Podcast Number 319

Find more travel business related content at the TRAVEL CONSULTANT ACADEMY.

COHOSTED SEGMENT

Earning your client’s loyalty is the number one goal of the Starwood brand of hotels and resorts. Chris Austin, Starwood’s Vice President of programs and education for the travel professional explains that you will receive credit from your client when you send them to a property they love. This translates to repeat business and referrals to maximize your profit potential. The Starwood Pro educational program is designed to help you earn your client’s loyalty. In today’s show Chris explains the various modules of the Starwood Pro program and highlights some of the many benefits you will receive by completing the program. Take a few minutes and listen in and learn about the Starwood Pro program.

Visit us on Facebook –

The Home Based Travel Agent Show at http://www.facebook.com/HBTAS

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Kerri Chandler
“Grass Cutter (623 Club Mix)” (mp3)
from “House Legends: Kerri Chandler”
(King Street Sounds)

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Podcast Number 319

Special Edition

Find more travel business related content at the TRAVEL CONSULTANT ACADEMY.

COHOSTED SEGMENT

Every once and a while a great opportunity comes up that Lorene and I want to pass along to you. This show is a special edition to let you know about a FAM trip that you can take advantage of to expand your product line and bring a very unique product to your clients.

Alaskan Dream Cruises along with NACTA is offering a FAM trip to familiarize you with a small ship cruise that will bring you up close to amazing wildlife and the beauty of the Alaska coastline. You will experience shore trips on all terrain vehicles and take a personal watercraft called a Zeego to explore some of Alaska’s beautiful waterways. While on board you will experience excellent cuisine, including fresh seafood from Alaska.

The FAM cruise leaves Sitka, Alaska on June 23, 2012 and returns to Sitka on June 30, 2012. The cruise includes all dining and shore trips, exactly what your clients will experience when they sail with Alaskan Dream Cruises.

Listen to the show and hear Michael Wien describe the beauty and excitement you will experience on this great FAM trip. You can learn more by logging in to the NACTA website or immediately begin the qualification process by clicking the link following NACTA‘s description of the FAM below.

You can learn more about opportunities to grow you business with Alaskan Dream Cruises by calling the toll free number, 855-747-8100.

Alaskan Dream Cruises
Your fabulous cruise on the Admiral Dream will depart Sitka on an 8 day cruise on June 23, returning to Sitka on June 30, 2012. Qualification is required. Click on the following link for qualification.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHVPYTRZY3BEUkJqOXhIYkN3aDdheVE6MQ

Visit us on Facebook –

The Home Based Travel Agent Show at http://www.facebook.com/HBTAS

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Camilo Carrara
“The Swan (O Cisne)” (mp3)
from “Forest and Acoustic Guitar”
(Azul Music, Ltd)

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Podcast Number 318

Find more travel business related content at the TRAVEL CONSULTANT ACADEMY.

COHOSTED SEGMENT

Gary Ebels joins the show and gives us an update on many new and exciting things happening at Disney properties. Gary fills us in on a brand new value resort that will bring the family together in family suites. The Magic Kingdom is undergoing some renovation and Gary and fills us in on the new Fantasy Land. Plus there are many opportunities for the travel professional to take advantage of through the Disney Travel Agent website. Join us for some great information for the Disney fan or for the Disney Travel Agent.

Links

NACTA site - http://www.nacta.com/index.aspx

The Disney Travel Agent Site - http://www.disneytravelagents.com/portal/site/dta-domestic/

Walt Disney World Website - http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Disneyland site - http://disneyland.disney.go.com/

Disney Cruise Line - http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/
Some good sites for updates and information -

Allears - http://allears.net/index.html

WDW Radio - http://www.wdwradio.com/

Inside the Magic - http://www.insidethemagic.net/

Orlando Travel Agent Website - http://trade.visitorlando.com/

Visit us on Facebook –

The Home Based Travel Agent Show at http://www.facebook.com/HBTAS

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Marc Reift
“It’s A Small World” (mp3)
from “Cinemagic 14: Disney’s Magic World 3″
(Marcophon)

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Podcast Number 317

Find more travel business related content at the TRAVEL CONSULTANT ACADEMY.

