the culinary experience is an important component of every vacation as part of the launch festivities Dream Vacations is partnering with award-winning modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruisesreg to host Food Truck Takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughout the US The first will be on Thursday April 14 in the Flatiron District from 1130 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7 pm ldquoWe believe that everybody becomes a foodie when they are on vacation and the Food Truck Takeover is the perfect way to introduce Dream Vacations to consumers while also reminding them of the culinary adventures that await on vacationrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Those interested in planning their next Dream Vacation should visit wwwDreamVacationscom or call 1-800-962-5120 People with a passion for travel who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235
About Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company is part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours To book a Dream Vacation visit wwwDreamVacationscom For more information on becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom like on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomCruiseOneFranchise and follow on Twitter at CruiseOneBiz
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
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bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Table of Contents
I About CruiseOne Dream Vacations
II Fact Sheet
III Press Releases
IV Media Highlights
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations
In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the
top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International
Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World
Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their
customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and
Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking
status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean
Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on
CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like
CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow
us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Fact Sheet
Founded 1992 (CruiseOne) and 2016 (Dream Vacations) Key Executives Brad Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Jeff Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Debbie Fiorino Senior Vice President
Drew Daly General Manager of Network Engagement and Performance
Joelle Delva Vice President of Operations Sandi Szalay Vice President of Information Technology Tim Courtney Vice President of Franchise Development Rosemarie Reed Vice President of Marketing Number of Agents 1000+ franchisees Support Provided Marketing Franchisees enjoy free and low-cost turn-key personalized
marketing programs including bull CruiseCreatetrade Plus a web top publishing system which
enables franchise owners and agents to customize marketing collateral
bull Marketing co-op programs with major cruise line partners bull Personalized trigger-based CRM programs bull Lead generation programs bull A lifestyle magazine and weekly cruise deal e-newsletter bull National and local public relations and field marketing
support bull Free Automated Social Media program bull Free Honeymoon Registry bull Free library of professional travel videos
Training Focuses on the core components of the cruise travel industry and includes curriculum presented by the companiesrsquo cruise line and travel partners Continuing online education keeps agents at the top of their game Five regional training opportunities offered each year that include exciting land- and cruise-based seminars culminating with an award-winning annual National Conference Technology
Best-in-class technologies help franchise owners and agents market sell and service customers while remaining profitable Cutting-edge technology solutions include
bull Customized websites for agents bull State-of-the-art reservation system ldquoMy Cruise Controlrdquo
with real-time access to live cruise line inventory bull Private intranet keeping franchise owners and agents connected to promotions and selling tools
bull Personalized mobile websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
bull Group Registration tool that creates professional websites to showcase amenity options market to groups simplify the booking process expand outreach and close deals
About CruiseOne In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOne
is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines
About Dream Vacations Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations is a CruiseOne company and is
part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours
About World Travel Holdings World Travel Holdings is the worlds largest cruise agency and
award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of more than 40 diverse brands In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises villas hotels resort vacations cars and luxury travel services World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of licensed private label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers including almost every US airline leading hotel brands and prominent corporations The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and the countrys original host agency and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in work-at-home employment Its global presence includes operating multiple owned and private label cruise and vacation brands in the United Kingdom World Travel Holdings has offices in Long Island NY Wilmington Mass Ft Lauderdale Fla Virginia Beach Va and Chorley United Kingdom
Address 1201 W Cypress Creek Road Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 Phone 888-249-8235 Websites CruiseOne Consumer ndash CruiseOnecom
Dream Vacations Consumer ndash DreamVacationscom CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash DreamVacationsFranchisecom
World Travel Holdings ndash WorldTravelHoldingscom
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Social Media Facebook bull CruiseOne ndash FacebookcomCruiseOne bull Dream Vacations ndash FacebookcomOfficialDreamVacations bull CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash
FacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise bull World Travel Holdings ndash FacebookcomTravelDreamJobs
bull CruiseOneDream Vacations ndash CruiseOne Dream_Franchise
bull World Travel Holdings ndash WTH_Inc
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Travel Agency Franchise Launches Experiential-Focused Brand Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company
Food Truck Takeovers in NY Calif and Fla highlight launch campaign
Fort Lauderdale Fla (April 5 2016) ndash Leading home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg
launched today the newest addition to its travel franchise portfolio ndash Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company More than 50 percent of CruiseOnersquos existing franchise owners have transitioned over to the new brand which speaks to all types of vacation experiences ldquoIn order for us to remain a leader in the travel franchise industry it is important that we evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our customers ndash our franchisees and their clientsrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company ldquoThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response from all of our key stakeholders ndash franchisees cruise lines tour operators resorts and employees ndash about the addition of Dream Vacations to our family of brandsrdquo Dream Vacations Start Here began as the tagline for CruiseOne and has evolved to become the name of its new sister brand Franchisees and customers will receive the same support and advantages the differentiation is by having a name that conveys the product that is being sold ndash every type of vacation experience for every type of traveler Recognizing that the culinary experience is an important component of every vacation as part of the launch festivities Dream Vacations is partnering with award-winning modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruisesreg to host Food Truck Takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughout the US The first will be on Thursday April 14 in the Flatiron District from 1130 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7 pm ldquoWe believe that everybody becomes a foodie when they are on vacation and the Food Truck Takeover is the perfect way to introduce Dream Vacations to consumers while also reminding them of the culinary adventures that await on vacationrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Those interested in planning their next Dream Vacation should visit wwwDreamVacationscom or call 1-800-962-5120 People with a passion for travel who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235
About Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company is part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours To book a Dream Vacation visit wwwDreamVacationscom For more information on becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom like on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomCruiseOneFranchise and follow on Twitter at CruiseOneBiz
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
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RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations
In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the
top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International
Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World
Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their
customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and
Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking
status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean
Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on
CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like
CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow
us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Fact Sheet
Founded 1992 (CruiseOne) and 2016 (Dream Vacations) Key Executives Brad Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Jeff Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Debbie Fiorino Senior Vice President
Drew Daly General Manager of Network Engagement and Performance
Joelle Delva Vice President of Operations Sandi Szalay Vice President of Information Technology Tim Courtney Vice President of Franchise Development Rosemarie Reed Vice President of Marketing Number of Agents 1000+ franchisees Support Provided Marketing Franchisees enjoy free and low-cost turn-key personalized
