The Reps Make A Buck Any Way They Can

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And Now For An Encore I Present...

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please put your hands together for the return engagement of none other than the one, the only, the fantastic....

TravelMoms

Yes, you thought she was gone. You may have thought YTB gave her the boot*, but she is back in all her glory and in her absence has now become a Destination Wedding Specialist!

*They probably just told her to go play quietly in another corner rather than give up the $50 a month!

YTB Botches Up Honeymoon

In this morning's Atlanta Journal Constitution, and in the reporter's own blog, is a story of a honeymoon gone bad.  Ultimately, the client was made whole financially by the supplier, and YTB feels that shows how hard the "agent" worked for the client. 

Well, had the client booked with a legitimate travel agent, much of this would have been avoided.

• Rather than help a bride through the web, a real agent woudl have handled it.
• A real agent would have been checking on the status of the resort opening.
• A real agent would have made sure the replacement accomodations were equivalent.
• A real agent would have handled it while they were on property.

I am not sure the couple was entitled to a "full" refund--at least not from Travel Impressions. Why did the agent let them go knowing that the replacement accommodations were sub par? Why did the agent not explain that the airline tickets were non-refundable? Why did the agent not call the hotel and leave that to his wife?

Did CLIA Sell Out? Probably Not!

NOTE: The title has been changed, and this morning I received a response from Jim Smith, CTIE, Director of Marketing for CLIA who offered the following:

Contrary to what was posted on your blog and for the record - when it comes to CLIA certification, membership and all related programs - the rules are the rules for everyone. There are no exceptions.

Jim Smith, CTIE

I thank CLIA for clearing that up, but now I direct my attention to YTB and the misinformation they presented in their Travel Compass.

Being in Washington, DC, you get used to politicians sliding in a little pork for their constituents. I was not expecting it from CLIA however.

According to the YTB Travel Compass (10/23/08) where they overview the FCT training program they slipped and showed a little pork. Apparently, for people that want to get a CLIA card without bothering with all of the pesky requirements like selling cruises, they can do it through YTB for $149--unless you are in California.

The industry praised CLIA on upping their requirments, but now I wonder what the reaction will be when they see this? I mean, it may almost be less expensive to join YTB and pay the $149 to watch the FCT Video and get your credentials than to bother with selling cabins.

And while I felt that the FCT was a small step in the right direction for YTB, apparently it was merely some more smoke and mirrors to grant the perks that they use to sell the program. Now, when I join YTB for $449.90, I get an Affiliate Card and 60%. But by paying then an additional $149, I can get the RTA card that they claim is so valuable, can call myself a Referring Travel Agent, and not have ANY production requirements. As an added bonus, they will throw in a CLIA Card.

I have a message into Terry Dale as this is being posted to verify if this is indeed true, or merely another round of misinformation coming from YTB!

WHAT ARE THE FIRST CLASS BENEFITS I WILL RECEIVE?
There are many travel business advantages given to you upon completion of FCT. They include a new commission structure for the RTA (RTAs receive 70% of the travel commissions paid to YTB Travel Network), direct relationships with vendors, group booking advantages, access to enhanced features in the Travel Portal, CLIA application approval (except in California where production requirements must be met) and more.

and

REFERRING TRAVEL AGENT (RTA): A Referring Travel Agent is an Affiliate who has enrolled, paid for, and completed a First Class Training. An RTA who has accomplished this will receive 70% of the travel commissions paid to YTBTN for travel booked and completed by the RTA's customers and may apply for the "RTA" credential (no production requirements are necessary to reach the RTA designation).

First Class Training Overview

Well, this weekend YTB launched their First Class Training. My personal feeling is that it is a small step in the right direction, but it is a long way from being where it needs to be. But one does have to wonder why a "travel" company has been in existence for 7 years and only now (after $225 million dollars worth of lawsuits have been filed) they begin to consider training.

The training will be completely online and hence no opportunity to ask any questions or interact with the people doing the trainign. The exam is self monitored and you can take it as many times as you like to pass it. Yesterday they offered the training live in several cities prior to it going solely online and following are my notes from the 4 hour session:

• An overview of the new "titles". An "Affiliate" is what is now known as an RTA. These people will refer to their sites and all transactions will be handled online. They will not be permitted to work with clients or vendors. They will earn 60% of the commissions received by YTB.   The new version of the RTA will be allowed to book groups and contact vendors directly. They will become RTAs upon completion of the First Class Training  and exam. They will earn 70% of the commissions received by YTB. Down the road, a future exam will be created allowing the RTAs to drop the "R" and call themselves "Travel Agents".
• An overview of a revamped RTA website. The new "technology" will allow RTAS to place their actual contact number on the website. A cost for this new site was not mentioned, however I suspect it will be an additional monthly cost for an "enhanced" site similar to the Rep site.
• The First Class Training will be taken online, and there is no time limit for completion nor is there any monitoring of the exam.
• The "training", while better, was certainly very light and offers no immediate benefit to the consumer. A YTB director narrates the video sessions and introduces a very few select vendors who overview the product they sell. CLIA's Terry Dale presented a recorded overview of CLIA.
• E&O was glanced over and it was briefly mentioned that the YTB policy only covers transactions booked by clients online. So, if any RTA books direct, they are NOT covered. This was a minor point and not emplasized at all.
• Marc Mancini had a recorded session explaining how geography training was important. It was recommended that RTAs view the classes in YTB's e-Campus for more detailed travel training. It is important to note that Marc did not present ANY geography training or travel traingin in this recording for First Class Training.
  
