Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

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 specific attorneys) [email protected] (Who to email to get your free host agency profile set up) (Data on average host commission splits and more) (HAR’s annual research reports have loads of data on commission splits, earnings, specialties and more) (Article on how to find the best host travel agency for you. The comparison checklist sheet is really helpful!) (Register for Uniglobe’s CoffeeSpot during Host Week! Friday, Feb 2nd, 12pm ET/11am CT/10am MT/ 9am PT)

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: (Whitney’s podcast, Masters in Travel) (The Hive: Global directory of suppliers, properties and DMCs)[email protected] (Thomas Carpenter’s email) (Thomas Carpenter’s law firm’s website) (Complete list of travel industry specific attorneys)

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 F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (HAR’s annual reports with information on the % of advisors that work FT.) (More information on travel MLMs, or multi-level marketing/direct sales/pyramid schemes.) (Red flags to look for in travel agent contracts) (The dangers of a host agency misclassifying an independent contractor as an employee.) (Interview with Rose Gray of Fox World Travel. Advice for new advisors at 8:40.)Employee report (HAR’s 2023 travel advisor employee report with data on income, benefits, etc.) (Check out the travel agent jobs out there and sign up for our weekly job alerts!) (Rainbow Getaways HAR profile) (Join Scott’s webinar February 12th, 2024 on Exploring the Benefits of an LGBTQ+ Host Agency) (More information on the states that have seller of travel laws and what that means in terms of an IC handling money from clients.)

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 product) (Create and polish your elevator pitch. Use HAR’s brainstorming guide to help you out.) (Listen to/watch/read the stories of successful travel advisors to get inspired and pick up tips) (Find your perfect fee verbiage) (Know the booking process before you start to look professional and ask the right questions at the right time) (NM gross tax receipt info) (SD gross tax receipt info) (SBA locations) (SCORE office locations) (More on TA commission levels)

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 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!

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 stays in destination–Ripple score) (National geographic Journeys collection) (Marine collection) (Geluxe – 28 experiences at superior or upgraded service level. Adults only.)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!

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 us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 132 Steph chats with Lori Speers, CEO and Owner of Levarte Travel about previous Friday15 questions, Disney & charge fees, and new agent “Must Haves”.Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:https://hostagencyreviews.com/hostweek (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!)https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Complete list of F15s: Sort Friday 15 episodes by tags)https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (HAR’s research reports with data on fees, who charges, how much, what for, and lots of other good stuff!)https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-websites (A list and comparison of the travel agency websites options)https://www.happiestthingstravel.com/ (Disney Travel Advisor Planner – digital and hard copy available)https://www.practicallymagic.co/ (Theme Park Itinerary Software for Advisors)https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (Learn what the GDS is and who needs it)https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/levarte-travel (Levarte’s profile on HAR)https://levartetravel.com/ (Levarte’s website)Nov 17 (TPI), Off for Black Friday. Dec 1 (G Adventures)https://hostagencyreviews.com/hostweek (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 us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 131 Steph chats with April Swales, Director of Marketing & Sales from Uniglobe Travel Center about what a FIT is and how to specialize in it, getting an IATA & CLIA number as a new independent agent, and helping clients get a US Passports.Here's 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!) (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!) (Indie report is out!) (Sign up for survey reminders for 2024) (Get the free download for HAR’s abbreviated travel industry glossary) (Get the full travel industry glossary by signing on for our 7 Day Setup Accelerator course) (Travel Agent Chatter podcast episode with advisor who does FIT vacations) (Travel Agent Chatter podcast episode with advisor who does FIT vacations) (Learn more about travel agent commissions) (HAR’s research reports with data on income by niche, year, and lots of other good stuff!) (Learn more about accreditation option) (CIBT Visas) (Where you can apply for passports) (List of travel industry specific attorneys to help with your Terms and Conditions) (Uniglobe’s profile on HAR) (Schedule a time to chat) Nov 10 (Levarte Travel), Nov 17 (TPI), Off for Black Friday (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 us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 130 Steph chats with Chad Burt, co-owner of Outside Agents about leads through online marketing, honing in on a niche, and setting income goals.Here's 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!