marketing programs including bull CruiseCreatetrade Plus a web top publishing system which
enables franchise owners and agents to customize marketing collateral
bull Marketing co-op programs with major cruise line partners bull Personalized trigger-based CRM programs bull Lead generation programs bull A lifestyle magazine and weekly cruise deal e-newsletter bull National and local public relations and field marketing
support bull Free Automated Social Media program bull Free Honeymoon Registry bull Free library of professional travel videos
Training Focuses on the core components of the cruise travel industry and includes curriculum presented by the companiesrsquo cruise line and travel partners Continuing online education keeps agents at the top of their game Five regional training opportunities offered each year that include exciting land- and cruise-based seminars culminating with an award-winning annual National Conference Technology
Best-in-class technologies help franchise owners and agents market sell and service customers while remaining profitable Cutting-edge technology solutions include
bull Customized websites for agents bull State-of-the-art reservation system ldquoMy Cruise Controlrdquo
with real-time access to live cruise line inventory bull Private intranet keeping franchise owners and agents connected to promotions and selling tools
bull Personalized mobile websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
bull Group Registration tool that creates professional websites to showcase amenity options market to groups simplify the booking process expand outreach and close deals
About CruiseOne In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOne
is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines
About Dream Vacations Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations is a CruiseOne company and is
part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours
About World Travel Holdings World Travel Holdings is the worlds largest cruise agency and
award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of more than 40 diverse brands In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises villas hotels resort vacations cars and luxury travel services World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of licensed private label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers including almost every US airline leading hotel brands and prominent corporations The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and the countrys original host agency and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in work-at-home employment Its global presence includes operating multiple owned and private label cruise and vacation brands in the United Kingdom World Travel Holdings has offices in Long Island NY Wilmington Mass Ft Lauderdale Fla Virginia Beach Va and Chorley United Kingdom
Address 1201 W Cypress Creek Road Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 Phone 888-249-8235 Websites CruiseOne Consumer ndash CruiseOnecom
Dream Vacations Consumer ndash DreamVacationscom CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash DreamVacationsFranchisecom
World Travel Holdings ndash WorldTravelHoldingscom
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Social Media Facebook bull CruiseOne ndash FacebookcomCruiseOne bull Dream Vacations ndash FacebookcomOfficialDreamVacations bull CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash
FacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise bull World Travel Holdings ndash FacebookcomTravelDreamJobs
bull CruiseOneDream Vacations ndash CruiseOne Dream_Franchise
bull World Travel Holdings ndash WTH_Inc
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Travel Agency Franchise Launches Experiential-Focused Brand Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company
Food Truck Takeovers in NY Calif and Fla highlight launch campaign
Fort Lauderdale Fla (April 5 2016) ndash Leading home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg
launched today the newest addition to its travel franchise portfolio ndash Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company More than 50 percent of CruiseOnersquos existing franchise owners have transitioned over to the new brand which speaks to all types of vacation experiences ldquoIn order for us to remain a leader in the travel franchise industry it is important that we evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our customers ndash our franchisees and their clientsrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company ldquoThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response from all of our key stakeholders ndash franchisees cruise lines tour operators resorts and employees ndash about the addition of Dream Vacations to our family of brandsrdquo Dream Vacations Start Here began as the tagline for CruiseOne and has evolved to become the name of its new sister brand Franchisees and customers will receive the same support and advantages the differentiation is by having a name that conveys the product that is being sold ndash every type of vacation experience for every type of traveler Recognizing that the culinary experience is an important component of every vacation as part of the launch festivities Dream Vacations is partnering with award-winning modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruisesreg to host Food Truck Takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughout the US The first will be on Thursday April 14 in the Flatiron District from 1130 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7 pm ldquoWe believe that everybody becomes a foodie when they are on vacation and the Food Truck Takeover is the perfect way to introduce Dream Vacations to consumers while also reminding them of the culinary adventures that await on vacationrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Those interested in planning their next Dream Vacation should visit wwwDreamVacationscom or call 1-800-962-5120 People with a passion for travel who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235
About Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company is part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours To book a Dream Vacation visit wwwDreamVacationscom For more information on becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom like on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomCruiseOneFranchise and follow on Twitter at CruiseOneBiz
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
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Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Fact Sheet
Founded 1992 (CruiseOne) and 2016 (Dream Vacations) Key Executives Brad Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Jeff Tolkin Co-Chairman and CEO Debbie Fiorino Senior Vice President
Drew Daly General Manager of Network Engagement and Performance
Joelle Delva Vice President of Operations Sandi Szalay Vice President of Information Technology Tim Courtney Vice President of Franchise Development Rosemarie Reed Vice President of Marketing Number of Agents 1000+ franchisees Support Provided Marketing Franchisees enjoy free and low-cost turn-key personalized
marketing programs including bull CruiseCreatetrade Plus a web top publishing system which
enables franchise owners and agents to customize marketing collateral
bull Marketing co-op programs with major cruise line partners bull Personalized trigger-based CRM programs bull Lead generation programs bull A lifestyle magazine and weekly cruise deal e-newsletter bull National and local public relations and field marketing
support bull Free Automated Social Media program bull Free Honeymoon Registry bull Free library of professional travel videos
Training Focuses on the core components of the cruise travel industry and includes curriculum presented by the companiesrsquo cruise line and travel partners Continuing online education keeps agents at the top of their game Five regional training opportunities offered each year that include exciting land- and cruise-based seminars culminating with an award-winning annual National Conference Technology
Best-in-class technologies help franchise owners and agents market sell and service customers while remaining profitable Cutting-edge technology solutions include
bull Customized websites for agents bull State-of-the-art reservation system ldquoMy Cruise Controlrdquo
with real-time access to live cruise line inventory bull Private intranet keeping franchise owners and agents connected to promotions and selling tools
bull Personalized mobile websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
bull Group Registration tool that creates professional websites to showcase amenity options market to groups simplify the booking process expand outreach and close deals
About CruiseOne In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOne
is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines
About Dream Vacations Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations is a CruiseOne company and is
part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours
About World Travel Holdings World Travel Holdings is the worlds largest cruise agency and
award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of more than 40 diverse brands In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises villas hotels resort vacations cars and luxury travel services World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of licensed private label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers including almost every US airline leading hotel brands and prominent corporations The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and the countrys original host agency and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in work-at-home employment Its global presence includes operating multiple owned and private label cruise and vacation brands in the United Kingdom World Travel Holdings has offices in Long Island NY Wilmington Mass Ft Lauderdale Fla Virginia Beach Va and Chorley United Kingdom
Address 1201 W Cypress Creek Road Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 Phone 888-249-8235 Websites CruiseOne Consumer ndash CruiseOnecom
Dream Vacations Consumer ndash DreamVacationscom CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash DreamVacationsFranchisecom
World Travel Holdings ndash WorldTravelHoldingscom
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Social Media Facebook bull CruiseOne ndash FacebookcomCruiseOne bull Dream Vacations ndash FacebookcomOfficialDreamVacations bull CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash
FacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise bull World Travel Holdings ndash FacebookcomTravelDreamJobs