COHOSTED SEGMENT

Catherine Heeg is an expert on using social media to increase the travel consultant’s exposure to potential and existing clients. Catherine is full of ideas about how you can find interesting content that will attract readers to your blog. If you haven’t created a blog for your travel business and not knowing what to write about is one of the challenges that is stopping you, then this show is for you.

Catherine conducts webinars and she is a highly valued speaker at travel professional events. You can learn more about Catherine and her many talents by visiting her website at www.cmsspeaking.com. You will find a link to Catherine’s blog at her website.

Travel News

Visit us on Facebook –

The Home Based Travel Agent Show at http://www.facebook.com/HBTA

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Podcast Number 316

Find more travel business related content at the TRAVEL CONSULTANT ACADEMY.

COHOSTED SEGMENT

Ann VanLeeuwen joins Lorene and Barry on today’s show to discuss the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA). Ann is the Vice President of NACTA and she describes some of the many benefits NACTA offers travel agents. Members of NACTA receive the Agent Life magazine and the opportunity to participate in the NACTA Agent Digest. The Digest is where agents help other agents by giving advice and answering questions. NACTA events for members include Seminars at Sea, other familiarization trips, plus many training opportunities and seminars. NACTA membership is a great value for the travel agent. You can contact Ann at AVL@NACTA.COM or explore their website at www.nacta.com.

To learn more about Ann check out a recent article in Travel Agent Central.

Ann makes an important announcement during the co-hosted segment about the Home Based Travel Agent Show. The Home Based Travel Agent show joins other great travel professional organizations such as CLIA and ASTA as an affiliate member of NACTA. Our affiliate membership recognizes The Home Based Travel Agent Show as a valuable resource for the travel trade community. Lorene and I are very proud of this affiliation and look forward to the new relationship with NACTA.

Travel News

What does it mean to be a travel agent?

Visit us on Facebook –

The Home Based Travel Agent Show at http://www.facebook.com/HBTA

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

David Arkenstone
“New Day” (mp3)
from “Sketches From An American Journey”
(Domo Records)

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Podcast Number 315

Find more travel business related content at the TRAVEL CONSULTANT ACADEMY.

COHOSTED SEGMENT

Cris DeSouza from Celebrity Cruise Lines joins the show to talk about best practices and key elements to build your travel business. This show is full of gems you can use and put into practice that will take your business to the next level. The information you hear in this show will build your business whether you specialize in land based travel or cruises. Grab a pencil and a pad of paper because you will want to take notes and create an outline that will have you selling more travel products in 2012.

Travel News

The focus in this show is on building your business so we have dispensed with the news items for today.

Visit us on Facebook –

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels.

Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group.

On Twitter

Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener

Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb

Gary’s Twitter name is gary222

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Hot Club of Detroit
“For Stéphane” (mp3)
from “It’s About That Time”
(Mack Avenue Records)

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Podcast Number 314

Find more travel business related content at the TRAVEL CONSULTANT ACADEMY.

COHOSTED SEGMENT

Join the fun and become an Anchorage Wild Expert (AWE) and possibly win a familiarization trip to Anchorage. Jody Overstreet and David Kasser join us in the co hosted segment where we talk about the great destination of Anchorage, Alaska. Jody and David are from the Anchorage Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. Jody and David explain the AWE certification program that, when completed, will allow you access to the AWE Alumni Facebook page. You can win Fam trips by participating in contests on the AWE Facebook page and continue your learning about Anchorage. A new Anchorage.net website will go online next week where travel trade professionals will find easy access to information about the AWE training and other great content for the travel professional. Join us by listening to the show and learn more about the exciting opportunities offered by the Anchorage Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.

