Travel Agent Chatter | Starting And Growing Your Travel Agency

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 95 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, VP of Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Planners International about travel agents referring leads, host partnerships with companies, travel agent software, and the difference between travel agents and tour operators.A list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Find out more about our affiliate program for HAR’s Ultimate Guide to Starting a Travel Agency course — earn 20%)https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y3oiffMCiJtWZYXPZDXbVuFaJrs_2HYT/view (2022 Hosted Travel Advisors Report w/info on niches) (list of travel industry attorneys) (What to look for in your contract with your host agency) (What to look for in your contract with your host agency) (Info on Seller of Travel registrations) (Travel Software Traveljoy) (Tess, by Travel eSolutions is a Travel Software)[email protected] (Schedule a 15 min. power session w/Jenn)(Fiercely

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 94 Steph chats with Joshua Harrell, Chief Marketing Officer for Travel Quest Network about HAR's new course (The Complete Guide to Starting a Travel Agency), what travel booking engine you can get access to without joining a host agency, and what next after you initial training into the travel biz.A list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Info on state-level requirements)(Canadian agency regulations) (Travel agency accreditation options) (Benefits of using a host agency) (Examples of advisors making bookings in TA portals)(Link to info on new course) (7 Day Set Up) (Wix Tutorial)(Overview of how TAs make bookings) (How to build a work community)(How to ask questions on social media)(and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 93 Steph chats with Vanessa McGovern, Co-Founder of Gifted Travel Network about converting quotes to Canadian money, host training vs. independent training, and why’s a consortium important to consider when choosing a host.Helpful Resources (Use promo code HWhuzzah to save 50% through Feb, 12th, 2023) Course Community Meetup on Feb 13th at 7pm CT (Friday 15 Episode 91: Problems that may arise if you’re booking clients outside the currency you’re quoting them in) (What are travel consortia?) (List of travel consortia) (Virtuoso consortium profile w/list of Virtuoso host agencies) (Travel agent training and education options) (Travel industry events calendar) (Host Week Interview) (Email Gifted Travel Network team) (Vanessa’s LinkedIn profile)We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! (Gifted Travel Netwo

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats about acquiring a GDS system without a host, attending FAM trips through other host/consortiums, using a payment system without using a host, and do you need to be certified to work with a host.Helpful Resources: (Use code HAR149 to save 50%) (More on IATA/ARC) (Entertainment Travel Advisors Coalition) (Global Business Travel Association) (HAR’s event calendar with FAMs, conferences, ship inspections and more) (Few notes on things to know when doing credit card processing)(high risk credit card processing in travel)https://hostagencyreviews.com/eventshttps://www.adventuretravel.biz/ (See many of the certification options available) (HAR’s new course on starting your travel agency!)https://www.youtube.com/watch? (Host Week 2023) (The Complete Guide to Starting Your Travel Agency!) (What is the GDS and Which Travel Agents Need It) (Travel Industry Lawyer List & Free Legal Docs for Agencies) (Carpenter Law Office)(Sign up for reminders and ask your questions!)We do

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 91 Steph chats with Lori Speers, Owner & Founder of Levarte Travel about working with multiple host, the difference between a host and a travel agency, having international clients, and business travel expenses.Helpful Resources:(Host Week!!! Register: https://hostagencyreviews.com/hostweek)(Host Week! Exclusive Specials: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-week-discounts-2023) Levarte Travel’s Meet the Hosts interview will be on Tuesday, January 24th @ 1:35pm CT.(Belonging to more than one host: Pros and Cons) (Dangers of IC Misclassification) (IC Contracts: 10 Things to Consider Before You Sign) (What exactly is a host agency?) (Travel Agency Accreditation Options) (Seller of Travel Licensing: USA) (Travel Agency Licensing: Canada)We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 90 Steph chats with Jennifer Dugan, Chief Family Officer of Dugan's Travels about touching base w/ client post-booking, moving direct RCCL booking to host agency, host restrictions on personal travel, and the best group travel promotion in the new year.Question00:00 | Welcome to Friday 15!01:49 | What info to offer client after booking & before trip06:33 | Can you book a personal trip through a host? 15:10 | Do you have a group travel promotion you can recommend? Helpful Resources:https://hostagencyreviews.com/hostweekhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/erica-carr-bookitbox-travel https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/lary-neron-airfare-consultant https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts https://rccl.secure.force.com/directtransfers/DTTRoyalSubscribe and get e-new:We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this

