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Re: International Advice

LUCKIEST — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:53:48 GMT

Nice talking to you, even as you drove,
Please email me your article being published in the next newsletter for TIES
email it to me at "pdeig@juno.com"
LUCKIEST

Re: International Advice

equinina — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:44:03 GMT

L- are you saying YOU can help me as a SCORE person? The article is being published in the next newsletter for TIES but I can send the draft. It has photos, etc. If you email me I can send you info and the draft and other info about other projects I am working on. I have a world of plans for my company. You see, I have been involved in Peru for over 20 years. If you read my website you will get an idea. Let me know how to proceed. I am feeling hopeful. thanks,

Re: International Advice

LUCKIEST — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:08:38 GMT

SCORE does NOT charge. SCORE counseling and help is FREE.
SCORE is FREE both in person and on line.
Maybe the article you wrote for The International Eco-Tourism Society newsletter TIES
cold be the start of your business plan.
Can we see the article?? LUCKIEST

Re: International Advice

equinina — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:02:32 GMT

L- I don't know the first thing about business or business plans. I am just doing this - it is kind of crazy and yet I am becomming famous on the travel forums. I assume there is a charge for a business plan, correct? The thought of having to do more paperwork is not appealing to me. I just had to write an article for The International Eco-Tourism Society newsletter TIES which is a passion and part of my mission statement (if I had one) and i barely had time for that. I would need a lot of help to write a business plan.
Thanks. Have you seen my web site?

Re: International Advice

LUCKIEST — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:32:14 GMT

E, Please let me know how you make out after visiting SCORE.
I would be very happy to help with your business plan.
You can also get great FREE info at "www.score.org"
Again, LUCKIEST

Re: International Advice

equinina — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:19:18 GMT

Thanks but it doesn't work like that in Peru. Those are for big hotels, etc and we do small tours and many of the hotels have 20-40 rooms. They don't link in with those type of systems. My question is really to look for a proper way to structure commissions between myself and operators I use down there. I am doing a lot of work up until the time the passengers arrive in Peru. Lots of hours and personal attention. They take over in Peru but wind up making more than I do. I think. So am looking to create a solution where it is attractive to both of us.

Re: International Advice

XLNCCORP — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:10:58 GMT

Instead of going to a travel agent, you can directly have a tie-up with big travel agencies like KLM, Star Alliance, etc...( These are in U.S , I am not sure about Peru.). Thus you can save commisons on agent and you can get a cheeper rate. Let me know you views or concerns on this.

Regards!

XLNC

Re: International Advice

equinina — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:00:48 GMT

Thanks - i actually did call SCORE last week and waiting to hear. In the meantime I am staying on course. I don't have a business/marketing plan and never had the time to write one. This thing just started to grow (because I do a great job) and I am in a tailspin. Hopefully SCORE can help me.

Re: International Advice

LUCKIEST — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:43:54 GMT

E, You have been in business 2 years and you have an accountant. GREAT
Have you developed a Business and Marketing Plan?? A business plan is a great tool that
can help you succeed faster. The plan changes as your business ideas change
I do NOT have any experience in the area of international tour providers, however I am a
SCORE Counselor and you can try SCORE online and maybe find a counselor with experience
in the area of international tours.
Good luck, LUCKIEST

Re: International Advice

equinina — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:16:06 GMT

I am not in Peru full time so I must have a middle man. This type of business requires a middle man for many reasons. My situation is somewhat unique in that most agents ouside of Pere are general travel agents who book anywhere in the world and are not experts on one place. I only book Peru and I am somewhat of an expert after living there for so many years. I have all of my own connections and contacts there and I instruct my "middle man" as to what I want them to do and how to carry that out. They price the tours and send them back to me. I add my commision and send it on to the passengers which is normal. But I do a lot more work on each trip than the average travel agent who just sends an inquiry for an itinerary with no real knowledge of the place and total dependancy on the operator in that country. So I am in a quandry about what is correct for me to want to pay the operator. I think I deserve a bigger discount because I do so much of the work to put the trips togehter and my profit margin is looking very low right now.