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In just 3 weeks I will be returning to Disney for the first time this year! It is hard to believe it has been so long since I’ve visited! This was supposed to be a solo short trip, but then my family found out I was going, so they have decided they want to go too. Since I had already booked All Star Sports, that is where the three of us will stay. 
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Disney will be releasing their Early 2024 Itineraries SOON!  I know you are so busy thinking about back to school and the upcoming holidays that this is the furthest thing from your mind.
But I also know you want the best value for your hard-earned vacation dollars. Usually you want to go when its not busy or when it is least expensive, or both! But these days, the crowds are always moderate to heavy and the prices are never going to be like they were years ago. I n other words, those. Free Dining days with low crowds of early Fall are long gone. Although, if you are a Disney+ member, right now there is a pretty sweet deal going on!   When I first started JMorris Travel (10+ years ago) it was to help families like mine, who had children with special needs. I never dreamed my family would become so changed where I was the one with special needs!
 Simply got tired of not being able to find the answers to help my special needs son have fun at Theme parks! The more I researched, the more I realized there was a need for someone to help people like me wade through the rules and regulations as well as tips and tricks to help our kids have fun at the parks. That was 15 plus long years ago. A lot has changed since then. In fact, my special needs child is no longer a child and will be graduating high school in less than 20 days! ( a feat the doctors said would never happen!) My ultimate goal is for every special needs child or adult to be able to travel to any theme park and have as much fun as any other child. So, click on the button below to get a free copy of a few of my tips and tricks for Universal with Special Needs.
From all of us at JMorris Travel to all of our Wonderful Clients and Friends we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very Prosperous New Year!
And if you are trying to out do that brother in law this year, give a gift of a cruise to your parents! The memories will last a lifetime! With all the crazy 'stuff' happening in the world today, I thought we should revisit this topic! Do I recommend Travel Insurance? Short answer...YES!!   Cuban cities have so much to offer through its culture, history, natural beauty, and delicious cuisine. Exploring the many cities in Cuba allows tourists to experience this countries preserved architectural heritage and covers all manifestations of arts, literature, sports, and science. The town and cities throughout Cuba are just the right size for you to enjoy them without ever feeling overwhelmed. Cuba is truly a country of indefinable magic! Here are three cities you should consider visiting when traveling to Cuba.  Emapanadas If you’re traveling to Argentina, then you must already be aware of its size. Argentina is a massive country covering the entire southern tip of South America. In fact, the country is close in proportion to the whole continental United States. With so much space to travel to, there are plenty of locations that fall off the ‘must-see’ radar of typical travelers. These secret spots are usually exclusive for locals, but they’re all easy enough to get to when you put the work in to find them. If you’re a fan of off-the-beaten-path styled traveling, you’re in the right place.  Tango Shows and classes The Shipwreck at Tierra del Fuego Tierra Del Fuego, otherwise known as ‘the end of the world,’ is located at the very end of South America, and is home to a legendary shipwreck. Along the coastline, brave explorers will find a rusted ship lodged in the sand, partially out to sea. The ship is known as the “Desdemona” and is located near Cabo San Pablo. This secret spot may be hard to get to, but the view of the wrecked ship makes for some spectacular photography.  Gateway to Antartica A Secret View from Patagonia In the charming little mountain town of Bariloche is a secret mountain hike that takes you up into the mountains of Patagonia. The hike can be tackled by even novice hikers and is particularly rewarding thanks to the number of viewpoints scattered along the trail. When you finally reach the peak, at Cerro Llao Llao, you can take in breathtaking views of Nahuel Haupi Lake, and the surrounding vast mountain landscape.  Argentinean Lake Venture to the Marble Caves Nestled along the border of Argentina and Chile is a network of caves carved into a mountain range. The caves are made entirely of marble, and thanks to eons of erosion have created arching passageways that can be traversed by boat. The marble caves is a spot that even seasoned travelers of Argentina don’t visit, so don’t expect too much of a crowd.  Penguins in Argentina The Ancient Stone Carvings of Argentina If you’re a fan of ancient history, you’ll certainly enjoy the prehistoric stone sculptures of men and animals known as Menhires. Made of granite, and initially carved by the indigenous Tafi people, the Menhires offer an interesting view into ancient history. These unique carvings are located on an archeological reserve in El Mollar in the province of Tucuman.  Glacier Trekking Exploring the Secret Spots of Argentina