• A brief overview of select vendors was presented. These were not the earlier vendor presentations but essentially a listing of the vendors that work with and "understand" the YTB business model.
• Group travel was covered for a long time. They did not go over the nuts and bolts, but emphasized the ability to earn greater profits from group bookings and highlighted some of the difference between individual and group bookings. They told everyone where to find the forms in the Back Office. If YTB is going to focus on groups as they have in the past, I think this is a huge lapse in judgement and in depth group travel training needs to be covered. Look at what happens when a RTTA tries to book groups--Baltimore....Houston....Nashville!
• Recruiting was covered, but it was certainly not the focus as it had been in past classes.
• They encouraged people to attend the Funshine Events and the CLIA 360.
• They encouraged RTAs to take advantage of FAMS and ship inspections.
• YTB indicated that they would arrange private YTB only ship inspections.
  

 All in all, it is a small step in the right direction. I am curious as to how the vendors feel now that YTB is encouraging the RTAs to pay the fee for this training and then call the suppliers directly. 

Notably absent from this training was:

• Any mention of how to run a business including liability insurance, local and state licensing, etc.
  
• Client problem resolution
• Industry jargon and lexicon
• Geography (as stated above)
• In depth liability discussion
• Responsibilities of the RTA to clients and vendors and YTB
• Accounting methods
• SOT issues and requirements
  

Now I know that all of this cannot be included in the 4 hours they allot for the training. It is a disservice to the vendors and the consumers to allow RTAs to go out in the world with this minimal training. It is a little more than was offered before, but not much more.  The RTAs are now emboldened to do more and the potential to create more mistakes is huge.

There is no supervision and there was no mention of being able to rely on YTB (other than the recoreded videos) for any help. With a legitimate host, when an agent has a problem, he can speak with the host and their staff , other members of the host, or look to the other many resources that are available to legitimate travel professionals and not YTB. Networking among RTAs is ineffective--you cannot expect a kindergarten class to solve a calculus problem. Contacting YTB headquarters is also ineffective as their management has no background in travel and very few (if any at this point) of their call center people have any background. Without a means of support, the consumers are on their own.

But hey, again, it is a reactive measure based on an Attorney General's lawsuit and a few class action lawsuits. It took the non-travel executives and Board 7 plus years to decide that training on "travel" might be an appropriate thing for a "travel" company.  For me it seems a day late and a dime short!

It also should be noted that the "Award Winning" Candi May or Bob The Travel Guy were not featured in any of the training. "Dr. Seligman" was also not featured!

A Real Host Speaks Out on YTB

In Travel Trade, Travel Planners International spoke out on the damage YTB is doing to the industry. Some of the comments made by their President, Ken Gagliano include:

• It's the MLM hype or the dream of not having to work and make millions that lure these people in and end up tarnishing all of the hard work we committed professionals do.
• I have no compassion for the thousands who bought this and found out that they got burned - it's foolish that people buy this stuff and it's even more ludicrous the number of suppliers that actually work with the MLMs. Are they actually that desperate for the little amount of business that actually comes in?
• With the MLMs, consumers are misled to believe that they are working with a true travel agent, when in fact it's just a booking engine. It might be a different story if the MLMs would actually provide fundamental training on the industry, supplier training along with B2B booking tools. For the most part, they provide the training on how to recruit others and provide a consumer Web site as their booking tool.
  

As usual, here is yet another person that is dead on. He even acknowledges that there are a few good agents in YTB that just made a very poor decision. He said THAT is the challenge, weeding out the few good from the thousands of bad!

On another forum, there was some speculation that there was a forthcoming partnership or other "association" with TPI because they apparently were seen at the YTB Funshine. Well, it appears they were only there (if indeed they were there) looking for one or two of the good ones!

This Comment Needs To Be Front & Center

Yes, lot's of posts this week and I will break from my plan of an all video week to bring you this gem which was left as a comment on an older post--emphasis is mine:

traveling moms has left a new comment on your post "Just An Opinion From An Average Joe":

what is so wrong with people earning a living for there self i am sure corporate america don't care about you. So don't down one group the 90% of people that did not earn a dime paid because that what they wanted to do nobody twisted there arm. read my blog about what donald trump said he endorses network marketing how do you think he started don't believe the hype. YTB agents are given rules what to do and not do. YTB agents are suppose to attend a training course. YTB agents have support 24/7. YTB have sponsor calls everyday of the week and training on the phone and online. If YTB was so bad why are they powered by Travelocity and Hotels.com and Tickets Now and Passports hey that is government is it or not. That's why the kansas city chief bought a website. www.chiefstravel.com that is why they have non profit charity groups with websites.

