I can see where it would normally take a lot of time, not to mention the creativity to write an interesting article or tweet, however in only a few minutes I can go in and find a couple of tweets on travel topics, an interesting blog from a supplier and now a couple of hot deals and click to send to both my Facebook and Twitter followers. The beauty of the Share a Resort, Top Vacation Values and Supplier Guest Blogs is that they include links back to my website.

I did a Tweet a few days ago of a Funjet Vacation Value. It went to my Facebook and Twitter. If my followers were interested, they could click and view the entire promotion on my website. And, because I have the Funjet (GoFunjet) booking engine integrated into my NexCite, my clients could even proceed through the entire booking process online.

Now I can see using Social Media Marketing in several ways to sell travel. Using Agent Socialink enables me to keep sending interesting articles, blogs and even deals to my followers. I can also see adding special group promotions and working the viral marketing side of social media to market to friends of friends. The potential of social media is tremendous for travel agents, you just need to get started, build your followers and use Agent Socialink for your everyday Social Media Marketing. Get started today.

NexCite users will find this group when you select to add a new section or feature on a page and choose Offer Group, then:  GOGO Deals of the Day (Global).  VacationPort users should contact support@passportonlineinc.com to request a link to the group that is properly coded for your website.   

We fully anticipate that other suppliers will move to this marketing practice and we will work with them to provide similar display options.  Let your clients know once you add these daily deals to your site.

1. Make sure I define where they want to go, when, how many people and any specific interests they have.
2. I make sure I have their current email address and ask them if it is okay if I email them some options to consider for their vacation.
3. As soon as I get back to my computer, I open AgentPort, search for 4-6 promotions that I believe they will like and I email those to them with a nice message.
4. I will then follow-up in 3-4 days to see if any of the promotions were of interest.  If one or two were, then we are on the trail to closing the sale.  If none were, then we are still on the trail to finding the right product for them.  

This is without a doubt the best sales tool I have ever used.  In the old days (before the Internet), I would usually write down what people wanted me to look into (usually on a cocktail napkin) and then try to find something they might like and call them.  It was a very poor way to follow-up.  People like to have options to view and be able to view them on their schedule.  Then they like to contact the agent and know that the agent is familiar with the product and can confidently book it for them at the best price.  With AgentPort, you have a record of your send (I will also often send the email to myself as well and file it in the client’s email folder) so it is easy to locate the promotion and find out how to book it with the supplier (Book It link in Agent Tools of the promotion). 
 
I encourage every agent to try this proven system to respond to your client’s and prospects requests.  It is fast and very simple, and it works!

Because you have the control, in most cases, to turn on or off a supplier, we want to keep you in the know as we expand our portfolio of supplier options. Below is our most recent list. Review it and then go into your Site Administration tool and set them as an Included, Preferred, Highly Preferred or Excluded supplier. You can also build a Target Search or Offer Group to display the supplier’s products on any web page.

New suppliers for June:

• Gogo Worldwide Vacations (weekly specials now/full content by August)
  Wholesale packages Worldwide
• Blue Sky Tours (full content by August)
  Hawaii packages

Recently added suppliers:

• Adventures Abroad
  Worldwide tours and Soft Adventure tours for small groups
• Amtrak Vacations
  Packages to major Amtrak destinations in USA and Canada
• Companies du Ponant
  Small yacht and ship cruising
• GAP Adventures
  Adventure focused vacations
• Lindblad Expeditions
  Adventure, upscale cruising
• Ski.com
  Ski packages Worldwide
• Voyages to Antiquity
  Mediterranean cruises focused on history
• Yankee Holidays
  City packages in USA and Canada

New hotel and resort properties have also been added to our ResortPort program. You will see these in the Search Results for destinations where there is a ResortPort property. This is a very powerful new program for leisure agents and leisure focused properties. From your customer’s perspective, rich media content is available on your website, enhancing their vacation shopping experience. For our participating resorts, they now have the ability to control their property’s rich media presentation on your websites and also have this presentation automatically integrate with any wholesaler promotions available through your website.

