Toursource travel is engaged in a battle of wits and revenue with the Marriott hotel corporation. As a matter of principle this agency will not refer clients, book a client into or recommend a Marriott branded property.
WHY?
I am a fully functioning travel agency with a booking code issued through a fine organization (OSSN) that is in business to support the growing trend segment of the travel selling population known as the "Home-based" industry. My booking code is issued by OSSN and is maintained by IATAN the leading professional organization of my industry as a whole.
The home-based segment of the travel industry has seen a great growth spurt in recent years. The availability of web based booking portals dedicated to the travel professional along with other tools has made it easier for a travel agent to work from home without the need for the high overhead associated with real estate and a traditional GDS contract. This segment of the industry continues to grow each year.
Initially written off with such derogatory terms as "kitchen table Mabel's" who were thought to be only selling to family or in it for the "freebies" and discounts; the home-based industry cannot be ignored. We generate MILLIONS of dollars in commissionable travel sales every year. We are as professional as the traditional "brick and Mortar" agents, maintaining business licenses, Errors and Omissions insurance, certifications as travel professionals and destination specialists all while operating in a professional manner. The only difference is we do it from our home office.
The majority of travel suppliers recognize the significantly important role that the home-based segment offers the industry and supports us 100% and in fact welcomes us with open arms as sales producers. I have a working relationship with every cruise line; airline vacation packager, major European tour packager, Amtrak, VIA rail Canada, European river cruise providers and EVERY hotel chain WORLDWIDE.
Except one... MARRIOTT.
Marriott corporation absolutely refuses to do business with the home-based segment of the travel industry. Oh... let me rephrase that, they will GLADLY accept me booking one of my clients in their properties. They just won't compensate me for doing so.
Let me give you a bit of history on this company and how it's backward thinking is costing it untold amounts of money.
My professional association the Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN) is headed up by some very fine people who have been in the travel industry for years. Namely Mr. Gary Fee and his wife Melody along with a host of dedicated professionals and an array of regional directors throughout the USA.
Gary has for the last few years been in personal meetings with Marriott's director of Travel Industry sales. Initially they were steadfast in their desire to not offer commissions to the home-based industry.
However, in 2007 they had a change of attitude and agreed that if members of OSSN would:
1) Sign up for and complete the Marriott hotel agent familiarization training course
AND
2) provide proof of errors and Omissions insurance
They (Marriott) would allow us to book with our booking code on the website and earn the same commission that every other travel agent/agency was earning.
Now keep in mind, NO other travel agent or agency was required to do ANY of this! All they had to do was register at Marriott's Travel Agent portal on the corporate site and they could book Marriott properties all day long and earn commission. However, as OSSN and home-based members of the industry we had to jump through a few hoops.
We were willing to give a little in order to get the full access to the commission structure that we feel we were entitled to. So we rolled up our sleeves, took the agent familiarization course and waited to hear where, who and how we need to verify E and O insurance.
Well guess what... Marriott tells OSSN that they have reconsidered the deal and decided that they were not going to go through with it after all.
I do not understand these people in the slightest!!! How a company can write off an entire segment of the industry as inconsequential is beyond me.
But alas, I know for a fact that I have produced a significant amount of revenue for the Marriott corporation (more than $32,000.00 a year at one point)
However, with their insistence on something that I can only identify as stupidity I have cut ALL ties with Marriott.
I will be more than happy downright ecstatic in fact to book you into a competitor property offering the same amenities and level of service. But I cannot and will not, in clear conscience provide you a Marriott suggestion.
Please understand my reasoning in this matter and feel free to ask any questions if you have them.
Most Sincerely;
Rick