Wow all of this and we are scamming the organization you need to worry about is Traverus they charge little money to get in which means anybody who just want to play travel agents will join. At least YTB charges 500.00 to ween out the junk. That is a plus in my eyes and I will pay 500 anyday. YTB been around 8 years. The people who are complaining did not start until they see YTB as a threat because we are having a Billion dollar in travel this year. Now they want to complain. That is why they are not complaining about Traverus because they have about 4000 people and nobody cares.

People out here don't have jobs getting layed off. YTB gives health insurance for the people. If you can own a website and your family can be on you downline weather you book a trip or not you get a check every Monday. So I don't see what is the problem they are not hurting nobody.

All the So called Travel Agents complain to Orbiz, Cheaptickets, Travelocity they stole your business. To big to pick on. People can book there own travel without paying a fee to a travel agent they can call a confirm there plans there self. So if they are doing it anyway why not do it on your own website and make a commission.

About commission any fool will no the total price of the trip is not commission it is a percentage. So Carnival percentage is 17% of the total for everybody not just YTB for travel agents too. So you get 60% of the commission which travel agents keeps the whole commission and charge you a fee for using them.

Wake up people you paid 1200 for a cruise and you can leave with 144 dollars it better then nothing you started with. Don't let these travel agents steer you wrong read my blog and learn the business and join it will be the best thing that happened to you and your family. www.daniellemangum.blogspot.com

Wow, where to start on this gem? Trump? Rules? Training? 24-7 Availability--try to call for help at 9pm at night! The reason you are "powered" by Travelocity is because YTB signed up for the free program--just like ANYONE can do. You are not powered by or endorsed by ANY government agency. Perhaps you are thinking that because you have a link to the State Department it means something more than it is?

$500 to ween out the junk...well if this is what you get for $500, YTB needs to up the price tenfold! And they have been around for 7 years--know your company! And if you are a wagering woman--and I assume you are because you are continuing to pay YTB $50 a month for future riches--do you want to bet on the billion dollars in travel this year?

YTB does not give you health insurance, You can buy into a crap policy (most of the folks in YTB may not have insurance at all so this is a true benefit), and if you are a director or can sell an impossible (for a YTB RTA) amount of travel there is another policy. But as their attorney pointed out may be illegal. But they ignored that admonition.

So, if I sign up my family as a downline (I have three kids) that will guarantee me a check every Monday regardless if I sell any travel at all? Wow, now THAT is a good deal and despite all the false information presented at each YTB meeting I have attended, I have never heard that one.

So Carnival is paying 17% to YTB and EVERYONE ELSE. Maybe you ought to let EVERYONE ELSE know that. And you might as well let Carnival know that you are publishing their confidential commission levels. I am sure they would appreciate it! As for your math skills, as my son's Algebra teacher says, "Please show your work!"

But, as you did say in your comment, I do encourage everyone to visit your site to see how much more information you can impart on us all. Hopefully you have commenting open and offer a forum where people can express their opinions as we do here.

The site is located here. Click here!

They Just Don't Get It

Here is an excerpt from the Biz Report from last week. All day TRAVEL training and the best they can come up with is 9 directors (recruiters) and "several" RTAs and 2 vendors--one of which is not even about travel?

As my son might say....WTF?

All Day Travel Training
Saturday, September 27, 2008 -- Sacramento, California
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Red Lion Hotel, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95815 (916-922-8041)
Meeting Room: Martinique
Tickets available at the door. For more information call 775-336-9360

Link to order tickets for the Saturday event: http://traveltrainingsacramento.eventbrite.com

Guest Speakers:
Andy Cauthen, President, YourTravelBiz.com & COO, YTB International, Inc.
Level Four Director Andrew Lakey
Level Two Director K.Ross Johnson
Level Two Director Kevin Fitzgerald
Level One Director Mike, The Travel Guy
Level One Director Dan Neitz
Level One Director Jon Myers
Level One Director Shawn Dougherty
Level One Director Charlie Fulton

Several RTA guest speakers who have been very successful selling travel will give their tips along with many vendors including:
Joe Jarvies - Shanghai Spring Tours
Colin Slade - How2Trainer

CRTA Versus First Class

Lately on this blog and on different forums there has been some discussion and disagreement on the CRTA Class.  Way back in 2007, when I said that the YTB meeting I attended had nothing to do with travel, I was told by Doug and others that in order to learn about the travel end I needed to go to the CRTA class.  I was told this was the place where YTB trained the RTAs and "certified" them which enabled them to receive their YTB Identification Card.

