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	Scott Koepf Vice President of Sales Avoya Travel/American Express www.JoinAvoya.com

My Fair Travel Agent I have spent a good part of my career in travel as an educator and while I do not have a degree, I sometimes even fancy myself as a professor of retail travel. I read everything I can about our business, which is what I think professors do, and I now even have the stereotypical touch of grey in my hair. So with the pipe and the patches on the elbows of my blazer, I envision myself changing the industry through my enlightened pontifications one agent at a time. Now, I know this is wrong on many levels, but work with me as I take on the persona of one of the most beloved yet annoying characters in musical theatre (or for those of you professors out there that consider musicals lowbrow, then reference Pygmalion). Professor Higgins, who takes the professor stereotype to the ultimate level, believes he can change a common street urchin into a proper English woman. Just like in My Fair Lady, I can easily see myself taking a struggling travel agent and turning them into a sales superstar. With a bit of liberty to the lyrics, I passionately would sing: I'm an ordinary man Even tempered and good natured who you never hear complain Who has the milk of human kindness by the quart in every vein. But let an agent in my life and they haven't got a chance! I will lead them, I will show them how to market and to sell and I will show the errors of their ways. If I embodied the professor, I would believe that by sharing my experiences and knowledge in articles like this would indeed take an average travel agent and change them into sales rock stars. However, My Fair Lady is not the story of the professor, but the lady, Eliza Doolittle. By watching her transformation, there are two things that become abundantly clear about her changing into a proper lady. First is an honest and deep desire to change which is evident from her first song... All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air... Oh, wouldn't it be loverly She knew there was more to life and she was willing to try and change to get there. After giving and attending hundreds of seminars I have wondered how many agents were there with the full intention of changing how they do things to become more successful. I see all the heads nod but the same agents are back next year still wondering why they are not making much money. In other words, while I appreciate that you are reading this, if you do not really want to change, then all of my professorial advice and the excellent advice of the other writers in this publication are wasting your time. Unfortunately, the desire for change and willingness to be open is only the first step, as Eliza shows us that change is hard! You have to practice, try again, fail, try again, practice some more and simply not give up. Remember .... The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain With the magic of theatre the representation of time jumps quickly but after many weeks of painful exercises and techniques we finally hear. . . By George, she's got it! By George, she's got it! The best advice, direction and ideas are all worthless unless you are open to improvement, want to change with all your heart and then willing to persevere through the pain to get to the results you deserve! Again with slight liberty to the lyrics, like Eliza you too could end up singing. . . I could have sold all day, I could have sold all day And still have sold some more I simply used my lips and sold a thousand trips, I've never sold before I never knew that sales was so exciting, why all at once my sales took flight I only know when I began to sell, I could have sold, sold, sold all day!
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Auto

Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
You Leave For Europe (part 3)

April 19, 2012: Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the final set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived back from your trip. (continue)

Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
You Leave For Europe (part 2)

Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the second set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived at the car rental location. (continue)

Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before

You Leave For Europe

Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is compiling a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below are the first suggestions on being prepared before you rent a car. (continue)

Auto Europe: New mandatory ruling for automobiles in France

Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is prepared to service their clients with the new ruling in France requiring mandatory breathalyzers in all passenger vehicles. (continue)

Host Agencies

Amadeus and Expedia sign multi-year agreement in North America

MADRID, April 19, 2012 – Amadeus, a leading travel technology provider and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, and Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world's largest online travel company, today announced they have signed a multi-year content and technology agreement for North America. (continue)

Sales Tip #11:

Build Your Professional Brand
Create a Lasting Impression
with These 3 Tips

One of the best ways to maintain a customer database full of people who want to hear from you, book with you and send referrals to you is to build a strong and professional brand. Each travel agent has their own personal brand, and it's important to make sure that you take advantage of yours!: (continue)

Travelsavers And Network Of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (Nest)
Introduce New Customer Loyalty Program

April 2012: Travel Club, a new complimentary customer loyalty program for clients of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST travel professionals has just launched. The benefits of the program are two fold: (continue)

American Marketing Group

Launches Family Lifestyle Campaign

April 2012: American Marketing Group continues to expand upon its award-winning lifestyle direct mail program with a new family-themed campaign, available to licensed travel professionals of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST (continue)

Steven Thompson, CEO
Of Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Will Address "Well-Being And Medical Travel Conference"

March 28, 2012 (Oyster Bay, NY) – It was announced today that Steven J. Thompson, MBA, Chief Executive Officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine International, will address the constituents at the "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (wellbeingtravelconference). (continue)

Patient Travelers Give Candid Recaps at "Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"

A specially assembled panel of patient travelers will candidly discuss their experiences in traveling abroad for medical and dental procedures at the upcoming "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (continue)

Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic Host
The Sales and Service Team of American Marketing Group's

Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic recently hosted American Marketing Group's sales and service team on a four day FAM in London. The whirlwind tour of the world-class city incorporated all of the most renowned sites. (continue)

"Best of the Best Globe Award"

Avoya Travel™/American Express® has been awarded an American Express Vacations 2011 'Best of the Best Globe Award'... (continue)

"Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012" GIVEAWAY

Any one who registers by April 15 will be entered to win an ultra-pampering personal spa package at the Centre for Well-Being at the 5-star Phoenician luxury resort. A $300 value, the prize-winning package includes a choice of two 50-minute spa services...(continue)

20% Growth for ExpediaCruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters has entered its 25th year in business in good stride with 2011 sales figures showing a remarkable 20% growth over the previous year! (continue)

"Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"

The "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012" -- which will take place on June 20-21, 2012 at The Phoenician luxury resort in Scottsdale, Arizona... (continue)

Sandals honored Avoya Travel/ American Express

'Best of the Best, Western' for the company's dedication to outstanding customer service and creating exceptional vacation experiences for Sandals Resorts' guests. (continue)

NCL Honors Avoya Travel With Top Travel Award

Avoya Travel™/American Express®, one of the leading travel companies in North America and beyond, today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line has presented the company with its 2011 'Home-Based Agency of the Year' award. (continue)

OASIS Reports Record
Growth in 2011

OASIS, www.OasisAgent.com, a leader in the development of programs for home based independent travel agents, reports another year of record growth. (continue)

TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services &
Analog Analytics Team Up to Provide

TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services, a new American Marketing Group company, has won the account as the exclusive travel provider for Analog Analytics' Bigger Better Deal™ solution. (continue)

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Joel M. Abels • Rusty Pickett • Scott Koepf• Cruising • Airline • Europe • Hotels • Luxury Cruising • Paull Tickner • Mitchel J. Schlesinger • Sherry Laskin • Les-Lee Roland • Mary Brutscher • Sue Shapiro

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This website is dedicated to the memory of Joel M. Abels
"HE CREATED A VOICE, NOT JUST AN ECHO"