Selling Travel June 2015 by SMP Training Co

06/2015

THE HOW-TO MAGAZINE FOR TRAVEL TRADE PROFESSIONALS

EDITORIAL

ARE YOU ON THE LIST?

OH YEAH!

THE CAREER ENHANCING SKILL

LET’S START HERE – AT THE CLOSE

GETTING YOUR ACT TOGETHER

SUPPLIER / TOURISM OFFICE MIND MAP

TRAVEL AGENT’S MIND MAP

THE W5 MIND MAP REVIEW & PLANNING GRID

FAMCATIONS – GOOGLE-IZED

THE TROUT HOTEL REVIEW

THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF RANGAMATI – Anthony Dalton

THE TRAVEL INSTITUTE

READ MORE ME HERE!

ON THE STORE SHELVES NOW

CLASSIFIEDS

I DO WEDDING PRINT.COM

Featured in the july issue of selling travel… how to sell The lake district of cumbria.

The DESIRE to travel starts early and continues throughout one’s life – are you marketing to Generation Z?

Share your money making ideas in SELLING TRAVEL. CONTACT Steve Crowhurst steve@sellingtravel.net 250-738-0064 www.sellingtravel.net Publisher: SMP Training Co. www.sellingtravel.net Contributors Steve Crowhurst

Attention Suppliers: Advertising in SELLING TRAVEL reaches the serious business-minded travel agent. Promote your products and services using Selling Travel’s unique promotional formula – you write the articles on how to sell your own products offering step-by-step selling tips, tools and techniques that you know have worked for your agency accounts. Full page rates range from $300 to $425 based on number of insertions. Remember, if you can’t sell it to them, they can’t sell it for you! Please note that Selling Travel, owned and published by SMP Training Co, is not connected in any way to Selling Travel magazine published by BMI Publishing Ltd., and based in the UK. The latter publication focuses entirely on destination and travel/tourism product training and is circulated solely to the UK and Ireland travel industries. To benefit from this resource visit www.sellingtravel.co.uk and be sure to subscribe.

SELLING TRAVEL is owned and published by Steve Crowhurst, SMP Training Co. All Rights Reserved. Protected by International Copyright Law. SELLING TRAVEL can be shared, forwarded, cut and pasted but not sold, resold or in any way monetized. Using any images or content from SELLING TRAVEL must be sourced as follows: “Copyright SMP Training Co. www.sellingtravel.net” SMP Training Co. 568 Country Club Drive, Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada, V9K-1G1 Note: Steve Crowhurst is not responsible for outcomes based on how you interpret or use the ideas in SELLING TRAVEL. T: 250-738-0064.

TRUE SUPPORT FOR TRUE PROFESSIONALS At Nexion Canada, we know that you are passionate about your travel business. So we provide you with the professional support and industry relationships you need to be more profitable and efficient, giving you the freedom to run your travel business the best way: your way. A full-service host agency combining decades of experience, Nexion Canada provides independent, Canadian-based travel professionals of all experience levels with: • • • • • • • • •

Your choice of up to 80% of commissions Top commissions with leading air, cruise and land suppliers Technology tools to better manage your business Access to our exclusive point-and-click booking engine or through the Amadeus, Sabre or Galileo GDS systems Training, coaching and networking opportunities Innovative marketing programs to grow your business Exclusive cruise block space and supplier offers Lead generation for qualified agents Vacation.com membership included at no additional charge!

It’s time to join a family of professionals that truly supports your independent business dreams. It’s time to join Nexion Canada.

Contact us today to learn more about our growing family of travel professionals. Visit www.Join.NexionCanada.com Email sales@nexioncanada.com Call 866-399-9989

MENTION THAT YOU SAW US IN IC AGENT MAGAZINE AND RECEIVE YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE! 10131503-Nexion_Ad.indd 1

10/29/13 2:18 PM

SALES & MARKETING TIPS, TOOLS & TECHNIQUES FOR ALL TRAVEL TRADE PROFESSIONALS

The WILL to

Steve Crowhurst, Publisher

It’s All About Your Speaking Skills Say no more! Well actually, we have to go with say a lot more, especially if you plan on rising above the generic social media platforms that every travel agent is being pushed into. You’ve got to be there no question, however, I’m an advocate for getting out there and strutting your stuff, which includes sharing your knowledge, and telling an audience WHY they should do business with you. You are going to promote yourself, not a trip, and you are going to deliver an event somewhere in your local area and also online. The key component is learning how to speak and deliver your content well, no matter the platform or medium. I’m just back from a month in the UK and in this issue I talk about The Trout Hotel, Cockermouth and in the July issue of Selling Travel I’ll include a destination guide for The Lake District of Cumbria. Here’s to your continued success in SELLING TRAVEL. Best regards. Steve Crowhurst, CTC, CTM Hon. steve@sellingtravel.net www.sellingtravel.net

NOW IN FULL PRODUCTION! PUBLISHING LATE 2015 LOOK FOR IT IN THE SELLING TRAVEL STORE

Click on the store icon to opt-in.