I went. Another TTA went, and as expected, not too much about travel. A lot about recruiting.

Now it seems that YTB has reacted again (sensing a theme here with the reactionary corrections) to criticism that it was not about travel and renamed it First Class Training.  I am sure that gets them off the hook in some sense.

But unless the class has changed content (and I hear it has not changed considerably), it most definitely is NOT about travel training.  I quote from the RTA Certification Class manual:

KEY OBJECTIVES
Learn to

• Make money selling travel
• Save money on your taxes
• Travel the world as an insider
• Earn money by building a REP sales team

Now of the 64 pages in this manual, 10 pages were remotely devoted to travel. Most of them were simply rehashing the program--if your mother buys travel who is she going to buy from.... and of course the travel like an insider.  The remaining 54 pages were about recruiting,

So there is no way to tell me this is travel training. At the meeting I attended, CLIA applications were handed out and the attendees were told to fill them out and simply send them back to HQ with a check. There was no mention of any testing at all--maybe it was required or maybe (as I had heard) they had a special deal with CLIA.

So, what is so different at First Class?

A Challenge For YTB

Is anyone brave or honest enough to accept it and report back?

Attend an "industry" trade show. Do not disclose your affiliation with YTB. That means hiding the bling, the lime green shirts, the bowling shirts, the Hawaiian shirts, and the branded merchandise. Tuck in or turn around your credential. Approach 10 suppliers who do business with YTB and say the following after perusing their booth for a few seconds:

"Boy, that is something about YTB."

And see what they say. Note what they say. And then let us know.

It is a good test. We are not saying "Boy" is good or bad, Are we talking about they way they operate? The fact that they are #26 on the TW list? The 6000 cruise certificates sold last November? The boot from IATAN or RCCL? Or the AG and other suits.  Just let the supplier voice their opinion. You just start the concersation.

If anyone needs info on "real" travel events, let me know!

YTB Travel Training. An Oxymoron??

While attending the ASTA show in Orlando last week, I happened to meet a very nice man named Frank at a networking break. Frank seemed like a nice enough guy who was still working his full time job, but wanted to be a travel agent full time. He had booked a cruise online a time or two, and felt that he was now qualified to be an agent.

So he went out and found a host agency that would let him sign up with no experience for only $495.00 and $49.00 per month. He had lots of questions for myself and fellow agents at the show, and was desperate to learn more about the industry. Apparently his host agency really focuses on recruiting, but doesn’t offer any real travel training. Here are some of the complicated questions he had…

What can I do to compete with Expedia?
Where do I get pricing from?
What's a host agency?
What's a supplier?
What's a wholesaler?
Can a supplier be my host agency?
Wait! Different host agencies get different commission rates?
What's IATA?
What is errors and omissions insurance?
Where can I get travel training?

Yes it seems that even the most basic stuff had eluded this poor guy, despite the fact that he otherwise seemed to be a fairly intelligent human being. By the end of the three day show we had helped him find a new host agency, introduced him with exciting resources, like Path, ASTA, IATAN and others.

I have to wonder, given the basic questions this guy had, is there any kind of travel training at all going on over at YTB?

Suppliers....Is This What You Want?

The following was posted on a public message board called WAHM.  My question to the suppliers that read this blog is really quite simple.....is this your intent when you create a perk or a benefit for a travel professional?

To the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club...do you really think you are going to get some decent business from these "agents" when their average annual sales are less than $1600 and primarily to themselves? Do you want your resort overrun with "agents" approaching your paying clients advising them that they too could have had 2 free nights and a $89 per night rate? To me, it seems like an bass-ackwards way of marketing your property--unless you are rebranding as a Motel 6.  It also makes you wonder how much support you will receive from legitimate agents that do produce legitimate sales. I hear the Westin Diplomat is also very nice!

All RTAS want to stay at a 5 star resort for 2 days FREE.  This is what we have with YTB.  You should take advantage of all the benefits we have as a travel agent.  Read the instructions carefully when booking and enjoy.

The new Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club is ready to amaze you following a $100 million  transformation.  New golf, luxurious new guest rooms and suites, renovated Willow Stream Spa, new dining options including Michael Mina's BOURBON STEAK and a new family-friendly tropical paradise featuring a lagoon-style pool, lazy river, waterslide, tennis and so much more. . . the property is a sight to behold!  Come and discover for yourself how this truly outstanding resort has gone from great to amazing.

Special Offers for Fairmont FAmous Agents to experience the new resort! Two complimentary nights with breakfast.  Up to 3 additional nights at $89* Plus $89* green fees.  To take advantage of this special Travel Agent offer:

Go to *www.fairmontFAmous.com*  and create your Fairmont FAmous account.

