Interview with Liz Moran

Enjoy Living Your Dream Travel Job!

Join my new beta Tour Management Training online course.  Starting January 6, 2018.  

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Ready to Live Your Travel Dream Job? Take My Survey!

Hi All! 

I’m looking for travelers and I need your help! 

If you have ever considered leading tours or have led tours, please take my short survey! 

I train tour directors and guides. The survey will help me help my students for a new online course. 

Survey:   http://bit.ly/2OUC8LH 

I really appreciate it! I added an optional offer at the end of the survey as a thank you. 

 Cherie

Hiring International Cruise Host!

Now is they time of year to work on your career and travel opportunities for 2018.  Tour operators will start their new hiring and staffing the beginning of the new year. This includes the tour industry, CMI Market (Conventions, Meetings and Incentives) and student tours. I highly recommend updating your cover letters and resumes.  Even if you only change a few words the update will show you’re still interested in being hired.   Airbnb has started a new exciting international program called “Experiences”.  It offers you the opportunity to set up your own local tours and immersion programs.  This can be almost anything including hiking, tours, art, cultural experience, food and much more.  I have posted more information and the link to hosting below. Tammy Weiler, the owner of Singles Travel International, has asked for help in hiring new cruise hosts.  I’ve posted her hiring challenges, information, job requirements, income and contact information below.   You can check out her website, tours and cruises at:   http://www.singlestravelintl.com/ I also have information below on the 2018 International Association of Tour Directors and Guides event.  They just completed their 2017 event with over 400 tour directors, tour guides and tour operators.  The comments on Facebook prove it was a great success. I wish you all very happy holidays full of family, friends, fun, travel and love!  Merry Christmas! Cherie Read More

Airbnb Introduces Experiences Airbnb has a new program called "Experiences" which started in major cities around the world and is quickly expanding. Just like their home hosting program, they rely on local “hosts” to share experiences with travelers and locals.  They have vast variety including, surfing, hiking, flying, sailing, yoga calligraphy, art, cooking, photography and much more.  Here’s link to “Experiences”: https://www.airbnb.com/s/experiences?refinements%5B%5D=experiences If you're interested in developing your own experience, visit the Airbnb pages and click on “Become a Host” and follow the directions in setting up your own Experience. You’ll set up the tour, fees and dates.  Airbnb will market on their website and collect fees.  They charge a 20% fee.  It may be a good way to gain experience and earn income between tours.   All the best!

