Just Picture It Now: No "Magic" Left

Back in October when Royal Caribbean sailed out to sea on it’s own in an attempt to squash Travel MLM’s by terminating it’s relationship with only four of the more than two dozen Travel MLM’s out there, I became a more than just a little curious about a “Job Posting” from Royal Caribbean in conjunction with Magic Johnson Travel Group just weeks after the less than the handful of Termination Notices had been handed out.

I read and heard all kinds of justification as to why it was okay for Royal Caribbean to single out a few companies and choosing to terminate just a few, while obviously having a “vested interest” in a company like Magic Johnson Travel Group.

It was assumed by some that Magic Johnson Travel had MUCH better training, Corporate Heads and Management had massive amounts of experience in the travel industry, and suppliers like CruiseShipCenters, GOGO Worldwide Vacations and Royal Caribbean International supported the company to ensure its success. Not to mention a comprehensive and cutting edge "business in a box", integrated agent desktop comprised of a customizable agent-level website, contact management database and e-marketing suite with permission-based marketing. And most importantly, they “limited” franchises in each area so it wouldn’t saturate the market.

Basically what all this means is this; they did this the “traditional way”, meaning that travel was the focus, not building the business like “some other companies” who have been scorned and ridiculed in recent months by those that want to hang on to “our way is the only way”.

Well…looks like the Magic is over for this Travel Company as it’s about to close operations and become yet another victim in the Travel Industry after only 3 years of making a go of it. Those who signed up for Magic Johnson Travel franchises will have the opportunity to convert to Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchises, who supplied the backbone for the soon to be defunct group. (For now, however, the company's website remains http://www.magicjohnsontravel.com/.)

Adam Goldstein, president & CEO of Royal Caribbean International, who served on Magic Johnson Travel's board, said the company is being dissolved due to changing economic conditions. "I'm very convinced that the market opportunity remains, but we just weren't able to access it in the way that we hoped."

I agree there is a marketing opportunity for urban minorities – particularly African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans, but it has to be with the right business model. At a price tag of $4995 and other required expenses, it may have been “presumed” to be out of reach for the average American, let alone minorities. I can’t help but think what an amount of more than 100 franchises in 3 years time could have done to bolster market share in this industry. You can have the latest, most cutting edge technology, and the very best training available, but it won’t do anyone any good if nobodies participating!

Candi May went through the same ordeals joining up with Travel Professionals International, which turned into Bye-Bye-Now.com, and then was eventually absorbed by Carlson Wagonlit in about the same amount of time as it took Magic Johnson Travel Group to burn out.

Yet, here I sit with a company that started just before 9/11 terrorized this nation and this industry and we keep growing and growing. (More documentation about THAT tomorrow!)

It’s sad to see a truly unique and genuine idea like Magic Johnson tried to implement fizzle because he couldn’t change with the times of our industry. I hate to see a good name like his, with all he’s done to for people and communities around the Country, not make it in a venture like this. His heart was in the right place and I believe Magic truly wanted to help improve the lives of others. He just didn’t listen to the right people to make it a success I guess.

If anyone of the hundred or so former franchise owners think they might like to make a go of it with YTB, feel free to sign up for a very special LIVE Webcast Tuesday night. Rick Ricketts, a Level 6 Director will be doing this presentation and I’ll be more than happy to answer any all questions you may have concerning why our model is set up to work much better for anyone wanting a home based business in the Travel Industry.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.