MONTROSE
TRAVEL in Montrose, Calif.,
launched Mtravel.com, a program for home-based agents. Montrose
is a $100 million travel-management company. Andi McClure-Mysza, a
co-owner of Montrose with her brother, Joe McClure, said the firm
has been working with independent contractors in a host-agency
capacity since 1973. "Due to the evolving trends and increased
demand in the industry for strong, reliable and aggressive host
agencies, Montrose Travel invested heavily in the development of
the new MTravel.com brand to expand its reach into the home-based
agent market," she said.
MTRAVEL.COM will
offer "strong commissions with no minimums" as well as an
agent-only Web site with marketing and accounting support.
According to McClure-Mysza, the program is meant for serious travel
professionals as well as inexperienced people with the desire to
learn and grow a business. There are two fee and commission levels.
Experienced agents will earn 70% commission, pay $399 for the first
year of the affiliation and $359 to renew. Inexperienced agents
will earn 50% commission, pay $299 for the first year and $259 to
renew. Montrose is an Apollo agency, and there's a $30 monthly fee
for the GDS, McClure-Mysza said. More information is on line at www.mtravel.com.
EDUCATION
UPDATE: The Wales Tourist Board
rolled out an online destination specialist program the Web site
for travel professionals it launched earlier this year. Officials
said the modular "e-training" program at www.traveltradewales.com is meant to increase the knowledge and confidence of
international tour operators and agents selling Wales. The trade
site also provides updates on tourism initiatives, attractions,
accommodations, maps and other information. The password-protected,
online course will consist of seven units and tests covering a
range of Welsh topics, including history, mythology and geography.
The program will also feature an interactive map and online
discussion forum.
DATEBOOK: Marketing
techniques for independent contractors is the subject of the
Arkansas Outside Sales Support Network Chapter's meeting on Dec. 3
at Western Sizzlin, 2310 South 58th Street in Fort Smith. The event
begins at 11 a.m. There is no cost to attend for OSSN members.
Nonmembers pay a $10 fee. The featured speaker will be Melody
Moorehouse, a newspaper publisher from central Arkansas, who will
present information regarding the proper approach for successful
newspaper advertising with a focus on small budgets and local
resources. Get more details by e-mailing [email protected].
FAM OF THE WEEK
Mexico
Departures: Jan. 21 to 28
daily from New York to Cancun via American Airlines.
Length: Seven
nights.
Sponsor: Reko Tours,
Astoria, N.Y.
Cost: $849 per person,
double. Includes roundtrip air, all-inclusive accommodations at the
Caribe Real or Gran Costa Real (or comparable hotel) and
transfers.
Noteworthy: The single
supplement is $145, and the companion rate is $75 extra.
Contact: (800) 251-0230 or
(718) 721-0003; fax: (718) 721-5643; e-mail:
[email protected]