Travel Agent Chatter | Starting And Growing Your Travel Agency

Every host agency starting to look alike for you? Hear from over 30 host agencies in Host Week's Meet the Hosts sessions! We interview them to learn more about their culture, programs, and success stories. Tune in for the 10-20 minute interviews that will help differentiate and humanize the myriad of host agencies out there. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Every host agency starting to look alike for you? Hear from over 30 host agencies in Host Week's Meet the Hosts sessions! We interview them to learn more about their culture, programs, and success stories. Tune in for the 10-20 minute interviews that will help differentiate and humanize the myriad of host agencies out there. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Every host agency starting to look alike for you? Hear from over 30 host agencies in Host Week's Meet the Hosts sessions! We interview them to learn more about their culture, programs, and success stories. Tune in for the 10-20 minute interviews that will help differentiate and humanize the myriad of host agencies out there. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Every host agency starting to look alike for you? Hear from over 30 host agencies in Host Week's Meet the Hosts sessions! We interview them to learn more about their culture, programs, and success stories. Tune in for the 10-20 minute interviews that will help differentiate and humanize the myriad of host agencies out there. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Every host agency starting to look alike for you? Hear from over 30 host agencies in Host Week's Meet the Hosts sessions! We interview them to learn more about their culture, programs, and success stories. Tune in for the 10-20 minute interviews that will help differentiate and humanize the myriad of host agencies out there. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Every host agency starting to look alike for you? Hear from over 30 host agencies in Host Week's Meet the Hosts sessions! We interview them to learn more about their culture, programs, and success stories. Tune in for the 10-20 minute interviews that will help differentiate and humanize the myriad of host agencies out there. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Get to know the different consortia within the travel industry in Host Week's Meet the Consortia segments. We have all the major consortia, with the exception of Signature Travel Network. If you're going independent or with a host agency, your consortium will play a key role in the technology, partnerships, and marketing you'll have access to. Learn more about your options in our 10-15 minute interviews. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Get to know the different consortia within the travel industry in Host Week's Meet the Consortia segments. We have all the major consortia, with the exception of Signature Travel Network. If you're going independent or with a host agency, your consortium will play a key role in the technology, partnerships, and marketing you'll have access to. Learn more about your options in our 10-15 minute interviews. Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Host Week's opening keynote is from HAR's founder, Steph Lee. She discusses trends in the host agency market, where it's heading, what we're seeing, big trends to keep an eye on. Oh, and there's also a band playing a song composed just for Host Week. :) It's called Fly the Chief to the Moon. Enjoy! Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

Our Host Week One Things are short nuggets of information (3-5 min) to help you improve your business. It's like sitting down with an industry pro and asking them "If there was One Thing I can do to grow my business this year, what would it be?" Host Week 2024 Landing Site: https://har.news/hostweek View Host Week Magazine: https://har.news/2024HWmagazine Host Week Specials: https://har.news/deals Register for Host Week 2025: https://har.news/signupHW2025 7-Day Setup Course with HAR: https://har.news/7DScourse Host Week 2024 Survey: https://har.news/hwsurvey

In episode 142 Steph co-hosts with Melissa Fahs of ATHome by Atlas and they answer your questions about the wide world of travel, host agencies and advising. Questions : 1. How can you tell if a host is legit if they’re not listed on your site? I had an owner of a TX agency reach out to me about joining them. --Anonymous2. Hi Steph! I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around the difference between a DMC and a vacation wholesaler and when I would use one over the other. Love your show! Thanks, Courtney F.3. ​Is there a Consortium that is better for Disney focused agents? Trying to decide between two host agencies and one is affiliated with travel leaders and one is with Signature Travel network. –AnonymousTODAY’S RESOURCES: (More info on travel MLMs) (Download our free excel sheet with questions to ask your prospective host agencies) (What are travel consortia/coops?)Identifying leads worth your time, Betsy Grebinoski's Eduspot from Host Week 2024! : https://www.youtube.com/live/nWiZpma6hFg?feature=shar

In this special Host Week edition of the Friday 15 (episode 141), Steph chats with Nadine of Nova Travel Solutions as they answer questions from you, our sweet HAR community. Questions :1. For those looking to start a podcast to bring in potential clients to our agency, what are some tips you've learned through your podcast Nadine that other advisors can implement? Some of the "wish someone would have told me this when I started" type of advice. --Steph L. (Me!)2. I need a great group of people to bounce an idea off of. I'm currently creating a logo for my company, Alpine Escape Travel. I'm thinking of adding "From Alaska to the Appalachians." on it. I'm specializing in Alaska and the Appalachian mountains because they are two of my favorite places. Anyway, I'm worried that might run people off that might be interested in other destinations. Thoughts? ---Kori W.3. I'm having trouble copying over the Cruise Packing List generator from your article (Here's the link Nadine) to my agency website. Can you walk th

