http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta Home-Based Travel Agent 2008-08-21T20:56:46Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Tips-for-a-Smooth-Trip/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528539?ref=25 With the latest airport security issues, airline hassles, roadway tie-ups and expensive gas fill-ups, how can you smooth the trip for your clients? Several home-based agents shared their insight and trip tips with us. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528539null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Traveler/Italy/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528550?ref=25 For years, the typical tourist route in Italy was Rome-Florence-Venice. But now, with the growth in repeat tourism, the traveling public's yen for off-the-beaten-path experiences and the proliferation of media that spread the word about less-familiar destinations, tourists are venturing to all parts of the country. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528550null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Hotels%2FResorts/Small-Meeting-Groups/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528541?ref=25 Elaxing in a tranquil setting isn't an option just for leisure clients. Several properties offer worthwhile picks to get your business travelers out of the stuffy boardroom and into wide-open spaces. As an added bonus, after the meeting adjourns, your clients can partake in these properties' additional perks. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528541null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Pacific+Asia/Beyond-Bangkok/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528547?ref=25 Getting There: All leading international airlines have direct flights to Bangkok. Most visitors will arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as the new Bangkok International Airport. Thailand's four other international Airports are in Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Rai. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528547null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Italy-Every-Which-Way/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528551?ref=25 Here is a sampling of escorted tour packages to Italy in various niches. Other operators have programs in the same markets, and all operators mentioned here run trips to Italy besides these. Prices quoted are per person, double, and do not include transatlantic airfare. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528551null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Events%2FTrade+Shows/Host-Agents-in-Las-Vegas/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528540?ref=25 To impress upon suppliers just how vital home-based agents can be for their business, Travel Agent Media Group partnered with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to present the Host Agency Symposium in late May. More than 50 local suppliers and representatives from hotels and attractions attended the gathering at Caesars Palace, and the presidents of four leading host agencies presented a panel on the emerging distribution channel, called "Home-Based Agents." Travel Agent Media Group's Kerry Cannon moderated the panel, which consisted of Jackie Friedman, general manager of Nexion; Pam Miller, president of Magellan360; Peter Rasmussen, president of Travel Counsellors; and Bill Alverson, president and CEO of Joystar Inc. Combined, these host agencies generate more than $700 million in sales. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528540null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/When-To-Go-Where-To-Stay-And-What-To-Do/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528545?ref=25 When to Go 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528545null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Thailand/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528546?ref=25 Thailand has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons. If you're looking for maximum time on the beach, plan your visit from March to the end of April, when it's hot and dry with average temperatures of 82 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit. May to October is a mix of rain and sun, with average daily temperatures of 80 to 86 degrees, while it's a comparatively cool 75 to 80 degrees from November to February. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528546/COVERart01_REV_thumbnail.jpg http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528546null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Publisher%27s+Note/What-Weve-Learned/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528534?ref=25 In this issue of Home-Based Travel Agent, we look at two very different destinations: Dubai and Italy. Dubai, it can be said, is one of the newest destination spots to arise over the past few years, thanks to the number of dramatically opulent hotels and tall buildings that have been consistently appearing on its skyline month after month. The truth is, however, it's new to the U.S. market; the Brits have been going there for years and, in fact, Dubai is an ancient trading post that has always drawn international traffic. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528534null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Touchdown-Dubai/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528544?ref=25 Shuffling through Dubai International Airport with a head full of unfounded apprehension, my nervousness quickly evaporated, quite literally, when I stepped outside. It was May in Dubai, early morning, and I was boiling in 105 degrees of desert heat. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528544null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/New+Products/New-Products/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528552?ref=25 For active travelers who also happen to use wheelchairs, the GADA Belt (www.gadabelt.com) is a welcome accessory. The belt is a side guard, clothing protector and sports belt for manual wheelchair users. The belt also improves seating posture. The product's soft, waterproof material was designed to replace the hard-plastic side guards that usually come with manual wheelchairs. This product is currently designed to fit all Quickie and Ti model manual wheelchairs. Design modifications are under way for other wheelchair models. The product's introductory price is $79, plus shipping. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528552null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Editor%27s+Note/Youth-can-be-served-mdashand-serve-as-well/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528533?ref=25 I've often thought that Realtors and travel agents have parallel challenges. The need to constantly prospect for new customers in order to keep a healthy flow of business going is certainly similar. Additionally, virtually everyone is a potential client, although it's wise to hunt out people who have money to spend rather than those who don't. And, in the end, travel agents and real estate agents are playing the role of matchmaker by establishing the right person with the right vacation, or dream home. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528533null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Lights-Camera-Action/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528535?ref=25 You've probably seen other agents on television being interviewed during a busy travel period, such as Christmas or Mother's Day. How were they chosen? Chances are, it wasn't by accident. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528535null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Exclusive-Experience-on-the-High-Seas/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528549?ref=25 Chartering entire ships for either corporate incentive travel or affinity groups has long been the realm of corporate travel managers or third-party practitioners. In most cases, if a company is looking to charter a ship, it will turn to the people in charge of that company's travel program. In other cases, a company may seek out a third party whose specialty is chartering full ships. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528549null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Hotels%2FResorts/The-Yucatan-and-Its-Capital-City-of-MAtildecopyrid/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528542?ref=25 The Yucatan in Mexico is one of those perfect destinations in the world that has the amenities to keep just about every type of traveler—from children to adults, couples to singles—satisfied. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528542null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Traveler/Chartering-Small-Ships/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528548?ref=25 Imagine an entire ship at your disposal. "Captain, set a course for Seychelles. Chef, for dinner I'll have the steamed lobster tail with a side of warm drawn butter." Except for millionaires, this is probably a pipe dream. However, if you are part of a group charter on a cruise ship, get the bib ready. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528548null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Exploring-the-Yucatan/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528543?ref=25 The best hotels in the Yucatan are just outside of Mérida. Here are a few we recommend pitching to your clients. Hacienda Petac (www.haciendapetac.com) is a private luxury resort rental that houses a maximum of 12 people. By November, it will be equipped with a new spa and fitness center. Hacienda Petac is about a 30-minute drive from the Mérida International Airport. All rooms here are suites. The property offers agents commissions of 10 to 15 percent, depending on volume. The travel agent liaison at the property is Casey Leonard (800-225-4255, info@haciendapetac.com). 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528543null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Sell-the-Cell/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528553?ref=25 Let's face it: You're measured by your clients' entire overseas travel experience, and that covers everything from the plane trip to the hotel bedding. But it also includes their ability to stay in touch with home and the office—and that means a cell phone. Cell phone rentals can bring you not only repeat customers, but possible commissions. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528553null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Managing+Your+Business/Self-Starter-Finds-Success/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528536?ref=25 One of the consistent things we hear from home-based agents is how travel was always in their blood and has always been their career choice. Not so with Kimberly Kane, president of Greenville, IN-based Personal Travel Inc. (www.personaltravelonline.com). "I had worked in real estate and retail," she says, "when one day, I passed an agency with a 'Help Wanted' sign in the window. So I went in, had an interview and got the job." Within two years, she was the office manager, and responsible for training new agents. Perhaps it was in her blood after all. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528536null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Tools-to-Use-and-NEST-FEST-08/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528537?ref=25 Travel agents have a new booking portal to work with: Tourism Outlet (www.tourismoutlet.com) is a worldwide platform that allows travel agencies to create packages more easily. Hotels place their available rooms on Tourism Outlet's website, which tour operators can browse and use to make bookings. The hotels can be shopped and compared on the same page, allowing for an easier overview and less time wasted going from site to site. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528537null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Savings-for-Summer-and-Beyond/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528538?ref=25 Continental Offers Vegas Savings Earn a $50 instant air credit on air-inclusive packages to Las Vegas from Continental Airlines Vacations. Consumers will also receive a $100 MasterCard gift card when they purchase Las Vegas packages with a valid MasterCard. Eligible air-inclusive packages must be booked by July 31, for travel through August 31. A minimum three-night stay is required and blackout dates apply. The promotion is valid per booking, not per person. Gift cards will be mailed once travel has been completed. Continental Airlines Vacations offers travel agents commissions of up to 13 percent on Las Vegas bookings. For reservations or more information, call Continental Airlines Vacations at 800-634-5555. Electronic bookings can be made via VAX Vacation Access at www.vaxvacationaccess.com. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528538null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Tech-Brief/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/528554?ref=25 Vacation.com member agencies will receive a $1,000 first-year booking incentive when they sign on for EZguider, a new and fully integrated, leisure-focused selling system and booking platform. Steve Tracas, president and CEO, announced the news to 1,400 attendees at last month's opening session of Vacation.com's 10th Annual Conference at Caesars Palace. 2008-08-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/282008/528554null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Tips-for-Saving-Time-and-Money/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520970?ref=25 There can be no doubt that technology is constantly changing the travel industry. Beyond the obvious convenience of how e-mailing has cut down on your calls and the manner in which e-tickets have saved your absent-minded clients, there are many technology tips that could improve the efficiency of your business. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520970null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/News/Tools-for-the-Trade/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520971?ref=25 In a recent interview, Jackie Friedman, general manager of host agency Nexion (www.nexion.com), said that the company is investing in marketing and training programs to help agents build their businesses, including lucrative group and corporate sales. Nexion members also win from a stream of innovations from Nexion and its partners in Sabre Travel Network. This includes the recently launched Nexion Town online community and Nexion Xpress. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520971null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Cruise/Scandinavia/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520981?ref=25 With the seat of the cruise industry firmly entrenched in europe, it was only a matter of time before northern europe, particularly scandinavia, would become a hotbed for cruise vacations. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520981/scandinavia_thumbnail.jpg http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520981null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Green-Destinations-Sites-and-Resorts/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520984?ref=25 You don't have to go far in Belize to find a property that is eco-friendly. Perhaps one of the destination's most popular green resorts is Tranquility Bay Resort (www.tranquilitybayresort.com), which opened its doors in 2006. In the Ambergris Caye region of Belize, the resort is made up of 11 beachfront cabanas on 12 acres within Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520984null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/New-Products/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520985?ref=25 New Products 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520985null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Culinary-Tourism/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520975?ref=25 For a long while, the art of preparing food suffered severe neglect as convenience foods proliferated. But over the past decade, people have begun to rediscover the pleasures of food and cooking. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520975null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/San-Diego/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520979?ref=25 San Diego is a city that is regularly lauded for its quality of life. Travelers can rent a little of this quality by dropping by for a visit. In my experiences in San Diego, I'm always impressed by the city's easygoing energy and the simplicity of navigating the city's streets. For a major metropolis, there's a surprising hometown feel that can probably be attributed to San Diego's distinctly different neighborhoods. Two of my favorites are the Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego's version of Little Italy. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520979null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Publisher%27s+Note/Its-All-in-the-Numbers/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520967?ref=25 Recently some terrific research was released that paints a clear picture of your world as home-based travel agents, and of the travel distribution landscape overall. This past month, PhoCusWright Inc., the leading research company in the travel industry, unveiled the findings of its new report, "PhoCus Wright's Travel Agency Distribution Landscape: 2006–2009." 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520967null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Irelands-Pastoral-Regions/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520976?ref=25 Music streams out of O'Connor's Bar in the center of Killarney, Ireland, every time the door opens onto the sidewalk, with lively jigs and reels beckoning to passersby. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520976null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Hotels%2FResorts/An-Irish-Welcome-in-the-Kingdom-of-Kerry/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520977?ref=25 Cead Mile Failte, "A Hundred Thousand Welcomes," is the age-old slogan of Irish hospitality and tourism. Your clients will feel this warm welcome wherever they go in the southwest region of Ireland, known as the Kingdom of Kerry. Whether stopping to enjoy a pint of Guinness or a pot of tea, asking directions to a ring fort or an artist's studio, or simply sharing a bench at a scenic overlook, they'll feel right at home chatting up the locals. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520977null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Cruise/Sailing-the-Scandinavian-Seas/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520982?ref=25 Scandinavia is a European destination for both seasoned cruisers and for first-timers who have already experienced other areas of Europe by land. Stress to your clients that they will be paying for their cruise in U.S. dollars, which makes a European cruise one of the best vacation values going right now. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520982null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Editor%27s+Note/How-Do-You-Look/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520966?ref=25 You will typically have only a few minutes to make an impression on a potential client, so be ready with your sales pitch. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520966null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Creating-the-Perfect-Pitch/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520968?ref=25 Sales pitches surround us all day, every day, in one form or another. Product branding is trumpeted at us from the time we pour our breakfast cereal in the morning to the time we go to bed, watching the television commercials and infomercials dance on our television screens as we nod off to sleep. All throughout the day, we encounter billboards, newspapers, mail and e-mail, phone calls and fliers... the list is endless and all are intended to sell us something. How can you separate your sales pitch from the clamor of all the others? 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520968null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Managing+Your+Business/Jennifer-Byrne/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520969?ref=25 When agents tell their stories of how they got in the business, a burgeoning love of travel at a young age usually tops the list. However, few agents can say that initial love of travel extended so far as to rating the digs of competing suppliers. "As a kid, when I would go on a family vacation I always wanted to see all of the other hotels in the area," says Jennifer Byrne of The Tropical Travelers in Malvern, PA. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520969null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/De-Taxing-and-Relaxing/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520972?ref=25 Doing the Charleston A package at AAA Five-Diamond Wentworth Mansion in Charleston, SC, lets guests take a break from money and tax talk and enjoy a relaxing getaway for the cost of their government rebate. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520972null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Delivering-Documents-With-Surprise-and-Wow/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520974?ref=25 Watching "Jeopardy" gave Liz Fisher, a SeaMaster Cruises (www.cruisesbyliznpaul.com) franchise owner in Mandeville, LA, a brilliant idea for how to creatively present cruise documents purchased by clients as gifts. "I had been watching with my five kids, and the people had won a cruise after spelling something like 'Jamaica.' We thought it was such a great idea." 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520974null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Identifying-Agents/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520973?ref=25 The Travel Agency industry must grasp control of its own destiny and determine its own future—including how professional travel agents are defined and identified, says Bruce Bishins, president of the Travel Retailer Identification Program (TRIP). 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520973null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/San-Diego/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520980?ref=25 Getting There: Visitors fly into Lindbergh International Airport. Expect to pay from $8 to $10 for a taxi from the airport to downtown San Diego. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520980null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Traveler/Ecotourism/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520983?ref=25 It was a lot easier to pick out the best eco-friendly resorts and tours about five years ago, but thanks to Al Gore, the floodgates have opened and every major supplier is claiming to have gone green. In fact, Googling "ecotours" will return about 1,310,000 hits. 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520983null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Pacific-Northwest-Cruises/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/520978?ref=25 If the words "backpacking," "yacht cruising," "hiking" and "wilderness" come up at any point when discussing a vacation plan with your clients, suggest a cruise to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Several cruise lines offer itineraries to this region, including American Safari Cruises (www.amsafari.com), Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.com) and Majestic America Line (www.majesticamericaline.com). 2008-06-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/232008/520978null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Editor%27s+Note/When-Its-Just-Not-Worth-It/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514023?ref=25 I've always believed that knowing what not to do helps you overcome 50 percent of the challenges in this life. That same mantra plays out in terms of knowing which clients are simply not worth your time. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514023null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/On-Location/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514041?ref=25 The public's enthrallment with celebrity has had benefits for travelers and the travel industry in the form of tours inspired by popular films, TV shows and books. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514041null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/A-Trip-Worth-Taking/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514038?ref=25 Getting There: Most visitors will arrive at Sydney Airport (also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport). 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514038null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Cruising-with-the-Family/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514040?ref=25 Carnival Cruise Lines' (www.carnival.com) $250 million Evolutions of Fun initiative on the line's eight Fantasy-class ships guarantees a good time for the whole family. At the heart are two key elements: Waterworks, an expansive water park for kids and adults alike, and Serenity, an area devoted to adults. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514040null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/La-Romana/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514035?ref=25 With miles of pristine beaches; an unspoiled, centuries-old National Park; several world-class golf courses; an American-style casino and a rich assortment of full-featured resorts, La Romana—an emerging tourist destination on the Dominican Republic's southeast coast—is the ideal vacation destination for honeymooners, families, water sports enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers and golfers. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514035null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Cruise/The-Real-Fam-Cruise/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514039?ref=25 The film National Lampoon's Vacation, starring the inimitable Chevy Chase, is a whimsical romp that follows the adventurous mishaps of the Griswold clan as they traverse America's landscape on a family vacation from the heartland to the West Coast. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514039null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Managing+Your+Business/Profile-Michelle-Duncan-Odyssey-Travel/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514026?ref=25 Unlike many agents who close up shop at 5 p.m. or are closed on weekends, Michelle Duncan, owner of Odyssey Travel, Inc., of Centreville, VA, believes it's imperative to field a 24/7 operation. Duncan's home-based agency, which also employs 20 other home-based agents, touts around-the-clock access as a critical client service. "In this fast-paced age, we have to be more flexible to meet the needs of our guests," Duncan stresses. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514026null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Summer-Potpourri/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514029?ref=25 Classic Vacations is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in the Caribbean this year with the launch of its Caribbean Treasures 2008 campaign featuring more than 50 value-added offers. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514029null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Getting-Rid-of-Bad-Clients/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514025?ref=25 It happens to all of us: Relationships falter and friendships fail. Sometimes parting is not such sweet sorrow, especially when the end of the relationship also removes a thorn from your side. But what do you do when the difficult person is a client? Can you afford to turn away his business, or will it be more of a personal sacrifice if you remain committed to the relationship? The decision will likely come down to what amount of strife you find personally tolerable in your professional life. Your "unbearable" client may be another agent's "challenge." Read on to learn how some agents determine between the difficult ones and those that need to be let go. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514025null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/News/The-latest-from-the-industry/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514028?ref=25 Costa Cruise Lines (www.costacruises.com) has hired Bill Dwyer, formerly vice president of sales for Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited, as its director of field sales for Costa Cruise Lines, North America. In his new role, Dwyer, a 20-year travel industry veteran, will oversee all field sales strategy and development and manage all regional sales development managers in the U.S. and Canada. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514028null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/New-Products/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514043?ref=25 Do you have clients who often take their work with them—no matter what the setting? Well, for your ever-on-the-go clients, there is a new messenger bag that is durable for any type of situation. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514043null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Industry-Associations/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514031?ref=25 Today's home-based independent travel agent has a great range of resources upon which he or she can draw to build a successful business. In fact, there are so many resources that independent agents face a clear-cut need to sort out which resources are most immediately relevant to their needs. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514031null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Tulum/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514033?ref=25 Skipping the ruins can ruin your Mexican vacation. Cancun is great, but once you are there you are a mere two-hour drive from what might be one of the most scenic destinations in all of Mexico, and the Riviera Maya's latest hot spot for tourism: Tulum. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514033null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Eyeing-Your-Itinerary/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514027?ref=25 Creating an itinerary is a proposition that might vary from client to client. For some customers, it's a slam dunk: They tell you specifically what they want and you put it together effortlessly. For others, it might be a casual thought about "possibly" doing a trip to Europe—now you have to quickly create a possible trip itinerary while the interest is there and make sure it's strong enough to seal the deal. Travel may not be an impulse buy like that magazine at the grocery checkout counter, but many deals are decided by agents who act quickly, rather than those who sit on their hands and hope the customer will sell themselves. Here are some resources to make that itinerary jump off the screen as fast as you need it. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514027null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Sydney-Australia/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514037?ref=25 Sydney is often hailed as one of the most livable cities in the world, a cultural capital without the pinky-in-the-air attitude. When most people think of Sydney, the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge instantly come to mind. But Sydney and its environs are also a beach destination of the first order. Its profile as a surfing destination is growing like the proverbial seventh wave. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514037/sydney2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514037null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/For-Clients-Who-Are-Fans-Of-Movies-TV-or-Certain-A/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514042?ref=25 Here is a sampling of tours in destinations where movies, TV shows and books take place. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514042null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Publisher%27s+Note/Never-Underestimate/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514024?ref=25 While reading through the pages of this month's issue of Home-Based Travel Agent and pondering my next publisher's letter, several articles jumped out at me. However, there was one name that I could not get out of my mind—Cary Haskin. He's featured in our article, "The Right Stuff", in which we profiled four agents who rose above and beyond due to their dedication, selling power and general professionalism. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514024null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Southern-Swing/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514032?ref=25 There is a lot to be said for spending the summer in Florida, especially for those clients with a fondness for hitting the links. Here are a few packages to keep in mind for clients during the warmer months: 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514032null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Hotels%2FResorts/A-Future-in-Ancient-Ruins/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514034?ref=25 Perhaps Tulum's most popular resort is the 431-room Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa (www.dreamsresorts.com). 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514034null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/When-in-La-Romana/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514036?ref=25 Getting There: 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514036null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/The-Right-Stuff/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514030?ref=25 Some might believe that new home-based agents really aren't equipped to sell world cruises. Just don't tell that to Cary Haskin, the owner of Cary on Travel, a new home-based agency affiliated with Cruise Specialists (a Virtuoso member) and Luxury Travel Network in the San Francisco Bay area. 2008-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/182008/514030null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/News/Whats-New-in-the-Industry/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507644?ref=25 Partners In Travel announced the addition of new travel technologies, including the comprehensive proprietary client management and reporting system TravelConnect. They will also launch a new internal message-board program. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507644null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Small-Changes-Big-Difference/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507641?ref=25 Perhaps it's a coincidence, or maybe someone is trying to tell me something, because twice in the last two days I have come upon a reference to a sign on an Alaskan highway that reads, "Choose your rut carefully. You'll be in it for the next 200 miles." Consider this as it applies to your business: How long have you been doing the same old thing? As a small business owner, you are the captain at the helm of the ship. Is it time to chart a different course, or branch out in a new direction? Do you need to shake things up a bit? With a little introspection and perhaps some constructive criticism, you may find that making a few small adjustments will add new vitality to your endeavors and new life to your business. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507641null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Hotels%2FResorts/The-Best-Options-on-Barbados/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507650?ref=25 Getting There: Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com) is launching nonstop service to Barbados from Atlanta on April 10. Air Jamaica (www.airjamaica.com) offers three weekly flights departing New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International. American Airlines (www.aa.com) offers the most flights to Barbados, including service from New York and Miami. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507650null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/News-and-Deals-for-Clients-Visiting-France/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507652?ref=25 The Regent Bordeaux (www.theregentbordeaux.com) is set for its June opening, which will mark the entrance of the Regent brand into France. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507652null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Cruise/To-the-Bottom-of-the-Earth/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507657?ref=25 It's a small window—though the experience is anything but. For four months out of the year—from November through February, when the climate is manageable (between 30 and 50 degrees), Antarctica is not just for the birds (penguins to be exact). 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507657null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Tips-On-Making-Your-Clients-Trip-to-Kyoto-Memorabl/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507656?ref=25 Getting There: Most visitors will arrive at Tokyo's Narita International Airport. Among the carriers offering flights to Tokyo are American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507656null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Molokai-amp-Lanai/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507653?ref=25 After you've explored one or several of Hawaii's more-developed islands—Oahu, The Big Island, Maui and Kauai—the relatively secluded islands of Lanai and Molokai make a pleasant and laid-back addition to a Hawaiian holiday. These less-visited Hawaiian islands are easy to reach by inter-island flights and ferries. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507653null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Fun-For-the-Entire-Family/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507659?ref=25 AMILY TRAVEL OPTIONS CAN RUN THE GAMUT, from camping expeditions to lavish weekends filled with activities for the youngest infant to the most senior grandparent. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507659null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Recipe-for-a-Robust-Business/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507643?ref=25 Databases are critical to the success of customer relationships and leveling the agent playing field. Remember when customers came to you even for that simple ticket to Houston? Then came the rise of the online travel sites and, with it, clients booking for themselves. But that just meant a challenge for agents to prove that a computer couldn't replace the individual attention they could give. Ironically, such personalization requires employing something only a computer can truly offer: a thorough database. Here, we look at the databases available and approaches needed to maximize profits. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507643null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/New-Products/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507660?ref=25 Ideal for frequent travelers, travel agents, or any professional who is often on the go, Pelican Micro Cases can protect your cell phone, PDA, pager, other personal gadgets and even important paperwork or fragile jewelry. The cases offer crush-proof, watertight, weather-safe protection from travel wear and tear, accidental drops and other damage. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507660null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Publisher%27s+Note/Giving-Back/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507640?ref=25 Those of us in the travel industry are tremendously fortunate. We get to see places, meet people and experience things that many people don't. We are among the "haves" in a world with way too many "have nots." But if we approach our journeys with open eyes, it becomes obvious that there are myriad opportunities for the fortunate to give back and make a difference for those who are less so. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507640null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Warm-Weather-Savings/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507645?ref=25 20/20 Savings in Las Vegas JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa is offering a 20 percent discount program for guests on food and beverage and spa treatments, which is available Sundays thru Thursdays until September 15, 2008. Call 877-869-8777 or visit www.jwlasvegasresort.com. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507645null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Sole-Proprietorship-or-Corporation/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507647?ref=25 Nearly Three-Fourths Of The Millions of small businesses in the United States are sole proprietorships, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Obviously, that makes the "mom and pop" form of business a popular choice for entrepreneurs, but is it the best choice for you and your home-based travel agency? 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507647null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/International-Business-Hotels/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507648?ref=25 Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai (www.shangri-la.com), on Sheikh Zayed Road, is near business centers and tourist attractions. For your master-of-the-universe types, book the butler-serviced, two-bedroom Horizon Club Presidential Suite, overlooking the Arabian Sea from both the 40th and 41st floors. In addition to offering a terrace big enough to throw a cocktail party, this duplex tops out at 4,600 square feet and features a receiving room, office/den, living room and dining room. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507648null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/La-Belle-France/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507651?ref=25 Celebrated for its gastronomic greatness, inexhaustible cultural heritage, stunning natural scenery and the joie de vivre of its citizens, France has inspired visitors for centuries. But some folks become so enamored with Paris—savoring the café life, museums, architecture, and stylish boutiques in the glittering capital—that they never venture outside the City of Light. If you hop on a TGV and depart the île-de-France, you'll be rewarded with just as many jaw-dropping sights and mouthwatering meals. In fact, the great Champagne vintners (like Taittinger and Piper-Heidsieck) are just an hour outside Paris in Reims. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507651/niceHarbor2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507651null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Lanai-and-Molokai-101/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507654?ref=25 Air: Lanai Airport is three miles west of Lanai City. It has facilities to accommodate up to three corporate jets. Island Air offers scheduled daily non-stop services between Lanai City, Honolulu and Kahului. Island Air, Aloha Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Marjet, Maui Air, Mokulele Air, Paragon Air, WT Air, Royal Hawaiian Air Service, Sunshine Helicopters, InterIsland Airways and Pacific Wings offer charter services from all islands to Lanai. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507654null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Managing+Your+Business/Profile-Tim-Richmond/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507642?ref=25 Nexion has emerged as a powerhouse among host agencies. How, you might ask? The agency, which is based in Southlake, TX, has distinguished itself in the travel industry by integrating the benefits of a full suite of leisure solutions offered under the Sabre Leisure umbrella for its 2,100 plus members. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507642null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Ships-of-Every-Size-Have-Arrived-In-The-Antarctic/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507658?ref=25 An Antarctica cruise is usually part of a larger South America itinerary, or it can stand on its own; Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city located in Argentina, often serves as a jump-off point for an Antarctica itinerary. Ships traversing the Antarctic landscape have certain features that are different from normal ships. Many are icebreakers or have ice-hardened hulls. Also, advise your clients to book a ship that is equipped with Zodiacs, which are inflatable raft-like crafts used for landings. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507658null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Kyoto/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507655?ref=25 When I arrived in Japan for my first visit, I initially spent a couple of nights in Tokyo. The modernity and high style of the capital city was breathtaking—a total immersion in the near future rather than the present. A few days later, when I took the high-speed train to Kyoto, the city's classical charms and historic atmosphere—in bold contrast to Tokyo—were even more affecting. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507655null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/The-ABCs-of-Client-Services/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507646?ref=25 Almost 20 years ago, Robert Fulghum wrote a book entitled All I Really Need to know I Learned in Kindergarten, a collection of essays that celebrated moments in ordinary life. The San Francisco Chronicle said that his stories "remind us that within simplicity lies the sublime." 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507646null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Barbados/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507649?ref=25 During a recent trip to this gorgeous island, Home-Based Travel Agent wasn't able to find time to swim with the turtles. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (well, unless you're a travel writer), and an attraction that separates this island from others in the Caribbean. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507649null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Editor%27s+Note/How-Do-You-Network/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/507639?ref=25 Home-based travel agents need to have information available to them in real time in order to compete. 2008-04-01T04:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/142008/507639null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Booking-Ahead-of-Online/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500806?ref=25 The travel industry has its share of complaints: delays, lack of personal service, cutthroat methods. And that's sometimes referring to the agent side of the business, not just the airlines who try their hardest to hold on to what little market share they can muster. The GDSs are down to three players and the jury's still out on whether consolidation has strengthened technology or weakened the spirit of competition, something necessary to further the legacy of companies once married to the Legacy system. Here, we look at the latest booking solutions and strategies—and how online competition continues to change the playing field. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500806null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Mexicos-Many-Options/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500815?ref=25 Getting There: Continental Airlines (www.continental.com) offers weekly nonstop flights between Houston and Loreto on Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Connections are via Los Angeles. Continental operates daily flights to Los Cabos at the peninsula's southern extreme. Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com) has a new Saturday flight from Orlando to Cancun. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500815null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Great-Packages/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500808?ref=25 In celebration of its extensive $6 million renovation, Warner Center Marriott, just minutes from Universal Studios in the San Fernando Valley in Woodland Hills, CA, is offering special "Weekend Value Rates" starting at $99 per room, per night. The special rates are available Thursday through Sunday evenings through December 20, based on space availability. Call 818-887-4800 or visit www.marriott.com/ hotels/travel/laxwc-warner-center-marriott-woodland-hills. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500808null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Off-the-Strip-101/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500817?ref=25 With prices rapidly rising up and down the Las Vegas Strip, resorts off the beaten path are quickly becoming a formidable alternative. Although these hotels might not grab all the headlines, they do offer approachable, scaled-down comfort at an affordable price. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500817null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/New+Products/New-Products/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500822?ref=25 Do you have clients who take their families on an annual visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando? A convenient new service called the Owner's Locker allows frequent visitors to Orlando to store personal items between trips—a dream come true for families who have young children or that like to use their own toiletries and supplies on vacation, without the extra packing and baggage to carry. Owner's Lockers are specially designed air- and water-tight containers that store personal items such as toiletries, an air mattress, a coffee maker, sporting goods—just about anything nonperishable. The service includes pickup and delivery of the container from the guests' resort as well as safe, temperature-controlled storage until the next trip to the area. Owners pay a one-time $75 fee, which covers the locker and the initial delivery and pickup, plus an annual fee of $99. Visit www.ownerslocker.com. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500822null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Publisher%27s+Note/Success-in-Las-Vegas/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500804?ref=25 In December we held the Second Annual Home-Based Travel Agent Expo in Las Vegas. And despite the fact that it was held a couple of months back, the feedback that I continue to get prompts me to share some insights with you. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500804null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Doing-Vegas-off-the-Strip/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500816?ref=25 Though the Las Vegas Strip is the epicenter of the modern casino resort universe, there's another side of Sin City. Off the Strip and sometimes on the outskirts of town, these resorts bring an entirely new spin to the Las Vegas experience. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500816null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/For+The+Agent/Business-Plan-Basics/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500823?ref=25 If you started a business within the past year, count yourself in good company—so did approximately 599,999 other people, and that's just in the United States alone. Even if your business is solidly established, think back to when you first began...as you decided what you wanted to do, where you would work, and how you would handle the day-to-day details of customers, record keeping, financials and the like. Did you take the time to construct a business plan? According to the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov), a business plan is as important to a business as a blueprint is to a builder, a key component that is critical to the success of any business. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500823null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Continental-Cruising-River-Style/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500818?ref=25 If you've recently been to Europe on a cruise ship, two things are ubiquitous. One: sticker-price shock. Though Italy might have Starbucks, two lattes in Venice will put a nice dent in your daily allowance. Two: tourists. Yes, you might very well be one of them, but stepping off a cruise ship in a European port is a quasi cattle call with shore excursion personnel herding people in one direction, while guileful provincial taxi drivers gather in queue formation awaiting tourist prey. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500818/HBTA0308C04_REV_thumbnail.jpg http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500818null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/Cruise-Lines-to-look-for/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500819?ref=25 Selling river cruises should be a part of any travel agent's repertoire: not only are they an untapped goldmine, but they give you something new to sell your cruise-minded clients. River cruising is like a cheap stock that has the potential to pull a Google and soon the secret will be out and everyone will want to get onboard. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500819null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Feature+Articles/A-Look-At-Your-Peers/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500821?ref=25 The home-based, independent and outside-agent members of the Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN) are optimistic about 2008. Nearly 74 percent of those responding to the group's year-end survey said 2007 was a good year for the travel business, and a higher percentage—close to 78 percent—expect 2008 to be even better. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500821null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/San-Francisco/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500812?ref=25 It's always been a bit of a conundrum that the famous high-security prison Alcatraz is one of the most popular sights in San Francisco, a city celebrated for its sense of social freedom and laissez-faire sexuality. I spend a lot of time on the road and I often hear right-wing deejays wishing that an earthquake would obliterate the decadent City by the Bay. I have a feeling that if you asked these deejays, "But what about Alcatraz?" they'd answer, "God no—we want The Rock to survive." 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500812null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Destinations/Mexicos-Diversity/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500814?ref=25 Although lying on the beach soaking in the sun is grand, Mexico has much, much more to offer. If you're interested in doing something a little different south of the border, consider these options. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500814null XML http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/John-Frenaye/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500318?ref=25 Article on Leadership 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500318null PDF http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/Editor%27s+Note/Help-Is-On-The-Way/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/500803?ref=25 Industry suppliers are increasingly targeting their marketing programs to productive and professional home-based independent agents who can deliver sales results. In reality, today's home-based independent agent has unprecedented access to new business-building resources and sales opportunities. 2008-03-01T05:00:00Z http://www.homebasedta.com/hbta/data/articlestandard/hbta/102008/500803null XML