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Sign up for Google My Business) (A great exercise on how to find your niche!) (TAC episode with an advisor who has an amazing website that creates great leads) (TAC episode with a Japan specialist agency that uses content marketing to find clients) (TAC episode with an Italy expert that uses content marketing to find clients) (Learn more about travel agent commissions)  (HAR’s research reports with data on income by niche, year, and lots of other good stuff!) (Outside Agents’ profile on HAR)(866) 208-5604 x210 (Chad), x312 (Steve) (OA’s contact us page)[email protected] (email to reach OA team)Nov 3rd (uniglobe), Nov 10 (Levarte Travel), Nov 17 (TPI) (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 us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 129 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, VP Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Planners International about travel certification, hosting outside of the US, and developing your brand.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!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Travel agent certification options, including Travel Institute, ASTA, CLIA) (Traveller Made, a European based consortium, changed its name to the much harder to remember and pronounce: Serandipians!) (Departure Lounge takes advisors that are not US citizens that live in the following countries: USA, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Virgin Islands (U.S.)) (1000 Mile Travel Group takes advisors worldwide.) (A list of the different travel agency specific website programs, including Voyageur that Jenn mentioned, as well as some non-TA-specific ones) (Sign up for Google My Business) (Offers web design and branding services + marketing courses to travel agencies) (Copywriting and branding services for agencies) (Travel Marketing and Media has a website in a week program to help with copywriting and fully building out your website) (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)October 27th, (Outside Agents) Nov 3rd (uniglobe), Nov 10 (Levarte Travel) (Register for Host Week! It’s free. It’s fun. It’s full of info to grow your agency!)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 128 Steph chats with Chad Burt, co-owner of Outside Agents about linking a landing page, host agency website, and our host week event.Here's 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!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Virtually attend Adventure Together and tune in to Steph’s sessions!) (Discover the options for your travel agency website) (Create a subdomain of your main domain) (Chad’s bookshelf. Pw: oastrong) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event – Jan 29 - Feb 2!) (Outside Agents’ profile on HAR)(866) 208-5604x210 (Chad), x312 (Steve) (OA’s contact us page)[email protected] (email to reach OA team)Oct 20th Travel Planners International, October 27th, Outside Agents, Nov 3rd (uniglobe) (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 us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! in episode 127 Steph chats with Connie Miller, Chief Relationship Officer/Business Development for Your Travel Center/Montecito Village Travel about hotel views on takeover bookings, competing with discounts, and 7 Day Setup Accelerator Course.Here's 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!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) Hosted advisor report (HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator Course curriculum) (MVT’s profile on HAR)[email protected] (Connie’s email)805-456-2545 (Connie’s phone) (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 us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 126 Steph chats about qualifying customers booking air, sub agency contract, and payment gateway.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!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) Hosted advisor report (Stats on air traffic control) (What to look for in a host agency contract – Red flags and more) (Host agency list where you can find host-franchise hybrids) (Travel attorney Mark Pestronk’s law office – Travel Law Office) (Travel attorney Tom Carpenter’s law office) (What E&O insurance covers, and what it doesn’t) (Register for Host Week! It’s free. It’s fun. It’s full of info to grow your agency!)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 125 Steph chats with Carolyn Sekerak, Director of Marketing Strategy and Community Engagement about finding a host with one-on-one relationships, business structures, and pinpointing a niche.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!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!)https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency (Info on the seller of travel licensing in US) (Info on seller of travel registrations in Canada) (More ideas on finding a niche (2023 Hosted Advisor Research Report with info on income by niche.) (Travel Agent Chatter episode with destination wedding, honeymoon specialist) (Travel Agent Chatter episode with destination wedding, honeymoon specialist) (Travel Agent Chatter episode with destination wedding, honeymoon specialist) (KHM’s profile on HAR)[email protected] (Carolyn’s email)(Register for Host Week! It’s free. It’s fun. It’s full of info to grow your agency!)