Click "make a reservation at the Fairmont Famous rate" and book your stay at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club. Once your reservation has been confirmed, please email *tir.reservations@fairmont.com*
to request the rate for the first two nights be converted to complimentary and up to 3 additional nights at $89.  *Valid June 1- September 30, 2008 with a 90 day advanced booking window.  Offer limited to one stay per agent.  Prices in US dollars based on Fairmont room single or double occupancy.  Subject to availability.  Taxes and resort fees will apply for additional nights.  Golf green fees include cart and forecaddie but does not include $20 suggested caddie gratuity.  Restrictions apply. *Blackout Dates:* August 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31 and September 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13

This is a fantastic offer to go, inspect the property and refer clients who are looking for an upscale experience.

I have already enrolled in the Fairmount Famous Travel Agent program, taken the travel agent course, passed the exam and am ready to book an inspection stay.  BTW, they prefer a CLIA #. 

Calling All Suppliers

Ever wondered about the "training" that goes on at a YTB First Class Training (formerly called Certified Referring Travel Agent Training) class?  I have been and one of our readers sent an excellent report a few months ago.

Why not do some of your own investigation and see for yourself the caliper of travel training that is provided. You might be surprised. Here is a list of the trainings that are coming to a town near you:

September 8
Cabo Rojo, PR
Atlanta, GA

September 13
Costa Mesa, CA
New York, NY

September 14
Indiatlantic, FL

September 20
Houston, TX
Charlotte, NC
Liverpool, NY
Dania Beach, FL
Collinsville, IL
College Park, GA
Dearborn, MI
Indianapolis, IN
San Antonio, TX
Myrtle Beach, SC

September 21
Las Vegas, NV
Burlingame, CA

September 27
Richmond, VA
Dallas, TX
Nashville, TX (maybe they mean TN)
Atlanta, GA
N. Wichita, KS
Newark, NJ
Austin, TX
Honolulu, HI
Arlington Heights, IL

September 28
Clearwater, FL

Why not take a few hours and see what the talk is all about. There is no cost and you will be able to hear all of the Direcotrs tell you all about being a travel agent.

What A Difference 4 Years Makes (NOT!)

I just found this old article from Travel Trade. The more things change the more they stay the same. Same ploys, same tactics. I see that Carnival was still a staunch supporter way back then! Maybe things will begin to change.

April, 2004
Travel Trade

YTB Grows With Confab, Personal Web Site Ads

By John Stone

Travel agent readers of Travel Trade in the Southeast in recent days have reported a visible increase of recruitment activity among representatives of YTB Travel, especially in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The current campaign was climaxed by the company’s first YTB agent network trade show in Orlando last weekend.

Three Subsidiaries

YTB, whose parent company is YTB International, based in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, has three subsidiary business groups including YourTravelBiz.com, REZconnect Technologies Inc., and YTB Travel Network. Some of the company’s travel agency brands include Your Travel Biz, YTBnet.com, Travel Network, Global Travel Network and YourTravelBiz.com, among others.

Key promotional messages communicated by YTB to prospective members include the opportunity to “become your own travel agent” and to “travel the way travel professionals do.” The organization offers its primary earnings opportunities based on the ability of YTB members to attract other people to become members.

People who join as new YTB members are called “RTAs,” for “referral travel agents,” and among the possible layered clusters of members surrounding a YTB recruitment representative are such designated groups as “the first team,” “the power team” and “the dream team.”

Cards available for members are displayed on some of YTB’s recruitment pages. They include YTB’s own agent card with the member’s photo on it; a CLIA member card (the sample card has a picture of CLIA training director Tom Cogan), and an IATAN card, which YTB correctly notes requires qualifying sales levels to obtain.

The company operates multiple Web sites, most designed to recruit industry newcomers to become YTB travel agents and then recruit others to follow them into the network. Local representatives of YTB operate their own Web sites, under their individual business names, such as “Travel Closeouts,” “K and J Vacations” or “Partnor Travel.”

Last month YTB’s parent company, which officially changed its umbrella name from REZconnect to YTB International after the two companies merged on Dec. 8, 2004, reported net losses of $248,530 for 2004, based on net revenues of $3.8 million (Travel Trade, April 25).

Among the notable recent YTB recruitment activities were the following:

Over the weekend of April 29-30, the company hosted its “First Annual YTB Travel Network Funshine Trade Show and Conference” at the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, FL, in greater Orlando.

The event, according to a Travel Trade agent reader in attendance, attracted about 500 attendees, most of whom attended day sessions during either the Friday or Saturday all-day schedule. Most, however, were not visible in the hotel as overnight guests.

Several of the YTB Orlando attendees displayed magnetic signs on the doors of their vehicles in the Wyndham Palace parking lot publicly announcing the name of their YTB travel agency.

Cocktail Party

A weekly networking cocktail party is hosted at Orlando area hotels by YTB representative Scott Bender. Bender’s individual company is named Travel Closeouts and has its own Web site.