Click the store image to join.

Do you know how good that actually feels? Seriously… do you know? Have you stood up and delivered to an audience and received applause for a job well done… AND received bookings once you’ve wrapped up the event? There is no feeling like it. The buzz stays with you for days and the bookings just keep coming in, plus referrals.

Not sure how much more I can say to sell you on getting on that stage and presenting like a pro. If your stomach had twinges right about there, that’s okay. It means you’re alive and thinking about it. Let’s work on how you can get on that stage and use social media to get you there.

If you are not a trained public speaker, no worries. You can learn by taking a one day course in your local area. Guaranteed there is a program at the local community center, at the Chamber of Commerce, arranged through the local chapter of Toastmasters… and also through local trainers who specialize in helping business people overcome their fear of public speaking. Make sure you sign up, invest the money, and then practice what your instructors preached.

Once you have practiced and feel good about walking on stage and appearing on camera or radio, then you can start to market yourself as a travel speaker. You might choose a specific topic and stick to it or you might go with all things related to travel. In my opinion, you should stick to talking about your niche and your expertise in that niche. If you stretch too wide, your audience will be confused and not know what to book with you. The outcome will be applause but no bookings.

Not too many of your colleagues are using social media to set up an online event or an event of any type. If they do arrange a consumer event then usually the supplier BDM has the spotlight and that’s the wrong way to go about it. The spotlight is YOURS, 100% and you have to step into it to be recognised. Your BDM should only have a few minutes to present something and then step down to hand the floor back to you. Remember, this is all about YOU and your speaking skills.

There is a huge opportunity for women speakers to talk about travelling for all women and especially women travelling on their own.

Using your social media platforms you can post when and where you will be performing. The location is important and it should be on a bus route, have free parking and the event should also be videoed so that clients who could not make your live event, can watch the video recording. The other location/s where you can present, are on line. Using Facebook, click on the tab marked Other, Events.

Here’s the next page where you’ll complete the details and then post.

If you would like to stream your event from your Facebook page, you can. Click on the image below to find out how you can use Live Stream on Facebook.

thousands of people who Like and Follow you. It’s a built in, ready-made audience. The next thing you can do is to use a webinar service and deliver your event online, using the GoToWebinar platform or similar. The good thing here is that your event can be watched / attended via mobile devices, too.

Okay, so you now know that you can create and market an event AND deliver it on your social media channels. Next you can think about how to post that same event on line, and guide your audience to hear you LIVE and in person, on stage. Where you perform is important. You could think about the same old venue that every travel agent uses - a hotel room, or you could stretch and go slightly wider in scope and look at renting the local movie theatre in an off-peak hour. You could check out the local library. Book stores are often a great place to host a small event, and who knows, you might even entice a department store without a travel agency to clear an area for you in the luggage department AND they might even invite their clients to attend in the hope of selling luggage. Business clubs can work, the local museum, art gallery and similar locations can all add some spice to your event. If your event focuses on a particular destination then holding your event at a local ethnic restaurant can be a great attraction.

You can use the Live Stream app on YouTube, LinkedIn and other social media networks too. So that’s pretty easy. You create your event, you practice it, you post it on your social media outlets and you market it to all those

Whichever location you choose for your venue, you must learn how to present and once more, that takes practice. And more practice. If you need help, I’ll work with you via Skype. Let me know as and when. Send an email. 

Who knows where your speaking career will take you. Once you get a taste of being on stage, walking across that stage and delivering information that can change people’s lives, in this case helping your travel colleagues, your members, your franchisees and if you work for a supplier – your travel agency accounts, sell more travel, upgrade their skills and fill more seats, beds, berths and rooms for you… you’ll want more. Despite all the rumours about public speaking being a tough road to venture down, I can tell you from experience that all it takes is practice. That is the key to success. Practice. Yet so many in our industry just don’t invest enough time in practicing anything let alone public speaking. Mention role-play and there is a rush for the door. Never could understand that response. Those that have attended one of my presentation skills workshops will know we go for 2-days practising and repeating, watching and critiquing videos until the attendee is comfortable and confident. BDMs who have taken my workshop now walk amongst the audience and present from the floor whilst their competition is on stage anchored to the podium. Sure you can spend thousands of dollars on training and it may be the case that some readers of this Guide will go that route. However, if you have an inkling of a personality, a sense of humour, dress professionally out of habit and have a way with words, you might need some initial coaching and guidance, but after that it’s practice. And when you’ve finished practicing… you practice some more - from how you walk on the stage, to how you walk off, to being a whizz-kid at using audio visual equipment and knowing your cables from your mic’ stand.

