hotels articles

Insurance is something everyone needs from time to time. I suppose travel insurance is no different from auto insurance or home insurance if a person is thinking about a safety net. Years ago, I remember a insurance salesman telling me, insurance is the one thing a person really needs but hopes to never use. Hopefully, the occasion won’t arise when we do need insurance; especially travel insurance.

If a family saves money for that special once in a lifetime trip around the world, travel insurance is a must. Why? These days, it is affordable and it seems silly not to buy at least ticket travel insurance. I mean, what if I get sick just before I am supposed to leave? What if my mom was to get sick again and I can’t leave the day of my flight?

I remember the last time I bought my ticket at the travel agency. I have used the same agency for years. As Barbara was finishing up my ticket and flight information, I was staring at the brochures on her desk and waiting for her to suggest to me I buy one last little thing; travel insurance.

Actually, I had to tell her to sell it to me. She apologized and asked if I would like to buy a policy, it made me think about how simple things are these days with the Internet. I had a month before my flight, so I told her I would come back before I left town.

Over the next few nights, I searched the Internet for Travel Insurance. I was amazed at how many companies offered Travel Insurance. Actually, it was a bit confusing until I made a few phone calls and found what I was searching for; great customer service, helpful agents and the prices were really cheap.

I can tell you I felt much more at ease knowing I had invested a few dollars in travel insurance just in case something happened I didn’t expect. I’m glad to say, I didn’t need to use the travel insurance I purchased. I just thought it was the safe thing to do to protect my family and myself. One of the main reasons I always buy travel insurance is because of the memory of a trip to Egypt, a few years ago.

The day my wife and I arrived at the hotel in Cairo, one of my friends with the company I worked for at the time was very sick. While we were walking into the lobby, he was being carried out on a stretcher. We later learned he had accidentally swallowed some water while he was showering. I know from his misfortune to use caution when visiting a foreign country. Be careful with the water and foods you eat when traveling. But, if you do get a little sick, be sure to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Cheap travel insurance is another way to protect you against financial loss.

If you are someone who is considering the Your Travel Biz opportunity then you might have come across the statements above. Everyone wants to get a piece of Your Travel Biz while enjoying life but you need to get to know some actual facts before making a decision.

That is why this review was created for your convenience. No more searching on Google for hours and hours. Instead, you will get both the total overview of Your Travel Biz and some unheard news.

1) The Heart Of Your Travel Biz

Your Travel Biz is also commonly known as “YTB Travel Network” or just YTB. We wind the clock back to the year 2001 where a man named J. Lloyd Tomer; a retired Senior Sales Director from a well known insurance company had a vision.

He teamed up with J. Scott Tomer and Kim Sorensen with the goal to make Your Travel Biz a highly profitable company. It must also deliver a product with great value to the customer. Additionally compensates its members with the potential to have no income limits in the travel industry niche.

2) Just How Does Your Travel Biz Works?

Okay, here’s the snippet and we will be quick. Your Travel Biz provides travel booking services, vacation packages and entertainment packages through various travel vendors. You become a Your Travel Biz member by registering as a Referring Travel Agent (RTA) with a local sponsor.

Since online marketing has become a great hit now for home businesses even for Your Travel Biz, you need a website. Hence, you will have access to Your Travel Biz (YTB Travel Network) replicated website with a ready made templates.

3) Your Commissions With YTB Travel Network

You have to admit that Your Travel Biz seems pretty alright on commissions. If you are a YTB owner and someone books a travel package via you, your commissions will be up to 75%. Let’s not forget the costs too.

You pay $500 up front followed by monthly payments of $49.95. The thing is, Your Travel Biz leverages on a network marketing type of structure. So, you will have the most rewards by having a large group of people who signs up as an RTA under you.

An Honest Opinion

You could say that Your Travel Biz is a fair opportunity. The secret here is that you need find a way to earn instantly and not have to wait. Also, the key is to “market online effectively”. Remember to invest in yourself by learning this simple business principle.