bull CruiseOneDream Vacations ndash CruiseOne Dream_Franchise
bull World Travel Holdings ndash WTH_Inc
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Travel Agency Franchise Launches Experiential-Focused Brand Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company
Food Truck Takeovers in NY Calif and Fla highlight launch campaign
Fort Lauderdale Fla (April 5 2016) ndash Leading home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg
launched today the newest addition to its travel franchise portfolio ndash Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company More than 50 percent of CruiseOnersquos existing franchise owners have transitioned over to the new brand which speaks to all types of vacation experiences ldquoIn order for us to remain a leader in the travel franchise industry it is important that we evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our customers ndash our franchisees and their clientsrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company ldquoThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response from all of our key stakeholders ndash franchisees cruise lines tour operators resorts and employees ndash about the addition of Dream Vacations to our family of brandsrdquo Dream Vacations Start Here began as the tagline for CruiseOne and has evolved to become the name of its new sister brand Franchisees and customers will receive the same support and advantages the differentiation is by having a name that conveys the product that is being sold ndash every type of vacation experience for every type of traveler Recognizing that the culinary experience is an important component of every vacation as part of the launch festivities Dream Vacations is partnering with award-winning modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruisesreg to host Food Truck Takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughout the US The first will be on Thursday April 14 in the Flatiron District from 1130 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7 pm ldquoWe believe that everybody becomes a foodie when they are on vacation and the Food Truck Takeover is the perfect way to introduce Dream Vacations to consumers while also reminding them of the culinary adventures that await on vacationrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Those interested in planning their next Dream Vacation should visit wwwDreamVacationscom or call 1-800-962-5120 People with a passion for travel who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235
About Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company is part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours To book a Dream Vacation visit wwwDreamVacationscom For more information on becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom like on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomCruiseOneFranchise and follow on Twitter at CruiseOneBiz
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
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Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
search
Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
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The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
bull Group Registration tool that creates professional websites to showcase amenity options market to groups simplify the booking process expand outreach and close deals
About CruiseOne In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOne
is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines
About Dream Vacations Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations is a CruiseOne company and is
part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours
About World Travel Holdings World Travel Holdings is the worlds largest cruise agency and
award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of more than 40 diverse brands In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises villas hotels resort vacations cars and luxury travel services World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of licensed private label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers including almost every US airline leading hotel brands and prominent corporations The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and the countrys original host agency and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in work-at-home employment Its global presence includes operating multiple owned and private label cruise and vacation brands in the United Kingdom World Travel Holdings has offices in Long Island NY Wilmington Mass Ft Lauderdale Fla Virginia Beach Va and Chorley United Kingdom
Address 1201 W Cypress Creek Road Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 Phone 888-249-8235 Websites CruiseOne Consumer ndash CruiseOnecom
Dream Vacations Consumer ndash DreamVacationscom CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash DreamVacationsFranchisecom
World Travel Holdings ndash WorldTravelHoldingscom
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Social Media Facebook bull CruiseOne ndash FacebookcomCruiseOne bull Dream Vacations ndash FacebookcomOfficialDreamVacations bull CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash
FacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise bull World Travel Holdings ndash FacebookcomTravelDreamJobs
bull CruiseOneDream Vacations ndash CruiseOne Dream_Franchise
bull World Travel Holdings ndash WTH_Inc
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Travel Agency Franchise Launches Experiential-Focused Brand Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company
Food Truck Takeovers in NY Calif and Fla highlight launch campaign
Fort Lauderdale Fla (April 5 2016) ndash Leading home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg
launched today the newest addition to its travel franchise portfolio ndash Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company More than 50 percent of CruiseOnersquos existing franchise owners have transitioned over to the new brand which speaks to all types of vacation experiences ldquoIn order for us to remain a leader in the travel franchise industry it is important that we evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our customers ndash our franchisees and their clientsrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company ldquoThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response from all of our key stakeholders ndash franchisees cruise lines tour operators resorts and employees ndash about the addition of Dream Vacations to our family of brandsrdquo Dream Vacations Start Here began as the tagline for CruiseOne and has evolved to become the name of its new sister brand Franchisees and customers will receive the same support and advantages the differentiation is by having a name that conveys the product that is being sold ndash every type of vacation experience for every type of traveler Recognizing that the culinary experience is an important component of every vacation as part of the launch festivities Dream Vacations is partnering with award-winning modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruisesreg to host Food Truck Takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughout the US The first will be on Thursday April 14 in the Flatiron District from 1130 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7 pm ldquoWe believe that everybody becomes a foodie when they are on vacation and the Food Truck Takeover is the perfect way to introduce Dream Vacations to consumers while also reminding them of the culinary adventures that await on vacationrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Those interested in planning their next Dream Vacation should visit wwwDreamVacationscom or call 1-800-962-5120 People with a passion for travel who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235
About Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company is part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours To book a Dream Vacation visit wwwDreamVacationscom For more information on becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom like on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomCruiseOneFranchise and follow on Twitter at CruiseOneBiz
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
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Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Social Media Facebook bull CruiseOne ndash FacebookcomCruiseOne bull Dream Vacations ndash FacebookcomOfficialDreamVacations bull CruiseOneDream Vacations Recruitment ndash
FacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise bull World Travel Holdings ndash FacebookcomTravelDreamJobs
bull CruiseOneDream Vacations ndash CruiseOne Dream_Franchise
bull World Travel Holdings ndash WTH_Inc
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Travel Agency Franchise Launches Experiential-Focused Brand Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company
Food Truck Takeovers in NY Calif and Fla highlight launch campaign
Fort Lauderdale Fla (April 5 2016) ndash Leading home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg
launched today the newest addition to its travel franchise portfolio ndash Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company More than 50 percent of CruiseOnersquos existing franchise owners have transitioned over to the new brand which speaks to all types of vacation experiences ldquoIn order for us to remain a leader in the travel franchise industry it is important that we evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our customers ndash our franchisees and their clientsrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company ldquoThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response from all of our key stakeholders ndash franchisees cruise lines tour operators resorts and employees ndash about the addition of Dream Vacations to our family of brandsrdquo Dream Vacations Start Here began as the tagline for CruiseOne and has evolved to become the name of its new sister brand Franchisees and customers will receive the same support and advantages the differentiation is by having a name that conveys the product that is being sold ndash every type of vacation experience for every type of traveler Recognizing that the culinary experience is an important component of every vacation as part of the launch festivities Dream Vacations is partnering with award-winning modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruisesreg to host Food Truck Takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughout the US The first will be on Thursday April 14 in the Flatiron District from 1130 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7 pm ldquoWe believe that everybody becomes a foodie when they are on vacation and the Food Truck Takeover is the perfect way to introduce Dream Vacations to consumers while also reminding them of the culinary adventures that await on vacationrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Those interested in planning their next Dream Vacation should visit wwwDreamVacationscom or call 1-800-962-5120 People with a passion for travel who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235
About Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company is part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours To book a Dream Vacation visit wwwDreamVacationscom For more information on becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom like on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomCruiseOneFranchise and follow on Twitter at CruiseOneBiz
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
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Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
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Press Release
Travel Agency Franchise Launches Experiential-Focused Brand Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company
Food Truck Takeovers in NY Calif and Fla highlight launch campaign
Fort Lauderdale Fla (April 5 2016) ndash Leading home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg
launched today the newest addition to its travel franchise portfolio ndash Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company More than 50 percent of CruiseOnersquos existing franchise owners have transitioned over to the new brand which speaks to all types of vacation experiences ldquoIn order for us to remain a leader in the travel franchise industry it is important that we evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our customers ndash our franchisees and their clientsrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company ldquoThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response from all of our key stakeholders ndash franchisees cruise lines tour operators resorts and employees ndash about the addition of Dream Vacations to our family of brandsrdquo Dream Vacations Start Here began as the tagline for CruiseOne and has evolved to become the name of its new sister brand Franchisees and customers will receive the same support and advantages the differentiation is by having a name that conveys the product that is being sold ndash every type of vacation experience for every type of traveler Recognizing that the culinary experience is an important component of every vacation as part of the launch festivities Dream Vacations is partnering with award-winning modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruisesreg to host Food Truck Takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughout the US The first will be on Thursday April 14 in the Flatiron District from 1130 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7 pm ldquoWe believe that everybody becomes a foodie when they are on vacation and the Food Truck Takeover is the perfect way to introduce Dream Vacations to consumers while also reminding them of the culinary adventures that await on vacationrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Those interested in planning their next Dream Vacation should visit wwwDreamVacationscom or call 1-800-962-5120 People with a passion for travel who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235
About Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company Launched in 2016 Dream Vacations A CruiseOne Company is part of World Travel Holdings the worldrsquos largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company Dream Vacations franchisees have unrivaled buying power to offer the best prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises resort stays and land tours To book a Dream Vacation visit wwwDreamVacationscom For more information on becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom like on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomCruiseOneFranchise and follow on Twitter at CruiseOneBiz
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
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RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CNBC and Franchise Business Review Recognize CruiseOnereg as Nationrsquos Top Franchise
Delaware-based vacation specialists Bob and Bobbye Haupt included on list of
Top 50 Franchisees in US
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 13 2016) ndash CruiseOnereg Franchise Owners Bob and Bobbye Haupt of Newark Del were recently recognized on CNBCrsquos prestigious list of ldquoAmericarsquos Star Franchiseesrdquo a listing of 50 franchisees from various industries mdash one from each state ldquoWe are thrilled and humbled to be included on this prestigious listrdquo said Bobbye Haupt CruiseOne franchise owner ldquoWhen you love what you do working never feels like a job I am lucky to have spent the last 17 years in the travel industry and the last nine as with CruiseOne traveling the world and making dream vacations come true for my customersrdquo Franchise Business Review an independent national market research firm focused on franchisee satisfaction and performance worked with CNBC to vet 28500 individual franchisees representing 364 franchise brands Honorees were selected based on franchisee satisfaction retention and financial opportunity including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average The Haupts have owned their franchise for nine years and anticipate earning more than $3 million in revenue for the second year in a row In 2014 they were recognized as the Franchise of the Year at CruiseOnersquos award-winning annual National Conference ldquoI couldnrsquot be happier or prouder for Bob and Bobbye this recognition is so well deservedrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne ldquoNot only are they leaders in franchising as evident by this honor but they are also leaders within our CruiseOne network always willing to provide support and guidance to both new and seasoned agentsrdquo CruiseOne seeks individuals who are passionate about travel helping others and are eager to go into business for themselves but not by themselves For more information on joining this award-winning travel franchise please visit wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY NEWSLETTER
Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
search
Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
CruiseOne Dream Vacations Travel Franchise Forms Strategic Partnership with Honeymoon Wishes
Registry website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission while creating
honeymoon experiences
Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 19 2016) ndash Home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations has formed a strategic partnership with Honeymoon Wishes a full-service online honeymoon gift registry This website makes it easy for travel agents to earn commission when booking every aspect of an engaged couplersquos honeymoon from travel to excursions whether on land or at sea According to Honeymoon Wishes the average amount gifted per couple using the Honeymoon Wishes registry is $2500 Instead of receiving household appliances couples can register components of their honeymoon or destination wedding Friends and family can gift once-in-a-lifetime memories such as upgraded accommodations a couplesrsquo massage and dinner reservations or memorable excursions such as swimming with the dolphins a wine tasting in Tuscany or a helicopter tour over the beautiful islands of Hawaii ldquoThis partnership is a win-win for our vacation specialists and for their clientsrdquo said Rosemarie Reed vice president of marketing for CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoHoneymoon Wishes enables engaged couples to create and organize their honeymoon wish list on a customized website while their travel agent can easily book and earn commission on excursions and gifts as they are purchasedrdquo Engaged couples can customize requested gift amounts to ensure that everyone can find a gift or experience that fits their budget When a wedding present is purchased using Honeymoon Wishes the couple will receive an online gift announcement with a personalized message from the sender Customized deluxe gift cards can also be mailed either directly to the happy couple or to the guest so that they can be presented at the wedding or shower The Honeymoon Wishes partnership is one component of CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo multi-tiered marketing program which ensures that its franchisees are always in front of existing and potential customers The company boasts several free marketing programs for its network of franchisees including an innovative travel video library an automated social media program and weekly email distributions on behalf of its vacation specialists highlighting consumer promotions travel tips and more CruiseOne Dream Vacations has an invested interest in lead generation to increase brand awareness generate new clients and drive continuous people to agentsrsquo individual websites
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
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Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
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Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
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JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
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rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
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Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
People with a passion for travel who want to learn more information about franchising opportunities with CruiseOne Dream Vacations should visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
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Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
search
Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
Press Release
Military Veterans Can Begin Next Tour of Duty as Travel Franchise Owner
Fifth annual CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own