Learning how to present well is a life changing and career enhancing skill. For the travel agent: to present well at your desk will be a profit booster for you and your agency. If you are independent and work as an IC / HBA and control your own destiny then you might even develop a new career as a professional speaker and your topic would be travel. How sweet is that? Get paid to speak and travel, earn additional booking fees and then enjoy supplier commissions when the booking is told, sold and old! Sound of moola in your jeans.

Okay enough introduction. Here we go. Now beware – my style is my style and I’ll be using that as a baseline. From that line on, you go up and go further based on your own personality and speaking style and achieve the goals you want to achieve through your new found stage presence. Put yourself and your talents to the test and stick with it. It is a fabulous skill to learn, acquire and it will, as mentioned, serve you the rest of your career.

The following pages are reprinted from the Presentation Skills eBook… they will give you some ideas as to how you can get started in the role of speaker plus a glimpse at the content of this guide.

If I can do it. You can do it. All it takes is practice, practice, practice.

Lesson learned many years ago. I pass it on. You must start by planning your presentation in terms of the final message, the legacy of your presentation and what you want your audience to remember or do once your presentation is over. What could it be? Try these:

SUPPLIERS to travel agents

TOURISM OFFICES to travel agents

TRAVEL AGENTS to consumers

Visit our website

Like our Facebook page

Read our online travel guides

Download our latest flyer, special, newsletter

Recommend our destination as a preferred destination

Book on our website booking engine

Order more brochures Move to digital brochures Attend training Sell more insurance View our videos Use our ready-to-use marketing tools Sell more groups Remember we are the #1 supplier for _____

Call the office when planning meetings & incentives and corporate groups

Take a survey Like our Facebook page Join all our social networks

Use our marketing tools to engage agency clients

Attend our next function

Remember we are the #1 destination for _____

Remember we are the #1 Travel Agency for _____

Refer your friends

The last message/request suits all profiles whether you are a supplier (air, hotel, cruise, tour, insurance, car, rail, CRS…), a tourism office or travel agent – you can place this request on a slide and repeat it verbally, loud and clear, at the end of your presentation…

“If you remember one thing from this presentation remember we are your best choice, your #1 and we appreciate your business very much. Thank you. See you next time…” Take a few moments and jot down what you want your audience “take away” to be from your next presentation:

Now that you know or at least have an idea of how you want to end your presentation we can work backwards to the start or start at the start and work towards the desired end result. One of the best ways to do either is to mind map the presentation. Here’s how you do it: Start by drawing a shape in the center of the page (usually a circle to keep it simple) and in that shape write/type your presentation take away. Choose one from the previous page if nothing comes to mind. Draw a series of shapes around your central shape and label them with words / headings that relate to things that must be done in order to achieve the goal of your presentation.

In this graphic you can see I have listed Audience: need to find out their profile. Image: that would be yours and your companys. Wear: how will you dress for this presentation? Establish: what is the core of your presentation – not the take away – the reason for being there. Tools: refers to things you will need to make sure this presentation works. Support: list what you need in the way of support – meaning people, research, back up etc.

From each of these shapes will grow a line and along that line another series of shapes, each one labelled with something that must be completed and checked off prior to your presentation date. Let’s explore how that graphic might look:

SUPPLIER / TOURISM OFFICE MIND MAP

TRAVEL AGENT’S MIND MAP

THE W5 MIND-MAP REVIEW & PLANNING GRID Your next action item is to review each step drawn out on your mind map against the well-known W5 – WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW? Only you know the W5 you are looking for so here’s the blank chart for you to use. Recreate it as you need to.

MINDMAP AUDIENCE

WHO

WHAT

WHEN

WHERE

WHY

HOW

MINDMAP SUPPORT

WHO

WHAT

WHEN

WHERE

WHY

HOW?

Steve

Greet

5pm

Venue door

To guide to main room

Signs, floor map, show

TEAM

Make quick notes in each box as ideas come to you – see above. When you complete this grid in real time, use an EXCEL spreadsheet.

