I see that in order to "maintain compliance in Ontario", YTB has purchased a VERY small travel agency that was apparently licensed. I say VERY small because according to the press release, their agents have nearly 20 years combined industry experience. That would be 2 people 10 years, or 3 people 7 years, or 4 people 5 years each.
Well, I suspect this will resolve the issues for them in Ontario. Now to tackle British Columbia!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
John, here is the correct link. Yours doesn’t work.
ReplyDeleteWe did the same thing with RezConnect back in 2004 and now look at us here in the US!
Rez Connect was not a travel agency. They were a technology company.
ReplyDeleteThis agency was bought strictly to get the license. If it was for any other purpose, why not acquire a larger more serious agency? I mean really now, a combined 20 years of travel industry experience. I mean YTB RTAs have a combined 70,000 years of travel industry experience.
John said, "their agents have nearly 20 years combined industry experience. That would be 2 people 10 years, or 3 people 7 years, or 4people 5 years each."
ReplyDelete5 years each? Let's see John, you have 10 years experience, or would that be 5 years each with your dual personalities? lol! Just kidd'n ya Johnny!
Hey, this really is great news! Thanks for letting us know.
olescorekeeper
I never liked that spin ... "x years of combined experience"... and I see it used in a wide variety of professions/occupations. It's meaningless and dumb. Maybe one guy has 19 years experience and 365 people were hired yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWow, big difference between YTB in the US and YTB in Canada, according to this link: http://ytbcanada.wordpress.com/ in the post "NOTICE: Before You Join YTB Canada"
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the differences have to do with the way travel is sold. The network marketing component of YTB is virtually unchanged.
Here are the differences for Canadian RTAs:
“RTA”: In Canada, the term RTA stands for “Referring Travel Affiliate”. The works “agent”, “agency”, “employee” or “travel” and “store” must not appear in any website, literature, presentations, marketing or training materials.
Limitations on RTAs: RTAs in Canada should not represent themselves as travel agents, nor can they act in a way that implies they are agents. For this reason, all business must be conducted solely through the travel website. An RTA is not allowed to take any direct action on behalf of the customers, this includes:
* Dealing directly with suppliers;
* Taking payment or payment information of any kind (including group sales);
* Distributing itineraries, tickets or any other travel-related documents; and
* Business cards must include the term “Referring Travel Affiliate”.
YTB Identification Cards: RTAs in Canada will not be issued a YTB identification card or credential card. They may apply for a CLIA card independently once you meet the specific sales volume requirements that are determined by CLIA. Please see http://www.cruising.org/ for additional details.
Travel Websites: YTB Canada websites look different than US websites. They may not contain the prohibited words described above. Further, they must not include the Travel Store Name, URL or any forwarding URLs. The website may only contain the RTA’s name, the affiliate status, and a phone number. It must be clear to consumers that they are purchasing travel from YTB and that the RTA is an affiliate who directed them to the travel website.
What is NOT Available to YTB Canada that you may have heard about from your US counterparts:
* Associations/Passport to Giving Program
* YTB Cars
* “Success From Home” Magazine
* $6,000 Guarantee Program
* Bill of Rights
* Health Insurance for Directors (but there is life insurance up to $150,000)
* Limited Medical Insurance for RTAs
* Company Presentation Link from ytb.com website (the video is being revised)
* Tool Box Links
* “Coach’s Playbook”
* Circle of Champions
You mean in Canada YTB gives the consumer a way to contact the RTA with a phone number?
ReplyDeleteBoy now there is a groundbreaking idea!
It says "may only contain" - it doesn't say "must contain".
ReplyDeleteAnon said, "RTAs in Canada should not represent themselves as travel agents" and "They may apply for a CLIA card independently once you meet the specific sales volume requirements that are determined by CLIA."
ReplyDeleteHmm... wouldn't having a CLIA card be representing yourself as a travel agent?
It has also been noted that CLIA does not have any sales requirements. That is the big complaint that a bunch of us have with CLIA.
Poor Canadians. Sounds like YTB considers them kind of second class. Maybe this is to stay within regulating guidelines? Picture this! Pay us and good luck cause you can't travel like a pro. It must be pretty horrible to be looked down upon by YTB.That's low!
ReplyDelete