Travel Insurance is important to understand, since like health insurance coverage, the customer may be refused coverage. Many insurance companies will offer a surplus of coverage for individuals and families. The company will consider few aspects of the policyholder, by reviewing the risk factors involved. If the policyholder is a high-risk the company may cover the holder, but the premiums will be higher than standard in most instances. Travel Insurance on the other hand, can refuse customers if they pose a high-risk.

Still, few travel insurance companies may consider customers that pose a high-risk, yet the company will pose a steep premium with minimal coverage. If the customer fails to inform the agent that he/she is a high-risk while filing for coverage, then the claims may be invalidated when submitted to the company if you are insured. Thus, travel insurance primary focuses on risk factors to conclude eligibility.

If the policyholder is traveling with others, then the travel insurance should cover those travelers, and the policyholder is obligated to inform the agency of any potential risks. In addition, if the policyholder is pending medical treatment for current conditions, then the policyholder must inform the agency. The policyholder must also inform the agency of any restrictions from medical professions, if the professional has advised the customer not to travel. The policyholder must also inform the company if he/she is traveling to receive medical exams, or if the customer has a chronic ill over the past year, seeking medical treatment, then he/she is obligated to inform the agency.

Incurable ills and treatments are also expected to be noted on the polices. Thus, it is possible to receive Travel Insurance with the conditions listed; however, again the premiums will be high. Furthermore, the companies do have the right to deny you coverage if you are pending any of the stated conditions.

There are a few types of Travel Insurance Polices available and each policy varies. Travel Insurance companies often present “comprehensive coverage” and sometimes the premiums are steep. Few companies offer comprehensive policies with lower premiums, therefore, researching the marketplace is essential to spare cost. If you are searching for comprehensive coverage, you may want to go online and get Quotes from the online Brokers, since these people only specialize in Travel Insurance. The Brokers will often provide a surplus of information to consumers to help them determine which policy is best for them. Once the consumer has made a decision, the Brokers will link the consumer with a company that offers comprehensive coverage, coupled with affordable rates and lower premiums.

There are many reasons to take out Travel Insurance. If you frequently travel then you are aware of the hazards lurking in the crevices. Thus, traveling frequently will call for “Annual Travel Insurance,” since your risks are in constant need of protection. The Standard Coverage is for those that travel lightly, while the Family Plans are for those that take periodical vacations and do not wish to cover the family under Single Policies. The Group policies are for those that travel with others, and the policies will often cover up to ten travelers. As you can see there are different types of packages offered by Travel Insurance companies, therefore, frequent travelers should compare research and find the best plan that suits their traveling needs.

Travel Insurance Policies will often cover the expenses incurred from “cancelled trips.” The “Cancellation Policy” covers the policyholder’s losses. The policies will not cover in most instances, pet damages; therefore, if you are traveling with your pet, you may want to consider an extension policy known as the Third Party Insurance Plan.

To learn more about Travel Insurance and Third Party Policies, again going online and getting a Quote may be your best option. The policies vary and there are several packages offered. Since, you are the only one that knows what you need; it is up to you to find Travel Coverage to suit your needs. Be advised that few companies on the Internet are swindlers; therefore, investigate the company before signing contracts.

Question: What is one of the easiest ways to get a sustained increase in sales in your travel business?

Answer- track and monitor the amount of people you give a quote to versus the number people who buy. Look at ways of improving the conversion rate to sale.

Now this sounds simple but in theory hardly any travel business or any business does this effectively. But I am convinced after coaching 146 businesses that this is one of the easiest ways to get sustained improvement.

Please consider this example: If ten people come through your travel business and all get a quote from you for some future travel arrangement. Obviously some will buy; usually 30% of people on average. Consider the ramifications if you were able to double this ratio to 60% over a 12 month period.

If you can do this you have just doubled your business. What a great travel business opportunity this is. And I assure you it is possible.