Your travel career is all about selling – what you sell ranges from you, to a price, to a place, to a destination, a country… and even that old CP Air or PanAm cutlery you scored some years ago! Sell! Sell! Sell! I recall being told at one time. It was the battle cry back then. Still is actually, only to sell, sell, sell today you might want to swot up on the tell, tell, tell – and that means visiting places first hand so that you have something to talk about and talk about from experience. Sell yourself on writing your own 2015 FAMcation plan. To do this you must think of yourself as your own client. Picture it - if you were sitting in front of you, what would you be selling you? Now, is that weird or what?

The Personal FAMcation Plan Here’s the reasoning behind your Personal FAMcation Plan. You are supposed to know. You are supposed to have experience. The customer is expecting your experience to be an experience of the first kind, a Close Encounter, as in direct, hands-on, feet on the ground, body on the sand experience. Aha, I hear you say… but there’s a problem: “… we only receive a one week FAM each year and sometimes when things get a little tough, FAM trips are cut from the budget”. When FAMs are cut from the budget, that’s management trying to shore up the company bank account – however it’s old school thinking. Current thinking would trend towards boosting the knowledge of all staff when times are slow and be clever about marketing the knowledge gained - especially when the economy is recovering. No one wants to book with “old knowledge” or travel agencies who don’t travel (Hello!) and more so when fees are being charged. Imagine it:

“Hi I’m thinking of going to Japan… have you been there?” “No, sorry, we’re not allowed to travel this year…” SAY WHAT!? No kaching for you. More like ka-splat! Step One: Read your travel trade magazines. Get to know the featured destinations as much as you can from these fantastic sales and destination information resources. Once you’ve read about the featured destinations, it’s time to suck it up and head out into the real world! Step Two: Check with your manager and inquire about the FAM trip fund and any other support the company will offer. If there’s no money in the kitty, then you have a professional decision to make. This is where your moola meets the road. Where you take control of your career education by investing your own money into what we call YOU Inc. This where your FAM and vacation come together.

Step Three: Ask your manager which destinations you should visit first. Where you go should support what the agency is selling. Also the preferred suppliers the agency books to that destination. The PFP WIFFM ROI How’s that for over-the-top acronymization? I’m talking about what’s in it for you if you were to invest in your own FAMcation Plan. Don’t take too long to ponder this. The ROI on your PFP would be as mentioned above, control of your career, education, knowledge and the money you would take home as you close more sales based on clients buying into your first-hand experience. As a Home-based and Independent Contractor you control your own time and finances therefore you are or should be free to take as many FAMs as you wish, or travel at discounted rates as and when you choose. You are ahead of the agency-bound counsellor who is subjected to management’s FAM – No FAM decisions. It has always amazed me that in a business like ours, most travel counsellors are restricted by a company edict from travelling to the very destinations they are supposed to sell. Not to worry, help is at hand. The Digital FAM and Online Webinar If you can’t travel to the destinations you should visit – how about planning for the next best thing – and that next best thing is to attend an online Webinars. Each month the trade offers a selection of FREE webinars, just for you, at your desk. In some cases, there will be a chance to win a FREE trip to taste the destination and experience the sponsor’s product. Now you can factor webinars into your Personal FAMcation Plan… build your knowledge, sell more of the product and then apply directly with the supplier to experience their product / destination first hand. Remember This Today’s savvy travellers do not pay fees for old news and as travel agents you are supposed to be well travelled and knowledgeable about traditional and obscure places. You are supposed to know the cultural ins and outs of the destinations you promote and sell, be able to advise your clients how to extricate themselves from serious situations, what to wear, and where the best cafes are in this and that city. It’s a been there, done that world where you must invest in yourself, pay your way, own your knowledge and become a self-made travel agent. What a wonderful thing to be able to promote, “I’m just back from… and it was wonderful!” Followed by a call to action that screams – “Come and see me! I’m the best! I’m current… I know!” The Google Earth FAM Not as exciting as actually being there, however, when you need to visit a certain city or follow a tour itinerary, you can click onto Google Earth and also Google Maps and trace the route, using your mouse to look along the roadsides, explore the city’s main streets and side roads. You can then go to Satellite view and look down from above. Great way to view the gardens of Royal Palaces. Give this a try when you’ve nought to do!

Here’s a few frames from my own GOOGLE FAM trip around Paris….

Once you learn how to explore the various streets, parks and other areas of a city and then the outskirts, using your wee Yellow Person Guide shown below, which means you drag him or her to a spot on the map that lights up in blue… then drop him, and start using your mouse to click this way and that to proceed down a road. You can also look up using your mouse and then view the carvings on the buildings. Then click on the Satellite view as mentioned to check out where the streets are going, then back into the map to explore. It really is an interesting way to explore a city or destination and the caution is, you will get hooked. Time will disappear. You’ll be Google FAMMING when you should be selling!