An invitation ad for the networking event on Bender’s site says, “Great business opportunity — Travel like a travel agent. Why pay retail for travel when you can pay wholesale? Find out more!”

Professional singles or couples meet at the parties to make new business or social contacts and, in the process, hear about how to become their own YTB travel agent.

Bender was previously an official in an airline ticket consolidator company, based in Orlando, called Airline Reservations Network.

According to a spokesman for the Airlines Reporting Corp., Airline Reservations Network and its affiliated company, Royale Vacations & Cruises, were subsidiaries of Royale Marketing Inc. The parent company held an ARC number (number 10510113) that was voluntarily deleted from the ARC system in March 2001.

Jim Sloan, a YTB rep in Flowery Branch, GA, in mid-April invited online visitors to a free seminar in the Gainesville, GA, Civic Center at which attendees heard about how to become a YTB agent from national YTB Travel & Cruises president Scott Tomer.

YTB meetings are sometimes promoted on the “meetup.com” Web site visited by small business entrepreneurs. Individuals unable to attend YTB gatherings have other ways to connect with a YTB recruiter.

ICQ Interest Groups, for example, is a Web site for personal classified ads in which people search for other people they would like to meet. Three current listings show a 37-year-old male from Texas, a 31-year-old male from Maryland and a 34 year-old female from Florida, and all are YTB agents with a similar message on their personal page.

The young lady from Florida describes herself as interested in “architecture, photography, music, Web design, video data...vacations, travel advice, romance, relationships, dreams and other interests.” Later she says, “I am an RTA (referring travel agent) for YTB Travel & Cruises. Want to have fun, earn extra money, save on travel and write it off on your taxes?”

The lady provides her Web site address for people to respond.

According to YTB recruitment information on the Internet, upcoming membership seminars, involving recruiters and membership candidates but not suppliers, are scheduled for May 7 in Memphis, TN and for June 4 in Richmond, VA.

_____

Industry Reaction to YTB:

Caution and Non-Awareness

Travel Trade last week sought reaction from national officials of CLIA and Florida officials of ASTA to the step-up in recruitment activity at YTB Travel.

“It is quite complex,” said CLIA executive vice president Bob Sharak about YTB. “If an agency has a host agent with outside agents model, and they are maintaining the model with part-time, psuedo or quasi-agents, ethically I don’t think I like the business.

“I don’t like the idea of marketing the CLIA cards for the sake of the discounts,” he added. “But it is hard to police. There are a handful of these guys I watch closely. I go to cruise lines to ask, ‘What are your travel agent rate bookings for this group?’ A couple of these are not around now. But I have to be careful. If it’s not illegal, what do you do? I can’t terminate someone without cause. It is quite frustrating.”

Jan Hammond, ASTA’s Florida area director and an agent at Sixth Star Travel in Ft. Lauderdale, said she had not yet heard of YTB, but plans to look into them. She was asked whether ASTA is making efforts as aggressively as YTB in Florida to attract new agents to the business.

“We’ve held the ASTA World Congress for 76 years and it’s been open to non-members,” said Hammond. “From April 7-9 we hosted the ASTA Cruisefest in Miami, and not even half of the attendees were members of ASTA or NACTA. Through the trade show and other sources, we estimated between 1,200 and 1,500 agents attended. So we are doing things all the time to attract new members.”

Gerry Gregorian, the ASTA chapter president based in Port St. Lucie, FL, said she plans to check with the Florida Department of Consumer Affairs to see if there are any complaints about YTB.

Travel Trade spoke to J.R. Kelly, the Florida consumer affairs department director. “We have not yet received any complaints about YTB Travel,” he said. “But we will check to see if they are properly registered.”

A Florida Seller of Travel number is listed on some of YTB Travel’s voluminous Web site pages.

_____


What’s a GDS???

According to the Travel Trade agent reader attending last week’s YTB trade show, there was an apparent lack of industry experience among several of the agents he spoke to at the event.

“I asked some agents whether they specialized in escorted travel bookings or FITs and was asked back, ‘What’s an FIT?,’” said the agent. “I asked others whether they work on a Web-based booking system or are connected to a GDS, and they asked, ‘What’s a GDS?’”

“Some also weren’t sure about what their commission and override programs are,” said the Travel Trade reader.

One attraction was key to the event. Free trip prizes were provided by a list of major exhibitor suppliers. The agent said many trips were given away, and many suppliers participated in the prize pool.

A list of suppliers for the Orlando show, listed on a YTB Funshine Trade Show invitation found at www.grouptravelmasters.citymax.com, included, in alphabetical order: Apple Vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines, Central Holidays, Funjet Vacations, Gray Line of Alaska, Hertz Corp., Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, Silversea Cruises, Trade Wind Tours and World Choice Travel, a division of Travelocity.