In episode 140 Steph co-hosts with Christine Hardenberger of Modern Travel Professionals. They tackle the following questions, all about getting started or starting fresh with a new agency this week: Questions :00:00 | Welcome to Friday 1501:13 | Disney & Universal criteria for advisors07:52 | What to ask hosts when switching16:10 | Starting an agency with a partner1. I'm a new-ish agent, under 3 years experience, and I have been entertaining the idea of venturing out on my own. I am currently with a host agency. I am curious about some suppliers, specifically Disney and Universal's criteria for 'accepting' a new agency. I don't want to leave my host agency if I won't be accepted to sell Disney and Universal, as these are the two I primarily sell. And how do I start the process to apply? I can't seem to find any contact information for applying to sell these suppliers. --New Agent2. I'm thinking of switching agencies. How does that process work? What should I be asking the new host? --Anonymous3. My

In episode 139 Steph chats with April Swales of Uniglobe Travel center and they answer questions from you, our awesome HAR community. Questions :1. Can an agency change your commission level without notifying you or sending you a new contract to sign? Shouldn't there be some kind of agreement or acknowledgement from the agent before that happens? What if a host changes to a monthly fee -- shouldn’t there be a new contract or the option to leave and take your business? My partner and I are experiencing this and could use some advice. – Lori S.2. How do I have my agency added to Host Agency Reviews? —Jamie W.3. I currently have a host agency, but I'm starting to look around. I have a few subagents under me. What are the average commission splits out there? I'm at 80%. What things are typically included in the host fee? —AnonymousTODAY’S RESOURCES: (10 things to look for in your host agency contract) (Travel attorney Mark Pestronk’s website) (Mark Pestronk’s Travel Weekly column) (List of travel industry specif

In episode 138 we chat with the lovely Lindsay Taylor of Travel Leaders 365 as they tackle three questions from an astute listener named Tim M. Thanks, Tim! Thanks to you all for your great questions from week to week. Questions :1) How to navigate clients’ loyalty programs: what are the logistics of ensuring they receive loyalty benefits, qualifying nights, miles/points? 2) Being an Agent vs. an Operator: If I want to book FIT travel, how can I safely curate customized itineraries as a travel agent and not stray into accidentally being considered a tour operator?3) Project Management Platforms! Do agents typically manage their workflow with their host agency provided CRM program only, or are there other project management platforms that are popular with travel agents?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!TODAY’S RESOURCES: (

In episode 137 Steph has a new co-host! Join Scott Wismont, owner of Rainbow Getaways, as we dive into great questions you’ve been kind enough to submit. :)Questions :We break down if hosts and consortia look down upon advisors that are part-time, including what % of advisors are full time. And when we hear from an advisor with a background in entrepreneurship who is struggling to make a go of things as a self-employed agent, we answer if going the employee route is right for her. Including what income you can make as an employee and some things to think about if you want to start as an employee and make the leap to self-employed later on.Lastly, what the heck is a trust account, which advisors need them, and what for? 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!TODAY’S RESOURCES: (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F1

In episode 136 Steph's co-host is Eduardo Cartaya with G Adventures. :) Questions :What's their relationship with Travel Leaders Network like when it comes to commissions? What does Eduardo see successful new advisors doing that listeners can start emulating? We need to know the secret sauce! And Eduardo breaks it down for us why single supplements are often so spendy. (Hint: It's not because the suppliers are being greedy)Lastly, we chat on if there are sales taxes that agencies need to be paying and how you find out what the situation is in your state.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!TODAY’S RESOURCES: (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Once you’ve got a lead, here’s how you qualify them and find the best pro

Mary chats with Katie Williams from Tern. We discuss when the best time to invest in a CRM and/or travel itinerary builder, how effective using supplier advertisements are for agencies, things to consider when taking on a business partner, and our listener Michael sent us over his fees and wants to know what we think about them! Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Learn more about Tern) (BranchUp - FREE option) (Travel marketing and media - Sandra McLemore, which includes paid, more of an array of marketing content from social to blog posts etc.) (Travel Agent Collective) (Find great content by going on FAMs and pushing out your FAM content throughout the year.) (Wanderfully planned, Julie Patterson) (Find a travel industry attorney) (Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about charging fees.) (HAR’s research reports have a TON of data on charging fees. What people are charging for, how much, the fee range when it’s a variable fee, etc.) We do this every week! If you have travel industry

In episode 134 Steph chats with Eduardo Cartaya from G Adventures about what family options G Adventures (and other resorts/operators) offer for advisors looking to focus on families. We also dive into what steps G Adventures takes to vet their on-the-ground partners and ensuring they're keeping the dollars in the local community to improve the welfare of those who live in the destination. Lastly, we answer the question how to handle chargebacks (and how G Adventures handles them).A reminder that G Adventures will be back on December 15th, 2024 and you can submit any questions you'd like them to answer here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (National Geographic Family Journeys operated by G Adventures) (G Adventures family collection) (Family Travel Association) (G’s measure of how much of every dollar stay

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)https://skillbridge.osd.mil/industry-employers.htm?section=2 (More info on DOD’s Skill Bridge program) (HAR’s travel jobs board) (Sign up for weekly job alert emails from HAR’s travel board) (ALTOUR University internship)Https://Asta.org (HAR’s report on travel advisor employees. Lots of great data and stats for agency owners and employees!) (Podcast with advisor who does large incentive cruise groups) (Gift a trip to employees) (TPI’s profile on HAR) (Fiercely Forward FB group for all advisors. Doesn’t need to be a part of TPI)[email protected] (Jenn’s email) (Register for Host Week! It’s free. It’s fun. It’s full of info to grow your agency!)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