This is an excellent tool to show your clients part of their tour itinerary and close them when you arrive into a beautiful area of the tour. Less is more. Use this to tease and then close. If you show too much, then there’s no need to book. I have shown you Google Maps, however if you use Google Earth you can actually record your movements onscreen and create a video. One more way to create a sales tool and send it off to your clients, or save it for when they visit your agency and then click on the show as you say, “I’ve done a little research and here’s a sampling of your route…” Start with Google Maps, then do the same thing using Google Earth. Get to know how to use both tools and you will find yourself generating all manner of test tours. You can also tour islands and check out the beaches. You can check out hotels and turn around to view the view. Over to you and your FAMcation Plan for 2015. 

When you need a hotel in

THE LAKE DISTRICT BOOK THIS ONE

If you’re fishing for a hotel in The Lake District and specifically in Cockermouth, famous for Wordsworth House and birthplace of Fletcher Christian, then cast your net aside and store your rod and reel. Take my word for it… The Trout Hotel is the best catch around. Let me tell you more and how to sell this fantastic property.

The Lake District may not be a hot destination for your current clients, but let me tell you that once found and experienced this is a destination to return to. More about that in the Featured Destination Insert. For now let’s concentrate on The Trout Hotel. As you enter the lobby from the car park, you’ll notice a slate sign with a line on it. This represents the level of water that the River Derwent crested at in The Trout Hotel when the river overflowed its banks in 2009. You can imagine what the hotel owners and staff went through in order to refurbish and refit. The end result of all their hard work is a fabulously welcoming hotel. From the moment you walk in to the lobby and stroll the hallways to when you first enter the Derwent Dining room for breakfast or dinner… the level of service is excellent without pretense. Good humoured and politely inviting to have a natter and banter as you see fit. In a word, refreshing. Just an overall feeling of being a guest - welcomed and wanted. There’s more….

The Trout Hotel has retained some of its old world charm in the dark wood stairs, railings and mirror and then along each hallway a surprising and well-chosen collection of contemporary artwork. I especially enjoyed the works by Alison Critchlow a contemporary British landscape painter. I had my eye on a particular work but couldn’t pry it off the wall!

This work was titled, “Great Gable” and refers to a local Lakeland mountain and the very one I fell off back in my teenage years. I was scree running and ran out of scree! The various dining options will thrill your clients as the Trout offers quite a selection and we enjoyed each one except for the Al Fresco and Private Dining. The Derwent Restaurant is used for breakfast and dinner and if your rate includes breakfast you will not be disappointed. Check this out. Now where else do you see bacon like that? Then came the toast and there’s plenty more you could add to your plate.

As your clients enter the Derwent Restaurant they will be warmly greeted and shown to an appropriate table. Their room number will be asked for, checked off the list and then it’s all about deciding whether to start with juice and cereals etc., followed by a full breakfast or going straight for the B&E. Whatever your clients decide, they will leave satisfied. Tell them to order the mixed bread toast basket!

The Terrace Bar and Bistro is an all-day affair and great for whatever your taste buds fancy. Start in the morning with a coffee and croissant… mid-day go for the pizza, or salad… in the evening the main courses are excellent and I can vouch for the fish and chips. Yes I know, boring, but then it was what I fancied and superb and huge.

The arrow shows where my wife and I were sitting in the Bistro and here on the right, that glorious fish and chips dish. Did I mention the size of that fish? Now this was interesting and speaks to the ambience of this Bistro. My wife Kimiko asked me if I had noticed… notice what I said… that everyone in the room, and it was packed, was in a conversation… no one staring into their mobile phone screen. I looked around and it was true. What a delight! Every table lively with discussion. It really set the mood for our own evening meal. No annoying beeps and jingles. Here’s one thing we missed and what a shame. Next time for sure. The Afternoon Tea looked wonderful and I recall passing by tables with the three tiers beckoning us. But then we had some hiking to do.

The Al Fresco Dining would be an exquisite way to enjoy not only the Trout’s wonderful cuisine but also the riverside. If you wish to build up an appetite you can stroll from The Trout Hotel, across the bridge in the distance, walk the opposite river bank, cross back via the bridge I stood on to take this shot, and then back to the hotel for your Al Fresco meal.

