Recent News Releases

TAMPA TRAVEL EXECUTIVE PREDICTS LEISURE TRAVEL REBOUND, AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FOR AT-HOME TRAVEL AGENTS
 
Tampa-Based Travel Company Creates Income Opportunity For At-Home Moms, Retirees

TAMPA, FL (March 18, 2002) - Phones are ringing off the hook at Prestige Travel Systems and leisure travel business is higher now than any time in the past 12 months. Moreover, leisure travel bookings are predicted to increase further, according to Ron LaScala, president of the Tampa-based travel agency, because of growing consumer interest in service and timely information, as well as travel bargains.

While some storefront travel agencies have been forced to close their doors, especially following the tragic events of September 11, LaScala’s Prestige Travel, and its growing network of home-based travel agents reports that 2002 domestic travel sales are up (year-to-date) by 35%.

“Since January, our cruise business is absolutely booming,” says LaScala. He attributes the growth and success to the network of home-based travel agents who work closely with their clients and provide a higher degree of personal service than typical retail agencies. The internet and the economic downturn, oddly enough, are also contributing to increased number of home based travel agents.

“I’ve never seen any industry change so rapidly in my lifetime,” says LaScala. “When we began this business nearly 10 years ago (network of home-based travel agents), we were geographically limited to Central Florida, with about 70 percent of our agents within a 50 mile radius of our office. Now, over 75 percent of our agents are now outside of Florida; we have 1,400 home-based agents from all over the United States and as far away as Australia and Europe, all using the Internet and email to serve their clients, market themselves and book travel reservations. Many have their own websites which we provide for them.”

What’s the attraction of running a home-based travel agency? LaScala says the answer is extra income, flexibility, and, discounted travel opportunities. For many people, high set-up costs had prevented them from starting a business. LaScala says his agents get started with a $125 investment in the basic course that enables them to either refer business or book travel themselves. Either way, the home agents are paid 30 percent of the total commission, and in many instances, the commissions can be higher.

“A lot of our agents are in their 40s and 50s and are planning ways to expand their income on a part-time basis. Others want to travel when they retire and want the benefits of free or highly discounted travel. And obviously, for travel agents, their travel expenses become tax deductions.” LaScala noted.

“I’ve been in it for two years and I love it,” says MaryLen Mamuri, a home-based agent in Yonkers, NY, who booked over 30 leisure trips for friends and acquaintances in the past year. “To me it’s like a club; I meet a lot of other agents while I’m traveling. I ’ve already been to Puerto Rico, Key West, Cozumel and Las Vegas.” Mamuri is a practical nurse who enjoys the chance to earn extra income from home. She plans a trip to China next month.

“My business increased after September 11, I believe, because so many people are hesitant to book on the internet,” Mamuri said. “They don’t understand the fees and expenses they can incur; and, on the internet, when they have a question there’s nobody who can give them an answer.”

Bob and Lois DeMaio, a Seminole, FL couple who operate their home-based agency together, say their success is based on the high level of service they offer and their specialization in cruises. In the past year they’ve booked more than 30 cruises. They also like to take advantage of travel opportunities exclusive to travel agents and the discount benefits.

Similarly, Sharon Lee, a California grandmother and part-time travel agent, reports that in the past year alone she’s traveled to Cancun, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Cabos, Monterey, Half Moon Bay and Arizona.

“We also have many at-home moms who want to be able to work whenever they can whether it’s a few hours a day, at night, on weekends or wherever it fits into their schedule,” LaScala added. This type of work offers that kind of flexibility. The amount of income varies depending on each individual agent’s goals and experience. An agent’s monthly income can range between several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the time spent and the agent’s experience. This income does not include the value of discount or free travel or the unique tax benefits enjoyed by travel agents.

Carie Duncan, a 31-year-old from Murrieta, CA, says she’s a full-time mother and wife and a part-time travel agent, who, after going on a cruise to Mexico, knew she wanted to travel and wanted to arrange travel for others. Since becoming an at-home travel agent 11 years ago, she and her husband have enjoyed fam trips to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean and take full advantage of the tax benefits as well. (Within weeks after 9/11, they took a fam trip to Kauai and reported that the flights were full.)

While she specializes in honeymoon planning, Duncan says that word of mouth from her clients generates three to five referrals each year. One group she booked three years ago to Cabo San Lucas continues to generate repeat business; the same group booked a fishing trip to Alaska this month.

LaScala’s business originated from his own interest in travel --he was an Air Force pilot and professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and also taught at Colorado State University. .He developed a Travel Agent Associate Degree program for Condie Junior College in Campbell, California. The travel course formed the basis for the Independent Travel Agent training program his firm has marketed for nearly 10 years.

While other companies have tried to duplicate his success, they’ve fallen short, LaScala says, because they did not provide enough training and support. At-home travel agents who work with Prestige Travel have access to training, free seminars, destination marketing materials and a staff of professional agents who work full-time from Prestige Travel’s Tampa office. LaScala is also proud of the relationships his firm has developed with major vendors, such as Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Pleasant Hawaiian.

Prestige Travel Systems is one of the fastest growing full-service travel agencies in North America. The company is headquartered in Tampa,Florida. Prestige Travel Systems offers cruise, tours and vacation packages and operates CruiseBrokers.com, PrestigeTravelClub.com and TourBrokers.com.

Prestige Travel Systems is approved by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA); Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC); International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN); and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). In addition to these affiliations, Prestige Travel is a licensed, bonded and insured seller of travel in the State of Florida (ST#17788) and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Home-based agents who work with Prestige Travel Systems operate under the PTS corporate license.

Consumers interested in learning more about becoming a home-based travel agent may visit www.ptstravel.com or phone toll free: 800-940-8801.

Photos: available upon request.
Media Contact: Ron LaScala, Prestige Travel Systems
Phone: 813-289-7772

Several presentations were also given by Prestige Travel personnel. Along with these training sessions agents participated in a variety of ship inspections, luncheons, a cocktail reception and a farewell dinner. Many participants chose to take a site-seeing boat tour of Star Island and Port of Miami. Look for upcoming announcements about upcoming Prestige FAMS! Remember, a great way to learn is by hands-on experience. Future Training Conferences are planned for Vancouver and Los Angeles, as well as Cruise Fams from Miami and Port Canaveral.  Click Here for Photographs from the FAM.