So how do we achieve a higher conversion rate to sale? The idea is to have uniqueness about how you deliver information to your enquirer. The worst thing you can do is to give a quote out just like your competitors. You need to stand out.

The best thing to do is to add as much information into your quoting system to really impress upon people all the advantages and benefits of dealing with your agency.

You see there is more to everyone’s decision than just price. They need to know if they can trust you as the consultant, the agency, the service or product you offer them and whether you will give them the service they require.

Therefore to alleviate these thoughts your quotations should become travel plans of action.

What I suggest here is to make your quotations completely stand out in the industry by including in a professional looking information pack. This quotation system could include:

a) An introductory letter welcoming them.

b) Vision and mission statement.

c) 7 Reasons why you should use your agency.

d) Guarantee in writing.

e) Testimonials from delighted previous clients.

f) A brief bio about you as their consultant and information on the agency.

g) The quotation on their travel arrangements.

h) Any supporting brochures or flyers on the product you are offering.

Do this and you will stand out. People cannot just judge you on price alone. People now have the facts on how you will benefit them in so many ways. Prospects have price, service, professionalism and reputation to consider when making a decision to use you or not.

If there is nothing different about you, prospects will only buy from you because of convenience and price – nothing more. Therefore you will be committing business suicide in a price driven industry.

It becomes very difficult to effectively come out of the price spiral once you have entered. Because your prospect will come to you expecting the cheapest price and the times you are not their cheapest option they will often move on to the opposition.

You have probably experienced the situation where the prospect goes back and forth between you and the other travel agency competing only on price. You undercut the other agency that in turn undercuts your price. This is a dangerous situation for your margins especially.

So you see uniqueness is critical to your success. Stand out in the way you quote people. Put a big effort into getting this right. Uncover what is special about you and the agency and then shout it out loud. Advertise it if necessary and put it on your stationary. Then stand back and watch your conversion rate to sale increase.

Implementation

You must stand out from your travel agent competitors so your prospects remember you and see a point of difference.

Uniqueness gets lots of attention.

Include in your Travel Plans all the information that makes you stands out, delights your clients, and anything that promotes your expertise.

Include testimonials or third party endorsements.

Never just focus on price but focus on ALL the great things you can do for your client. A great travel business opportunity awaits you. Take action and see for yourself the difference this can make.

These 7 easy home businesses are for you - that is, if you enjoy cruising down the Nile in the moonlight, gazing at the Alps from your sidewalk cafe, or falling hopelessly in love in Venice.

The travel industry has been through a huge shakeup, causing new businesses to spring up. And this spells new home-based business opportunities for you to make money.

Here are a few of these easy home businesses for you to get into.

Yacht Charter Broker - This is a unique business that is growing more popular by the month. In this business, you market to clients who want to charter a luxury yacht equipped with a captain, crew, and chef - and carrying plenty of fresh food. Clients spend their vacation cruising, swimming, sunbathing, diving, and dining on gourmet meals. You receive a good commission from the yacht management company for each booking.

Jet Charter Broker - As a jet charter broker, you are assigned a certain geographical area and a list of clients to contact. These clients chartered jet planes in the past and are regular fliers. Clients can charter the entire jet or just one seat. There are over 1200 jet charter companies in the United States. Flights cost thousands of dollars although “empty leg” trips go at discounted prices. Your commission is paid by the charter company.

Travel Affiliate - In this business, you market trips, tours, travel vacations, hotels, cars, cruises, and other attractions from your Web site. You receive a commission on each booking you make.

Tour Organizer - As a tour organizer, you set up a tour in any part of the world that you are familiar with. Many tours today are based on a theme. For instance, there are single tours, archeology tours, safari tours, and ancestor research tours. There are also underwater diving tours. If you are a diving instructor, you can take the students on a tour of dive sites in the Caribbean and other areas. Once your business grows, you can make more money by outsourcing the work of the tour guide.

Travel Agency - You can open your own home-based travel agency. Here is how to do it: Work with a host agency that operates as a middleman between you and the travel supplier. Also, join a travel association such as the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). They have good benefits and help you to network with other professionals.