To view the Terrace Bar & Bistro Menu click this tab…

Our room was located on the second floor and getting there was a short walk up those old world stairs, through a couple of doors and then into this amazing brick worked hallway… So now your guests would be wondering about what will greet them on the other side of that white door and once again The Trout does not disappoint. Let me show you what greeted us as we made our way in… see below… now wouldn’t you feel good knowing this is what your own clients would be walking into. Of course you would.

For those clients who want the best The Trout can WOW them with a suite like this River View Junior Suite. Happy clients for sure. Be sure to review each accommodation offered.

The Trout Hotel is going to help you win the ongoing business of the clients you book there. It is well used by the Brits, and Europeans – some Americans but not a lot of Canadians I was informed. So here’s a chance for you to stand out from the local travel agency crowd and offer your North American clients something unique. Now of course you’ll need a reason to promote The Trout Hotel to your clients and that reason is the surrounding countryside, the town of Cockermouth and the entire Lake District itself. This is rambling country and I will tell you more about how to sell The Lake District in the Featured Destination guide in the July issue of Selling Travel. Visit the website for The Trout Hotel here and read it thoroughly. Be sure to take note of their awards that can be found in the entrance to the lobby as seen here. Impressive.

To close out this segment I have to promote a member of the Trout team and that is Paul who was always upbeat, full of joy, and easily to natter with. He was also wonderfully attentive to my Aunt Irene who lives across the road from The Trout Hotel and celebrated her 83rd birthday dinner at the Derwent Restaurant. 

T: 01900 823 591 E: reservations@trouthotel.co.uk

http://www.trouthotel.co.uk

Enjoy the summer while you work.

Join... • you keep 85 -100% of preferred supplier base commission. • Get commission paid twice monthly! why wait? • Upload your promotions to over 300 social networks in seconds. • Gain access to 100s of suppliers thru our affiliation with traVeLSaVerS. • Get your own personal dashboard report to manage your bookings. • Have your personalized, fully-bookable website. • enjoy your own phone extension that rings at your home. • know where you stand with real time commission tracking. • High end customers? no problem with the affluent traveler Collection. • Marketing that includes direct mail to your customers.

take part in a webinar today!

Visit: thetravelagentnextdoor.ca Call: 416-367-8263 ext 2223 tollfree: 1-844-245-8263 BB047 25-05-15

Work in the comfort of your own home!

Anthony Dalton, FRGS, FRCGS

hen the large, bustling coastal city of Chittagong gets too hot and humid for comfort, as it often does, those who can get away head for the hills. In this case itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, covering more than 13,000 square kilometres of rolling, wooded country in Bangladesh. Just under 80 kilometres inland, after a lovely drive on a steep, winding road through forests of bamboo and thick shrubbery, the view opens up into a stunning surprise. Kaptai Lake, man-made for a hydro-electric project in the early 1960s, spreads its placid surface and natural beauty across the land. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. In the hottest weather, it becomes a magnificent playground for the more affluent city dwellers from nearby Chittagong and distant Dhaka. Stocked with fish, it is also a useful source of income for the local fishermen who set their nets each day on the clear, fresh waters. The lake, which measures close to 140 kilometres from north to south and 40 kilometres from east to west, is almost 600 square kilometres in area. Although it is man-made, Kaptai is far from regular in shape. From a high viewpoint, such as an airplane, it resembles a series of five fjords, or inlets, held together by a single body of water. The sprawling town (population roughly 60,000) of Rangamati has settled in the middle of the western shore. It boasts three public libraries and five cinemas, in addition to four daily newspapers. The diversity of the indigenous peoples is worthy of comment. Scattered across the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including Rangamati District, are Bams, Banjugis, Chakmas, Kukis, Lushais, Moghs, Mrus, Pankhars, Saks, Shandus, Tangchangyas and Tripuras. Their ancestors are said to have originated in adjacent Myanmar and in Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tripura province, which borders the hill tracts. The Chakmas are the predominant group. They form a significant part of the population of Rangamati and around the shores of Kaptai Lake. Tribal handicrafts from this area are much admired. The Khudro Nri Gosthi Cultural Institute at Rangamati has an excellent museum, art gallery and library, as well as a modern theatre auditorium where

tribal dances and songs, plus other events, are held regularly. Except for the fishermen, most of the tribal peoples of the Rangamati Division are farmers. They grow maize, potato, sesame, cotton, corn, yams and, in some places, they prepare paddy-fields for growing rice. Much of the farming is still done in the old ways, using slash and burn techniques for clearing the land and employing oxen or manpower for ploughing. Although Bangladesh is primarily a Muslim nation, most members of the hill tribes are Buddhists. Monks in saffron or red robes can be seen in the town and around the lake. Ornate temples dedicated to the Buddhist faith stand on islands, and the Chakma Raja, or Chakma leader, resides in an elegant old rajbari, the entrance to which is protected by two large stone lions. The Chakma Rajaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s village has its own temple. The preferred accommodation in the Rangamati area is the Parjatan Motel. Owned and operated by the Parjatan Corporation (the national tourism body), the motel stands on a hill overlooking Kaptai Lake.

