“Chris Russo” | Search Results | Travel Research Online

Well, it is that time of year. The geese fly south and the bears go into hibernation. And believe it or not, so does TRO—but just for a little bit. As the year winds down, we ease up on our daily publishing, spend some time with our families, and focus on the loose ends that invariably exist in our own travel businesses.  About a month ago, we all celebrated Thanksgiving. Now we are in the midst of the December Holidays—Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and a few others I probably left off; but I want to take this time to offer my personal thanks to some individuals who have made working on TRO a true pleasure. Besides, my thanks can stay up for two weeks! Read the rest of this entry »

Most travel agents are not born knowing how to represent luxury travel.  The good news, however, is they can learn. Platinum Seminars is a company dedicated to training travel consultants to serve the luxury market. Founded in 1992 by William W. (Bill) Brown, Platinum Seminars is backed with 17 years of industry experience. Platinum offers qualifying travel agents the opportunity to experience a luxury cruise at a familiarization rate, while participating in an on-board Seminar at Sea. Since 1992, over 20,000 travel agents have completed training on luxury vessels.  Sailings offer one or more luxury sales modules written by travel industry consultants and accredited by The Travel Institute for three continuing education units. Modules are continually being modified to meet the changing luxury market, and new modules are being added to better assist representatives of the travel industry to sell in the luxury market. Read the rest of this entry »

As we celebrate our nation’s day of independence from Great Britain, it seems that the travel agency industry is also preparing (or should be preparing) to celebrate their independence. Independence from what you might ask. Well, if you have read some of my past columns, I firmly believe that we are undergoing a huge renaissance in the travel industry. We are no longer “agents” of anyone. We are swiftly moving to an era of independence. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently some airline CEOs have been asked about their vision of the future. Coincidentally, both Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson and American Airlines CEO Richard Arpey share the same vision, or in Arpey’s case, “dream.” Regardless of the terminology, both men indicated they foresee a future in which travel intermediaries pay for the privilege of selling their product. A reverse commission, if you will.

Much like Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, both men envision a utopia that punishes individuals for breaking from their planned universe. They see a world in which everyone will happily accept that what they say is right and good. A world in which travel agents and online travel agencies will pay for the privilege of selling what has become a transportation commodity, and not a pleasurable one at that. They see a place where they, not the customer, are the center of the universe. Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions, right? Some people might have a long list of personal goals while others might mix in a few professional resolutions. I think everyone, no matter who they are, can add “cut unnecessary expenses” to their list. I know that this is one of my top goals for 2009, both at home and in my agency. Continuing on a professional level, now more than ever I’m looking to separate my agency and our services from the competition.

Luckily, I’ve found a way to achieve both goals with one move—I’m going green. Read the rest of this entry »