Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen is going to chat about what a travel MLM is, MLM vs. a host agency, and disney dining tips.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
departurelounge.com/join-our-travel-advisor-team/
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-mlms
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-using-a-host-agency
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-hars-disney-world-planning-booking-cheatsheet
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/disney-dining-reservation-calculator
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/disney-world-tips-and-tricks-travel-agents-tell-all
https://www.disneyinstitute.com/professional-development-courses/

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 Never miss a HAR resource.
Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter:
www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter
🎧 Listen to our Podcast:
www.hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter
🤔 Travel Agent Think Tank FB Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/TravelAgentThinkTank
🌴 Thinking of becoming a travel advisor?
Join our FREE 7 Day Set Up program: hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-set-up ________________________________________________________________
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

Transcript + Notes

(39) F15: What is a Travel MLM, MLM vs Host Agency, Disney Dining Tips

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen is going to chat about travel agency website design, choosing your agency names, and our free marketing plan.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/wix-tutorial
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-websites
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-travel-agency-names
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-100-travel-agency-marketing-plan
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/free-diy-marketing-tools-for-travel-agents-2

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________ 
📧 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 ________________________________________________________________ 
Facebook:
 http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly 
Twitter: 
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn: 
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866 
 http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(35) F15: Travel Agency Website Design, Choosing Travel Agency Names, Marketing Plan

Join us as we pick the brain of Molly Williams, a 10-year travel industry veteran who specializes in bringing some of your favorite bands around the world. That’s right, her 6-woman remote team found a niche in entertainment/production travel! While production travel isn’t for everyone, Molly’s lessons apply to any agency moving large groups around.

And during that awful pandemic, Molly had an epiphany. She could either walk away or go all in and refresh her company. If you’ve considered a rebrand, Molly’s agency is one that’s done an amazing job. She worked with a pricing strategist to find out what fees she should charge and where. She worked with a copy writer to narrow down exactly the value she provided and what clients could expect working with her. She worked with a branding agency to turn her vision of her newly renamed agency, The Optimists Travel, into a reality.

For those that are looking for some ways to build corporate responsibility into your agency’s DNA, we’ve also got some inspiration for you on that front too! 

 ****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/tac21 ******
Special thanks to Uniworld River Cruises for sponsoring this episode.

Travel Agent Chatter, Vol. 21

Vol. 21 | How to do a complete rebrand RIGHT + Production Travel! Meet Molly.

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen chats about travel agency contracts, our 7-day setup program, and a CLIA number vs IATA.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-travel-agency-names
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-not-paying-commissions
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts
https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-set-up
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency
https://cruising.org/
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-clia-number

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 ________________________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(47) F15: Travel Agency Contracts, 7-Day Setup Program, CLIA vs IATA

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen chats with Joshua Harrell from Travel Quest Network about benefits with Travel Leaders affiliation, TQN training & onboarding program, TQN marketing tips.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-consortia-education
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tqn-q3-2021
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-travel-agency-names
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-clia-number

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!
Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 ________________________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(46) F15: Benefits of Travel Leaders Affiliation, TQN Training & Onboarding & Marketing Tips

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen chats with Lori Speers, CEO and Founder of Levarte Travel about benefits of TravelSavers & Affluent Travel Affiliation, Levarte Academy & advisor support and website & lead tools.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-consortia-education
https://www.thetravelinstitute.com/
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-websites
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/levarte-travel
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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 _____________________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(48) F15: Affluent Travel Affiliation, Levarte Academy and Website & Lead Tools

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen chats with Shannon Cunningham, Membership & Engagement Specialist for Gifted Travel Network about perks with Virtuoso affiliation, Gifted Travel Network MBA program and their support, coaching & mentoring

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-consortia-education
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/gifted-travel-network

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 _____________________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(49) F15: Perks of Virtuoso Affiliation, Gifted MBA Program and GTN Support, Coaching & Mentoring

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen chats with Chad Burt, Co-Owner of Outside Agent about their education programs, support, Mentoring and Networking Tips, Fraud Protection Program.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-building-work-community
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-4-travel-agency-marketing-tools
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/outside-agents-com
go.outsideagents.com/meet

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 ____________________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(50) F15: OA Education Programs, Support, Mentoring and Networking Tips, Fraud Protection Program

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats with Connie Miller, VP of Business Development of Montecito Village Travel why choose a virtuoso host agency, air consolidators, hosts with no ratings on HAR, and corporate travel for newbies.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops
https://hostagencyreviews.com/consortia/virtuoso
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/become-corporate-travel-agent
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-debit-memo
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-vol-5-karen-hurlbut-hurlbut-travel
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/lary-neron-airfare-consultant
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/airline-fare-types