Cruise Broker - The demand for cruises is huge today. You can make a lot of money in this business. Getting started is easy. In this business you offer cruises to individuals, clubs, colleges, businesses, and organizations. You receive a commission for each booking from the cruise line. To help you, join the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).

Travel Products - Travel products are fast selle4rs and there are thousands to choose from. You can sell such products from your Web site, blog, or email. It is easiest to have the products drop shipped. Some best sellers are the combination pocket recorder/MP3 player/camera, luggage with laptop briefcase, secure passport belt, boarding pouch, and travel atomic clock with flashlight.

As regular readers of this column no doubt will recall, during recent weeks I have been stretching out my column topic (”Three Things Everyone Should Know About the Outdoors Before They Turn 30″) like two kids arguing over a piece of taffy.

This is partly because I get paid per column and partly because at any point I am due to have a baby and thought that preparing a batch of columns in advance would help me cover my bases.

The No. 1 thing I deemed important (Feb. 27, 2005) was being able to identify the animals and plants in your own yard or neighborhood. Check out your newspaper’s online archives in the event you missed it.

Today: No. 2, Be Able to Build a Fire.

Quite probably the entire reason human civilization advanced beyond the Early Days was because a couple of our early ancestors figured out how to build a fire. In the event that they could somehow come back to life, learn how to read, and see that my No. 2 suggestion is that everyone should be able to build a fire they probably would have themselves a good belly laugh. After all, basic survival, until more recent times, depended on this skill. Now, not so much.

But still, it is a handy skill to have. Whether your life ever will depend on it at some point depends on many variables, such as whether you ever will become lost in the wilderness or whether we have another ice storm like the one of 2002, and you are without heat or a food-cooking source for umpteen days, or whether your kids are demanding to roast marshmallows at the lake when you go car camping.

Beyond survival, there is something delicious about a fire that warms the spirit, fuels the soul, and provides a psychological boost that says, “Things are OK.” The glow of the fire becomes a glow within ourselves. (It also can be used to sterilize bandages, signal for rescue and provide protection from animals).

Generations of Girl and Boy Scouts have known about this fire power and have gathered around campfire rings, singing songs and sharing stories for decades. Now urban dwellers have joined the club and have purchased chimneas made of clay for their decks and patios in an attempt to create a similar aura.

To build a good fire in a campfire ring, a chimnea or for survival in the wildnerness, you’ll need three basic elements — air, heat and fuel. Remove any of these, and your fire will go out before you can so much as get a marshmallow on a stick.

As for fire-building materials, you’ll need three kinds — tinder, kindling and fuel.

Tinder is dry material that ignites with just a spark. It could be a handful of straw or hay, for example.

Survival experts recommend anyone going on an extended hiking or backcountry camping trip take a Ziplock baggie of dryer lint to use as tinder.

Kindling is dry, readily combustible material that you add to the burning tinder. It could be, with the editor’s approval, this newspaper rolled into tight little wads. Or it could be a good armful of twigs that range from matchstick size to the diameter of your thumb and sorted by size. The object with kindling is to increase the fire’s temperature so that it will ignite the less combustible material you place on top.

Fuel is the stuff that burns slowly and steadily once lit — pieces of branches the diameter of your arm and big logs, for example.

The way you arrange these materials is a matter of personal choice and experimentation. A favorite method for outdoor fires is a tepee, in which you arrange the tinder and a few sticks of kindling in the shape of a tepee or cone, with larger logs on the outside. Light the center, and as the tepee burns, the outside logs will fall inward, feeding the fire.

The 49th annual Kansas City Sportshow begins Tuesday, and visitors will see a lot of the usual stuff. There will be boats and hundreds of booths promoting hunting, fishing and vacation spots here and abroad.

There will be ATVs and motorcycles, recreational vehicles, fishing lures and rods and reels for sale — everything under the sun where it comes to outdoor entertainment.