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Cruise Host for Upscale Single Travelers Tammy started her business over twenty years ago and through her professionalism and hard work it continues to grow.  Her guests are extremely important and expect a high level of service.  She expects her Cruise Hosts to put her guests first, follow  her instructions and be on time. She has had challenges in receiving resumes exaggerating job experience and listing personal experience as tour experience.  (You can list personal travel, but list it as personal travel.)  This really puts Tammy and all tour operators in a horrible position when they find out through their clients of the lack of experience and expertise. Most companies would rather know of the lack of experience and then train their new staff than risk losing clients. If you took my training in person, online and or through the “ Tour Director Training Guide”, I recommend reviewing Lesson 12 on Cruise Hosting and review handling challenges. List the cruise host training on your resume. I've posted Tammy's request and contact information below.  I started my travel career working on the cruise lines.  I loved it!     Job Description Do you enjoy helping others to have fun and share in new and exciting adventures?  Our fast-growing company is looking for a travel concierge that will lead life-changing and unique tour/cruise experiences for our upscale single travelers on vacation. Successful candidates will deliver exceptional, detailed and entertaining on-site, travel services for groups of singles from our 25,000-member community.  Proven customer service skills, exceptional attention to detail with technical execution and creative leadership skills, that exceed all customer expectations are required. Personal Characteristics:  * Caring * Highly Social * Organized, Disciplined and Detailed Oriented * Assertive * Punctual * Energetic, Creative and Fun * Perceptive * Able to Follow Direction, Company Vision and Execute Program According to Company      Guidelines * Experienced Working On Site in a Team Environment Duties and Responsibilities: * Meet and greet warmly, all travelers (members) to break the ice and facilitate social interaction.      Develop Ice Breaker events for same purpose.  * Plan, coordinate and execute daily activity plans, events, games and themes parties with      universal appeal across gender and age groups.  * In advance, create STI Daily Program, on your laptop, fill in additional activities onboard in    conjunction with cruise line program, print and deliver to each guest at dinner each evening. * Promote STI events at every chance, increasing attendance as well as keeping them informed  * Re-arrange agenda and plan contingencies to handle unpredictable changes (weather, vendor     issues, equipment breakdown, customer illness). * Coordinate with on-location staff (cruise ship, ground excursions with Shore Trips or other) * Timely submittal of incident reports, daily summaries, expense reports and trip BLOG.  * Supervise advance set up of dinners, parties, tours and other planned events. * Sell on-site excursions: confirm, change and account for all aspects, including financial      reconciliation.  * Facilitate resolution of all customer issues personally and immediately, or with the help of on-     site staff when necessary. * Promote future travel experiences for the company. * Become knowledgeable of trip destinations and provide area familiarization for customers.  * Post daily pictures and comments to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media     during trips.  * Wear company uniform/name tag at all times and promote the company brand in a professional      and positive manner.  Job Requirements Qualifications and Experience:  * U.S. Citizen with a valid passport. * Must pass background checks and drug test. * Three to five years of experience working as a tour director. * Minimum Associate’s Degree related to the travel industry; Bachelor’s preferred. * Must own laptop computer; proficiency with Microsoft Office and social media (Facebook,     Twitter, Instagram) required. * Knowledge of a foreign language highly desired (Spanish preferred). * Florida residents highly encouraged to apply (multiple departures from south Florida)  Pay and Benefits:   * Earn 100% of all gratuities (potential of $3-350.00 USD  per day or more on average trip; ten or more trips possible per year). * Incentive based compensation package for positive customer survey feedback. * Paid airfare and shared accommodations during trips. * Complimentary excursions (based on on-site excursion sales).  * Discounted personal cruises, hotel, and resort accommodations.  * Opportunities to travel on company familiarization trips. * Opportunities for ground-floor, management roles in our fast growing organization.    CONTACT: Send your resume and cover letter (MS Word document) to singlestravel1@gmail.com. Candidates will be contacted during evening and/or weekend hours if selected for an interview. http://www.singlestravelintl.com/

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International Association of Tour Directors and Guides The new International Association of Tour Directors and Guides’ event in Texas included FAMs (Familiarization tours), conferences, socials, networking and meetings with individual tour operators.   The comments on Facebook from some of their over 400 attendees are extremely positive. At the conference they announced, “…the 3rd Annual IATDG Tour & Talent Exchange Conference and Recruitment Fair will be held in Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada from November 11-15, 2018.”  Information will be posted on their website:  http://iatdg.org/  I also recommend following their Facebook posts on “IATDG Forum” and their second page “International Association of Tour Directors and Guides”.  Both pages include valuable feedback, networking and job postings from members.  (You may need to list my training for access to the IATDG Forum page.) As I have mentioned in past newsletters, there is not a fee for membership.   When you set up your profile on their webpage it gives you access to networking, events, tour operators and job postings http://iatdg.org

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​  Fast Track Classroom Training for Tour Directors, Travel Staff, Tour Guides and Cruise Hosts  

When:  January 4 - January 7, 2018  - 

Time:  9 AM to 5 PM

        Where:  Laguna Hills Marriott in beautiful South Orange                                     County, California
Details and enrollment:  http://tour-guide-training.com/Tour_management_training_fo.php

Question?  Contact Cherie at:  cherie@tourtraining.com or call 949-830-8603 PST

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Travel Staff Training for CMI Market

