I recently co-authored a book with Stephen Covey entitled “Speaking of Success.” In my research I spoke to hundreds of very successful travel entrepreneurs. My goal was to identify the unique skills or best practices that made them out-sell, out-market and out-perform their competitors. Without fail, possessing a positive attitude was credited almost every time as the foundation for their success.

We are not born with a positive attitude. It is in fact a habit! Remarkable success predictably happens the moment you decide to maintain a consistent positive attitude. Success will happen, regardless of your current situation or past performance. Author Jeffrey Gitomer, in his best-selling book “Little Red Book of Sales”, states “Attitude is not a feeling, it is a state of mind. In fact, it is one of life’s few self-imposed blessings!” Earl Nightingale, a member of the Association of National Broadcasters Hall of Fame says, “your attitude towards life determines life’s attitude toward you.”

It became clear to me that travel professionals began to become successful the minute they decide to achieve and maintain a positive attitude. Yale University Professor Gregory Walton states, “your attitude right now is only as positive as you decide it will be.”

Many travel professionals still hang on to the perception that somehow outside circumstances has control over our attitude. The truth is, whether you have a positive attitude or not has nothing to do with what’s going on in your life. Unless you decide it will!

As a sales trainer, I passionately promote the power of attitude in determining your eventual business and personal success. Ironically, as an entrepreneur, I’m not so eager to see my competition being updated on this research. Why? I can tell you for a fact that a positive attitude provides you with a distinct competitive advantage that translates in to high sales and a larger market share.

About Bill
Bill Todd is one of the travel industry’s most sought-after sales and marketing speakers and coaches. He is the co-author of the book Speaking of Success which also features best-selling authors Stephen R. Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People), Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager) and Jack Canfield (The Secret and Chicken Soup for the Soul). BTodd@BTodd.com | www.BTodd.com | 301.633.5856

The 12th Annual World Tourism Awards, co-sponsored by American Express, Corinthia Hotels, International Herald Tribune, and Reed Travel Exhibitions, were presented at a special ceremony on November 10, 2009, at World Travel Market, Excel Centre, London.  The 2009 Award Honorees are Tourism Cares, Gap Adventures and Cyrene, Libya.

The 2009 Honorees were being recognized for their dedication to sustainable tourism and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. The award presented to Tourism Cares cited the organization’s "extraordinary work to preserve the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; awarding scholarships to the future tourism workforce and organizing volunteer projects to help restore tourism-related sites."

Inaugurated in 1997, The World Tourism Award was established to recognize “the extraordinary initiatives by individuals, companies, organizations, destinations and attractions for outstanding accomplishments in the travel industry.”  Presenting the Award on behalf of the sponsors were: Jean-Paul Kyrillos, V.P./Publisher, Travel + Leisure, American Express Publishing; Glenn Carroll, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Corinthia Hotels & Resorts; Alistair McEwan, Advertising Director, International, The New York Times/International Herald Tribune; Wendy Hartley, Sales Development Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

The World Tourism Awards are presented in the form of a specially designed Steuben Crystal arch entitled “Partnership,” chosen to “celebrate the bond of a supportive partnership which, like a bridge, spans both time and distance.” 

Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares, Canton, Massachusetts accepted the award in London. Tourism Cares is a 501c(3) non-profit public charity that works to preserve the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic and service-learning scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation.

Tourism Cares is the leading philanthropy of the travel and tourism industry through its affiliations with major industry associations, including the National Tour Association, the United States Tour Operators Association, American Society of Travel Agents, the Receptive Services Association of North America, and the World Religious Travel Association.

President Obama has announced new regulations for passenger screenings and security watchlists. These changes will affect your travelers. C. Stewart Verdery, Jr., NBTA consultant and former Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security will give you the necessary background on how the watchlists are compiled and walk you through the new TSA regulations online this Thursday, January 14 at 2:30 pm ET. To find out more information, please visit the TSA website.

Thee Transportation Security Administration issued new security directives to all United States and international air carriers with inbound flights to the U.S. effective January 4, 2010.

The new directive includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners.

Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.

Article source: http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/010310_statement.shtm; Published January 3, 2010.

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Our guests can expect first-class, personal service to go with our deluxe accommodations. Each room offers luxurious amenities including pillow top mattresses, marble baths stocked with premium Bath and Body products, microwaves, refrigerators, in-room safes, Wolfgang Puck in-room coffee service, irons & ironing boards, Jensen iPod docking station/cd player alarm clock, and free state of the art hardwired or wifi access.

Start the morning with our complimentary Breakfast Buffet where you will find assorted market-fresh fruits, fresh baked danish, croissants, eggs, sausage, bacon, and our own delightful breakfast “smores.’ You can even make your own Belgian Waffles and top them with a fresh selection of delicious toppings.

Hit the weights or crank out some cardio in our new guest fitness center, or get some work done in our free business center. We even have a 24 hour Sweet Shop for guest convenience.

Hungry? Stop by Primavera, the Zagat-rated restaurant right on property. Chef Dominick offers an extensive Italian menu with specialties like his Rock Shrimp, Sea Bass, and Cheese Ravioli with fresh tomato & mozzarella. He even offers room service.

If you are hosting a function or having a meeting, whether it’s a meeting of five, or a party of 550, we have the space for you. And if you are looking to host a party with a hip, cosmopolitan feel, you’ll love our newest addition “The Loft at 350.”

Whether you choose the Ballroom, the boardroom or the Loft, The Wilshire Grand Caterers can tailor a banquet to your every desire, taste, and culture. Kosher & Glatt kosher are also available at The Wilshire Grand Hotel!

And now guests can even take advantage of some of our newest on-site service partners including American Yoga Academy, Jason Craig Entertainment Company, and Avis Car Rental.

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Located in Manhattan's thriving Meatpacking District, the newest of hotelier Andre Balazs' Standard Hotels stands commandingly above The High Line, the former elevated railroad undergoing redevelopment as a public park.

337 rooms on 18 floors, The Standard, New York boasts full business amenities, extensive event space and a state of the art fitness facility. Floor-to-ceilings windows in each room offer unparalleled views of the Hudson River and Lower Manhattan.

Rooms: 337 rooms including 4 Suites

Facilities: Restaurant, Room Service (24 Hours), State-of-the-Art Fitness Center, Pool Club, Meeting Space

Room amenities:

Meeting and Event Spaces: Wine Room, Garden Rooms, Biergarten, Highline Room