In the course of working on each issue of TravelAge West, the
editorial staff speaks to scores of travel agents, and by far, the
request we hear most is for information and tools that will help
them sell more. These agents know that in today’s competitive
marketplace, they need every possible edge in order to succeed.
With this in mind and in keeping with our mission of helping
agents stay on the frontier of travel, ahead of the curve we
decided to do something special with our new Web site,
TravelAgeWest.com. Now, agents who log on to the site will be able
to access three different types of electronic marketing tools. With
these free, easy-to-use tools, agents will be able to reach out to
clients with customized messages, customized information or to even
just to say “welcome back” once a client returns home. The tools
include Electronic Postcards, Build-a-Brochure and Electronic
Newsletters (just like the one you are reading now).
For instance, an agent who specializes in Mexico can create a
customized newsletter from stories found in the Mexico section of
the Web site, or can E-mail a “postcard” using images of Mexico we
provide. An agent can add contact information and a brief note as
well.
All these tools are easy to use. Just follow the “Sales Tools”
link on the site and select which tool you want to use. Then follow
the simple directions for the tool you are using. You will be asked
to register for the site, but don’t worry, the tools are free.
Another way to use the tools is from any of the article pages on
the site. For instance if you are reading a story about Los Cabos
and you decide you would like to include it on a customized
brochure to be E-mailed to certain clients, just click on the “Add
Article to Build a Brochure” box on the left side of the page, and
your story will be collected for later inclusion in your customized
brochure.
It’s a free and easy way to take your agency’s marketing to the
next level.
Finally, in addition to the marketing tools, visitors to
TravelAgeWest.com will be able view the content of the current
issue, and access past articles and original “Web Exclusives”
stories and photos that can only be found online. And to top it all
off, we’re running frequent “Click & Win” contests where you
have the chance to win free travel. Our current contest is for a
five-night, all-inclusive stay at Sandals in the Caribbean.
So visit TravelAgeWest.com, and give the tools a try. We hope
you’ll see the benefits for yourself.
Thank you,
Kenneth Shapiro
Executive Editor
TravelAge West