The best way to contact David or Jody is by email at; joverstreet@anchorage.net or dkasser@anchorage.net.

Travel News

The Los Angeles Times Travel Show coming in late January

Near term travel trends

Disney cancels Mexico cruises

Visit us on Facebook –

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels.

Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group.

On Twitter

Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener

Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb

Gary’s Twitter name is gary222

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

AURAH
“I Decree Peace” (mp3)
from “Etherea Borealis”
(Very Music, Inc.)

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Podcast Number 313

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COHOSTED SEGMENT

Are you using social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter to develop presence and credibility for your travel business? If not, you should be. Catherine Heeg of Customized Management Solutions joins Barry and Lorene to discuss the potential of social media in getting your message out to potential clients. Don’t miss this show, the last of 2011, to learn about the potential of connecting with people who may become clients. Contact Catherine at (403) 726-0171 or through her website at www.cmsspeaking.com.

Travel News

Are travel agents making a comeback – Yes!

Here’s an opportunity to learn more about the niche market of medical and wellness travel

A prediction that travel spending is increasing in 2012

Visit us on Facebook –

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels.

Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group.

On Twitter

Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener

Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb

Gary’s Twitter name is gary222

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

AURAH
“Part 2″ (mp3)
from “Judith Martin”
(Very Music, Inc.)

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Podcast Number 312

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COHOSTED SEGMENT

Have you ever considered tapping into the affinity groups with customized tours for such groups as the Red Hat Ladies, your local church groups or the local garden club? Or, how about creating a special tour for your honeymoon clients? Chris Babb joins the show today to talk about his company, The Group Tour Company. Chris’ company can help you create those special tours with your own branding using a wish book of sites, attractions and hotels for locations along the East Coast. Your clients can experience the attractions of such places as New York City, Washington D.C., New England, Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. Listen to the show and learn how you can expand your market or enhance your niche.

You can contact Chris at 800-424-8895. Or, drop him an email at chris@grouuptourcompany.com. And, you can visit the website at www.grouptourcompany.com to learn more.

Travel News

How can travel suppliers leverage virtual assistants to help travel agents?

Two travel agents receive the “top travel agent” award for agents under 30 years of age. The distinction is awarded by Travel Agent Magazine.

What is airline ancillary revenue and what does that mean to the travel agent?

Visit us on Facebook –

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels.

Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group.

On Twitter

Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener

Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb

Gary’s Twitter name is gary222

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Duke Ellington
“Jingle Bells (Rise Ashen’s Reindeer Dub)” (mp3)
from “Holiday Lounge – The Christmas Remixes”
(Christmas Chill)

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Podcast Number 311

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COHOSTED SEGMENT

Here are ten things an independent travel consultant should know to build a successful business. Kelly Bergin, the Vice President for Business Development at Oasis Agents, details the ten things on today’s show. Kelly is a long time travel professional and Oasis Agents has been in business twenty-five years.

Also on today’s show, Kelly announced an new program at Oasis Agents for people who want to start a career as a travel consultant. The new program begins in January of 2012. You can learn more by listening to the show or clicking on the links above, or contact Kelly by email at Kelly@oasisagents.com or by telephone at (800) 613-8380 extension 120. Oasis Agents can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/oasisagentcom.

Travel News

Jon Jones, one of our listeners responded to our questions posed on Show 310, “how does Siri on the new iPhone respond when asked to find a travel agent?” Jon produced a nice video showing Siri’s response. This is a good video to watch if you’ve never seen Siri in action, or maybe you don’t know who Siri is and want to find out. Check out Jon’s production at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKsixjcCXdI&feature=youtu.be

Visit us on Facebook –

Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz

Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener

Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels.

Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group.

On Twitter

Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener

Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb

Gary’s Twitter name is gary222

Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com.

Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Spinman
“Sambalanana” (mp3)
from “Quickstar Productions Presents: Electric Underground, Vol. 10″
(Distrophonix)

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