I have dedicated a section of this newsletter to the MLMs/card mills, as well as to the other bad apples that prey upon our travel industry specifically the legitimate home based travel agent distribution system and their travel suppliers. We will continue our efforts, hopefully with your help, until we start making some progress with removing this growing virus.

I am dedicating this section to how we can reduce the MLM/card mill and network marketer influence as well as maintaining an updated list of these scoundrels.  

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

• CLIA has become a powerful force in the re- emergence of the MLM/card mills in recent years. Some card mills have replaced their own IATAN look- a-like photo ID cards with the CLIA card to give them more acceptability and credibility. If CLIA would upgrade their photo ID card requirements, it would force the non-serious agents to either obtain more training or get out. This works for both sides of the travel agent distribution system. On the MLM side it would deter the easy distribution of these cards. Where is the CLIA ADVISORY BOARD on this subject? Aren't you all travel agents? CLIA's photo ID card is its only blemish on an otherwise great organization.
  
  
• Host Agencies need to develop "newbie" training programs and start accepting new travel agents. Coral Sands has been doing this from day one and it can be profitable. The Host Agencies need to create a workable program for developing new agents. At this time, the vast majority of new agents are joining the MLMs/card mills and receiving poor training and picking up some bad selling habits. We need to provide better choices as responsible Host Agencies.
  
  
• Organizations such as PATH, ASTA, ARTA, NACTA, OSSN, NACOA and TPOC need to provide a basic awareness program explaining both sides of the travel agent distribution system somewhere on their website. They should explain the differences between an MLM/card mill and the "legitimate" travel industry. This can be done without infringing on Federal laws and nasty letters from the MLM attorneys.
  
  
• The suppliers, especially the large cruise lines, the all-inclusive resorts and a few tour companies should re-examine their policies in regards to the qualifications of travel agents required to take advantage of their benefits as well as establishing a company policy concerning untrained agents. Thank God and another thank you to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara for their new policy terminating card mills.
  
  
• Individual travel professionals should write, email or telephone their membership organization, preferred suppliers and CLIA expressing their opinions. If enough of us participate someone will listen. Some of our organizations and trade media also continue to do business with the card mill agencies.