Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

This week for the Friday 15, we've got a special in-house HAR special with Jenn Myers and Rita Perez! So much to catch up on, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! 

1. I’m a relatively new advisor (I started about a year and a half ago) and I am trying to understand the concept of “leads”. My host agency (which I love!) does not have a lead generation program, and I would really like to see how a lead works and practice using my training and skills with a mock lead. Do you know of any programs or practice websites/workbooks for this? Also, in the future how might I generate real leads on my own? Thank you for everything you all do! - Lisa
2. I've signed up with a host agency, and done the online education, but I am still pretty confused about how to create FIT trips through the host. For years I have run my own trips and have strong relationships with specific hotels, lodges, transportation companies and tour guides. There are specific hotels and lodges that I always use when I book trips. Now that I have my own company and a host agency, I am realizing that none of my contacts/hotels, etc. are used or even findable on the host agency's site. When I did my initial call with the host agency, they said it wasn't a problem to book non preferred suppliers, but now I am not getting any info about how to book these hotels and lodges that I want to for upcoming trips. I can book these hotels and lodges with an OTA or directly with the hotel or lodge, but am I then liable as the supplier since I didn't book through the host agency? I was told by the attorney who I hired to do my Terms and Conditions that it was important for me to book everything through the host agency for my protection, but I am not sure how to do that. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you from another Minnesotan! So grateful for your work with new advisors!! - Heather
3. I'm a new advisor and the host agency's booking platform is soooo complicated! I'm still trying to make it through the training. Thinking about switching to another host. Are booking platforms so complicated in general? How can you find out? - Marsha

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This week for the Friday 15, it’s the RETURN OF STEPH LEE as she cohosts with Lori Speers of Levarte, now a KHM travel company.  So much to catch up on, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! 

1. I am wanting to transition from working fulltime at home for my current job, to owning my own homebased travel business.  I still need to keep my fulltime salary while my travel business ramps up.  I have been researching into host agencies, and think this is the way I will go.  If I do choose to go this path, what should I expect?  Will I have a specific contact that will help me (hold my hand) while I get started? - Kristen
2. Question regarding the registration of my travel agency: I'm French, I'm thinking of being hosted by a host agency based in the U.S and therefore register my agency as a LLC in the U.S since it's the easiest model for foreigners. Are there any specificity I need to be aware of? For example, what lawyer should I use? - Lohan
3. How do you start a partnership with someone? Someone wants to "get into" travel with me. I specialize in cruises. She has done alot of all Inclusives, been to several destination weddings so that would be hers. What's your thoughts on this? - Denise

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This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions. We’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! 

1. I'm very confused and overwhelmed by the FIT "best practice" for travel advisors.  When advisors put together a/an FIT, do they always use tour suppliers (like Classic Vacations/Project Expeditions, etc), or make it themselves by reaching out directly to tour operators (if price is more favorable to client), or just patch things together with a DMC? How do advisors find DMCs if they don't have connections? Thank you in advance. 
2. With hosts, what start up costs can I expect when joining. Is it better to join one that charges a flat monthly rate, or pay a lot every year or a one-time fee? There's got to be setbacks for each one, I'd imagine. Any other costs with a host I should consider?
3.  How do I determine what my niche is? I feel like I will only make money if I sell luxury. 

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This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST, and you know it’s gonna be good. Join us! 

1. I worked as an independent contractor for a brick-and-mortar agency before covid. BDMs visited us regularly with updates, and stayed to chat. Their presence drew attendees and raised my credibility. Unfortunately, that agency has the worst split in the business. I switched to a host agency with a much better split and no fees or minimum sales, but they're on the opposite coast.

Now my BDMs, whom I've never met, are on the other side of the country and aren't about to co-host events or invite me to anything. BDMs based near me can't help because they work in territories. I never sold much with the new host and basically went dormant. Now, I'm planning to relaunch. However, the lack of BDM contact and support is paralyzing. How do the thousands of agents working in far-flung locations deal with this? Those I've talked with don't seem to realize the value of BDMs, both personally and professionally. Any advice? - Linda

1. I am just starting out as a cruise specialist agent. I have seen other agents promoting group bookings that appear to be created by them with lower than advertised rates and extra perks. Can you explain how this works and the pros/cons of this? I know I am not ready for this yet, but I am very interested in how someone gets started with this and how it works. Thanks, - Travel Dad Matt
2. I have been in the industry for just over 2 years working part time while I build up my business. I am curious about host agency commission splits and why some host agencies have higher commission splits. I notice there is a range of agency commission splits 70/30, 80/20 or 90/10.  Right now I am at a 70/30 split and I wonder if this is an average commission split?  I wonder for host agencies with higher commission splits is it because they offer more perks or benefits than host agencies with a 90/10 split. - Michelle

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This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Betsy of Uniglobe Travel Center. We’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! 

1. I'm a disabled travel agent just starting. I'm nervous about Fam trips. how can I explain or how can a host agency help me go on Fam trips - Michelle
2. I am thinking about switching to another host agency because the one I am with really does not reach out to ask me why my sales are low. It is very difficult to find clients, I would like to sign up with a host agency that will reach out to their members to help them to figure were they are struggling and be more involved. And do I lose all my credentials that I already with some vendors. I have completed my different trainings and courses?
3. I am just stepping into starting a travel agency at the very early stages and still working what it would look like for me. When considering a niche and a business name, I suspect having the niche in the business name can help, but would it cause issues if I wanted to pivot or expand to a different niche at some point in the future and possibly require a business name change and rebranding challenges. Do you have any advice or should I just worry about the future in the future.

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