Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Erwing from Oasis Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! New advisor here, just starting out-I’m wondering if it’s possible to be successful in getting leads through online marketing only, and not tap into friends and family or local community?I am a new home-based travel agent and I am curious as to which online payment gateway host you recommend? I will be using this payment gateway only for my fee. All other payments go directly to the vendors. Any help is appreciated, thanks!Is there an actual hierarchy to the travel business? I understand we're all dependent on one another, but how would it look on a traditional organization chart? For example, do host agencies depend on suppliers, or are the suppliers what makes it possible to form a host agency? Just trying to understand the big picture of this industry!RESOURCES:Getting leads - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leadsGreat article about payment security in general that you might want to check out - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tis-q4-2025

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Katie from Tern! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I’m just getting started and trying to wrap my head around using a CRM, but I’m honestly not sure what I should actually be tracking in it day-to-day. Right now, I have client emails, trip details, and notes kind of scattered across different places. What are the most important things a travel advisor should be tracking in a CRM to stay organized and not let things fall through the cracks?There are so many tools out there, and I feel like every time I turn around there’s something new I “should” be using. How do I actually evaluate whether a tool is solving a real problem in my business versus just adding another layer of complexity or something else to manage?I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to use all the latest tech as a travel advisor, especially when I’m seeing what others are doing online. From your perspective, what’s something advisors often think they need technology for, but in reality, it might not be necessary or the best use of their time early on?RESOURCES:CRMs - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software/category/crmhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/page/har-wired

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Samantha from Jus Adventures! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!I continue to see it recommended that we get copies of our client's ID's. However, I am unsure of a process to do this that is secure? Or does it need to be secure? Can they just text or email me a photo? I'd love your perspective on this. - ErinCan you talk about the practice of DMCs presenting quotes in gross vs net commission, and is it preferred or acceptable to request one over the other? - CarrieLove the podcast! I'm just over a year in as a part time agent and have been focusing on training (supplier and host agency training), building a website, and branding. Now I'm stuck on how to build a client base. I work full time in recruitment so I know that your close network isn't always going to become your client, but I've stalled out and need some inspiration. My focus is luxury leaning travellers interested in cruising with Virgin Voyages or going on safari. I have a great background in sales, event planning, dealing with ultra-high net worth clients, and I used to live in West Africa for 5 years. I know I'm well positioned to jump start this business but I feel a little lost on selling myself. Any help? - StephanieRESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-softwarehttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I love your podcasts and have been a loyal listener for over 3 years. In 2023, I trained and started working as a Corporate Travel Advisor for a small agency, remotely. I took the job because thought I needed training in GDS platforms but my true desire is to run my own leisure travel agency. I work full time, have great benefits and have mastered two platforms. My question is, is there a conflict in joining a host agency to start a leisure business, while still working with a corporate agency? I spoke with one of the host agencies on HAR and got pretty far but was then told since I would have 2 IATA numbers, I couldn’t move forward. My employee handbook at work does not cover anything about other work in the travel business and I can sign up for my own personal IATA since I am an employee. I still really want my own leisure business but need the security of another income while I build my own business. I haven’t spoken with other host agencies since I was deterred by the first one. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you for your insights. - MichelleI am based in South Africa/Namibia, specialising in travel and safaris in Southern Africa. Since 2018, I have been working directly with FIT clients (many of them from the USA), creating highly personalised tours and safaris for them. Recently, I have been considering offering my services to other travel advisors outside Africa (I guess that would be acting as a DMC). My question is: how does such collaboration work regarding fees and commissions? I charge my FIT clients a planning fee, and I know that many travel advisors, especially those based in the USA, also charge fees. Do DMC/travel specialists in the destination also charge fees to advisors, or would advisors prefer to work with DMCs that do not? Also, would I need to be associated with any of the hosting agencies (I am myself an independent operator), or how do advisors find their DMSs? Thank you in advance for sharing any insight into how such collaboration works. - LenkaCan you give any insights on how commissions work as it relates to destination wedding bookings? I’m still new the travel [advisor] industry and curious if there are any general thoughts or advice on how this might work (especially for destination weddings booked outside of DMCs). Thank you! - JoyRESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Fora! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I am working on creating more automated processes and was wondering if there is a general "checklist" of things an agent should do before each trip? I feel like I am forgetting something and just want to be able to check things off (virtually). Things like "gather personal info", "make airline booking" "make hotel/resort booking" "confirm car rental" "email hotel 2 weeks prior to confirm reservation was received" "deposit due" "final payment due" "call hotel 1 week prior to confirm reservation was received and add special requests" and so on and so on. I am wondering what other agents might have included in their processes that would be a good idea to implement. - MelissaI've had a hard time summing up my niche into one word, as I'm new to the industry. My goal is to provide travel to the curious mind that is leisure, but can also include giving back to the community/land/culture through volunteering, shopping local markets, or through participating in educational experiences. It seems the appropriate name for this niche would be Eco Travel or Responsible Travel. Granted, it's difficult to be 100% environmentally friendly since some travel is unavoidable, but if you have any suggestions regarding the name or suggestions of suppliers that specialize work with this type of niche, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for this incredible podcast. - JamieI’m thinking about adding my booking metrics data like the number of booked cruises, flights, and destinations to my website. Do you think this is a good idea? If so, how would an agent go about adding that information to the site? All this to help build a trusting relationship with clients about the services that we provide. - QuincyESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/sustainable-travel-checklist

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming GTN! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! Hi! I am looking forward to starting this next great adventure. I have a background as a paralegal that I think will serve me well in the administrative side of things as well as problem solving. I am thinking of specializing in accessible travel. Is this a good idea at the start or would it be better to get to know the business before specializing? - PattiAre you allowed to have your own landing page or website that can link to the website that your host agency has provided for you? How customizable are the host agency websites? - AmyI keep hearing everyone talk about FIT. So what is it and how does someone specialize in it? - HelenRESOURCES:Finding a travel niche - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-nicheComplete guide to agency website options - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-websitesWhat is FIT and what does it mean in travel - ​​https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaningWhat is a DMC - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company