Hi Travelers, Tour Directors, Tour Guides and Cruise Hosts,
I'm here to network, keep in touch, answer your questions and have fun.
I've been real busy with my online class, face to face classes, updating my textbook to the new 2008 edition and enjoying the summer months. I'm now excited about working on turning the textbook into an e-book. I'll keep you posted on the progress.
I'm also working on a training tour. This is where I'm asking for your help and input. In the past many of you have gone on my training tours to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
How about a training tour while on an escorted tour? I've talked to one of our major tour operators about an exclusive group in which we would be on tour with one of their best Professional Tour Directors. It would also be an opportunity for a reunion with past students and a way to meet your past fellow classmates. Of course family and friends are welcome.
Right now I'm looking at a tour of the Southern states in December or early January. The tours are affordable and warmer than the East Coast. I'd like to offer the training before the major tour operators start their new hiring in the New Year.
Sound interesting? Any suggestions? I'm short on time so let me know if you think you may be interested.
Where are you now? Who are you working for?
Need suggestions?
I look forward to keeping in touch.
Cherie
13 comments:
Hi Cherie,
A tour training escorted tour sounds great. I may be interested depending on dates, location, and cost. (I am a former student of your online class.)
Fran
Hi Fran,
I'm glad you found me. Sign up for the newsletter. When I have the training tour planned I'll let you know.
I'm debating on doing a domestic tour or an international.
It's nice hearing from you.
Cherie
I am interested if traveling in January and the costs. Currently I am your student.
Hi Mickey,
Early January may be a perfect time. I'm looking at early-December or January. I would like to get in a training tour before the tour operators start their new hiring after the holidays.
I talked to Joseph at Collette Travel a couple weeks ago. He said they are anticipating a busy domestic market the next few years. He said with the economy challenge people want to stay closer to home. Since our US dollar has fallen in value it's getting very expensive for American's in Europe.
We need 40 people for an exclusive tours so I need have a general count on who may be interested. I thought it would be fun to invite experienced tour directors, new tour directors, family and friends.
See you class.
Cherie
Hi Cherie, I am Konnie Stykels friend who is already in your class, and I am currently signed up for November. As I am leaving a medical background, I would love to absorb as much as possible with this new field. After December would be fantastic, please keep me informed. Please let me know the cost, I reside in Florida.Regards Doreen
Nice to meet you Doreen. I still haven’t planed a training tour but I’ll keep you informed. The last I heard we need 40 people for an exclusive tour. I think it’s a great follow up to the online class.
I’ll also watch for you in the November class.
Happy Halloween.
Cherie
Hi Cherie,
I just completed your online tour director training this past August 2008. I would be interested in attending your training tour so I plan to keep up with your newsletter for the information.
Brandy
Great Brandy. I'll keep you posted.
Welcome to our new blog. I hope to use it to keep everyone updated and you're welcome to use it for networking.
Cherie
Some of my students brought up the challenges the DMC’s are having right now. I thought it may help others in understanding what the incentive industry is going through right now. I’m as always also open to your comments. Here’s my response:
You are all right on the DMC challenges. I have little to add except my personal frustration with how the AIG story was handled, which was poorly and has cost a lot of service people their jobs, including airlines, hotels, transportation, attractions, restaurants, retail, incentive houses, personal services, DMC’s and on and on. It’s another reason I personally think Congress needs to understand business and not just politics.
Most of the trips are rewards and planned to encourage new business. All of the major companies do the same. When they interview employees year after year they say ‘travel’ encourages them to work harder.
Here’s an example. If a company wants to bring in new business they may set a goal of $500,000 in new business and then even add additional requirements which will actually pay for their trips. Would a trip to the local Howard Johnson’s encourage anyone? Anyone that has ever been able to enjoy an incentive trip will tell you how grateful they were for the privilege.
The DMC’s have slowed down and as they did after 911. Some of the financial companies have canceled their programs, mainly because of the perception. When the economy suffers, many companies do still need their incentive trips. They will often cut back on the trip expenses. For example they may offer one optional trip during the day rather than three. They stay for three days rather than five. Yes, the DMC‘s have slowed down like many other businesses right now. Hopefully with the new year and ongoing bailouts, companies will again start to prosper and so will the incentive industry.
In the meantime there still are companies hiring. Please don’t use this time as an excuse not to pursue employment. You might actually have less competition and when they do need new people hopefully you’ll already have developed a connection.
Hi Cherie,
I'm and architect and interior designer, as well as a continuing education instructor in both disciplines. I do study-trips for professionals who need their continuing education credits while taking a learning vacation with like-minded people. So I'm also a tour director. I would be interested in knowing more about what you do and the possibilities of networking.
Fredo
Hi Cherie...Greetings from DC..
I took your course in the fall and I loved it! I did a telephone interview with EF Smithsonian this past October because they wanted to hire New Tour Directors for the 2009 Inauguration school tour in DC. I feel I didnt do that well on some of the senarios, so I did not get the job. I am pleased to say though, that I was however, picked as one of the Presidential Inauguration volunteers who will be located on the mall in the middle of all the action. I received my instructions and training this weekend. I can't wait! I really feel that this work is just as important and has just as much responsibility as if I were to have been selected for the Smithsonian tour. At first I felt let down as if I were not good enough for the EF Smithsonian job. The reality is, though that... whatever you throw away...someone else will be glad to have! Who knows, I may have to give instructions to some of those EF TDs on how to maneuver their kids easily around the mall afterall, because as you know, that day is supposed to be very overwhelming for DC in general! Anyhow, I plan to use this experience as a reference to get other jobs. I will keep you posted after the Inauguration.
Brandy
Welcome Fredo. It sounds like interesting tours. I used lead educational tours for doctors, nurses and lawyers. Architectural and interior design educational tours sound very interesting.
I train professional Tour Director, Guides, Travel Staff and Cruise Hosts. (www.tourtraining.com) I started the blog a few months ago so we can keep in touch, network and share experiences. Our careers are never boring. It’s nice having you join us.
Cherie
Hi Brandy,
It all sounds so exciting. I’m sure you’ll do a great job and it may be a great place to network with other groups. Have you considered getting your license for leading local DC tours? Here’s a link that may help: http://www.washingtondctourguides.com/ It’s a great way to get experience and can be very helpful when applying to tour operators.
Thank you for the nice comment on the class. If you’re interested in working for one of the major tour operators in 2009 I recommend getting your resume to them soon. Most will start their new hiring right after the holidays. If you do decide to get your DC tour guide license, you might let them know you’re obtaining your license.
I wish you all the best and keep me posted. I’d love to hear some of your stories after the inauguration.
Cherie
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