Oh, yeah, Bill Grigsby also will be there. The longtime announcer for the Kansas City Chiefs will be the show’s host, something he’s been doing for 45 years now.

“It’s a labor of love,” Grigsby said of the Sportshow. “I love working for these people. What I really like are the seminars. We’ve got Ray Scott of BASS fame here this year.

“When we had the show at Municipal Auditorium, we had stage shows. When they moved into Bartle Hall, you couldn’t do the stage shows anymore, it was just too big. I’ll be there to introduce some acts, meet people, just circulate.”

One of the acts this year has Grigsby intrigued. “I haven’t seen it yet, it’s new this year,” he said. “It’s called the Rattlesnake Wranglers. It’s unbelievable. Four Kansas farmers get into this pit with 100 rattlesnakes. Man, you wouldn’t catch me doing that! But it should be something to see.”

Another legend also will be there. Harold Ensley, the Sportsman’s Friend, once again will be in attendance.

“Harold will be there, sure,” Grigsby said. “I’ve know him a lifetime. He was in Joplin, working as a preacher, when I was there broadcasting minor league baseball. I told him he should get into my line of business and the next thing I know, he’s got a TV show in Kansas City.”

Grigsby doesn’t hunt or fish anymore.

“I used to hunt ducks,” he said. “But, with football, I’m awful busy this time of year, though I sure do enjoy it.

“I’m 80 and my duck hunting and golf game are things of the past. I actually think of myself as 45 though; it’s an attitude thing. I get around swell. I tell people it’s vitamins in the morning and a couple vodka martinis at night that is the trick.”

The Sportshow hours are 5-10 p.m. Tuesday; 2-10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $8 for adults; $4 for children 5-11; and children under 5 are admitted free. On opening night, the first 500 children ages 5-11 with a paid admission ticket will receive a free Zebco spincast road and reel combo.

Among other attractions at the show are live fishing for rainbow trout, the traveling fish tank, live trophy whitetail deer, a BassMaster Casting Kids competition, and a large slate of seminars that deal with hunting and fishing.

It’s time to dust off the tuxedo and prepare for the social season. Well, not a tuxedo exactly but I might buy a new pair of blue jeans.

The social season, at least for me, consists of a series of banquets. They are hosted by a bunch of different organizations that promote hunting. The banquets benefit such critters as pheasants, turkeys, quail, even elk.

The first such blast takes place Monday evening at the Topeka Holiday Inn West Holidome, 605 S.W. Fairlawn, when the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited hosts its 34th annual banquet and fund raiser.

It’s hard to believe it’s been that many years. I can’t claim to have been at the first one but I haven’t missed many since then. It’s even harder to believe how the DU banquet has changed.

The first years the chapter held them were rowdy events. We were so much younger then. There used to be huge pyramids of empty Bud cans on the tables. Guys would hold impromptu duck calling contests from across the room.

There would be scantily clad babes hustling raffle tickets amid the din. The auctioneer would be drowned out by the noise.

Well, we are now older duck hunters. And the banquets reflect that. For instance, lots of guys bring their wives or girlfriends, even their daughters.

For the record, I am not bringing my six-year-old daughter Moriyah or First Mate, my wife. According to Brad Loveless, this year’s banquet chairman, there are temptations that might prove costly if I would do so.

“We’ve got some nice auction items and silent raffle items that include jewelry,” Loveless said. “And there’s a yellow Lab puppy that will go for an auction item.”

That tore it. Moriyah is a sucker for any kind of puppy and F.M. can’t be trusted when it comes to jewelry. So, I’ll go it alone again this year.

The DU banquet has always been a fun affair. It would be even more fun if I had money to burn. This year promises to be no exception. There’s a bunch of stuff I could be tempted by (and I don’t mean the Lab puppy).

“We’ve got a wide variety of hunts again this year,” Loveless said. “We’re featuring three different waterfowl hunts, for instance. We’ve got a reservoir hunt, a river hunt, and a grain field hunt.”