It has its own access path down to the water and boats are available for hire beside the ‘Hanging Bridge’, an impressive red and blue wooden suspension bridge. I have roamed the lake in a tourist boat with fellow travellers, and I have explored parts of it with fishermen. Each short voyage has shown me different aspects of Kaptai. On one outing to retrieve nets strung out the night before one of my fishermen pointed to an anvil-shaped cloud building on the opposite shore of the lake. “Storm is coming,” he announced. The three men on board, helped by me, worked at full speed to pull in the nets and shake the fish into the shallow hold. With that task accomplished we paddled back to shore as fast as we could. An hour or so later, safe and dry in the motel, I heard the first crack of thunder. Saw the first flash of lightning, and listened as the rain pounded the roof for an hour or two. By midnight the storm had passed. The air was refreshed and the vegetation across the hills had been well watered. In the morning, before the lake came alive with people, I went for a refreshing swim from the edge of the motel’s grounds. That’s another attraction of Kaptai Lake – it is perfectly safe for all kinds of water sports. There is nothing dangerous lurking in its depths. Dotted around the lake are villages large and small.

Thanks to the durability of bamboo, and its ready availability due to the speed of its growth, many of the houses are built from thick bamboo and have roofs thatched with palm fronds. Their natural colours blend in well between the green of the vegetation and the blue of the water. At night Rangamati is open until late. Shopkeepers know the value of working extra hours. As with towns all over Bangladesh, when the evening air is cooler the customers come out to browse and to buy. Fabric shops, pottery sales, carpet dealers, and any number of other household requirements can be bought after dark as well as during the day. Restaurants are open late too. I even had a haircut one night after 9:00 p.m. – an unheard of luxury in my home country. Rangamati and Kaptai Lake are resort areas. They are perfect for weekend getaways or for longer holidays. Visitors can be as active or as lazy as they wish. Whatever they do, it will be done in sight of special scenery because, most of all, this special part of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is endowed with great beauty.  Anthony Dalton is a Canadian writer and photographer. The author of 14 non-fiction books and one novel, he lives in British Columbia. www.anthonydalton.net

When you need cutting edge, no fluff, how-to-do-it information, ideas, tips, tools & techniquesâ&#x20AC;Ś you can shop directly at The Travel Institute store

Download the ISSUU app and read Selling Travel on your tablet.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where you find even more ideas on how to sell travel and boost your revenues. Ct is the trade magazine and every article I write is always geared to new business generation for YOU and your suppliers. The content ranges from a step by step how-to article to a comment about a current topic. Many of the articles are worth reviewing with your suppliers should you be able to work together to generate that new dollar for all. Click here to read.

The full Canadian Traveller logo represents the consumer magazine that now reaches millions of readers. Even if you have your own in-house magazine it is always a good idea to tell your clients about the consumer CT and the main reason for that is some supplements are shared between the trade and consumer magazine. Now you know what your client is reading, you can, from the trade issue, learn how to sell various destinations and then make the call. Everything CT does targets new business generation and hopes to put more money in your jeans. Click here to read.

The Women Only market is there for every female travel agent to consider as a niche – so think about what you currently sell and ask yourself if there is a ‘women only’ opportunity where you live. This new publication includes a review of travel safety which is the #1 challenge for the travelling woman. Travel safety then is a key component to running a successful women only niche. Not every female traveller is a shopper. Some like fly-fishing, cuisine tours, others a discussion group around a campfire lost in the mountains… so never generalize. For every activity there’s a woman waiting and wanting to do it, by herself or with like-minded women. Check the store today.

THE HOW-TO MAGAZINE FOR TRAVEL TRADE PROFESSIONALS

CLASSIFIEDS Wanted: readers to click on this link and make money selling more travel.

Looking for more fantastic graphics then click here for Presenter Media.

Get what you need to start using video in your travel marketing & promotions with this guide. Animoto is the BEST and easiest DIY video creator. Try it today.

When you need to write something and can’t – hire in a ghost writer like Steve Gillick. Steve produces scripts for your keynotes, webinars and brochures.

Had enough of working for someone else? Would you like to explore how you can sell travel from home? If so then click on this link and explore.

Your education station is right here.