Generalrdquo contest deploys on Memorial Day awarding five complimentary franchises Fort Lauderdale Fla (May 30 2016) ndash According to the American Council on Education approximately 15 million service members will be transitioning out of the military in the next three to five years and will be seeking employment opportunities Owning a home-based franchise provides veterans flexibility to maximize family time while earning a living For the fifth year in a row home-based travel franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacations will be hosting its annual ldquoOperation Vetrepreneur Become Your Own Generalrdquo contest which has given away $250000 in franchise opportunities to 20 military veterans since inception Military veterans interested in an adventure with a new career selling all types travel experiences from the comfort of their home can enter the contest beginning Memorial Day Monday May 30 2016 through Thursday Sept 1 2016 ldquoFranchising is an appealing career move for military veterans who have been out of service for many years and for those who have recently transitioned because of their leadership skills the system-based model ongoing training opportunities and familial atmosphererdquo said Tim Courtney vice president of franchise development and ambassador of veteran affairs for CruiseOne Dream Vacations The CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the US military (Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired off active duty andor honorably discharged prior to the contest start date To participate candidates must complete an online entry form by Thursday Sept 1 2016 The form and all contest details can be found at wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or on the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo Facebook page wwwFacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise Candidates will participate in three rounds of judging First they will participate in a phone interview with a CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise development specialist Semi-finalists will be required to submit a franchise application business plan video and resume all of which will be scored by the CruiseOne Dream Vacations executive team Final candidates will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before winners are selected Five winners will be notified in September 2016 Each grand prize is valued at $12700 and includes a complimentary CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees The new recruits will report for active duty in November when they participate in a weeklong franchise training boot camp at the CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo state-of-the-art world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Fla Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel and provided with complimentary accommodations during the training program Once training is completed winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their dream business creating dream vacations ldquoMilitary veterans are such an important member of society that we are honored to have the opportunity to ease their transition to civilian life and make their business dreams become a
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
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Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
search
Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
realityrdquo said Debbie Fiorino senior vice president of CruiseOne Dream Vacations ldquoPlus they have the option to select and operate as a brand that reflects what they truly want to sellrdquo A member of the International Franchise Associationrsquos (IFA) VetFran initiative CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to giving back to the military community and offers many incentive programs including a 20 percent discount off the franchise fee and additional discounts for hiring former members of the US military or active-duty military spouses as associates More than 30 percent of the home-based travel franchise system are military veterans or active-duty spouses Consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a military-friendly franchise CruiseOne Dream Vacationsrsquo accolades include a number one ranking the past two years in a row by Military Times in its ldquoBest for Vets Franchisesrdquo list inclusion on GI Jobs annual ldquoHot Franchises for Veteransrdquo the past six years and recognition by MSC Cruises in its first-ever Seaside Salute Award Additional accolades include being named ldquoTop 10 Military Friendly Franchiserdquo by Forbes ldquoTop Veteran-Friendly Franchiserdquo by Entrepreneur and US Veterans magazines and inclusion on USA Todayrsquos ldquo50 Top Franchises for Military Veteransrdquo ldquoI love being a travel specialist with CruiseOne Dream Vacations because of their strong commitment to the travel industry and their never ending support to the agents regardless if it is your first day or you have been with them for a decaderdquo said Army Veteran and Franchise Owner Mattie Johnson ldquoMost importantly CruiseOne Dream Vacations honors veterans on a level which changes liveshellipmine has definitely changed for the better as a 2015 Operation Vetrepreneur honoreerdquo
CruiseOne Dream Vacations is committed to being ldquoRich in Diversityrdquo and empowers all owners agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent experiences personalities viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurism who are interested in opening a CruiseOne Dream Vacations travel franchise please visit wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom or call 888-249-8235 About CruiseOnereg Dream Vacations In operation since 1992 the home-based travel franchise CruiseOnereg is ranked in the top three percent of all franchises worldwide and is a member of the International Franchise Association Dream Vacations was launched in April 2016 As part of World Travel Holdings CruiseOne Dream Vacations franchisees are able to offer their customers the lowest possible pricing on vacations with its 100 percent ldquoBest Price and Satisfaction Guaranteerdquo CruiseOne has received partner of the year a top-ranking status by all the major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Linereg Royal Caribbean Internationalreg Celebrity Cruisesreg and Carnivalreg Cruise Lines For more information on CruiseOne Dream Vacations visit wwwDreamVacationsFranchisecom Like CruiseOne Dream Vacations on Facebook at wwwfacebookcomDreamVacationsFranchise and follow us on Twitter at Dream_Franchise Begins May 30 2016 at 1201 am ET and ends September 1 2016 at 1159 pm ET Void where prohibited by law Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest have a computer and internet connection be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the five branches of the US military who is retired off active duty andor was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest If selected as winners Contestants must commit to a 5-year CruiseOne home-based franchise which requires attendance at a 6-day New Franchisee Training Class in Ft Lauderdale FL and a starting investment capital (for more information go to wwwcruiseonefranchisecom or call 888-441-2542) Only one (1) submission per contestant To enter complete the online entry form available on our Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomcruiseonefranchise) or on our website
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
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Delivered daily the Daily Newsletter covers todays newson new product launches deals sales promotions andexecutive appointments
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
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bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
bull Pitching Pools Caribbean-Bound Millennials WillLove These Pools
bull Europe and Terrorism Mixed Signs Ahead for Traveland Tourism
bull New Oasis Class Ship for Royal Caribbean Two NewEdge Class Ships for Celebrity
bull How to Connect With Millennial Travelers on SocialMedia
Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
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țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
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čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
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rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For all media inquiries please contact mediawthcom
(wwwoperationvetrepreneurcom) If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview Semi-Finalists must submit a reacutesumeacute CruiseOne franchise application and 1200 words-2200 words business plan Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules Only complete valid submissions will be accepted Sponsored by CruiseOne Inc 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd Ste 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 See [wwwOperationVetrepreneurcom] for complete Rules and details
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
SAMPLE | ALL NEWSLETTERS
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
email address Subscribe Now
Destinations Suppliers Owners and Managers Trips amp Activities Industry Deals Education Focus Series Digital Editions Video Social Media
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
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Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
Best for Vets Franchises 2016The story | The methodology
We invited franchise brands across the country to complete a rigorous survey telling us about their companies as well as theiraccommodations for service members and veterans The rankings were created based on the answers provided to questions about the
companys culture the performance of franchise units the costs associated with franchising and the financial and other support offered toveteran and activeshyduty service members and their families
2014 franchisedunits 3shyyear continuity rate 3shyyear growth rate
Rank BrandIndustry
orservice
Franchisingsince Total Vetshy
owned Overall Vetshyowned Overall Vetshy
ownedInitial
investment
Franchisefee
discount
1 CruiseOne Travel 1992 922 276 93 90 9 37 $3245shy$21850 20
2 TSSPhotography
Art photography journalism
1984 200 20 90 74 shy3 shy1 $35940shy$74215 $5000
3 SnapshyonTools Automotive 1990 3267 406 93 94 1 shy2 $159742shy
$316254 mdash
4
ACFN theATMFranchiseBusiness
Banking financialservices
2003 246 38 92 100 10 28 $40400shy$67815 $1000
5 Sport ClipsHaircuts
Beauty wellness grooming
1995 1272 126 100 100 16 17 $168300shy$326500 20
6 BudgetBlinds
Home deacutecorand kitchen 1994 833 49 98 93 7 47 $89240shy
$187070 $15000
7 BoulderDesigns
Signage stone
products2008 58 12 91 100 shy7 21 $71650shy$83800 $5000
8 MassageEnvy Spa
Health care healthservices
2003 1051 42 100 100 4 12 88 4$413700shy$960850 $5000
9HouseMasterHomeInspections
Real estate property
management1979 282 7 91 5 100 shy4 5 21
$61100shy$107900 5
15
10 US Lawns Landscaping 1986 264 28 93 97 2 12 $51500shy$79300 $5000
11 Matco Tools Automotive 1993 1535 124 89 87 2 67 $85229shy$247710 mdash
12 SurfaceSpecialists
Repair maintenance 1982 44 10 98 100 2 0 $43200shy$56000 20