Welcome to this week's Friday 15 brought to you by our sponsors at Incentive Connection Travel! Today Steph chats about SBA loans to supercharge your agency start, best E&O insurance coverage, and host agency for African travel.Helpful Resources:https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/incentive-connection-travelhttps://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/hosted-travel-advisor-income-fee-report-2022 https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplierhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here https://Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 88 Steph chats about if experienced advisors were more likely to take the HAR survey, host with one booking system, and can new TA's get $100,000 in gross sales.Question00:00 | Welcome and meet Steph!01:27 | Do more experienced advisors take HAR's survey?06:58 | Are there hosts with one portal to book all suppliers?11:45 | How hard is it get $100,000 in sales as a newbie?Watch as a video: (Lots of visuals this episode!)A list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (The report that will answer all your questions!)(History of our survey results) (What is a preferred supplier) (Odysseus booking platform used by Outside Agents) (Commission plan calculator)Submit your burning question here: https://har.news/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 87 Steph chats about if hosts work with small suppliers, how do you find a host's preferred suppliers if not listed on HAR, and how do you find out information on advisor's average sales and commission.Question00:00 | Welcome to Friday15!02:30 | Can you book small suppliers with a host? 05:18 | How to find a host's preferred suppliers09:19 | How do find data on income, sales, and commissions for specific niches----------A list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Our annual report on hosted advisors is out!) (What is a preferred supplier?) (How to research and qualify suppliers.) (Have questions to ask your travel peers on social? Read this first.) Survey Report https: (We like our report so much we're linking to it TWICE!)Past surveys: (Look at some of the past surveys to compare data)Just a note we'll be off Dec. 23rd and 30th for the holidays but will be back in January 2023!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 86 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, from Travel Planners International about if you need to experience it to sell a product/destination, Host that does group air? Hard to get timely air quotes. Why? Host Week specials -- should I wait to join?Question00:00 | Welcome a sneak preview of HAR's latest data05:45 | Do you need to experience the places you sell?11:17 | Hosts that do group air?15:20 | What the heck is up with your host deals?!A list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Register for Host Week – it’s free! Jan 23-27) (Sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Watch last year’s Host Week) (Course on how to market your fam trips) (App to record fam trip information) (Another app to record FAM trip info) (Upcoming FAM trips on our calendar) (Cruise ship inspection checklist) (Resort or site inspection checklist) (How to ask questions to the TA community on social.) (Wondering what the GDS is? We've got the answer.)(See what yo

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 84 Steph chats with repeat co-host Kimberly Stirdivant, TourRadar. Which hosts use TourRadar? Is picking a host before getting a travel certification okay? I'm an advisor that wants to also operate as a tour operator . . . Can I be hosted?Helpful Resources: (Register for Host Week -- It's Free!) (Host Agency Review Profiles)https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-educationhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-advisor-guide-researching-qualifying-suppliershttps://ustoa.com/applicationshttps://membership.adventuretravel.biz/ (Sign up for your free account on TourRadar) (Get your Friday 15 e-reminders for next week’s topics right to your inbox) (Register for Host Week 2023 --- Jan 23-27th. It's free!)Contact: We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here https://Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 84 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, from Travel Planners International about which hosts allow you to book interline rates, if Host Week be recorded, is it normal for host not to pay commissions when you leave, and if you have a 1099, do you still have to do DBA and sole prop?Helpful Resources: (Register for Host Week 2023 --- Jan 23-27th. It's free!) (Want to speak at Host Week? Submit your Application!) (Sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Info on interline cruise rates) (Register for Host Week – it’s free! Jan 23-27) (Watch last year’s Host Week) (What to look for in your contract with your host agency) (Advice on what to do when your host is not paying commissions) (Read more about the different business structures) (This was a doozy to find, but we’ve got the videos for you!)[email protected] (Reach out to our co-host Jenn Lee with Travel Planners International) (And TPI's consumer marketing brand) (Get your Friday 15 e-re

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats about how are influencers booking group travel, is there a minimum time commitment if you go hosted, host agency that are good for small tour operators.Helpful Resources: (Register for Host Week 2023 --- Jan 23-27th. It's free!) (Want to speak at Host Week? Submit your Application!) (Sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Small Business Saturday marketing ideas for agencies. We've done all the hashtag research so you don't have to!) (Our in-depth podcasts. Select the 'groups' tag to learn more about leading/booking groups) (More info on what exactly a host agency is) (Great advice on finding groups for your agency!) (Suppliers dish on what you need to know about group bookings.) (10 insider Group Bookings Tips from Travel Advisors... and an infographic!) (Know what you're getting into. Here's what to look for in your contract with your host agency.) (Our in-depth podcasts. Select the 'destination specialist' tag to lear

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 82 Steph chats with Lori Speers, Owner & Founder of Levarte Travel about using personal CC for business, homebased vs. IC - what's the difference, how to list host agency on HAR, and working as travel agent employee.Helpful Resources: (Register for Host Week 2023 --- Jan 23-27th. It's free!) (Want to speak at Host Week? Submit your Application!) (More info on setting up your agency's financials and importance of keeping biz/personal accounts separate.)[email protected] (Email us to get your host agency set up with a free profile on Host Agency Reviews!) (HAR's job board for employee travel positions. Some as travel agents, some as support roles or with companies in the travel space. Free to list.) (More information on what type of salary you can expect as a travel agent. Broken down into sections like corporate vs. leisure, employee vs. owning your own agency, etc.) (Website for Lori's host agency, Levarte Travel.)We do this every week! If you have travel industr

