|
Become
a Travel Agent
FAREWELL TO THE
TRAVEL AGENT'S BEST FRIEND!
As many of you may have heard
by now, Travel Trade's publisher and editor Joel Abels has
passed on. As the travel industry's oldest and most
respected trade publication, editor and publisher Joel Abels
was considered by the travel industry as being the most
influential and knowledgeable person in the industry. Joel
did more to advance the professionalism of home-based travel
agents than any other person in the travel industry. He was
the first to publish a magazine for and about home-based
travel agents and he clearly recognized the difference
between true professional home-based agents and wanna-bes.
I first met Joel in Vancouver
at a Cruise-a-Thon that he had invited Joanie and I to speak
at on the (then) controversial subject of home-based travel
agents. Shortly before our seminar, Joel was contacted by
the Attorney General's office in British Columbia advising
him not to let the seminar take place as home-based
businesses were not allowed in British Columbia. Joel
ignored the warning, we did the seminar and it was the start
of a ten-year relationship that has led to the maturity of
the home-based segment of
the travel industry. Joanie and I will dearly miss Joel's
friendship, wit and advice. Joel's passing is a loss to us
personally, to the thousands of travel agents that Joel
touched and to the travel industry overall.
Which brings me to the point of
this communication. Joel's legacy continues at Travel Trade.
The Travel Trade staff is committed to continuing Joel's
penchant for the truth and support for retail travel agents.
Joel's Cruise-a-Thons will continue to be the premier trade
show for cruise-oriented travel professionals and I suspect
that the next Cruise-a-Thon in Seattle, June 1-4, 2007 will
be the largest in history. It is sure to be an event not to
be missed and it will celebrate Joel's life and contribution
to an industry thankful to have enjoyed Joel and Lenore
Abels for over 50 years. My advise to you is, don't miss
this event. Register now and attend what is sure to become
one of the travel industries most important gatherings.
Joanie and I will be there and I
look forward to meeting you in person in Seattle. You
can find information and register for the event at the
following link.
http://www.ttshows.com/ood12x.htm
Joel, Joanie and I will never
forget you.
|