13 BatteriesPlus Bulbs Retail 1992 598 76 99 100 9 8 $215061shy
$389037 $10000
14Always BestCare SeniorServices
Senior care 2007 197 25 91 95 6 16 $62225shy$111400 5
15 FastsignsInternational
Printing publishing 1986 506 56 99 100 4 4 $164753shy
$299874 50
16 HomeVestorsof America
Real estate property
management1996 452 31 90 67 42 54 $81000shy
$347250 10
17
Office PrideCommercialCleaningServices
Repair maintenance 1996 120 12 89 no data 0 no data $51400shy
$100100 10
18 Sparkle Wash
Pressurewashing surface
restoration1967 93 4 96 5 92 shy3 5 0
$77950shy$100950 5
$5000
HOME WASHINGTON BEST FOR VETS BENEFITS CENTER OFFDUTY
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
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bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
bull Royal Caribbeanrsquos Empress of the Seas WrapsRenovations
bull The Cool Pool of the Week The Nude Pool atHedonism II in Negril Jamaica
bull The Top Cruise Trend for 2016 Travel Agents
bull First Look Carnival Vistas New Spaces NewAccommodations
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Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
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Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
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Dream Vacations Launches AgencyOwners Reveal Why Theyve Switched
By Susan Young | April 11 2016Dream Vacations a new CruiseOne company owned by World Travel Holdings o䐏硌cially launched on Friday with ribboncutting festivities in Fort Lauderdale Three former CruiseOne agency owners tell us why theyve opted for the new DreamVacations branding and what their customers are saying
Filed under Cruises mobile-feature Owners and Managers small ship cruises marketing Running Your Business sales Industry
Celebrating the launch of Dream Vacations at the new brands Fort Lauderdale headquarters building are its executive team membersLeft to right are Tim Courtney Rosemarie Reed Debbie Fiorino Brad Tolkin (co-chairmanCEO World Travel Holdings) Joelle Delva Sandi
Szalay and Drew Daly
Friday was the o䐏硌cial launch day for Dream Vacations a new travel agency brand thatrsquos aCruiseOne company under the World Travel Holdings umbrella The organizationcelebrated its big day with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Bruce Roberts FortLauderdale commissioner and Gwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative
Also attending were Glenn Wiltshire deputy director of Port Everglades and Vicki Freedsenior vice president of sales trade support and service Royal Caribbean International
In addition to remarks from company leaders the ceremony featured CommissionerRoberts proclaiming it ldquoDream Vacations Dayrdquo in Fort Lauderdale
The launch of the new brand is designed to assist any CruiseOne franchise agencies whosell a sizable amount of land travel and may desire their companys name and publicpersona to re䐌夘ect a more broad-based travel portfolio
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Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
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The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
bull First Look Carnival Vistas Dining and Technology
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Monica Calenda has switched from CruiseOne to DreamVacations branding
Left to right Caitlan Etchevers Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitorrsquos Bureau Glenn Wiltshire deputy director Port EvergladesGwendolen Clarke-Reed Florida state representative Debbie Fiorino senior vice president Dream Vacations Brad Tolkin co-
chairmanCEO of World Travel Holdings Bruce Roberts city commissioner Fort Lauderdale Drew Daly general manager of networkengagement and performance Dream Vacations
Making the Switch
CruiseOne announced the planned launch ofDream Vacations last fall onboard NorwegianEscape during the CruiseOne and Cruises Incannual conference
Since then franchise owners have beenevaluating whether its best for their businessmodel to stay with the CruiseOne branding orto switch to Dream Vacations Switching istotally voluntary It really depends on thebusiness model of the agency
What do suppliers think Freed says the newname has advantages -- most notably broadening the reach of agencies to draw inpotential customers who may want a vacation on land
While that may seem a bit surprising for a cruise executive to say theres a goodreason The cruise industry is anxious to get more 䐋렪rst timers to try cruising Freedemphasizes Therefore once a client has purchased a land-based vacation we rely on thetravel advisor to introduce cruising to many non-cruisers
She believes that having skilled cruise sellers who sell the client a land-based vacation maymean that for their next vacation the agent may be successful in tempting the customer totry cruising Once they sail the repeat rate is very high
Freed also believes the new name could keep clients loyal to the travel agent who has soldthem a cruise when that same customer decides to cheat on the cruise industry and booka land-based vacation Simply put not all clients may wish to cruise all the time theycould love cruising but desire once in awhile to try a tour or all-inclusive resort
CruiseOne agents have told us over the years that their loyal clients often head for adi䐑䭛erent agency when they want to buy a land product When asked why the client tellsthem I didnt think you sold that type of vacation
Three Agency Owners Sound O䐑䭛
Travel Agent talked with three former CruiseOne agencies around the country about whythey made the change to Dream Vacations and what the reaction has been thus far
Larkspur CO Switching to Dream Vacations was the best business decision I ever maderdquosays Monica Calenda a former CruiseOne agency owner whorsquos now marketing under thenew monicker ldquoI have been receiving so many calls since I started posting about ourtransition
Calenda says she knew that would be the reaction of new and existing customers Peopleneeded to know I could help them with more than cruises and now they do she says
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
Alan Rosenbaum a Dream Vacations franchise owner
Chris and Cheryl Schubert owners of a Dream Vacationsfranchise
Johns Creek GA For more than 12 years AlanRosenbaum has been selling travel under theCruiseOne name ldquoThis was great at 䐋렪rst whenall I sold was cruises but as our portfolio grewto include all things related to vacations thename just didnrsquot workrdquo he says
His clients just never remembered that he was avacation specialist not simply a cruisespecialist So he took the plunge to the newbranding
ldquoAs it turns out the publicity surrounding therebranding has generated a lot of interest from
new potential customers as well as existing clients who thought I only sold cruises and nowwant me to book their other vacationsrdquo Rosenbaum stresses
Wesley Chapel FL ldquoWe decided to make the change from CruiseOne to Dream Vacationsbecause over the prior six years as a franchise our clients thought we only sold cruisesrdquosays Chris Schubert
He believes that with the name change to Dream Vacations his agency will be recognized asthe ldquogo-to teamrdquo for all types of vacations not just cruises Schubertrsquos view ldquoThe namechange will help us propel our business to the next level and we are up for the challengerdquo
A New Brand
The launch of Dream Vacations kicked o䐑䭛 Fridaywith a ribbon cutting at the CruiseOne andCruises Inc o䐏硌ces in Fort Lauderdale FL Allthree brands are owned by World TravelHoldings
ldquoThe ribbon cutting was a celebration of thehard work and dedication that our teamdevoted to launching this new brandrdquo saidDebbie Fiorino senior vice president DreamVacations ldquoIt was an honor receiving aproclamation from Commissioner Roberts andsharing the moment with local franchisees andtravel industry executivesrdquo
I like Dream Vacations since the name clearly de䐋렪nes what cruising delivers and oursegment [of the travel industry] is the ultimate dream vacation Freed added pointing tothe cruise industrys high level of guest satisfaction in industry surveys
In addition to Fridays ribbon cutting the new franchise celebrated its launch by partneringwith Celebrity Cruises and resort partners Apple Vacations and GOGO Vacations to hostfood truck takeovers in New York California South Florida and other markets throughoutthe US
Dream Vacations new consumer website is wwwdreamvacationscom while agentsinterested in learning more about the new franchise canvisit wwwdreamvacationsfranchisecom
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
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Comment on this story
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
For the first time in at least threeyears travel agent didnrsquot makeKiplingerrsquos annual list of ldquoWorst JobsFor the Futurerdquo The negative pressshouldnrsquot be surprising The idea thatentire industries were ripe fordisintermediation was a popular earlydecade theory with DotCom punditsand travel agents still suffer fromlingering reports of their demise
Trends towards experiential travel as well as friends andfamily groups are pushing time pressed Millennials from theInternet back to travel agents Travel agent is becoming ahot second career (AP PhotoKent Gilbert File)
Even in the industry at one point themood was sour Matthew Upchurchthe chairman of Virtuoso a network ofluxury travel advisors recalls anindustry survey around 2000 thatshowed only 15 percent of travelagents said they would recommendtheir profession to friends and family
The SuperyachtIndustry Is PoisedFor Growth
JetSuiteX to LaunchScheduled Flights inthe West Can aPrivate Jet Airline
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
The American Society of TravelAgents a trade association sayscurrent Labor Bureau statistics miss40 percent of the agent populationwho work as independent contractorsinstead of fullshytime employees thusproviding more fodder for uninformedreports
However times change Becoming atravel advisor is considered a hot jobtoday particularly as a career changeAfter all with the proliferation ofsocial media sharing whatrsquos moreglamorous than showing off to yourfriends and family as you post picturesfrom five star resorts in exotic localesLawyers accountants mortgagebrokers pharmaceutical sales repsreal estate agents journalists TVreporters and even hotel and airlineexecutives are becoming traveladvisors buying travel agencies andtaking up senior positions with agencygroups
Six years ago Sylvia Betesh Lebovitchtraded a $50000 per year job at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital as aregistered nutritionist to become atravel advisor with Ovation Vacations