Date:  January 4, 2018     Time:  9 to 5.... longer into the evening if needed.             Location:  Laguna Hills Marriott in Beautiful Laguna Hills, CA        Information and Enrollment: http://tour-guide-training.com/Page_6.html    Read More

Working in the CMI Market

​​​​​​​Duffy Boat Training

If you live in Orange County (CA), Los Angeles and or San Diego, you may be interested in leading Duffy Boat Tours of the Newport Harbor.  It’s my favorite local tour!  The next training will be, July 10, 2017. You’ll find information on: http://tour-guide-training.com/Duffy_Training.html What:  Duffy Boat Training  When: December 7, 2017  Time:  9:30 PM to 12:30 PM Where:   2001 W. Coast Hwy             Newport Beach, CA 92663  Cost:  $145* http://tour-guide-training.com/Duffy_Training.html    Read

Get Paid to Travel!!!

Get Paid to Travel!!!

View the free video series for Tour Directors, Tour Guides, Travel Staff and Cruise Hosts at:  

www.tourtraining.tv

I hope you enjoy the series and find it helpful.  If you would like additional information you are welcome to contact me.  I love our careers!

You'll also find additional interviews and help in the below links.

Cherie

Cherie Anderson
Professional Tour Management Training 

949 830 8603

cherie@tourtraining.com 

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We're successful because you're successful.

6 Reasons Why Traveling Is Good for You

by: Emily Holland

Kale. Meditation. A good night’s sleep. You know all these things are good for you (even if you don’t always incorporate them into your daily routine). A vital addition to that list is travel, which offers a host of health benefits to your mind, body, and soul.  

Anybody who has traveled outside his or her comfort zone can attest to the excitement that comes from being in a new environment. As research has shown, travel is not only exciting; it also offers the following six health benefits.

1. Promotes Heart Health

Travel promotes physical activity, whether it is rushing through the airport, walking the streets of a foreign land, or climbing a mountain. Physical movement lowers blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and stroke.

According to information gathered from the Framingham Heart Study, a landmark study that began in 1948 and spanned over the course of 20 years, women who vacationed only every six years or less were nearly eight times more likely to develop heart disease or have a heart attack compared to women who traveled at least twice a year.

2. Keeps the Mind Sharp

Travel also can promote brain health and keep the mind sharp. When your brain is introduced to new experiences and environments (which happens during travel, essentially) it becomes challenged and builds resilience at the cellular level so degenerative disease is potentially delayed. This increase in cognitive stimulation due to exposure to novelty has been shown to improve both memory and concentration, particularly in individuals with dementia. Similarly, when you travel, you interact with novel stimuli in the form of new people, cultures, situations, and experiences, which can contribute to the delayed onset of degenerative disease.   

Note: While you may like to frequent the same vacation spot every year, switching up the destination will allow your brain to reap the benefits that result from different activities and location.  

3. Enhances Creativity

Turns out writers have good reason to travel to a different country in search of inspiration and motivation for their next novel. The brain’s neural pathways are influenced by environment and experience (the brain’s adaptability is also known as neuroplasticity), which leads researchers to believe that travel can spark synapses in the brain and enhance creativity.

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found a strong link between creativity and travelers’ immersions into cultures different from their own. According to the study, the better you are at engaging and adapting to new cultures, the more creative and professionally successful you will be. In order to actually enhance creativity, the author stresses the importance of immersing yourself in new cultures, rather than simply changing your physical location.

4. Relieves Stress and Boosts Mental Health

Stress reduction is one of the most important benefits of travel, according to the Global Coalition on Aging. According to a 2012 Expedia survey, 89 percent of vacationers found they could let go of stress and just relax after only a day or two into their trip. Pulling yourself out of your daily routines and into new surroundings resets both your mind and body, resulting in significant stress relief. 

Moreover, leisure activities, such as travelling, can lower levels of depression and improve psychological functioning, according to a 2009 University of Kansas study. You can experience a boost in happiness even while planning a trip (up to eight weeks before setting off to your destination). Having something to look forward to, even if it’s a two-day trip, can feel rewarding. Vacationers also likely experience less stress and more satisfaction with their overall mood and outlook after returning from a trip compared to non-travelers. 

