JOYSTAR, a host agency
based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., reported that its third-quarter net
loss was $47,484 compared with $999,214 for third-quarter 2005.
Third-quarter revenue rose 263% to $2.1 million compared with
$581,326 in 2005. The increase was attributed to growth in agent
membership, which rose by 616 new members, and higher
preferred-supplier commissions. Meanwhile, gross travel bookings
for the third quarter increased 322% to $16.2 million, compared
with $5 million for the same period in 2005. "Although we expect
continued significant increase in our cruise business, our goal for
2007 and beyond is to grow our tour and land-based vacation
business to represent 75% of total gross bookings and revenue,"
said Bill Alverson, chairman and CEO
AMERICA'S
VACATION CENTER, a host agency and American Express Travel
Representative, began paying commissions to affiliated agents
through a weekly direct deposit. Payment is made through Agent
Power, AVC's proprietary software that enables real-time commission
reporting and automatically finds and collects unpaid commissions.
The firm said the new payment plan will cut down on the lull many
independent contractors experience during the month when waiting
for their payments.
EDUCATION
UPDATE: Trafalgar Tours is inviting travel agents to
participate in a series of free seminars to celebrate the
supplier's 60 years of touring. Agents who take part will receive
$50 bonus commissions and a chance to win a vacation for two to
Europe. Through Jan. 16, the operator's two- and three-hour
seminars will include breakfast or lunch, depending on the city and
the date. For more information and reservations, agents can contact
Trafalgar at (800) 854-0103 or visit www.trafalgar.com.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Wyoming
Trip: Agents stay and ski at Snow King
Resort in Jackson for five nights starting Jan. 24.
Sponsor: Jackson Hole Central Reservations,
Jackson, Wyo.
Cost: $350 for
standard guest room accommodations or $650 for accommodations in a
Love Ridge suite. Rates are per person, single. Includes
accommodations, three days of skiing, one night of skiing, snow
tubing, a group ski lesson, airport transfers, some meals and an
optional nonski activity.
Noteworthy: Companions are eligible. If
travel agents book 35 nights with JHCR during the 2006-07 ski
season, the cost of the fam will be refunded.
Contact: (800) 443-6931, Ext.
3017.
Home-Based
Agent Editor:
Donna
Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].