Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 - (Page 77)

BUSINESS OPER ATIONS AGENT PROFILE All About All About Travel This hands-on Dallas agency owner sees opportunity ahead for hard-working agents BY GEORGE DOOLEY WITH $15 MILLION IN ANNUAL SALES, eight staffers, 40 independent agents and an enviable reputation in the Dallas market, All About Travel (www.cwtdallas.com) is a success by any measure. Agency owner Robbert van Bloemendaal has adapted skillfully to a rapidly changing and competitive market. “The only certainty for agents is constant change. Agents have to be flexible and adaptable,” he says. Van Bloemendaal sees opportunity ahead for those agents who can deliver outstanding services to clients and nurture truly professional staffs. All About Travel is focused on customer service delivery—both corporate clients and leisure business. With a healthy 50/50 mix, van Bloemendaal is also opening up new market segments. “Profitability is an imperative for any agency. And, I believe that service fees are a vital part of our business mix—including fees for cruise and leisure bookings. Agents cannot survive giving away their services or expertise,” van Bloemendaal says. “I am a hands-on manager who benefits from outstanding staffers who share my values and ambitions to build a strong, profitable busi- Robbert van Bloemendaal, president of All About Travel Fast Facts ROBBERT VAN BLOEMENDAAL PRESIDENT AND CEO ALL ABOUT TRAVEL INC. TRAVEL LEADERS Phone: 972-864-1441 Email: aussie@cwtdallas.com Web site: www.cwtdallas.com Postal address: Travel Leaders P.O. Box 149 Rowlett, TX 75030 Physical address: Travel Leaders 3326 Lakeview Parkway Rowlett, TX 75088 ness,” he adds. “I also benefit from a national network of outstanding independent agents who are dedicated to quality services. We are a family. And my agents have strong, long-term relationships with clients.” Van Bloemendaal is a proud member of Travel Leaders, formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel, and serves on Travel Leaders’ Advisory Board. “Travel Leaders has been very supportive, and we clearly benefit from their programs—including marketing and technology,” he says. “All of our agents, for example, are Carlson/ Travel Leaders Certified Travel Specialists,” he notes. “The rebranding from Carlson Wagonlit to Travel Leaders is welcomed, and we see Travel Leaders as an imperative to our future growth.” All About Travel has an ARC appointment and is a member of ASTA, CLIA, OSSN and NACTA. Other advice van Bloemendaal offers to agency owners and managers is the importance of the big picture. He notes that All About Travel has grown organically, but also from consolidation, relocation and the purchase of four agencies over the past 12 years. “Agency owners and mangers have to be alert to opportunity,” he says. Van Bloemendaal sees management style as central to an agency’s success. “I have an opendoor policy and share information with my staff and agents. To me, this is a knowledge-based business. Our expertise—whether of destinations, facilities or supplier products—is critical to our success.” On the drawing board is the development of a travel school that would prepare agents for The Travel Institute’s certification exam and, hopefully, a successful career in the industry. “We have to do more to attract, train and nurture new agents to the industry and show the enduring appeal of travel to consumers.” Other possibilities include gourmet travel, international adoption travel and tie-ins with Travel Leaders’ new relationship with the Travel Channel. “I am an entrepreneur at heart and see opportunities ahead for well-managed agencies,” van Bloemendaal says. Van Bloemendaal is convinced that getting involved in the industry is an imperative for success. As a Travel Leaders advisory board member, he is able to offer insights into operations, marketing and technology. “I urge agents to get involved with the industry and the many issues that warrant attention—from the deterioration in airline service quality to cruise pricing and card mills. The professional agent has a great opportunity to contribute,” he says. I CONNECTING YOU For more success stories about agents and agencies, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/industry-profiles September 15, 2008 TravelAgent | 77 http://www.cwtdallas.com http://www.cwtdallas.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/industry-profiles

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 Online Now Contents Agent Insider From the Editor Hawaii Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas US Airways Vacations - Atlantis, Paradise Island Specialist Central & South America Mexico Caribbean Cruises Cover Story: Merge Mania France by Rail Weddings & Honeymoons Gay & Lesbian Travel Tours Agent Profile Triptailor Vacations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Week Insights on Singapore Travel Leaders Builds New Alliances The Latest from the Caribbean A Sneak Peek at a New Ship Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

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