Why book with us? Read some our testimonials.

1) Save money! Get the best value for your travel dollar whether it is for deluxe or budget travel

Our affiliation with Travel Leaders gives us the buying power and technology that saves YOUR money. We can negotiate better rates with tour companies, hotels, car rental companies and airlines and thus offer you unbeatable travel offers and discounts.

Using the latest computer technology, we make sure that we keep up with the latest enhancements that will save you time and money.

2) Talk to a knowledgeable insider

Our Agents are certified Travel Agents and experienced hardcore travelers.
Depending on your need, you will be directed to a travel expert who knows your destination and the way to get there, can provide you with guidance that can prevent you from common pitfalls and give you useful tips on how you can fulfill your travel expectation best.

3) Save time and get what you want

Leave the research to us! We listen to your personal desires and expectation and tailor make itineraries according to your need.

4) Have peace of mind.

You can count on us prior, during and after your trip.


Points of difference

We listen
Listening to our customers and tailoring our services to their needs have helped us grow to the largest agency in Central California and to expand into Arizona. Our "Local Presence and Global Power" enables us to be large enough to service your biggest demand and small enough to service your simplest request.


Yes We Can
We are a customer service oriented company. Every call is answered by an experienced employee who has your best interest in mind. If you have a problem with our service, please contact us immediately. If you are happy with our service, please tell others.


Business Travel
We work with small businesses as well as large multinational corporations, liasing with owners, travelers and travel arrangers. We are the travel management company of choice for over 300 corporate accounts. We have Account Managers who proactively assist corporations in reducing their Travel and Entertainment expenditures.


Communication
We believe that good communication is a vital key to a successful business relationship. Therefore, in addition to our travel counselors servicing your account, we have a Management staff available to talk and meet with you at your convenience.


Technology
In the first quarter of 1998, we reaffirmed our commitment to technology by installing a wide-area network computer system in all of our offices. This technology allows our travel counselors to explore the Internet on our customer's behalf and to communicate with them via e-mail. We have also invested in two exciting new programs to help guarantee our clients are receiving the lowest available airfares. "Best Buy Quote" is a software program that searches within the Apollo reservation system for the lowest airfare available on all airlines at time of booking. The "Cornerstone Travel Management Program" checks waitlists, specific seat assignments, and it continuously searches for a lower airfare after ticketing, up to 24 hours before departure. If the ticketed fare goes down, you will be notified. These innovations will allow us to further reduce our clients Travel and Entertainment Expenditures.


Credit Card Billings
A preferred method of payment because your company can receive multiple benefits such as flight insurance, frequent flyer points, and up to 60 days to settle your account. A monthly statement is produced to assist with credit card reconciliation.


Hotel Reservations
Our Global Alliance Program lists all of our 7000 properties offered around the world. Our rates are as much as 50% below corporate rates and often include exceptional value-added services that add measurable savings to the overall cost of a hotel stay. This program was rated "Number 1" by Consumer Reports in 1999.



Meetings/Conventions/Groups
We have a specialized department that works closely with you and our suppliers to manage your meetings, conventions or incentive group travel.


Passport and Visa Service
Our Travel Counselors will assist your travelers in obtaining Passports and Visas required for international travel. These services are provided to you at no additional charge. Fees levied by government agencies and Passport services are passed on to the traveler/corporation.


Quality Control
Our Cornerstone Travel Management Program provides a Quality Control the Module of 150 preset reservation checks to ensure that we have not inadvertently overlooked the detail of your itinerary. It also includes a fare checker Module, which executes a global search for decreases n the price of your airline ticket after booking. The fare checker will continue to check for lower fares up to 24 hours before your departure. The Alternate Routing Module searches for better routing and works in conjunction with the Fare Checker Module. Waitlist and Seat Clearance Modules search for preferred seating and waitlist clearences for travelers.


Global Traveler Services
For international travelers we have a global concierge Service that will assist you with lost wallet or papers services, Medical Care reference worldwide and Global Database of legal assistance. The service also provides Courier Referral Service, Messaging, Language Interpretation, Event Ticketing and Restaurant Referral. The basic services are free and available 24/7 year round.



Company History
Balancing cost and service to your employees who travel is a complicated task. No one understands it better than Your Travel Center. Our flexibility and willingness to apply our resources in a way that will assist our customers in meeting their goals, corporations and organizations are continually placing their confidence in the depth and quality of our people, services and programs. The result is a mutually rewarding travel management partnership.

Your Travel Center has been the premier travel agency in the California Coast since 1967. Under the ownership of Phil and Louise Emrich, Your Travel Center has been known as much for personalized service as for our commitment to technology, global capabilities and community involvement.

In 1976, Your Travel Center was one of the first agencies in the United States to automate our reservation system and ticketing services using Apollo Galileo Travel System. That was the start of our history of leadership in technological innovation. Today, Your Travel Center offers the latest technological support systems with which to service travel needs for both business and leisure travel. Your Travel Center was the first travel agency to open an on-site branch at a major corporation and we achieved another industry first with the addition of e-mail through our services at that site in 1986. Today, all agents have desktop access to e-mail and the internet through our sophisticated high-speed networks. In 1987, Your Travel Center added Carlson Wagonlit Travel to it's name when we became an Associate of the world-wide agency. As an Associate, we offer clients advantages such as Preferred Supplier negotiated rates, corporate hotels, a 24-hour emergency phone service, an international rate desk, discounted cruise rates, and many other travel benefits.

In 1990 Phil turned over his position as President and CEO to Colin Weatherhead, while retaining his presence as Chairman of the Board. Upon retiring in 1996, Phil became Chairman Emeritus and Colin aquired Phil's equity in Your Travel Center. That same year, Wayne Kees was elected Chairman. Other board members include Bob Bartlein, Lou Stone, Mary Wapole and Colin Weatherhead.
Since 1967, Your Travel Center has grown from one location to over 12 locations in Santa Barbara County and 4 in Arizona. With our innovative technology, local presence and global power, Your Travel Center continues to offer the highest level of personalized service.

back to top

Our Mission Statement


To be the Travel Management Company of choice for our Employees, Clients & Suppliers

Our Values
We will be known for our people
We will attract, develop, motivate and retain the best

We will take pride in our work
We will challenge ourselves to excel

We will work as one
No one of us is as smart as all of us. Together we will achieve greatness

We will excel at all operational levels
We will continue to invest in State of the Art Technology in order to reduce our clients travel and entertainment expenditures

We will be totally committed to our clients
We guarantee our service levels will continue to increase and exceed our clients expectations

back to top