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 124 Steph chats with Jackie Friedman, President of Nexion Travel Group about the advantages of joining a host, the best travel agent education, and going from salary to being an IC.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!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Benefits of using a host agency.) (HAR’s 2023 Hosted Travel Advisor Research Report.) (List of training/educational opportunities for advisors.) (How to ask questions to your travel industry peers on social media.) (Wanderlust program) (Travel Leaders of Tomorrow) (HAR’s 2023 Hosted Travel Advisor Research Report.) (Nexion’s profile on HAR) (Nexion’s website, click on getting started) (Register for Host Week! It’s free. It’s fun. It’s full of info to grow your agency!) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 123 Steph chats with April Swales, Director of Marketing and Sales for Uniglobe Travel Center about Travel MLMs, choosing a Host, and multiple company names.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!) (Call for Host Week event speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (Who are the travel MLMs and what you need to know before joining one. Muy importante!) (List of host agencies where you can filter our MLM hybrids (Use the spreadsheet to narrow down your host agency options) (PATH website) (HAR’s annual research report on hosted travel advisors is out!) (What is the GDS?) (Uniglobe Travel Center’s profile on HAR) (Schedule a call with April) (April’s email) (Register for Host Week! It’s free. It’s fun. It’s full of info to grow your agency!) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 122 Steph chats with Keith Waldon, owner of Departure Lounge about travel business hierarchy, help with vision impaired IC, and travel agent testing.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!) (Call for Host Week event speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!) (Register for HAR’s Host Week event!) (HAR’s Accelerator course to get your agency set up faster!) (What is a host agency?) (What are Travel consortia/coops?) (What is a travel preferred supplier?) (Mind’s Eye Travel) (Travel Eyes) (Travel advisor education options) (Travel advisor certification options) (ASTA’s verified travel advisor (VTA) course) (The 1000 travel advisor club) (Departure Lounge’s profile on HAR) (Keith’s email address) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 121 Steph chats with Lindsay Taylor Lauer, Director of Luxury & Hosting for Travel Leaders 365 about booking groups, payments done in installments, and ticketing vs. non-ticketing.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!) (Call for Host Week speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!) (HAR’s free event calendar w/ over 100 industry events!) (10 Insider Group Booking Tips from Travel Advisors [+Infographic]) (5 Steps to Finding Groups) (What Suppliers Want you to Know About Booking Groups) (Listen to advisors who specialize in booking groups! Use tag dropdown and select ‘groups’) (Ja’Vonne Harley’s educational trips with ~100 people around the world) (Ashley Morris’ destination wedding groups) (Valerie Gossett’s cruise groups) (Will Medina destination wedding groups and processes) (Deb Fogarty affinity group cruises and how she finds them) (Travel agency accreditation options — ARC and IATA ticketing/non-ticketing) (A primer on what the heck the GDS is!) (Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about debit memos) (TL 365’s profile on HAR)[email protected] (Lindsay’s email address) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 120 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, VP of Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Leaders International about how to go about finding a travel advisor mentor, leveraging your Facebook marketing (page vs. group?), and choosing between Sole Proprietorship and LCC!A list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (TAC episode where advisor uses a FB group for her clients) (Jenn’s webinar: How to Create a FB Community That Converts) (Jenn’s webinar: Facebook Content That Converts) (ASTA’s mentoring program) (Find a travel industry event) (Read this before a travel industry event to help you make the most of it!) (The tourism industry’s award-winning business accelerator program for women and non-binary early-stage entrepreneurs.) (TPI’s profile on HAR)[email protected] (Jenn’s contact) (Jenn’s Fiercely Forward FB Group) (TPI’s email address)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 119 Step chats with Lori Spears, Owner of Levarte Travel about gaining trust as a new advisor, reducing IC Misclassification w/Planning Fees, and FAM trip qualifications.Here's 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!) (Call for Host Week speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!) (HAR’s free event calendar w/ over 100 industry events!) (Find your senator) (More on Airport Trading Cards) (Episode 115 discussing more on the dangers of misclassification (More on the ramifications of a host misclassifying you as an IC when you’re more like an employee) (Travel attorney) (IC contracts: What to look for) (Episode 118 with answer to first part of questions with Mary and co-host Chad Burt, Outside Agents) (HAR’s list of 200+ Travel Agent Rates) (What’s a FAM Trip and Where to Find Them)  (Levarte’s profile on HAR) (Levarte’s website) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 118 Mary chats with Chad Burt, Co-Owner of Outside Agents about startup investment decisions, startup investment on tech, and sales minimums for FAMs.Here's 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!) (Call for Host Week speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!)har.news/survey Sign up for survey report updates to get notified when we publish our 2023 reportshttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip - FAM Tripshttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-rates - Resource on travel agent rates  (Industry events) Travel Agent Training and Education will drop you into the rabbit hole for host education, certifications, business coaching and more. har.news/7DShar.news/survey - for notification when we publish our reportTechnology is personal keynote with David Chait of Travefy from Host Week 2022 HAR’s favorite free marketing tools.  (Talk to the OA’s executive team) (Outside Agents’ profile on HAR) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 117 Steph chats with Lindsay Taylor Lauer, Director of Luxury & Hosting for Travel Leaders 365 about how travel agents deal with visas, website links, and how to break up with your host agency.Here's 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!) (Call for Host Week speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!) (Sherpa provides visas for travelers and a wealth of info! Best fit for agencies with a significant % of travelers needing visas) (CIBT visa services) (G3 visa services) (Tips for choosing your agency’s name) (Trademark/servicemark process with trademark attorney on Friday 15 #58) (What to do if host isn’t paying out commissions) (Info on what to look for in contracts with host agencies) (Lindsay’s email address) (TL 365’s profile on HAR) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 116 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, VP of Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Planners International about business cards and what should be on them, if you should get to know the business before specializing, and what guides are out there on how to set up your own agency.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!) (Travel Agent Career Outlook article: Full of great stats and facts for people that ask you about career as an advisor!) (Call for Host Week speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!) (Info on CA SOT disclosures) (Info on if you need a SOT registration in the 4 US states that have registrations) (Info on if you need a SOT registration in Canadian provinces that have registrations) (Host Week presentation on accessible travel) (TAC episode with Amy Garner, who specializes in accessible travel) (TAC episode with Becky Kirby, who specializes in accessible travel) (HAR’s free email sequence on setting up your agency) (HAR’s in-depth course with more support and resources to help you get started) (Jenn’s Fiercely Forward TA Group on FB)[email protected] (Jenn’s email) (TPI’s profile on HAR) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! 📧 Never miss a HAR resource. Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol27 ******When it comes to booking cruises, Karen Devine doesn’t just book a ton of rooms. She and her team of 8 literally charter entire ships for some of their corporate clients! Your immediate reaction may be that her agency sales of $30-40M are way out of your league. But fear not! The head of 3D Cruise Partners has tips for agencies of all sizes and experience levels that are looking to level up their business. With a combined total of 40 years of experience spanning the cruise side, the hotel side, the supplier side, and the customer side, Karen brings a deep perspective that’s rare to find in the industry. She shares how she’s mastered converting clients who haven’t cruised before to considering cruising as an option by using a travel comparison everyone can relate to.Most leisure cruise advisors are familiar with the cruise line’s leisure groups department, but take some time to get to know about their corporate groups from the leading agency in the charters, meetings and incentive space for Royal Carribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity Cruises. We’ll also let you know a secret about how your agency can successfully help corporate clients with their meetings/incentives/charters and make FULL commission . . . without having cruise expertise on the meetings and incentives side.We discover what a cruise brokerage company is, how she finds clients, why she doesn’t charge fees and the depth of customization she goes through for her clients. We also find out which vendors help her execute the unique customizations and how she streamlines the process to make it easy for her clients. With a remote team spread across the US, we discover how Karen keeps her team motivated and engaged. And while Karen credits her team with a huge role in the success of the company, Karen is the first to say that there is one other person that is the key to her success. Find out who it is and why she suggests every business owner invests in this person.This episode is a firehose of information for any agency ready to go full steam ahead and learn from the best.Thanks to today’s sponsor: International Driving Authority ☀️ Learn more: https://idaoffice.org