Uhm...Excuse Me Coach? I Have A Few Questions

NOTE: This post was intended to run on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. But now that the Convention is over, it is still appropriate and I wonder if any Reps or RTAs might have had the gumption to ask some hard questions.

To those that are headed to the Convention later this week and are seriously interested in selling travel, I offer these 14 questions for Coach.

1. Are there any plans to have the Certified Referring Travel Agent Training (CRTA) classes taught by anyone with some certifiable travel experience?
2. What is happening to my clients who are traveling August 6-10 since YTB has shut down the home office to allow all employees to come to St. Louis?
3. Do you feel that $8 million was really necessary for a 3 day centerpiece?
4. Why is the donation of Lady Liberty now in the hands of Beryl-Martin? I thought this was great publicity for YTB.
5. How many RTA websites are there right now in YTB? Kim was unable to figure it out with Nadine Godwin, I figured you might know.
6. Will Dr. Bob Seligman be addressing the convention?
   
7. Is it true that you, Kim, and Scott are the owners of Beryl-Martin Printing?
8. Of the reported 22,000 in attendance, how many Reps and RTAs (not spouses, guests, families and friends) are there?
9. When will we be able to concentrate on selling travel and being recognized as a legitimate company? It is tiring having to defend YTB all the time and Kim said he was working on "legitimizing" YTB last year. How is that coming along?
10. What are your plans for credentials now that IATAN has refused to grant us accreditation and it seems like CLIA is upping the requirments significantly?
11. Are there any plans to offer a more competitive commission split to be comparable to the majority of the host travel agencies in operation?
12. When will our finances be up to snuff to be admitted to one of the Big Board exchanges?
13. What really happened with Bob Dickinson?
14. What really happened with Ted Lindauer?
    

While these are somewhat tongue in cheek, each question does indeed pose a legitimate concern--or at least ought to pose a legitimate concern for anyone who is serious about doing business with YTB.

The FAQs According to MLM

One of the things that is out of the California Attorney General's reach is professionalism.  It has been the position of this blog for almost a year that YTB has put forth an army of untrained, unprofessional people masquerading to the public as travel agents.  This is something the AG will not be able to rectify and it falls squarely on YTB. But will they? Do they care? After the suit is tried or settled, will it even matter?

This is all from The YTB Blog: YTB, The Greatest Home Based Travel Business... any comments? Good FAQs or bad?

What if I [or my client(s)] need to cancel my flight, hotel, rental car, etc?
You (or your client) will need to call vender directly that you booked it with on your site, and make sure you have the booking number and the credit card that was used for the booking.

Is YTB corporate working to get re-installment of the IATA/IATAN?
Yes. YTB and our legal counsel are actively working with IATA/IATAN to resolve this issue and substantiate that YTB meets or exceeds both IATA/IATAN's regulations and our own high standards.

What is the difference between ARC and IATA/IATAN?
ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation) is the organization that certifies us, and other travel agencies, to book travel and conduct business. We are in good standing with ARC. IATA/IATAN is a global trade organization, but their activities and accreditation do not have any effect on the day-to-day running of our business.

I just joined as an RTA. If I want to book some hotel rooms, it appears that I am getting the same Hotel.com rate with or without YTB. Do I get a preferred hotel rate as an RTA or do I only get a commission fee back later?
Yes, you will receive a commission if you book ANY hotels through your YTB travel portal. Keep in mind that YTB will retain 40% of the commission. You will retain 60% of that commission.

If you want the wholesale pricing, you'll want to negotiate with the hotel (keep in mind this is a travel 'perk', not a travel 'right', so the hotel may say, "NO")

You'l be negotiating a "travel professional discount" (these are the the words we recommend)

Is there a link that shows the "successful" memebers? Just wondering, because most other companies have a "success stories" link.
Our Coach's Corner Section and Director's Corner are our successful members.

If I become an RTA is it true that I can get a 60% discount on my personal Disney vacations?
Its true Various Perks are available to RTAs. The perks are subject to change. Contact Disney to determine the updated discounts.

Can you use frequent flyer miles to book trips through ytb web sites?
If your question is can you gain FF credit through the ytb sites, the answer is yes.

Disney...are you reading this?

In The Hot Seat with John Frenaye!

Recently, it was leaked that John Frenaye had indeed jumped the ship like Vicki Freed did several months ago and joined forces with YTB. Rather than rely on rumor and innuendo, we decided to call John and ask him directly. He agreed to an interview with periodic contributor, Kate Holmes. Kate asks the hard questions and puts John in The Hot Seat.

Q. John, after years of a very outspoken campaign against YTB, you decided to join YTB as a rep. What prompted you to make this move? Well, I can't really talk about that, and I heard that news too. But thanks for asking.

Q. Now that you are in YTB, can you tell us more about the franchise model? Well, all I can say is that YTB knows how to recruit and knows network marketing.