A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Erica Carr stumbled into travel in 2019, booking a jaw-dropping 100 trips her first year … just in time for the worldwide pandemic. But ain’t no pandemic stopping this lady. Nope, Erica and her team of three employees are on track to bring in $2.2M in sales for 2022!Bookitbox TRAVEL is a luxury travel agency with a spin. Every client gets a box pre-departure with travel info and gifts personalized to their unique itinerary. As they say at Bookitbox, “All boxed up and TSA approved.” Join us as we take a peek inside her boxes and Erica shares why she thinks the boxes have been so instrumental in helping her agency grow. Oh, and copy cats. Most of us face them at one time or another. As you’ll find out, Erica is entirely transparent in what she does with the boxes and how it’s helped. So how does she deal with other businesses taking pages from her playbook? It might surprise you!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 81 Steph chats with Kimberly Stirdivant, Director of Partnerships, TourRadar about What resort/tour pics you can you use on your site, TourRadar has an LGBTQ-friendly filter for trips, What is VAX Vacation Access, How does TourRadar vet sustainable travel partners, and Does TourRadar only carry adventure tours?Helpful Resources: (Register for Host Week 2023 --- Jan 23-27th. It's free!) (Want to speak at Host Week? Submit your Application!) (7 websites with gorgeous free travel images you can use on your website for free.)https://www.tourradar.com/ (Industry Voices column on how your agency can be an ally to the LGBTQ clients.) (Some tips on how to make your agency more LGBTQ friendly.) (Watch the session recordings from TourRadar's Adventure Together event!) (VAX Vacation Access' website) (Where you can sign up for a TourRadar agent account. Up to 12% commission on multi-day tours through the end of 2022.) (Not sure what a preferred supplier is? This will help ya.)kimberly.sti

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats about supplier and host not paying commission, who is HAR's job board for, and are you team niche or team no niche?Helpful Resources: (Register for Host Week 2023 --- Jan 23-27th. It's free!) (Want to speak at Host Week? Submit your Application!) (We've got the steps you need to take both proactively to avoid joining a host with financial troubles, and reactively, if you're with a host not paying commissions.) (List of travel industry attorneys.) (More on the host agency that was federally indicted for stealing commission from his ICs) (Post up your employee positions on HAR's free job board. Roughly 3-4k visitors/mo.) (Ideas for niches, worksheet to find your niche, hear from advisors from various niches)We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 79 Steph chats about which hosts include ASTA membership, resources for hiring + job descriptions, and which hosts have military/veteran discounts.Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Register for Host Week 2023 --- Jan 23-27th. It's free! We'll also be putting on an educational session on hiring employees and writing stellar job descriptions to attract the right candidates.)https://hostagencyreviews.com/speaker (ASTA's course with list of host agencies that are ASTA members. Use code HAR149 to save 50%.) (Host Week has unbeatable specials from hosts/consortia/suppliers/associations! If you can wait until end of January, ASTA usually has a sale and some hosts include ASTA membership in your signup as part of their Host Week deal.) (A great place to find/post jobs. Our jobs board gets about 4k visits/mo) (Keep an eye out in the next few weeks for a new Travel Agent Chatter episode with Bookitbox Travel! She went from starting in 2019 to $2M in sales in 2022

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 78 Steph chats about how much you can earn on international air tix, how much it cost to become host agency, and is $150 enough to start a travel agency?Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Fabo interview with Lar-Bear on how to make money selling airline tickets. Great inspiration and ideas for people interested in selling air only!) (Learn how travel agent commissions on air differ from commission on other products) (Often used to book air-only reservations for corporate agents, this explains what the GDS is.) (Breakdown of the different airline fare types) (One of the places you can access private air contracts is through a consortium. Here's what they are.) (First thing a host agency will need is an accreditation number. Here's the options.) (Data from past surveys reveals how much it costs to start up a travel agency!)We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here Har.News/Fri

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 65 Steph chats with Avery Campbell, from ACTA, about Canadian regulations: Agency vs. Outfitter, offering payment plans, and is 60 air tickets/yr worth joining a host?Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Infographic of which provinces have regulations and what they are.) (Avery's contact info) (ACTA Twitter account) (ACTA LinkedIn account) (Survey closes June 15th and we need your help! Please take it.) (3 really awesome things traditional travel agencies can offer clients that online travel agencies are not able to) (Podcast where agency books air tix for her large groups)  (Not sure what a public or private airfare is? Read this.)We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!