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 115 Steph chats with Chad Burt, Co-Founder of Outside Agents about host contracts that only allow you to book through them and travel advisor-related podcast options.Here's 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!) (New article on FAM trips: What they are and how to find them!) (Call for Host Week speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!) (What happens if an independent contractor is reclassified as an employee? All about IC misclassification.) (What to look for in your contract with host agencies.) (Travel Weekly’s Trade Secrets with Emma Weissman and Jamie Biesada — ask questions about the industry) (TIN Lounge with Theresa Chu-Bermudez and Korrine Johnson – TAs sharing their experiences and best practices) (Travefy’s The Lounge) (Host Week presentation of travel advisors who have started their own podcasts) (Travel Pulse’s podcast) (Outside Agents’ profile on HAR) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 114 Steph chats with Henley Vasquez, Co-Founder of Fora on how to narrow down and choose a host agency and the best travel software package that handles CRM, group management, and invoicingHere's 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!) (How to research and qualify suppliers) (Tips on choosing a host agency) (Tern, new travel tech looking to unify all the agency tech) (TripSuite, new travel tech looking to unify all the agency tech) (TravelJoy: CRM, groups management, invoicing) (VacationCRM: CRM, groups management, invoicing) (Travefy: Itinerary builder, CRM. *** Visit link and enter promo code HAR15 to receive 15% off your first 6 months or first annual subscription with Travefy.) (Zendesk CRM: not travel agency specific but free and you can customize! (SION commission tracking software for agencies) (To get more information, go to ‘Apply’. Add ‘HostAgencyReviews’ to question on who referred you to get pulled to the top!) (Fora’s profile on HAR) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 113 Steph chats about getting a VTC accreditation as an independent agent or to make a CTD with a company, answering client fee questions and whether to get an accreditation first or apply to host first.Here's 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!) (New article on what FAM trips are, how to find them, and how to go on one!) (Sign up for HAR’s newsletter to get alert when Call for Speakers opens) (More on the GDS: What it is and if you need it.) (How to become a corporate travel advisor.) (What are the travel agency accreditation options, including VTC and CTD?) (A little more on what you can expect when it comes to airline commissions.) (Section 8.3 goes over personnel requirements for CTD agencies.) (Find all sorts of fee information in our annual travel advisor report! What % of advisors charge fees, what for, and how much.) (Verbiage from 50+ advisors on how they communicate fees.) (Familiarize yourself with seller of travel laws and fees if you live in, or have clients in: FL, WA, CA, HI) (Outside Agents’ profile on HAR)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 112 Steph chats with Lindsay Taylor-Lauer, Director of Luxury & Hosting at Travel Leaders 365 about umbrella liability policies and they can take the place for E&O insurance, travel industry jobs besides being a travel agent, and the downward trend on flights.Here's 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!) (Read more on what Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is and what it does and doesn’t cover.) (HAR's list of travel business jobs!) (Hear how other advisors started out in the travel industry and how their old careers skillsets and networks transferred to being an advisor in HAR’s other podcast, Travel Agent Chatter.)[email protected] (Lindsay’s email address) (Travel Leaders 365’s profile on HAR)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 111 Steph chats about the number of suppliers for your travel business, how to add a travel agent rate to HAR's download of 200+ rates, what to do if you don't have money to join a host agency, and does dual hosting offer more perks for your clients.Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F1 (More info on preferred suppliers) (HAR article on the process of making a booking)5, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Form where suppliers can submit their travel agent rates free of charge) (Find 200+ travel agent rates that you can access as an advisor!) (Find FAM trips on HAR’s event calendar) (Sign up for our newsletter to never miss another fabo HAR article) (List of travel consortia with reviews and information on their programs.) (HAR’s Travel Industry Job Board. Free to post a job. 4k visits/mo) (Million Miles Travel’s profile on HAR) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 110 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, VP of Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Planners International about gifting a dinner for booking, charging sales tax for travel services, and duel hosting.HERE'S 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 the latest episodes of Travel Agent Chatter!) (HAR’s Disney Dining Reservation Calendar) (Disney booking tips from top Disney advisors) (More info on ASTA’s advocacy efforts) (HAR’s Course on Starting your Agency!) (Episode 109 going over sales tax more in-depth) (Find all of HAR’s survey reports here.) (Data on advisors belonging to more than one host in 2021 from our Hosted Travel Advisor Report 2022) (Article on things to think about when belonging to multiple hosts) (Fiercely forward travel advisors FB Group)(TPI’s profile on HAR) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 109 Steph chats about where to use your agency name, sales tax, hiring a registered agent, and keeping clients when you leave a host.