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 ____________________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(51) F15:  Virtuoso Host, Air Consolidators, Hosts w/ no HAR Ratings, & Corporate Travel for Newbies

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats with Chris Green, Director of Network Expansion at Avoya Travel Network on travel agency accreditation options, how to process fees, travel MLMs, and if trainings transfer when moving hosts.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/feesurvey
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/seller-travel-laws-service-fees
https://youtu.be/4Gh3KOJBP9M?t=1336
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-mlms
Chris.Greene@avoyatravel.com

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 _______________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(52) F15: Accreditation Options, Processing Fees, Travel MLMs, Do Trainings Transfer if Moving Hosts

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats with Stephanie Cannon, founder of SC Travel Design, on travel expense write offs, personal travel with a work component, accounting software, a gives some tax tips.

HERE'S A LIST OF HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR TODAY’S EPISODE:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/events

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-expenses

www.withstephaniecannon.com/taxprepkit

https://withstephaniecannon.com/kyn-challenge

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________

📧 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 ________________________________________________________________

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews

http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly

Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws

http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/

LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866

http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(53) F15: Travel Expense Write Offs, Personal Travel, Accounting Software, Tax Tips

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph talks about lead programs for agents, whether you need a business license, and about asking client to pay commission.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/free-travel-agency-business-plan-template
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees 

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! If you found this helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment!

Listen to our Podcast
❤️ If you found the video helpful, we'd love it if you could give it a like, drop us a comment! 💬 __________________________________________________
📧 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 ________________________________________________________________
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/hostagencyreviews
http://www.facebook.com/iamstephly
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/hostagencyrvws
http://www.twitter.com/iamstephly
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hostagencyreviews/
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2534866
http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephly

(54) F15:  Lead Programs for Agents, Business Licensing, Asking Client to Pay Commission

An entrepreneur twice over, Laurie Burg has seen her sales skyrocket from $15M pre-pandemic, to $20M today. 

We sit down and talk with Laurie about why she made the decision to have her Disney-only agency broaden its focus beyond the World of Walt. 

Not only that, we discuss how she has managed to make the complex Disney bookings with low commissions profitable. (gasp!) The past ten years, she’s managed to iron out all the wrinkles and systemized the Disney booking process for both agents and clients, cutting down friction and optimizing conversions through thoughtful tweaks, such as different quote forms based on where clients are in the customer journey. 

Laurie also shares some tips on how she build community in her team of advisors. During the pandemic she realized the importance of motivating her team and keeping spirits up, which resulted in the creation of a recognition program.  

Whether you’re a Disney booking agency, a person looking for small changes you can add to your website to increase our sales, or someone looking at how to build a remote team, we’ve got a little something for all of you. 

 ****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/tac22

Travel Agent Chatter

Notes +Transcript

Vol 22 | This Disney agency uses systematization for max profits. Remote Team Tips.  Meet Laurie.

Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats about trainings offered for corporate advisors, booking school groups and if you should join a host, and a UK agency with same name as me.

Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://www.gbta.org/professional-development/global-travel-professional-certification-gtp
https://asta.org/become (use promo code HAR149 for 50% off)
https://www.gbta.org/professional-development/gbta-academy-career-path
https://www.bunnyboot.camp/courses/travel-agent-training
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/valerie-gossett-premier-resources-travel-group
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-vol-5-karen-hurlbut-hurlbut-travel
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/3-ways-travel-agents-save-you-money
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-vs-booking-online
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-travel-agency-names
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umjhBBmBpTQ
https://uspto.gov/
https://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/

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!

(59) F15: Trainings for Corporate Advisors, Booking School Groups, UK Agency with Same Name as Me

This previously aired June 18, 2021

In our 15th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee chats on three key industry issues:

1. Booking with Non-Preferred Suppliers
2. How to Start a Travel Agency
3. Travel Agent Training (What's available + when to take it)

If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here (bonus points if you can stump Steph!) Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

A List of Relevant Resources for Today’s Episode: 

https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/survey

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-dangers-of-independent-contractor-travel-agent-misclassification

https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-set-up

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-education

Transcript & Notes

(16) Friday15 - Booking With Non-Preferred Suppliers, How To Start An Agency, Travel Agent Training

A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Erica Carr stumbled into travel in 2019, booking a jaw-dropping 100 trips her first year … just in time for the worldwide pandemic. But ain’t no pandemic stopping this lady. Nope, Erica and her team of three employees are on track to bring in $2.2M in sales for 2022!