If you have a supplier or resort that you believe could benefit from working with Passport Online, please have them contact Randy Goodrich, SVP, at 503-270-5853 or randyg@passportonlineinc.com

About Adventures Abroad:

Since 1987, industry-leader Adventures Abroad has been exceeding the expectations of travelers across the globe with its unrivalled small group tour experiences. As our professional and enthusiastic Tour Leaders tread extraordinary paths through different countries and cultures, we invite you to join in on the journey of discovery and exploration. Whether you are looking for a family holiday, an active adventure or a cultural journey, Adventures Abroad should be your first destination.

Yep. It’s true.

Think about your website for a second. You have products, deals and timely information about your expertise. This is very similar to what a traditional “brick and mortar” retailer offers to their clients. Macy’s would be a good example of a retailer who aligns with this idea. Macy’s gives consumers an opportunity to shop through all kinds of products: clothing, housewares, cosmetics and more. What Macy’s does very well is all in the merchandising. They make their products easy to find and aesthetically pleasing — and it is all very specifically laid out for the consumer to make it a good shopping experience.

Next time you’re at the mall, take a closer look at how retailers merchandise their products. Great care is taken to ensure that everything points to a positive shopping experience. As you’re shopping, imagine your website and how all of the products, deals and information can be set up in a way that makes it easier for the consumer to get to know you. The best news for you is that Passport Online gives you the tools to amp up your exposure and merchandising. Target Search, Offer Groups, Rotating Offer Groups, Supplier Highlight Pages and links to global product displays offer you a few powerful ways to merchandise everything you have to offer.

After you’ve made the effort to amp up your merchandising, it is a good idea to get the word out as much as possible. Your email marketing, blog, social media and direct mail afford you multiple points of conversation for your customers. Once you get them to the store, they will see all of the new product opportunities that have been freshly merchandised in a new, exciting way.

As you’re going through your site, think about products that will entice your customers. One product that may prove to be a wonderful addition is TripBlip. This is a great chance to introduce your audience to this powerful tool where they can create trip profiles. Once they create up to three profiles, Passport Online will send relevant deals and travel opportunities directly to them on your behalf. The best part about TripBlip is that your customers book directly with you — not directly online. So, you still have the opportunity to interact directly with your customers and perhaps give them multiple options based on their interests.

So, the next time you’re at the mall, take a closer look. And don’t be afraid to take some notes to jog your memory as you go through your website merchandising.

As always, if you’re looking for more ideas or help with your website, give us a call. We’re happy to help.

Although Kris and I have traveled extensively, it never ceases to amaze us how rich our World is in its history. Man’s accomplishments of the past are astounding and really hard to comprehend at times. Visiting the huge churches and castles built hundreds of years ago never ceases to bring forward the question – how did they build those things without computers and heavy equipment?

The art and how much it influenced not only civilizations of its time but also shaped the World is something one has to experience to fully comprehend. The influence of the Roman Empire, Dark Ages, The Renaissance, the many wars and so much more are what have shaped many of today’s cultures. Religion has been a key influence in European history. Through all of it, including two major world wars, the people have maintained their unique cultures and held on to their rich heritage. I think it is such a powerful thing for Americans to experience.

We in the USA have such little history compared to the rest of the World. All of us tend to get wrapped-up into our own ‘little world’. Travel is the key to enabling us to step away and better understand how other people and civilizations live, what challenges they have faced and still face and more fully appreciate their history and cultures. This understanding really puts our own lives into perspective.

This is a great business we are in. We help others to have these types of experiences.  For ourselves, Kris and I intend to take as many trips as possible to step outside of our comfort area and expand our understanding of other cultures and to more fully appreciate this wonderful World and all its history, culture and a variety of peoples.

As of today there are 260 separate offers for RCCL.  We receive a nightly feed, 5 nights per week, of their updated pricing and itineraries which keeps the content on your website and email tools updated. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the excitement of cruising with RCCL with your customers.

We appreciate RCCL’s involvement and commitment to our program so that they can continue to give you the best opportunity to connect travelers to the great experience of cruising. Online marketing continues to grow and we’re excited that you are a part of our family.