Blog Archives

Yes, I can give you guidance on delivering great service in 2 words:  follow up.  How many times have you heard the expression, “the fortune is in the follow up?” But yet, so few of us actually take full action on this philosophy and instead fail at the follow up game.  We are afraid to get a “no.”  We are afraid to “pester” our clients.

Earlier this year, GTN’s EVP, Vanessa McGovern, vacationed with her family onboard the Carnival Vista. Vanessa’s son, Ethan McGovern (6), was invited to be a guest on Mike Julius’ podcast to talk about his experience onboard the Carnival Vista.

The power of a great elevator speech is very under rated. So much can change when you have a good one and it’s worth the time and effort to get one together. And now, I have a very simple formula you can follow, that will make it super easy.

Gifted Travel Network (GTN) is proud to announce that Lisa Fletcher of Signature Escapes will officially join the GTN team as Director of Training and Education on June 1, 2017.

The grand majority of people who become a travel agent have never been business owners before.  As a first time business owner, you are going to make mistakes, especially in your first 3 years.  I made many mistakes myself and I have witnessed hundreds and hundreds of people who became a travel agent make endless business mistakes.  But, there are 3 that are so common, it’s useful to point out.  Perhaps you are considering becoming a travel agent and if you know about these mistakes ahead of time, you will be far less likely to make them.  If you have recently become a travel agent, I can almost guarantee you are making at least one of these mistakes.  Take comfort in the fact that you are far from alone and use the “How to fix it” advice in your business.

The topic of specializing is one that gets thrown around travel industry conferences and events like a beach ball in a giant stadium.  Should you specialize?  Yes.  Absolutely.  Every single person who becomes a travel agent should specialize.  Why should you specialize?  I’ll answer that question extensively in a bit.

Gifted Travel Network is excited to launch the inaugural Group Business Mastermind Program aboard a 7-night cruise on AmaWaterway’s AmaPrima from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam. This new and innovative program was created to drive group sales for the members and 2.0 the traditional FAM experience! This Group Business Mastermind opportunity is exclusively for Gifted Travel Network agents who are serious about increasing their group bookings and are ready to learn strategies to transform their group business.

On this Travel Talk Live, Vanessa McGovern talks to Dondra Ritzenthaler of Celebrity Cruises!  Watch to learn more about cruising with Celebrity!

Marketing may seem terribly complicated when you become a travel agent.  Truth is, it can be at times, especially with all the online options available.   But when it comes down to it, marketing is a simple science. The study is human psychology.

Sharing your story in your marketing activities when you become a travel agent is incredibly important.  Why?  It’s how you connect with your prospects. It’s also how you build your credibility through vulnerability.  Being vulnerable in your story sharing is probably the biggest key to effectively sharing your story.