HOST
AGENCIES, it seems, do not appeal to all home-based
retailers. Take Laura Boehm, who operates Cruise and Tour Specials,
in Venice, Fla. I realized that selling travel is something I can
do on my own, rather than having somebody looking over my
[shoulder] at all times and feeling pressure to produce sales. I am
a much more stress-free person, she said.
BOEHM, now in her second year as a true
independent, has been an agent for seven years. She is affiliated
with CLIA and Vacation.com, and books her customers travel either
online or by phone. I dont feel the need to be with a host agency.
I want to keep my commissions and not share them with someone else,
she said. Signing up with a host, she added, would be giving up the
independence that I have worked so hard at achieving. Boehm is
among an increasing number of at-homes confident enough to go it
alone; a recent survey by the National Association of Commissioned
Travel Agents found that more than 60% of member agents are
affiliated with a host, but thats down from nearly 75% two years
ago.
CONTIKI
HOLIDAYS rolled out an agent Web site at http://agent.contiki.com. The Anaheim, Calif., company
offers tours, resorts, and cruises for 18- to 35-year-olds. The
site enables agents to book online, maintain records, and save
itineraries. Additionally, agents can add pages to a wish list and
create custom brochures that can be e-mailed to clients. To access
the site, agents should log on to create an account using a valid
IATAN number, e-mail address and password.
DATEBOOK: Database management will be the
topic of discussion when the Fort Worth Chapter of the Outside
Sales Support Network meets on March 22, 6 p.m. at the HEB Central
Market community room, Fort Worth. A representative from Trams will
be present. Get more information by e-mailing [email protected].
FAM OF
THE WEEK
Anguilla
Dates
valid: Through Dec. 21 for overnight stays.
Sponsor: Arawak Beach Inn, Island Harbour
Beach, Anguilla.
Cost: Through April 2, rates start at
$97.50 per night, 50% off rack. From April 3 through Dec. 21,
discounted rates start at $80 per night. Rates are based on
availability and blackout dates apply.
Contact: (877) 4-ARAWAK or e-mail: [email protected].