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!) Thank you to Travel Leaders Market Square for sponsoring today’s episode (Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) Take the survey, get the free report! (Become a HAR course affiliate and earn 20% commission) (More on ASTA’s Legislative Day 2023) (What to expect with ASTA Legislative Day) (Info on travel agency accreditation numbers) (More info on ASTA’s advocacy efforts) (HAR’s Course on Starting your Agency!) (Info on West Virginia taxing travel agency services) (Info on New Mexico’s taxing on gross receipts for agencies located in NM) (Info on South Dakota’s taxing on gross receipts for agencies located in SD) (List of host agencies with profile details on if an advisor can keep host agency leads once they leave) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 108 Steph chats with Lindsay Taylor-Lauer, Director of Luxury & Hosting of Travel Leders 365, about seller of travel license, creating a business plan, and getting an Admirals Pass.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!) (Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) Take the survey, get the free report! (Become a HAR course affiliate and earn 20% commission) (Info on the 4 U.S. Seller of Travel registration states) (Canadian Seller of Travel registration information.) (Travel industry attorney list) (HAR’s free travel agency business plan template) (HAR’s course on starting an agency has a more in-depth and editable agency business plan PDF) (More info on Travel Leaders 365)[email protected] (Lindsay’s email) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 107 Steph chats with Chad Burt, co-owner of Outside Agents, about how to get clients to commit and ASTA memberships and attending industry events.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!) (Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) Take the survey, get the free report! (HAR’s course affiliate link to earn 20% commission!) (Glenda Beagle’s site) (More on Host Week) (All Host Week presentations) (Host Week Presentation: Building Your Marketing Funnel: Online List Building for Your Travel Business) (Host Week Presentation: 5 Easy Steps to Building a Marketing Plan) (HAR’s Travel Agent Chatter podcast) (HAR’s calendar of nearly 100 travel industry events!) (Outside Agents’ HAR profile + reviews)[email protected] (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 106 Steph chats about E&O vs. liability insurance vs. umbrella policy, host-only agency vs a host/agency hybrid, and whether a website that clients can interact with is important to have.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!) QR code (Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) Take the survey, get the free report! (Amy Garner TAC episode)  Thank you to our sponsor, Uniglobe Travel Center (360 Coverage Pros E&O Insurance) (Article on E&O insurance) (List of host agencies with data on who is host only vs. host hybrid) (Data on website booking engines) (Take the survey to help us get better data on website booking engines) (Uniglobe Travel Center’s HAR profile + reviews) (Sign up for e-reminders for the Friday 15 and submit your questions!)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 105 Steph chats with Krissi Harmon, Director at OAL Travel Network about monthly costs when starting your travel business, fees to become a travel agent, and attributes to becoming a travel agent like joining a host agency or obtaining an ASTA or CLIA number.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!) QR code (Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) (Wix website building tutorial) (More info on travel MLMs) (Information on startup costs and earnings for new advisors) (Take our annual survey and get the report for free when it comes out! Normal price: $89.) (HAR’s commission plan comparison and calculator) (List of travel agency accreditation options) (Reasons to use a host agency vs. going on your own)[email protected] (Krissi’s email)844-OAL-LINK (OAL Travel Network’s phone number) (OAL Travel Network’s HAR profile) (OAL Travel Network’s website)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 104 Steph chats with Lindsay Taylor-Lauer, Director of Luxury & Hosting for Travel Leaders 365 about using an EIN for two agents and how to do taxes, becoming an independent agent and getting the best rates with suppliers, and what to do if a client finds a better rate than you did.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!)  (Lindsay’s Host Week presentation: How to Make Your Clients Crave the Travel that You Sell) (Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) (Find all the Travel Agent Chatter episodes, including our newest!) (List of travel industry attorneys) (Article going over the different types of business structures) (List of commission ranges by supplier type) (3 Real-Life Ways Travel Agents Save You Money) (Advantages of using a travel agent vs. booking online)[email protected] (Lindsay’s email) (Travel Leaders 365’s HAR profile)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! 📧 Never miss a HAR resource. Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/tac26It started with Disney—doesn’t it always—and before she knew it, Amy Garner was introduced to the world of booking outside of theme parks and that’s when business really took off. Well, until the pandemic came. Despite the pandemic blip, Wicked Travel Concierage is looking to hit $1M in sales for 2023! Coming from a “neuro spicy” family, Amy came into travel wanting to help other families like hers that felt like anxiety, ADHD, autism, etc. were roadblocks to visiting Disney. She’s a firm believer that if there’s a reason you think travel is inaccessible to you, let’s have a conversation about it and see what we can do. Then she works her magic. In the last 5 years, Amy’s expertise and passion for accessible travel has grown beyond neurodiverse clientele and Amy openly shares her favorite accessibility resources as well as how she opens up the conversation with clients about any travelers with special needs. Whether it being plus sized, grandpa traveling with a colostomy bag, or anything else, Amy shines light on the different ways advisors can help all their clients be a part of and enjoy the vacation. Amy also shows us her email automation workflows for her clients—which she sets up for each destination and sometimes vendor—allowing her to spend more time getting to know her clients and providing that human touch. Everyone is welcome on this ride to learn about how a Disney-loving advisor opened up her agency to new destinations like Europe that many advisors think of as traditionally less accessible than cruises or US-based destinations and is reaping the benefits!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 103 Steph chats with Michelle Leal, Vice President. Member Engagement for Travel Edge, about switching from being a subagent to an independent contractor, choosing a niche, and they explain travel agent documents & waivers (Terms and Conditions, Service Agreement, and Liability Waiver).00:00 | Welcome to Friday 15 & Hello to Travel Edge!02:39 | From Sub Agent to IC11:05 | How to select a niche19:06 | Differences between waiversA 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!) (Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) Take the survey, get the free report! (HAR’s Travel Advisor reports have data on the average hours worked by advisor… and tons more!) (Find a travel niche) (Listen to our Travel Agent Chatter podcasts to find examples of different niches) (More in-depth niche worksheet (Tom Carpenter’s law office) (HAR’s free travel agent form templates + other form resources) (HAR’s Travel Waiver Form) (Tom’s Host Week EduSpot on T&Cs) (List of travel industry attorneys)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 102 Mary chats with Ali Moffitt, Marketing Manager for Andavo Travel about replacing a full-time job w/ a travel advisor job, how to find and generate more leads, and changing your EIN number and business structure.Helpful Resources: (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) (Upcoming survey opens next week, April 15th! Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) (Travel expenses article and free tax organizer! (HAR’s Travel Advisor reports have data on the average hours worked by advisor… and tons more!) (Travel Agent Chatter podcast: Example of advisor that is doing his agency PT while still holding down another job.) (HAR’s Lead Resource & Comparison Chart) (The Riveting IRS document, “Understanding your EIN”) (HAR’s Travel Agency Business Structures, How to Choose) (Andavo 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!

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 101 Steph chats with Stephanie Pickles, President & Founder of Pickles Travel about working in travel part-time, California regulations, and choosing a host with no reviews.Here's 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!) (Upcoming survey opens next week! Sign up for reminders and to get the final reports here.) (Travel expenses article and free tax organizer!) (HAR’s Travel Advisor reports have data on the average hours worked by advisor… and tons more!) (Travel Agent Chatter podcast: Example of advisor that is doing his agency PT while still holding down another job.) (Info on Seller of Travel licenses for US agencies) (Info on Canadian travel agency regulations by province) (Download the free questions to ask your host agency spreadsheet to keep you nice and organized!) (HAR’s article on MLMs) (Email or call scheduling is best way to reach the PTN team) (Pickles Travel Network HAR profile)https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15We 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! Today Steph chats about filling your company under a PO box, if you can use your personal vacation as a startup booking, and what to do when you have a business name availability problem.Here's 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!) (Free previews of HAR’s Complete Guide to Starting a Travel Agency Course first chapter with 7 lessons.) Travel expenses article! (Travel Agent Forum March 31st in Las Vegas. Stop by our booth or join us for the host agency panel Steph is moderating.) (Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Uniglobe Travel Center!) (USPS’ Street Addressing program allows you to get a street address for you PO Box) (Free tips on things to think about when choosing name for your agency) (The HAR course has a 6 page exercise to walk you through different ways to think about your name.)https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15📧 Never miss a HAR resource. Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 99 Steph chats with Geraldine Ree about how to find more and better leads, tips for saving time as an advisor, and tips on recruiting new advisors.