The subject of NCFs (non-commissionable fees) is certainly getting a lot of attention. Travel agent communities on the internet frequently target NCFs as a high priority for discussion. Most agents are voicing the opinion that in an era of deep discounting it is no longer worth the effort to sell a three, four or even five day cruise for a commission that essentially amounts to pocket change. But if travel agents have been vocal on the topic, the majority of cruise executives have been eerily quiet on NCFs. Those that have joined the discussion point to the fact that NCFs are a fixed cost. It is not that NCFs have increased, cruise line executives will tell you, but rather than the price of the actual cruise has been discounted to a much smaller percentage of the total cost of the cruise. Some agents respond that there seems to be little direct relationship between NCFs and the costs that historically Read the rest of this entry »
Supplier Profile
Amazing Ireland Travel Deals from BMIT
There has never been a more affordable time to travel to Ireland. Because of current economic conditions and the fact that the Ireland relies heavily on revenue from US tourists, airlines, hotels, and other accommodation providers have come out with aggressive deals in hopes of enticing travels to their visit the Emerald Isle. Brian Moore International Tours has been providing travel to Ireland for the past 35 years and along the way has developed strong relationships with many partners, giving them the ability to package vacation elements and come up with some incredible deals.
BMIT is now offering travel packages to the K Club, host of the Smurfit European Open and the 2006 Ryder Cup. The K Club Ultimate Golf Experience package priced from $839 and includes 4-night accommodations at the five-star K Club Resort Hotel, 1 evening dinner, 1 round of golf on the Palmer Course and 1 round of golf on the Smurfit Course. And for those who don’t play golf, BMIT is offering a 100 Euro credit to be used towards other features of the K Club, such as Spa, Fishing, Horse Riding, or Shooting. One round of golf at the K Club usually goes for 150 Euro. Read the rest of this entry »
The 365 Guide
Zen Sales
In its simplest form, marketing consists of generating new business and keeping old. Any new customer may spend money with you once, but a loyal customer provides a lifetime of business! Many travel professionals confuse the concepts of marketing on the one hand and sales on the other. Marketing refers to the techniques used to gathering customers to a product or concept, of grabbing their attention. Marketing is a packaging of an image around a product or a service. Sales is bringing the customer to an actual purchasing decision. The two elements work hand-in-hand and the accomplished travel professional will be adept at both. Read the rest of this entry »
Outposts
Athens, Greece
What’s not to love about Athens? Travelers who remember Athens from visits in the 1980’s and 90’s will say the city is a bit pricy and crowded. They will remember five million inhabitants spilling through its streets, filling the shops and by-ways with an audible hum, the traffic fierce. But Athens holds a certain attraction felt nowhere else, and if you have not been there in the past few years, you are in for a wonderful surprise. The 2004 Olympics bestowed a new lease on the old city’s life, and Athens has made a quick about-face, at once ancient, yet excitingly new again. Read the rest of this entry »
60-Second Geography
Europe by GTT Global
Western civilization’s roots lie in the continent of Europe. But Europe is a widely divergent continent, with borders and national loyalties that even today continue to shift and define themselves. No matter where you travel in Europe, you see the echoes and archetypes from which sprang North America. The great colonial powers of Europe left their mark on much of the rest of the world and the cultural, literary, economic and artistic influence of the continent has been profound.
Thanks to GTT Global, the sponsor of this column, you can use this 60-Second Geography article in your own travel agency’s newsletters and websites. Read the rest of this entry »
Travel Agent Diaries
LK Cruises & Tours, LLC — Deadlines and decisions
With the deadline to get this diary entry written looming, I sat down with my laptop. Staring at the blank screen and the blinking cursor, I realized I had no idea where to begin. The problem wasn’t that I had nothing to say–rather I had so much to say I couldn’t focus. That’s been happening a lot lately. There were just so many things on my plate that they had begun spilling out onto the table. After trying unsuccessfully to decide what to write, I came to the conclusion that the real problem was plate size. If I couldn’t get a bigger plate I would have to remove some of the things that are already on the plate and be more selective about any new things I add in the future. Read the rest of this entry »
