STUART
COHEN, a founder and the senior vice president of sales at
the Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel, resigned from the
organization. According to Kathryn Mazza-Burney, executive vice
president of sales at NEST, Cohen will pursue other interests
within the travel industry. Mazza-Burney said she would continue to
oversee day-to-day operations and strategic planning for NEST, a
marketing group for home-based agents. Cohens resignation took
effect last week.
IATA, the parent organization of Iatan that
issues agent identification cards that are widely recognized in the
industry, said it is requiring that anyone seeking to participate
in the Iatan program for independent agencies must attest, and be
able to prove if audited, that no more than 15% of their business
is personal or family travel. The move is intended to shut out card
mill agents whose business is often their own travel. The new rule
applies to applicants for Iatans travel sales intermediary program
for independent outlets. Also, Iatans advisory board supported a
rule change that reduces the financial investment criteria from
$25,000 to $10,000 for agents who operate full-service Iatan
agencies in a home. Applicants have to provide financial statements
showing the investment of up to $10,000 or the available cash. The
board noted that those operating in a home dont have to invest as
much as agencies in storefront or corporate locations. The new
rules are effective immediately.
EDUCATION
UPDATE: The Travel Institutes updated Certified Travel
Associate program is priced at $300 (a $75 savings) until June 15.
Launched in 1997 and restructured and updated in April, the CTA
program is geared to front-line professionals with 18 months of
industry experience. It allows for self-study or group study, can
be completed at an Institute-approved licensed school or at a CTA
workshop. Details are at www.thetravelinstitute.com.
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Mediterranean
Trip: Cruise visits Genoa, Italy;
Marseille, France; Tangiers, Morocco; and Almeira, Barcelona,
Ibiza, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Departure: Oct. 14 from New York to Genoa
on Air France.
Length: Eight-day cruise from Genoa on
Louis Cruise Lines Coral.
Sponsor: Unique World Cruises, Manhasset,
N.Y.
Cost: $1,098 per person, double. Includes
roundtrip air, accommodations, three meals daily and
entertainment.
Noteworthy: Companion rates are available.
Taxes not included.
Contact: (800) 669-0757 or (516) 627-2636;
fax: (516) 365-1667; e-mail: [email protected].
Home-Based
Agent Editor:
Donna
Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].