Just Picture It Now

I too think it is a step in the right direction (the Carnival move, not the Hillary move). And as Arnie Weissmann said at one point, it may very well end up that YTB will drop the MLM aspect and become a legitimate host agency.

You cannot deny that a good portion of the recruitment and sales pitch is on the perks. Now that the perk is no longer available, the inability to earn an IATAN card, and YTB's own tightening of their CRTA program--all of a sudden makes the RTA program a lot less desirable for the masses.

Again, there is no denying that a high percentage of RTAs do not sell anything. Now without IATAN, without RCCL, without Carnival unless you sell 5 cruises a year--spending the money for the discounts turns out to be not such a good deal anymore.

And from the way I read the Press Release, deposits do not count--it is sailed and PIF cruises, so in order to travel at a discount going forward, a RTA will have had to have sold 5 cabins in the PAST year.

I agree--a move in the right direction for those that sell travel. Honestly, I see this as another hurdle for YTB as a company operating in their current model.

I came SO close to posting Hillary on here, but agree that would have been a BAD move.

I know both you and Arnie believe that in order to survive some companies drop the MLM portion, but that’s a myth John. Arnie use to work for Fuller Brush back in the 70’s and just because he wasn’t “required” to recruit anyone, doesn’t mean the company dropped it. He still had someone upline who made money from his efforts, and he could have built a team if he wanted to. To this day, Fuller Brush operates an MLM model.

I have plenty of RTA’s in my organization who don’t want or have to recruit a single soul. They are in this because they want to sell travel, not travel agencies. You can do one the other or both. Has always been that way, and always will.

Selling Cruises ONLY was what attracted me to the company, then I started to drink the Kool-aid.

Now look at me.

I do agree with your comment and positioning however that spending money just for the discount is not a good deal. I never thought it was appropriate to begin with, but I believe you understand that.

What I’m pleased with and what I want to bring to the forefront John is this:

There was a much better way to handle the issue of the FAM abuse going on in the industry, and I applaud Carnival for finding a solution instead of focusing on the problem like Royal Caribbean did.

I would also like to point out that all this does is raise the bar a little. I have copied and pasted our current requirements here:

“Book only two cruises (two cabins) at regular fare for your customers and you’ll be qualified to take another discounted cruise.

In order to book a discount cruise on Princess Cruise Lines you must have sold a minimum of FOUR (4) regular rate cabins on that cruise line. Holland America requires a minimum of FIVE (5) previous bookings of regular rate cabins to qualify.

All Reduced Rate cruise requests must be made through the corporate office of YTB Travel Network. Please submit your request to reducedrates@ytb.com for verification. Any reduced rate requests made directly to the vendor risk cancellation (penalties may apply).”

YTB has had that policy in place for as long as I can remember John and we’ve more than doubled in size in 2007. While I do agree that it matters what they are “sold”, they do find out what they bought, and must abide by what YTB stipulates not a Power Team Leader, Sponsor, or Director.

I also know that you were fairly impressed with the hurdle we had with Royal Caribbean and we will certainly have a directive from the company on how to handle this small issue as well. While I have not had time to check, I do know that most I know with me in the company are not only pleased, but up for the challenge.

PS - You DID notice who I used for the "thumbs up" pick didn't you?

Long live Cowher Power!

(Unless of course he goes to Washington.)