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!) (HAR article on things to consider with lead programs and where to find some!) (Consortia profile list with details of lead programs) (Host profile list with details of lead programs) (Zicasso lead program for luxury agencies) (Sandra McLemore’s Host Week presentation on avoiding distractions) (Information on employee compensation and benefits from HAR’s annual survey) (Sign up to get reminders when the survey goes live and results are published!)https://www.geraldineree.com/ (Geraldine’s website)[email protected] (Geraldine’s email)https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15Submit 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 98 Steph chats about how to charge fees, marketing for wave season and providing services to clients outside your niche.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!) TAC episode on DWs/Honeymoons. Travel expenses article! (Travel Agent Forum March 31st in Las Vegas. Stop by our booth or join us for the host agency panel Steph is moderating.) (The Travel Agent’s Guide to Charging Fees. Verbiage for charging, inspiration for charging, and ideas on different fee structures) (Read all the HAR reports on fees through the years!) (More details and reviews on Virtuoso consortium. Also lists the host members of Virtuoso.)Not taking March 24th off. March 31st, Geraldine Ree. (More on Geraldine Ree)https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! 📧 Never miss a HAR resource. Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 97 Steph chats about choosing between a host and franchise and if you should get your own E&O insurance or use your Host Agency's (If they offer it). 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!) (Independent advisor report 2022) (Affiliate link for course in footer of the page) (Travel Agent Forum March 31st in Las Vegas. Join us on the host agency panel Steph is moderating.) (Franchise or Host Agency article) (List of industry franchises) (What is a host agency) (Do travel agents need E&O insurance. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know.) (Our course on Complete Guide to Starting a Travel Agency with video interviews with E&O carriers) (Thanks to our sponsor, Dream Vacations Advisor)Taking March 24th off. March 31st, Geraldine Ree. (More on Geraldine Ree)Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol25 ****** With 175 all-inclusive site visits under her belt, Ashley Morris may have a funny name to her agency --- Alpaca Your Bags Travel --- but she does not joke around when it comes to planning amazing destination weddings and honeymoons for her couples. Ashley’s website is now on its third iteration and this one is a beaut! Visually appealing, full of content and personality, and set up to streamline her operations, it’s a model for how to prime your prospective clients to fall in love with you and ensure they have a great experience their entire journey working with you. And that website is clearly doing something right because Ashley is clocking in an average wedding size of 80-90 guests and a most impressive 75% close ratio after her free consultation calls, there is a lot any advisor—destination weddings or not—can learn from her. It’s no surprise to us that her 9 year old agency is currently on track for $4M in sales for 2023!We discuss the various parts of her website including her new lead magnet, the custom page for each couple that seamlessly integrates into her site, the reservation form with live inventory of the group bloc and how she manages to head off future disasters with some unique questions she asks before guests get to the reservation form. Whether you’re new or experienced, doing groups or individuals, have a listen because this episode is chock-full of tips that are applicable to agencies of all sizes and types of travel!This episode is in memory of Will Medina. An icon in the travel industry destination wedding space who recently passed away unexpectedly. ❤️ ****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol25

Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 96 Steph chats about non-disparagement clause in host contracts, switching host agencies and how to do it, and if Canadian businesses can sell travel to clients in the states.A list of helpful resources for today’s episode:https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (HAR will be at Travel Agent Forum in Vegas from March 31st to April 3rd) (HAR’s new Ultimate Guide to Starting a Travel Agency course) (Host Agency Contracts: What to Look For) (Host Week Playlist on YouTube) (Ed Ventures, small, MN-based faith tour operator) (Faith Travel Association for networking) (ACTA’s website) (Montana’s secretary of state) (Uniglobe’s HAR profile)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 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 Forward Travel Advisors FB group)https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15Submit 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 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!📧 Never miss a HAR resource. Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter 🎧 Listen to our Podcast: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter 🤔Travel Agent Think Tank FB Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/TravelAgentThinkTank 🌴 Thinking of becoming a travel advisor? Join our FREE 7 Day Set Up program: https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-set-up

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 Network’s HAR profile)