OSSN E-Agent Newsletter

What we're saying here is that three out of four OSSN members grew their sales in 2005 over 2004 -- and, perhaps more importantly, two out of three OSSN agents put more profits in their pockets this year over 2004.

Standing here four years after 9/11 -- and a few more years after home-based agents were seen as the "black sheep" of the travel agency community -- that's an astonishing turn of events. You should be extremely proud of your accomplishments in 2005 -- and, if you're like me, you can't wait to see what 2006 has in store for us!

Now, let's look at the other survey results:

Home-based travel agents are growing up. Seventeen percent of you have been in the business more than 10 years, while another 53 percent have sold travel for two to 10 years. You're no longer the "new kids on the block" -- instead, you're now seen as seasoned travel retailers who account for a lot of sales for savvy suppliers.

Home-based travel agents continue posting steady sales increases. Fifty-two percent of the respondents said their businesses have grown 15 percent or more in the past year. Compare that to some of your fellow retailers in town, and see how happy they would be to post sales growth numbers like yours!

Home-based travel agents carry optimism about their future. Ninety-one percent of OSSN members believe 2006 will be an even better year for their businesses than 2005.

Home-based travel agents continue to be powerhouse cruise sellers. Forty-seven percent of you told us you sell more cruises than any other type of travel product, including tours, hotel stays, and resorts. (Interestingly, you're split on the question of whether cruises are more profitable than tours -- 48 percent chose cruises, while 52 percent said tours.)

Home-based travel agents have taken hold of the Internet. Two out of three OSSN agents have their own Web sites now. And, 37 percent of them use a content provider to keep their sites updated constantly.

Home-based travel agents are serious about education. Only 9 percent of the survey respondents had not attended a single travel agent show or training session this year. (By comparison, ask your storefront agent friends whether they attended shows or training seminars this year.)

Home-based travel agents grow their businesses by working with outside agents. Talk about coming full circle! Three in 10 OSSN agents have outside agents working with their businesses ("1 to 2 agents" was the most popular number).

Home-based travel agents are increasingly operating as agencies. Sixty-five percent of the survey respondents book directly with suppliers, compared with 35 percent who deal with a host agency. And, 40 percent -- two in five -- have a TRUE booking code (compared to 36 percent with CLIA numbers, 16 percent with other IATA numbers, 5 percent with an ARC number, and 3 percent with an IATAN TSI number). Those data show how serious you are about building a true travel business from home, not just a profitable hobby.

Best of all, home-based travel agents are having lots of fun these days. Seventy-eight percent of OSSN members have enjoyed the travel industry more in the last 12 months than in 2004. For Melody and me, and the chapter directors and volunteers around the country who work so hard to serve OSSN members, that's the best statistic of all.

From all of us with OSSN, I want to wish you the very best holiday season this month. Enjoy your family, rest a bit, and set your goals -- because home-based agents are coming strong out of the gate for 2006!