PERILLO
TOURS no longer is accepting bookings from agents
affiliated with YTB Travel Network, a multilevel marketing travel
agency. Steve Perillo, president of Perillo Tours, said that when
he read a few weeks ago that Royal Caribbean was weeding out "card
mills" and that YTB was on the list, he decided to have a look at
YTB bookings for his firm. He said he found that "90% of the
travelers and booking agents were the same person." He said Perillo
Tours might take similar steps regarding similar companies.
Meanwhile, IATA said it canceled accreditation of four U.S. travel
agencies for violating accreditation standards forbidding the
"improper lending, subcontracting or hiring to a third party of an
IATA numeric code by agencies." It is apparent that agencies in the
card mill/multilevel marketing categories are among the targets,
but IATA declined to name the canceled companies.
VACATION.COM is "strongly supporting" the
agencies that could be adversely affected by recent state
legislative action in Michigan, and has thrown its support behind
ASTA's efforts to repeal the bill that could levy a 6% tax on
travel providers. The Michigan State Legislature recently approved
a bill that would levy the tax on specific service industries; it
was signed by the governor and takes effect Dec. 1. The confusion
about whether travel agencies are subjected to the new tax stems
from the North American Industry Classification System code 561599,
which refers to "all other travel arrangements and reservation
services." The code specifically excludes travel agencies, but the
bill refers to taxing the services within the 561599 code, which
includes reservation services for airlines, car rentals, hotels and
cruise ships.
NACTA'S Travel Professionals 2.0 Conference
will focus on peer-to-peer agent marketing and networking when the
daylong event gets under way at 7:15 a.m. on Nov. 28. "Instead of
having people who are not travel agents telling you how to be a
successful travel agent, you will have successful travel agents
sharing their knowledge with you," says NACTA on its Web site.
Royal Caribbean International's home-based, online and interline
channel manager, Jill Hanon, will moderate a forum on networking.
Additionally, NACTA President Joanie Ogg will moderate a session
called "The Hosting vs. Solo Debate," and Dondra Ritzenthaler,
senior vice president of sales for Celebrity and Azamara Cruises,
will present a program called "Attitude is Everything." The event
is being held at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale, and it also will
feature supplier booths. Details and registration is at www.nacta.com.
DATEBOOK: The OSSN California Central
Valley Chapter will meet Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. for a presentation on
travel to Bhutan. The chapter will welcome OSSN agents as well as
non-members at Christ Unity Church in Sacramento. There is no fee
for the meeting, but a freewill donation will be taken up for the
church. Agents may bring a brown-bag meal for dinner if they wish.
Kezang Nima, a senior tour guide from Bhutan, will discuss travel
in Bhutan. Agents should RSVP via e-mail to [email protected] or by phone, (209)
759-3733.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Mexico
Trip: An overnight, all-inclusive stay at
the Casa Velas hotel in Puerto Vallarta.
Sponsor: The Casa Velas.
Cost: $150 per person, per night, double.
Includes accommodations in a master suite, all meals with premium
alcoholic beverages, access to the hotel's hydrotherapy facilities
and fitness center, golf at the Marina Vallarta Golf Club, taxes
and gratuities.
Noteworthy: Trip must be completed by Dec.
20.
Contact: (866) 612-1097 in the U.S. or
(866) 442-9205 in Canada.
Home-Based
Agent Editor: Donna Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].