Q. Where do you see YTB in a year? The future is hard to predict with so many positive and great changes coming out at the convention, but I am suspecting at 1901 E Edwardsville Road in Wood River.

Q. The travel industry has never embraced YTB despite its claims. Could you explain this? All I can say is that YTB knows how to recruit and knows network marketing.

Q. Can you please explain the reason for your switch to YTB? Well, I can't really talk about that, and I heard that news too. But thanks for asking.

Q. We've all been waiting to hear more about this franchising manual. Now that you are in YTB, can you tell us more about it? All I can say is that YTB knows how to recruit and knows network marketing.

Q. How many people do you currently have in your downline? Well that is not a very easy number. The economy has not been too good lately but I have heard that YTB has more now than they had a while ago. And that came straight from the President's mouth!

Q. How many people in your downline will become franchisees? I can't really talk about that but I do know that if people do not participate they will be no worse off than if they hadn't participated in the first place.

Q. How much of your YTB sales comes from travel? From website sales? I cannot really discuss any income that I may or may not make; but you can be assured that any income I do make does indeed come from somewhere.

Q. We understand YTB recently paid itself over 6 million dollars for a giant hunk of foam to honor the troops. Can you please tell us a little more about this? Are you anti-American? Do you not support the troops? Do you feel honoring them is a bad thing? And the correct figure I have heard is $8 million plus transportation, installation, and taxes. It has also been said that YTB HQ is a green building.

Q. How are the upcoming changes to the CLIA card going to affect YTB's recruiting efforts? What perk will you advertise now? Well, perks are really a fluid concept depending on the prospect. You need to determine the touch points and go from there.

Q. You recently became an ordained minister. Who has influenced you more in this decision? Was it Coach? Regina Osei? Father Guido Sarducci? My ascension into the ministry is a personal decision and it was influenced by none of the above. I also heard that chicks dig men in robes, we get some awesome tax write offs and some great parking spots at the local mall.

So, there you have it from the source. All of the confirmation anyone needs about John's recent switch to YTB.

John is a swingin’ bachelor, father, mentor, coach, ordained minister, and makes a mean lasagna! He wears a lot of hats but loves them all! To learn more about more about fabulous opportunities please join his downline at www.ytb.com/jfrenaye.

--Kate Holmes

A Business Convention?

Most conventions are about business. Improving business. Gaining business. Status of business. Networking for business. You get the picture. I have not been to a convention where family and friends are invited. But apparently YTB is counting on family and friends to bolster their attendance figures in St. Louis. They have extended the early registration and are encouraging the RTAs and Reps to bring family and friends along--no doubt for the tax write off!

$150 Registration has been extendedthrough 11:59 pm, Monday, July 14Registration increases to$200 on Tuesday, July 15 This year's National Convention will be bigger and better than ever !If you thought last year's Convention staging was amazing, you won't believe this year's incredible presentation. It's the MUST SEE, DON'T MISS event of the year!

Plan now to join the thousands of Reps, RTAs, guests, family, and friends who will converge on the America's Center and the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis, August 6-10, 2008..

Read the agenda and you can see that over 5 days, the RTAs and Reps have the opportunity (will it be taken) to attend 13 training classes including this one:

YTB Level 1 Director from Manalapan, New Jersey, Ian Olito, along with Dr. Patricia Baszczuk, is here to help you uncover the hidden benefits that lie within your travel business. The travel industry is awaiting you! Come learn the discourse, improve your chances of capitalizing on "High-end" upgrades, perks, and benefits. See the world for less! And remember, there is way more to your website than travel: unlock the misconception that YTB is only "travel." Explore the multitude of services that lay dormant at your fingertips.

Somehow, convincing people that YTB is more than "travel" is not too hard. Just look at the financial reports to clear that misconception!

A JV Coach Speaks

I will preface this that I do not have a source. It does indeed sound right on the money, but from the Yahoo Finance Boards last week this is from a director:

Team,

While we know that most of the BIG NEWS is being saved for the National Convention in August. (Did I mention it's just 43 days away?) The Travel Weekly Power List is out and YTB is Ranked #26 overall, and tied for the LARGEST GAIN of everyone on the Power list with $414.5 Million in Travel Sales.

You know I keep up with and posts this information on my blog. In fact, I think I was the very first to post a link to the report and additional information for you to share with prospects and team members alike.

Spread the word: YTB is a REAL Travel Company!

Sounds like the JV Coach to me! Maybe someone intimately familiar with Coach's Corner?

Is MLM Becoming A Hassle For Tour Operators?

Seems like Apple Vacations realizes that it's own computer can do a better job selling travel than an RTA. Or maybe they realize that dealing with the untrained is a costly endeavor. IS anyone else earning 5% on phone bookings? Seems kind of strange for a "Golden Apple" agency.

Book through your YTB Booking Engine to maximize your commissions with Apple Vacations! Booking an Apple Vacation via telephone will only earn you 5% commission.
Don't miss out!