There is plenty more to see in Argentina than what you can find on a travel brochure. With so much land and so much history, it's easy to see why locals have tried their best to keep these secret spots secret. Although, if you respect the land, and are conscious of your safety, you can enjoy these places just as much as the locals. One last thing about host agencies, look at their preferred suppliers. Are these brands that you feel comfortable selling? Would the majority of your prospective clients be serviced by these suppliers? With smaller agencies, the main benefits are their size. You aren’t just a number, you are a person. Each agency will offer some training, it will vary greatly between agencies. A minimum will include training on the major preferred suppliers the agency chooses to partner with, as well as back office services including a way to report your sales. Most, if not all will include a CRM, some training and you have the opportunity to use their industry credentials. For this, most will charge a fee- either monthly or annually. However, some may offer it for free...at a cost! Various agencies have a different commission split. Some are based on the fee you pay; some are based on your sales with preferred suppliers. Your split may not be the same as other agents simply because of the variations of the contract you signed. Basically your split is better if you have higher sales or pay a higher fee. It is possible to get a 100% split at a much higher fee; as it is also possible to get no fees at a much lower split. ow does this work, And what difference does it make to me? Which is better? A higher split or lower fees? Let’s take a look at that in a bit of detail. I warn you, these numbers are just for example. I like simple math, so these are not actual commissions or fees! Let’s say your book a cruise where the total commission is $100. You are on a 60/40 split (meaning you keep 60% and the agency/host keeps 40%). You have no monthly fee. If that is all you sold for that month you get $60. Now, let’s say you have a 90/10 split and pay $30 monthly for fees. On that same cruise, you would keep $90, and pay out $30 of that in fees. If that is all you sold you would come out the same. So, now let’s say you booked two cruises with each being a $100 commission. With the first scenario you would net $120. With the second, you would net $150. And, let’s not forget that in the months you don’t have any sales you still pay the $30 monthly fee. The subject of fees and splits is not as cut and dry as it appears at first. This is one of those places where you need to take a long look at what you expect to accomplish in your sales. Do your research! And Don’t Forget - - you are paid AFTER the client returns home. A monthly fee is paid by you. It is a cost of doing business. You may have sold five vacations this month, but none have traveled. So zero commission coming in and get expensive with a fee. Which brings up an important question - How often do I get paid? The short answer is after my client travels. The long answer is- most suppliers, hosts, and agencies pay commission after travel. (some, like various cruise lines, pay commission after final payment. However some agencies and hosts hold the commission until after travel) This can be anywhere from one week to six months after travel. Once your host or agency is paid, they pay you based on your contract. Some are weekly, twice a month, or once a month. This is known as ‘long tail’. You can book travel a year in advance and not see the commission for maybe six months after travel. This is the major downside to being a Travel Agent. There is no quick money! Cash flow can often be an issue. What kind of questions will I be asked if I apply? Mainly you will be asked about your travel experience. After all you will be selling and planning travel! If you will be with a host or agency that primarily sell Disney, then your travel to Disney Destinations will be important. You may be asked about your computer skills. Since 99.9% of your work is on the computer, having a working knowledge of basic computer skills is important. The other 0.1% is phone calls, primarily on hold! You may be asked where you will physically work. You will need a private quiet place as well as a phone dedicated to work. You may be asked questions about your experience in Customer Service. Being able to ‘deliver the goods’ is the most important part of your job. Will clients be supplied to me? Maybe. Some hosts give leads to agents, but they usually charge for them. And they may remain agency clients and not yours. Meaning when they come back for a second trip, they may not go to you. Most agencies and hosts do not supply leads, so you will need a supply of family and friends to book travel for. Some agencies have marketing in place that you can take advantage of; while some agencies and hosts have email marketing that you can take advantage of. Again, this can vary. What does Morris Travel offer? We are a small family run agency that specializes in Family travel. Cruises, Theme Parks, and All Inclusives in the Caribbean. With a nod to those family members that have special needs. We offer a CRM, website, and offer some self guided training and some one-on-one training. We provide G Suites for our email, word processing and office needs. We do not supply leads. Based on your experience, (both travel related and sales related) we may offer monthly fees or annual fees, with splits between 60/40 and 90/10. Because we are small, we are always a phone call away for personal help when you encounter a problem or question. While we know not everyone is a fit for our agency, we look forward to getting to know you. So, there is a brief overview of becoming a Travel Agent. Did I answer all your questions? Of course not! Did I pique your interest? I hope so!
If you think you have what it takes to be a great Travel Professional, I urge you to contact us. Our website has a preliminary application here, fill it out and let's see if we are a match! |
AuthorMost of the content is written by people at JMorris Travel. Every once in a while we will have a guest blogger, usually it is part of our 'family'.Always with a nod to Family Travel! Archives
September 2022
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