Let us for the sake of this article, break down today's travel agent into two types. The first type we will call the naive and misinformed travel agent. The second type we will refer to as a serious travel agent desiring to be the best travel agent professional she/he can be. Here is my view of the first type of travel agent. The second group, of course, is my favorite.

THE NAIVE OR MISINFORMED TRAVEL AGENT

These travel agents belong to the various multi-level- marketing, card mills or financially challenged travel agencies. Most of these agencies are really in different businesses. The MLMs are in the business of selling memberships, websites, etc. with one actually in the used car business. The card mills are generally in the business of selling travel agent perks and benefits by selling their own photo ID card or promoting the disappointing CLIA card. The financially challenged, which does include the MLMs, are generally in the business of tap dancing around their real problems or putting a spin on their problems or business models.

The big question is why do the travel agent wannabees and even some productive travel agents want to associate themselves with these agencies? These agencies, for the most part, provide little training and little or no support. Most of these agencies charge more fees and provide smaller commissions. For example, A certain MLM charges $500 to join plus $49.95 a month for a worthless website. Sure, they give you credit if you entice someone else to join. That's what an MLM does. Most Host agencies charge far less for a lot more training and support. These MLMs lead you to believe they are the only game in town and this is the future of the travel agent. That's all BS. My question is, "Why would any self- respecting experienced travel agent want to continue being looked down upon by their peers by affiliating themselves with these companies?"

There are some people selling travel as well as websites and memberships and a tiny percentage make some money, at least until they run out of family and friends. However, I'm addressing the 5% of the MLM affiliates who only want to sell travel. You really need to think about your future as a professional travel agent and move over to the mainstream travel industry either as completely independent or affiliating with a legitimate Host Agency.

I have taken the liberty of listing the "bums" below. If you are one of those naive, misinformed travel agents, please do your research. We all make mistakes in our life. I've made a few beauties of my own. Most importantly, we can learn from our mistakes.

This month's thought.
The Myth: If MLMs were not legal, they would have been shut down long ago. MLM's have survived legal challenges. The fact that they are still around tells you they are legitimate.

The real truth: Consumer protection officials are reactive, not proactive. Since victims rarely file complaints, law enforcement seldom acts against even the worst schemes. Victims don't complain because they blame themselves and they fear self-incrimination. Source: MLM Watchdog.org

ALL THE ARTICLES I WRITE ARE GENERATED FROM MY OWN PERSONAL RESEARCH. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN AND IN NO WAY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL, COMPANY, ORGANIZATION OR EVEN MY MOTHER TO WHICH I MAY OR MAY NOT BE CONNECTED.