TravelResearchOnline.com Blog

One of the biggest trends these days is “going green” – that is, living in a way that lessens impact on the planet and moves from a mentality of consumerism to that of sustainability. And the greening of America presents both a debate and a huge opportunity in the travel industry.
According to The International Ecotourism [...]

Everyone whose income is even remotely related to travel is concerned.  While it is true that consumers who just lost 30% of their stock investments may not feel like taking the “trip of their lives”, there are opportunities out there. I have three tips to discover the business that you already have that will keep [...]

Though no one can predict the impact our current topsy-turvy economy will have on the travel industry, I have faith that the all-inclusive vacation – as a value through boom and bust – will endure. The birth of the all-inclusive during the oil crisis in the 1970s supports my optimism. Tourism in Jamaica [...]

Travel agents are starting to use their websites as an effective component of their sales and marketing campaigns.  The content, tools, ease-of-use, and technology exist today for agencies of all sizes and web skills to have their own effective web presence, and to focus their websites on their particular specialties.  We know that consumers are [...]

With the changes we have seen in the travel industry, many may be thinking about getting out. Maybe it is time to sell? Maybe it is time to buy? As with life itself, timing is the key to acquisitions. As we crawl out of the economic havoc from October in the stock market, growing unemployment [...]

This is a great time to be a travel agent. No, it hasn’t been an easy year to sell leisure travel. I can relate. As a supplier who does not sell directly to the public, we are completely dependent on the success of retail travel agents. Your market conditions are our market conditions. Still, this [...]

As if the ongoing uncertainty in our topsy-turvy economy weren’t enough to make hard-working travel professionals a little queasy about the future, the ongoing battle over the various non-commissionable portions of the cruise fares is making them downright seasick.
Imagine selling a cruise for which your client pays nearly $450, but you only receive $16. Sound [...]

It amazes me when Independent Contractors (IC) expect 100% commissions from a Host Agency.  I’m even more flabbergasted when an IC is surprised to discover that their Host has defaulted on those same commission obligations.  Eventually the IC learns that 100% of zero equals  $0.00.
I spoke with a concerned agent last week.  He was dismayed [...]

If you’ve been anywhere near a TV, radio, newspaper or Wall Street employee, you know one thing; the economy is taking a beating. I know my wife and I are looking for a nanny and it’s been tough finding good applicants…until a few days ago.  Then, a barrage of applications came in.  When I asked [...]

Are these the times that try peoples’ souls?  Are these the best of times or the worst of times?  Are we living and working in one of the most difficult and challenging environments in our lifetime?
You and I both know the answers to those questions so the ‘real’ question is “What do we do now?”  [...]