5. Shifts Perspective

Travel broadens your perspectives, not only of the world but also of yourself. When traveling you may often find yourself in situations that you wouldn’t be in otherwise. You are faced with the reality of living outside your comfort zone, which, as uncomfortable as it is, gives you the opportunity to transform how you see things. Psychologists point out that people often haveepiphanies while traveling, as they are able to view their problems from a more detached view.

Watching firsthand how other people live, almost like viewing the world through someone else’s eyes, can also broaden your view. Watching how other cultures live can force you to challenge your own assumptions and free your mind to experience alternative ways of being. 

6. Increases Connection to Others and Self

Travel offers opportunities to meet new people that you otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to connect with. When you are outside of your comfort zone in a different country, you may have to look to others for guidance, which can create a sense of connectedness. Whether you obtain this connection by engaging with the locals, other travelers, or even those you are travelling with, making social connections, or deepening the ones you already have, can improve your mental and physical health.

Moreover, the social aspects of travel can enhance your sense of self. Research has shown that when you get out of your social comfort zone and immerse yourself into cultures different from your own, you strengthen your personal identity, including your values and beliefs, and increase your confidence.

http://www.chopra.com/ccl/6-reasons-why-traveling-is-good-for-you?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=CCL+Newsletter+160607&utm_campaign=Newsletter201667

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Travel Careers and Travel Alerts

I received the below questions from Brenda.  I’m sharing my response since you too may have the same questions.  You are welcome to share it with others that may also have a concern about the recent travel alerts.  Hope it helps.

Hello Cherie,

Any information on potential outcomes we may face in our industry relative to the US reports on worldwide terrorism threats on travel.  Are the main travel associations planning to get together to hold meetings to discuss it?

Thanks so much.

Brenda Singleton

Hi Brenda,

I can only guess what may happen by what I've experienced in the past. I've been through travel warnings, countries with government unrest, recessions, 911 and more.  I’ve watched travel policy changes, tour industry changes, travel insurance changes, travel bonds and of course the establishment of the TSA.

When there are threats we sometimes have a dip in tourism and then the associations, local communities, states and politicians get involved when jobs are hurt.  Tourism hires one in eight people worldwide.  It’s over a $84 billion industry in California.  It’s extremely important to the US economy and jobs but it sometimes takes educating the politicians and public of its importance when it is challenged.

For example, remember after 911 when the Broadway actors were in ads promoting NYC?  The states and counties had meetings on how to bring back tourists. I still remember Sharon Stone and Arnold Schwarzeneger volunteering to shake the hands of visitors to LA.   Of course this was after 911 and hopefully we won't have anything like that ever again.

Now that we have travel alerts, especially to Europe and the Middle East, travelers may decide to hold off on European tours and travel domestically and or will travel west towards the South Pacific and Asia and or to South America.

Before 911 we had tour operators offering either international travel or domestic travel.  After 911, when more US residents decided to travel domestically, tour operators started offering tours to both markets.  More domestic tours were offered for US residents.   We may see a boost in US travel for leisure and meetings and incentives.

In recent years to help tourism, visa requirements have been made easier to attract US visitors, particularly from Eastern Europe and Brazil. President Obama made a speech at Disneyworld announcing the changes in 2013.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOZuGcOT0kg

The easy, non-visa requirements for US travel, particularly from the European market, is now being questioned.  If you watched the Syrian hearing last week, it was discussed as a major concern for US security.  If additional regulations are enforced our inbound domestic tourism may take a 'hit' for a while. We may have fewer visitors, some just not wanting to go through more procedures.

Tourism has been through challenges over the years, as have many industries, during economic and safety concerns.  Our industry has always come back quickly and stronger than before the challenge.

I pray we'll all stay safe and tourism continues to thrive.

Glad you asked and hope this helps.

Cherie