There’s always a lot of artwork, too, and I’ve spent pleasant hours admiring it. When the auction comes around, though, the bidding is usually over my head.

In recent years there has been kind of a unique form of bidding that actually saves people money. “Once again we’re going to bid on rental of construction equipment,” Loveless said. “We’ll have everything from backhoes to graders. A person who needs construction work done can get equipment for a fraction of what they would normally pay.”

There’s other stuff like the smoker/grill that comes with 20 pounds of ribeye steaks, several guns including the DU Gun of the Year, and the usual ton of dollar raffle items (where I am at home with).

The doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by a buffet, followed by the auction. Tickets are $50 for a single and each additional guest is $25.

There are two kinds of snake-bite; one’s undoubtedly more painful

OUTDOORS

JIM RAMBERG

C-J outdoor writer

While searching for mushrooms Friday afternoon, I had a little shock. I almost got snake-bit.

It was the first copperhead I’d seen in a long time but there was no mistaking the body or slightly V-shaped head. It wasn’t a big one, only about a foot long.

I saw it out of the corner of my left eye, coiled on the forest floor. It certainly knew something big and threatening had come upon it.

I watch for snakes all the time. We of Norwegian blood naturally attract snakes since there are none in the ancestral country. Maybe the Irish do, too. I never asked an Irishman about it.

I skirted past the snake and went about looking for mushrooms. I escaped once again. Then I got to thinking.

I had already been snake-bit this week. It’s a term that often comes up in angling circles. It happened at Pomona Lake Wednesday afternoon when I met up with John Custenborder and his son Tom for a quick crappie trip.

“They’re biting,” John said. “We’re going to catch some fish.”

And some of us sure did.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL evening to be on the glassy-smooth water. Do you remember the three-day blow we had at the start of the week? No way you could have taken a boat out.

“We fished from shore last weekend,” Tom said. “Over near North Shore Marina. We slayed them.”

Well, north seemed to be the key. We started fishing several of the coves on the north side.

We were pitching jigs that day to the shoreline, fishing in two to three feet of water near brush and rocks. We were using bobbers to hold the jigs up over the bottom. When the crappie did hit, they did it with a vengeance.

“Got one!” was a familiar cry. “Here’s another one!” was another. Every now and then someone would exclaim “Ah! Missed him!” I was silent. As the hours went by I was desperate. I got a couple bites but didn’t catch them. Meanwhile, the others had put 25 to 30 nice sized crappie in the livewell.

Towards the end of the trip, I finally caught one.

It was about five inches long.

And that’s all I caught.

I WAS THE BRUNT of some good-natured joking. Heck, I could take it. I’d been on the other end often enough.

Getting snake-bit at fishing is a phenomenon I have observed many times but one I can never explain. It can happen in a boat — like it did Wednesday — or from the bank.

I’ve fished farm ponds with buddies at times. Someone would hook a bass every other cast. The other guy wouldn’t get a nibble.

Explanations? There’s a theory out there that you give off scent that fish can smell. Maybe some days you smell better than other days (that is what my wife and daughter tell me, anyway).

Maybe you don’t have the right lure. Maybe you’re at the wrong depth.

Perhaps your presentation is wrong.

I believe in luck, good and bad.

I didn’t get bitten by a snake this week. That’s good luck. I got snake-bit, though. That’s the other kind.

Books engage outdoor enthusiasts

With few outdoor chores to tend to and darkness that settles in much too early in the day, we find that more books are consumed at our house this time of year than any other.

For the outdoor enthusiast, plenty of recent and older titles will keep you thoroughly and cozily engaged as the earth makes its journey toward spring. Here are three of our favorites.

For Hunters: “Heart Shots: Women Write About Hunting”

Hunting still isn’t thought of as something in which women engage in great numbers, although 2 million hunting licenses were sold to women in 1998. Scrutiny of historical documents reveals that women have hunted all along — it isn’t something they’ve taken up only lately as some sort of feminist coup.