DIY Websites. This IS the Best of the Best.

Contact Steve here.

NEED GREAT GRAPHICS? Click here for GRAPHICSTOCK and save 83% on an annual subscription. Many graphics in Selling Travel are from GraphicStock.

WANTED! DREAM MERCHANTS to complete a survey. Tell us about your passion for being a travel agent. Click here for information.

OPT IN TO THE SELLING TRAVEL LIST HERE

SIGN ME UP!

Where travel trade professionals shop for new ideas.

Say

30%

introduces

Commission

Increase your Wedding Revenues Simply send your Brides to our

store and let them design their own.

Save the Dates | Travel Document Holders | Invitations | Bag Tags | RSVPs

And much more!

Introductory Offer

$150.00

plus annual fee of $100.00

Until October 31st

After October 31st initial dealer fee is $250

What You Get Ordering Binder - Complete binder with designs, fonts, product and much more including samples of products and order forms. Custom cover on binder with your logo. 5 Cover options to choose from! Agent Cards - 250 Agent I.D. cards with your Agent Code. 30% off Marketing Products - If our logo is on your marketing you get 30% off. 30% Commission - On everything your brides order online with your Agent Code.

Say

and call or email for your Dealer Agent Code today.

CALL 905.857.6333 | EMAIL dealer@idoweddingprint.com

THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM PRINTER FOR OVER 30 YEARS

A HUB FOR THE TRAVEL AGENTS

Big Bark has all your print-marketing needs covered!

TOP 6 WAYS WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE TRAVEL AGENT: 1. Easy to use, do-it-yourself, 24/7 online print-ordering store.

2. No design/setup fees – if you choose

from our selection of pre-designed templates, or you can Design Your Own.

3. Full use of our image gallery at no

extra charge. Over 1000 images to choose from!

. erhill Ave

Thank you for choosing to travel with MyEscapades We take pride .com. in providing one-of-a-kind travel experienc in Africa, Asia, es Europe and South America. The majority of our clients require a trip customize d to their likes , interests and budget. Whe ther you wish to travel in the lap of luxury to indulge in or choose an authentic adventure (we call it ‘roughing will create a -it’) we trip to suit yo ur preferred tastes. In oth we will give e r words, you a travel experience that goes beyond expectations. your Rest assured, MyEscapades .com is your traveling comp perfect anion.

Bon VO

BonVOYAGE

1 Und 201 – 301 BC Burnaby, V5A 3C2

BonVOYAGE

ON GROUP

3100 Ridgewa y Dr., Suite 17, Mississauga, 1.888.887.97 ON Canada 10 | info@myesc L5L 5M5 apades.ca | www . myescapade s.ca

•

Ensu that re you are to-date passports carrying your upand have obta any required/ ined nece for entering the ssary tourist visas country(s) you visiting. are

trip You involves canc ellation penalties in the unforeseen even that you canc t el/postpone your travel arrangements. Ensure that you aware of these are penalties. • Carr your y Out-of-Count ry Hospital/Medic al/Travel Insur Policy with you. ance • awar Be e of luggage restrictions as weight, size and type of suitc such allowed on the ases inter national and domestic fligh ts on your itine rary. Excess bagg age charges are steep and can caus e great incon venience • Ensu you re have obtained recommended or required inoculations. Cert are mandatory ain inoculations for areas. Your trave travel to endemic l agent will have provided full details. • Chec outkthe availabili ty of local ATMs in your destination and/ or purchase some local currency travellers cheq or ues. • Give family/friend s the contact information at hotels/lodges you will be staying during your trave Information on l. your accommo datio is provided withi n your documen ns ts. • reco We mmend that you put your newspaper subs cription on hold the duration for of your trip and have your mail colle cted held at your local by a neighbour or post office. • is alwa It ys recomme nded that you secure your hom e with a secu rity alarm before you leave.

options for groups, weddings, and niches.

THE HUNTINGT

HUNTINGTON

as calendars and magnets, plus all of your standard business products business cards, envelopes, letterhead, flyers, and more.

BEFORE YOU TRA VEL:

•

5. Wide selection of ticket packaging

YAG E

The agents choice since 1973

4. Travel related marketing products such

THE HUNTING

HUNTINGTON

The agents choice since 1973

TON GROUP

6. All products available in small quantities (most as low as 25).

SALES & MARKETING TIPS, TOOLS & TECHNIQUES FOR ALL TRAVEL TRADE PROFESSIONALS

SELLING TRAVEL www.sellingtravel.net If you could refer us to your travel trade colleagues, we’d really appreciate it. Many thanks.