A survey by Virtuoso released lastweek showed that 36 percent of ldquotopproducersrdquo earn over $100000 StacySmall a former journalist andmagazine editor who has grown heragency to a team of 20 independentcontractors says topshyproducing agents
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
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2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
can earn between $250000 and$500000 per year
The proliferation of new brands on land and at sea such asFathom from Carnival Corporation is making it harder forconsumers to sort through all the options on their ownResearch shows use of traditional travel agents is on the rise(Credit PRNewsFotoCarnival Corporation)
ldquoYou really get to make dreams cometrue You are helping people planexperiences that they will rememberfor the rest of their lifetime InNutrition yoursquore the one telling themlsquodonrsquot do this eat thisrsquo or lsquoeat more ofthisrsquo and for the most part itrsquos stuffthey already know and donrsquot want tohearrdquo says Betsch Lebovitch PaulaKaisner was a telecommunicationsexecutive for 15 years before becominga travel agent ldquoAfter college I fell intothe tech world but it didnrsquot suit mypersonality I was good at what I did Iwas good with customers I was goodwith management I was good with theteam but I would go home and feellike I wasnrsquot doing anything that gaveme a fire in my bellyrdquo she says
While building a client base isparamount agents say in many casesthere is more demand than they can
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
personally handle Betsch Lebovitchsays she relies entirely on referrals
That could be because moreconsumers are seemingly gettingfrustrated with booking onlineResearch shows consumersparticularly Millennials are turningaway from their smartphones and totravel agents in record numbers andsmart agents are using social media togenerate bookings from followers Astudy of American travelers conductedby MMGY Worldwide shows growth intravel agent demand for four straightyears with the wired generationshowing the highest rate of growth
Experts say consumer demand fortravel agents is being driven by amyriad of factors Complicated pricingand a myriad of arcane rules andregulations make booking travelonline a risky proposition even forrelatively easy trips
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
When things go wrong using a good travel agent can savehours on hold and get you moving faster than bookingdirectly with suppliers or via Online TravelAgencies (Credit CHRISTOF STACHEAFPGetty Images)
The trend towards experiential travelmeans that booking a vacation is morecomplicated than searching for thebest deal for a bed and airline ticketFriends and family groups can bedifficult to book online especially ifyou are the one charged withcoordinating the game plan for amyriad of uncles aunts cousins theirspouses boyfriends and girlfriendsand their range of demands
When strikes weather disruptions andterrorism impacts airline schedulesconsumers often find being able to textor call a real person who knows them
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
for help can save hours on hold At thesame time good agents who oftenknow about disruptions before theircustomers are able to reroute clientsbefore they even know their flight wasimpacted
On the supplier side the growth innew hotel and cruise concepts brandsand unbranded lifestyle hotels meanthat choosing the right vendor hasbecome more complicated Reviewsites like Trip Advisor and CruiseCritic can feature over a thousandreviews on a single property or shipwith the difference between a Goodand Poor rating related to what theguest was expecting Travel advisorssay one of their most importantfunctions is to know the products theysell so they can better pair your needsto the right product
ldquoWersquore like a matchmakerrdquo saysSmall ldquoEach trip is its almost likesetting your client up on a date soreally knowing the hotel and cruiseproducts and different styles to knowitrsquos right them is criticalrdquo
If there is truth to the old adage ldquoItrsquosnot what you know itrsquos who youknowrdquo you can check another box fortodayrsquos travel agents In addition tospending as much as half of the yeartraveling to scout hotels anddestinations many attend a variety ofconferences where they network withmanagers of hotels and executives of
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
suppliers that they sell or want theirbookings The net effect is they gatherhundreds of business cards providingexecutive contacts that can help withspecial arrangements for somethingsuch as an anniversary or sort outproblems when they occur
With Millennials having a highincidence of both partners workingand business today often meaningyour boss is texting or emailing youafter hours there is just less time to doit yourself Whatrsquos more according tothe World Travel amp Tourism Counciltravel is a growth industry accountingfor about nine percent of globalemployment and over seven trilliondollars in annual revenue
Another factor making being a travelagent an attractive profession is youno longer have to sit at a desk in anoffice all day staring into a computerscreen waiting for clients to walk inSmall who focuses on luxury traveland counts a number of Hollywoodand Silicon Valley elite in her clientbase says in some cases she has nevermet them in person just dealing withthem by phone text and instantmessage A leader in using socialmedia she travels frequently postingpictures to Instagram Twitter andFacebook Current clients email herback to book the villas and suites sheposts and refer friends to follow herwho often end up becoming clients In
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
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Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
fact like doctors of yesteryear shemakes house calls from time to time tomeet with clients
Kaisner who is a franchisee for DreamVacations in Austin Texas got startedafter she and her husband both cruiseenthusiasts met another franchisee ona cruise She says having a thick skinand realizing not everyone is going tobook with you is critical She addsbeing out in your community andnetworking is the key to growingbusiness She has wrapped her car andher laptop with promotion for heragency rdquoIrsquove had people come up tome in a coffee shop whorsquove becomecustomers I play in a tennis leagueand itrsquos surprising how much travelIrsquove been able to sell to people who Imeetrdquo she says Kaisner adds she alsoadvertises in community media whichshe says gives her an edge because itmakes people more comfortableapproaching her to talk about travel
At the same time being a traveladvisor is not simply visiting luxuryresorts and lounging on the beachAgents say when they travel their daysare long walking through hotels to seethe different room types taking notesof which ones have the best views aswell as ones they put on their ldquodo notsellrdquo lists because of anything fromexcessive restaurant noise to aldquoGarden Viewrdquo which includes aparking garage Visiting the spa
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
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Comment on this story
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
doesnrsquot mean getting treatments butinstead listening and learning aboutthe offerings and ascertaining who thebest therapists are so they can makesure their clients get appointmentswith the best masseuses Dinner mightbe appetizers in one restaurant maincourse in a second and desert in athird so they can sample all elementsof a resortrsquos offerings taking note ofthe best tables for large family groupsthe views from different private roomsas well as the best tables for romanceItrsquos the type of information that canmake or break a vacation but is hardto find Then there is networking withthe concierge again to have apersonal relationship when they needto call in a favor for a VIP After a dayor two itrsquos usually onto the next hotelto do the same
In between touring and posting topictures to social media advisors areon their smartphones answering clientquestions and requests and makingbookings Jack Ezon is a former lawyerand day trader helped Ovation Travela corporate agency launch OvationVacations in 2005 The division todaygenerates $325 million in sales Hesays ldquoWhen you go away you may bein these amazing places (but) asuccessful advisor is doing two jobs atonce Experiencing the destinationand then working for seven or eighthours servicing customers You stayup until 2 am working Itrsquos a
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
SEE ALSOWORK
WORK
HIGH
THE BEST
HIGH
SPORTS
TOP 10
SPORTS
From the Web
1 Easy Exercise ThatFixes DiabetesSMART BLOOD SUGAR
Donald TrumpsBrilliant Advice ForPaying Off Mortgage(Its Genius)BILLSCOM
Anxiety CannabisExtract Now Legalin FLHEALTHY REPORT
4 Stages of a HeartAttack shy Find Out IfYoure At RiskPRINCETON NUTRIENTS
donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
Ads by Revcontent
2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
professional business Itrsquos not avacationrdquo
Mike Batt is a former senior executivewith British Airways who came fromconsumer goods Today he ischairman of Travel Leaders thelargest group of travel agencies in theUS He says ldquoWhen I first entered thetravel agency business some 20 yearsago most of my friends thought Irsquodlost my mind and I was warnedrepeatedly that declining airlinecommissions and the rise of theInternet would simply eliminate theneed for travel agents Looking backitrsquos hard to believe that the company Ijoined in 1996 with $2 billion in travelsales grew to $6 billion by 2007 andfollowing a management buyout in2008 has now grown to more than$20 billion in sales Quite anachievement for a business that wassupposed to be destined for thedustbinrdquo Last month Travel Leadersadded Gail Grimmett a senior vicepresident at Delta Air Lines who wastapped to build the grouprsquos luxurybusiness for its Protravel and Tzellunits
If you are interested in becoming atravel advisor two key attributes are apassion for travel and providing a highlevel of service The other experts sayis the ability to take a salary cut for ayear or so as you learn and build upyour roster of customers
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
SEE ALSOWORK
WORK
HIGH
THE BEST
HIGH
SPORTS
TOP 10
SPORTS
From the Web
1 Easy Exercise ThatFixes DiabetesSMART BLOOD SUGAR
Donald TrumpsBrilliant Advice ForPaying Off Mortgage(Its Genius)BILLSCOM
Anxiety CannabisExtract Now Legalin FLHEALTHY REPORT
4 Stages of a HeartAttack shy Find Out IfYoure At RiskPRINCETON NUTRIENTS
donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
