I'm thrilled to report this month has been fantastic and business is excellent! Since it's summer, the focus has really been on wrapping up summer trips for clients, distributing documents, and handling any last-minute requests. Many clients have already returned, and the feedback is generally positive. Of course there are some challenges - some are in my control and others are not. Regardless, one constant is that problems do come up and wreak havoc! It was my goal this month to create a plan of prevention and resolution, and that has been helpful.

I think the issues travel professionals face can be broken down into three…

Our profession has an old saying: “Selling is a contact sport.” This means that to sell something, you must meet with your prospect. You have to put your face in front of people before you can establish rapport and make them feel comfortable enough to do business with you.

You’ve been working hard to identify and pre-qualify prospects. You’ve been contacting individuals asking for a few minutes of their time so you can outline your program and its benefits. So what if everything you have done actually works? What do you do if your prospect agrees to meet with you?

by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday July 05, 2016

Alaska is often dismissed as simply a cold, frigid land devoid of life. Nothing could be further from the truth: from brown and black bears to humpback whales to our country's national bird, the Bald Eagle, Alaska is teaming with wildlife and history. During the spring and summers, the vibrant greens carpeting the land rivals anything you'll see in the tropics or Ireland, with stately mountains rising in the distance. The coastal town of Sitka offers the best of all worlds, from close encounters with local wildlife to a walk to living history, there is something for everyone, no matter what you're looking for.

by John Frenaye
Monday July 04, 2016

I have been in the travel industry for a hair shy of 20 years, and have seen so many changes and shifts. Notable ones have been the reduction and elimination of air commissions, the increase in “disease panic” problems, and perhaps the biggest change was the shift of the business model from retail to a home based, independent model. And with most of our audience falling into the latter category, on this Independence Day, I wish you a very Happy Independent’s Day!…

Tuesday July 5, 2016

It was a busy afternoon at the Career Fair which I, at the last minute, decided to attend. As I was walking around and glanced over the different booths, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was hoping to find. I wanted to stay in the hospitality industry, but try something new. I suddenly spotted the Image Tours, Inc. logo printed on a large banner and headed for the table, instantly intrigued to know more. I remember thinking how interesting it was to find such a unique company that was very relatable to my personal interests, yet still very different than any other job I’d had in the past. That’s where I met and spoke with Mike, the company’s president. From there I was contacted for an interview, and started working within a month!…