Ads by Revcontent
2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
Betesh Lebovitch says she worked fora year with Ovation as a ldquoconciergerdquo asort of apprentice trainee positionmeaning she took care of all the detailsfor trips that travel advisors hadplanned ldquoIt was an amazing way tolearn the detailsrdquo
The Virtuoso survey reports 38percent of respondents said it takes 2shy3 years for a new advisor to reach theearnings level of an establishedadvisor whereas 36 percent said ittook 3shy5 years Some 15 percent wereable to achieve income parity in undertwo years
Of course the draw is a career thatprovides fulfillment ldquoI wanted to dosomething I would be excited aboutrdquosays Ezon ldquoI didnrsquot mind working 20hours a dayrdquo
Agents also say itrsquos important not tounderestimate how complicated theindustry can be and although it ispossible to be a travel advisor andoutsource airline reservations to aticketing expert most advisors sayingbeing proficient in booking airlineseats is critical in making sure clientsget the best fares preferred seats andare rebooked efficiently when thingsgo wrong
While having traveled a lot may behelpful in getting started Ezon saysitrsquos not a requirement He says one ofthe biggest challenges in the luxury
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
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donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
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čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
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İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
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qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
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țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
space is getting new advisors tounderstand that customers arenrsquotalways looking for the cheapest priceand in fact many are willing to paymore to get a particular room or suiteor to have a special memorableexperience ldquoSome vacations wearrange may cost five times yourfatherrsquos salaryrdquo he says Ezon addsbeing resourceful is a must whileSmall adds the ability to multitask iscritical
Small says that your current careerbrings valuable experience She saysaccountants and financial plannerstend to be very well organized whilejournalists and public relations execsare creative executives from hotelsand airlines have insider industryknowledge while salespeople and realestate agents are outgoing andcomfortable networking to build theircustomer base
For those that make the switch theyare joining an industry where 55percent of advisors say their paycheckhas grown by at least 10 percent thepast five years According to Virtuoso67 percent of agencies are planning tohire new agents in the coming yearand while compensation methodsvary 41 percent say pay is a mix ofmainly salary furthered bycommissions Thirtyshyfive percent payvia salary only while 35 percent areeither straight commission or mainly
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
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ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
commission Of agencies not hiring43 percent said itrsquos due to not findingqualified staff meaning if you show upwith a positive attitude therersquos a goodchance you will find an agency willingto give you a chance
Travel agent is a popular secondcareer with entrepreneurs andcorporate types who have theentrepreneurial bug While earningsmay be slow at the start there arenrsquotstartshyup costs such as office spacehiring staff build outs or rentingmachinery Itrsquos easy to affiliate with anexisting agency as an independentcontractor as you get your feet wetand some agents like Small then moveon to start their own businesses astheir revenue stream grows
The industry has been surprisinglydurable Virtuoso statistics show 42percent of advisors started in thebusiness over the past 15 yearsmeaning that despite the many storiesabout agents being dinosaurs therewas still a very strong draw
As yoursquore getting started agents saythere is plentiful industry trainingparticularly on products anddestinations however Small addsequally important is being a skilledcloser so people donrsquot just use you togain information as part of their do ityourself exercise If you do want tobecome a travel advisor BeteshLebovitch advises ldquoMake sure you
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
SEE ALSOWORK
WORK
HIGH
THE BEST
HIGH
SPORTS
TOP 10
SPORTS
From the Web
1 Easy Exercise ThatFixes DiabetesSMART BLOOD SUGAR
Donald TrumpsBrilliant Advice ForPaying Off Mortgage(Its Genius)BILLSCOM
Anxiety CannabisExtract Now Legalin FLHEALTHY REPORT
4 Stages of a HeartAttack shy Find Out IfYoure At RiskPRINCETON NUTRIENTS
donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
Ads by Revcontent
2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
Reprints amp
Permissions Report Corrections
Comment on this story
SEE ALSOWORK
WORK
HIGH
THE BEST
HIGH
SPORTS
TOP 10
SPORTS
From the Web
1 Easy Exercise ThatFixes DiabetesSMART BLOOD SUGAR
Donald TrumpsBrilliant Advice ForPaying Off Mortgage(Its Genius)BILLSCOM
Anxiety CannabisExtract Now Legalin FLHEALTHY REPORT
4 Stages of a HeartAttack shy Find Out IfYoure At RiskPRINCETON NUTRIENTS
donrsquot mind packing and unpackinghellipalotrdquo
Doug Gollan is Founder and EditorshyinshyChief of DG Amazing Experiencesan eshynewsletter for private jetowners
Follow me on TwitterelitetravelerDG or visit my blog atdouggollancom
Ads by Revcontent
2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
2015 řěvěňųě 2016 přǿjěčțįǿň $31 mįŀŀįǿň $33 mįŀŀįǿň
2016 přǿjěčțěđ ǻňňųǻŀ ģřǿẅțħ řǻțě ŇǺ
Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț mǻđě ħěř fǿřǻỳ įňțǿ țħě čřųįșě bųșįňěșș įň 1989
ẅħěň șħě běčǻmě ǻň įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř fǿř Čřųįșěș İňč ǻ
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǻřřǻňģěș čřųįșě vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Șħě ŀįķěđ
țħě ẅǿřķ ǻňđ đįđ įț fǿř ňěǻřŀỳ 20 ỳěǻřș bųț įň 2007 șħě đěčįđěđ
țħǻț șħě ẅǻňțěđ țǿ bě įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǿf ħěř ǿẅň đěșțįňỳ Țħě pǻřěňț
čǿmpǻňỳ țħǻț ǿẅňș Čřųįșěș mdash Ẅǿřŀđ Țřǻvěŀ Ħǿŀđįňģș mdash ǿẅňș
țħě ħǿmě-bǻșěđ fřǻňčħįșě ǻřm ČřųįșěǾňě ǻňđ Bǿbbỳě ǻňđ ħěř
ħųșbǻňđ Řǿběřț đěčįđěđ țǿ bųỳ ǿňě
İ ŀįķě běįňģ įň čǿňțřǿŀ ǻňđ ķňǿẅįňģ țħǻț ģǿǿđ ǿř bǻđ ẅěřě țħě
ǿňěș mǻķįňģ țħě đěčįșįǿňș ǻňđ ģřǿẅįňģ țħě bųșįňěșș șħě șǻįđ
Țħě đěčįșįǿň țǿ șįģň ǿň ẅįțħ ČřųįșěǾňě ẅǻș fǻįřŀỳ șįmpŀě ģįvěň
țħǻț șħě ẅǻș fǻmįŀįǻř ẅįțħ țħě čǿmpǻňỳ ǻňđ ŀįķěđ țħě
mǻňǻģěměňț țěǻm Țħěỳ ǻřě ǻŀẅǻỳș ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě țǿ ǻňșẅěř
qųěșțįǿňș ẅħěțħěř įțș șǿměțħįňģ șįŀŀỳ ŀįķě ǻň ěmǻįŀ přǿbŀěm
ǿř įf țħěřě ǻřě qųěșțįǿňș ǻbǿųț đįffěřěňț čřųįșě pǻčķǻģěș șħě
șǻįđ Ǻŀțħǿųģħ ČřųįșěǾňě fřǻňčħįșěěș čǻň ǻŀșǿ bǿǿķ ŀǻňđ
vǻčǻțįǿňș fǿř čŀįěňțș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ șħě ǻňđ ħěř ħųșbǻňđ đěčįđěđ
țǿ șpěčįǻŀįżě įň čřųįșěș ǻđđįňģ İ jųșț ŀǿvě țħěm
Ǻđđįțįǿňǻŀ fřǻňčħįșěě řěșǿųřčěș
rsaquo Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș fǿř bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđ fřǻňčħįșě
rsaquo Țħě bįģģěșț fřǻňčħįșě řěđ fŀǻģș
rsaquo Fřǻňčħįșěěș Pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ǿvěř țħěșě fřǻňčħįșě čǿňțřǻčț țěřmș
rsaquo Đǿ ỳǿų ķňǿẅ ẅħǻț įț țǻķěș țǿ mǻķě fřǻňčħįșě mįŀŀįǿňș Qųįż
rsaquo Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș přǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
rsaquo Țǿp 5 fřǻňčħįșěș ǿẅňěđ įň ěǻčħ ŲȘ șțǻțě İňțěřǻčțįvě mǻp
rsaquo Ħǿẅ ẅě čħǿșě Ǻměřįčǻrsquoș Șțǻř Fřǻňčħįșěěș Měțħǿđǿŀǿģỳ
Ǿf čǿųřșě mǻňǻģįňģ țħě ẅǿřķŀǿǻđ ǿf ǻň ěxpǻňđįňģ bųșįňěșș
čǻň fěěŀ ǿvěřẅħěŀmįňģ ǻț țįměș Bǿbbỳě șǻįđ Ẅħěň İ ẅǻș ǻň
įňđěpěňđěňț čǿňțřǻčțǿř ǻŀŀ mỳ bįŀŀįňģ ǻňđ pǻỳměňț fųňčțįǿňș
ẅěřě ħǻňđŀěđ bỳ țħě pǻřěňț čǿmpǻňỳ șħě șǻįđ Ŀěǻřňįňģ țǿ
ħǻňđŀě țħǻț ǻș ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěř ẅǻș ǻ ňěẅ șķįŀŀ bųț șįňčě șħě
ħǻđ ǻ ģǿǿđ řǻppǿřț ẅįțħ țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř țħě ģřǿẅįňģ pǻįňș ẅěřě
ŀěșș șěvěřě șħě čŀǻįměđ Țǿđǻỳ ħěř bųșįňěșș įș ǿň țřǻčķ țǿ ěǻřň
mǿřě țħǻň $3 mįŀŀįǿň įň řěvěňųěș Ǻbǿųț 85 pěřčěňț ǿf ħěř
bǿǿķįňģș ǻřě fřǿm řěpěǻț čųșțǿměřș
Ěmǻįŀ (Řěqųįřěđ)
ȘŲBMİȚ
9 ŀǿẅ-čǿșț fřǻňčħįșěș țħǻț čǻň mǻķě ỳǿų ǻmįŀŀįǿňǻįřě
Ǻřě ỳǿų řěǻđỳ țǿ șțǻřț ǻ fřǻňčħįșě Ǻňșẅěřțħěșě 10 qųěșțįǿňș
Țħįș $15Ț ŲȘ įňđųșțřỳ ħǻș ǻ řěģųŀǻțǿřỳțǻřģěț ǿň įțș bǻčķ
Țħě ħǻřđ țřųțħ ǻbǿųț fřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșșpřǿfįțǻbįŀįțỳ
8 řěđ fŀǻģș țǿ ẅǻțčħ įf ỳǿųřě bųỳįňģ ǻfřǻňčħįșě
Ẅħěň ǻňđ ħǿẅ țǿ pŀǻỳ ħǻřđbǻŀŀ ẅįțħ ǻfřǻňčħįșě čǿřpǿřǻțįǿň
10 Bųřįěđ șěčřěțș țǿ bųỳįňģ ǻ ģǿǿđfřǻňčħįșě bųșįňěșș
ČǾŇȚǺČȚ ǺMĚŘİČǺȘ ȘȚǺŘ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚĚȘ
ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚ FŘĚĚ ČŇBČ MǺĶĚ İȚŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘ
Ǻ đǻįŀỳ ěmǻįŀ fǿř đřěǻměřș đǿěřș ǻňđ ģǻměčħǻňģěřș
Ģěț țħįș đěŀįvěřěđ țǿ ỳǿųř įňbǿx ǻňđ mǿřě įňfǿ ǻbǿųț ǿųřpřǿđųčțș ǻňđ șěřvįčěș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
MǺĶĚ İȚ rsaquo
Ẅǿmǻň țřǻđěș Ẅǻŀŀ Șț čǻřěěř fǿřẅįňěȘħǻřǿň Șěvřěňș ŀěfț Měřřįŀŀ Ŀỳňčħ ǻňđđįșčǿvěřěđ ǻ ňěẅ pǻșșįǿň įň ǻ ģŀǻșș ǿf ẅįňě
Bįŀŀįǿňǻįřěș șěčřěțș țǿ șųččěșșĦǿșpįțǻŀįțỳ mǿģųŀ Țįŀmǻň Fěřțįțțǻ șħǻřěș ķěỳŀěșșǿňș ỳǿų ẅǿňț ŀěǻřň įň bųșįňěșș șčħǿǿŀ
Fřǿm měǻțbǻŀŀș țǿ $21M ěmpįřěMěǻțbǻŀŀ Șħǿpș Đǻňįěŀ Ħǿŀżmǻň ǻňđ MįčħǻěŀČħěřňǿẅ bųįŀț ǻň ěmpįřě ǿň ǻ șįmpŀě đįșħŇǿẅ țħěįř řěșțǻųřǻňțș čǿǿķ ųp mǿřě țħǻň $21mįŀŀįǿň ǻ ỳěǻř
MǾȘȚ PǾPŲĿǺŘ
Șįňčě 1985 ẅħěň
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș
Bǿbbỳě ẅǿųŀđ ǻđvįșě ǻňỳǿňě ŀǿǿķįňģ țǿ bųỳ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě țǿ
čǻřěfųŀŀỳ ěxǻmįňě țħě ŀěǻđěřșħįp ǻňđ čǿřpǿřǻțě șțřųčțųřě ǿf țħě
břǻňđ İňțěřvįěẅ pǻșț ǻňđ čųřřěňț fřǻňčħįșě ǿẅňěřș țǿ ģěț țħěįř
vįěẅș bǿțħ pǿșįțįvě ǻňđ ňěģǻțįvě ǿf țħě fřǻňčħįșǿř șħě șǻįđ
İf pǿșșįbŀě țřỳ țǿ ǻřřǻňģě țǿ șħǻđǿẅ ǻ fřǻňčħįșě ŀǿčǻțįǿň fǿř ǻ
đǻỳ
İŇȚĚŘVİĚẄ PǺȘȚ ǺŇĐ ČŲŘŘĚŇȚ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ
ǾẄŇĚŘȘ ȚǾ ĢĚȚ ȚĦĚİŘ VİĚẄȘ BǾȚĦ
PǾȘİȚİVĚ ǺŇĐ ŇĚĢǺȚİVĚ ǾF ȚĦĚ
FŘǺŇČĦİȘǾŘ İF PǾȘȘİBĿĚ ȚŘỲ ȚǾ ǺŘŘǺŇĢĚ
ȚǾ ȘĦǺĐǾẄ Ǻ FŘǺŇČĦİȘĚ ĿǾČǺȚİǾŇ FǾŘ Ǻ
ĐǺỲ
-Bǿbbỳě Ħǻųpț
ȘĦǾẄ ČǾMMĚŇȚȘ
țħįș ħǻppěňșșțǿčķș ǺĿẄǺỲȘřįșě Țǿm Ŀěě
Ǿbǻmǻ mǻỳ ħǻvěđǿňě țħě ǿįŀįňđųșțřỳ ǻ fǻvǿřĶįŀđųff
Ģǻẅķěř ČĚǾ İmșŀįģħțŀỳ įmpřěșșěđbỳ Țħįěŀș Čǿųňț ǿfMǿňțě Čřįșțǿřěvěňģě
Mǻřķ Żųčķěřběřģ įșlsquođįčțǻțǿřrsquo ǿfFǻčěbǿǿķ lsquoňǻțįǿňrsquoȚħě Pįřǻțě Bǻỳfǿųňđěř
Țřųmp-Șǻňđěřșđěbǻțě ẅǿųŀđ běĦįŀŀǻřỳ Čŀįňțǿňșẅǿřșț ňįģħțmǻřě
Ǻbǿųț Șįțě Mǻp Đįģįțǻŀ Přǿđųčțș Řěpřįňțș amp Ŀįčěňșįňģ Ǻđvěřțįșě Čǻřěěřș Ħěŀp Čǿňțǻčț Čǿřřěčțįǿňș Přįvǻčỳ Pǿŀįčỳ
AdChoices Țěřmș ǿf Șěřvįčě - Ňěẅ İňđěpěňđěňț Přǿģřǻmmįňģ Ňěẅș Řěŀěǻșěș Șẅįțčħ țǿ mǿbįŀě vįěẅ
ŇĚẄȘĿĚȚȚĚŘȘ
Mǻķě İț
Břěǻķįňģ Ňěẅș
Mǿřňįňģ Șqųǻẅķ
Ěvěňįňģ Břįěf
Mǿřě Fřěě Ňěẅșŀěțțěřș