Bookitbox TRAVEL is a luxury travel agency with a spin. Every client gets a box pre-departure with travel info and gifts personalized to their unique itinerary. As they say at Bookitbox, “All boxed up and TSA approved.” Join us as we take a peek inside her boxes and Erica shares why she thinks the boxes have been so instrumental in helping her agency grow. 

Oh, and copy cats. Most of us face them at one time or another. As you’ll find out, Erica is entirely transparent in what she does with the boxes and how it’s helped. So how does she deal with other businesses taking pages from her playbook? It might surprise you! 😊 

We’ll chat with Erica on how she made the transition from never having really traveled in the high-end luxury space ended up opening a successful agency that has a $10k minimum spend for clients. She’ll share with us her approach of ‘loving on her clients’ and how she surprises clients throughout their journey with small gifts and unexpected touchpoints.  

We’ll also touch on how she used the pandemic to systematize her agency so that coming out of the pandemic, she saw hockey stick growth in her sales. Through all this, she grew her team of employees throughout the US. If you’re wondering how to manage a remote team and hire the right people for your agency without being able to be in the same office, Erica has some tips for you on that too. 

Settle in and get ready as we take a deep dive into yet another success agency owner’s story!

****** Special thanks to our sponsor, Levarte Travel: https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/levarte-travel ******

 ****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol24

Trascript + Show Notes

Vol 24 | $0 to 2.2M in 4 (pandemic) years. Surprise travel box w/goodies for clients. Meet Erica!

Welcome to this week's Friday 15 brought to you by our sponsors at Incentive Connection Travel! Today Steph chats about SBA loans to supercharge your agency start, best E&O insurance coverage, and host agency for African travel.

Helpful Resources:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/incentive-connection-travel
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/hosted-travel-advisor-income-fee-report-2022 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license 

We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here https://Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!

(89) Fri15: SBA Loan to Supercharge Agency Start, E&O Insurance Coverage, African Travel Host Agency

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:
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/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip (New article on FAM trips: What they are and how to find them!)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/speakers (Call for Host Week speakers is open! Submit your Eduspot idea!)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-dangers-of-independent-contractor-travel-agent-misclassification (What happens if an independent contractor is reclassified as an employee? All about IC misclassification.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (What to look for in your contract with host agencies.)
https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/trade-secrets (Travel Weekly’s Trade Secrets with Emma Weissman and Jamie Biesada — ask questions about the industry)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tin-lounge/id1515614510 (TIN Lounge with Theresa Chu-Bermudez and Korrine Johnson – TAs sharing their experiences and best practices)
https://academy.travefy.com/category/podcast/ (Travefy’s The Lounge)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn4S0mV4zMk&t=17900s (Host Week presentation of travel advisors who have started their own podcasts)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/travelpulse-podcast/id1413420919 (Travel Pulse’s podcast)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/outside-agents-com (Outside Agents’ profile on HAR)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (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!

(115) Host contract that only allow you to book through them & travel advisor related podcast

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:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-volume-7-lu-maggiora-travel-by-lu (TAC episode where advisor uses a FB group for her clients)

https://youtu.be/jhvwlonYW_s (Jenn’s webinar: How to Create a FB Community That Converts)

https://youtu.be/QdHEWugusTE (Jenn’s webinar: Facebook Content That Converts)

https://www.asta.org/professional-development/asta-mentoring-program (ASTA’s mentoring program)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/events (Find a travel industry event)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/make-your-travel-conference-count (Read this before a travel industry event to help you make the most of it!)

http://www.wmnswork.com/ (The tourism industry’s award-winning business accelerator program for women and non-binary early-stage entrepreneurs.)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-planners-international (TPI’s profile on HAR)

jennl@tpionline.com (Jenn’s contact)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fiercelyforwardtraveladvisors/ (Jenn’s Fiercely Forward FB Group)

https://travelplannersinternational.com (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!

(120) Facebook Marketing, Travel Advisor Mentors, Sole Proprietor vs. LLC

Aubrey Jackson's 10 years of journalistic experience and love of travel serve as the perfect ingredients for content creation success. The TV news anchor turned luxury travel specialist discovered organic marketing success by creating content that "tell stories" of destinations she highlights, further educating her online audience while enlightening her clients.

During this Host Week workshop you will learn how to utilize storytelling to create content that informs your audience and inspires them to complete an action like "book a call" with you and leave the session with actionable steps to begin creating content today and the best apps to use and download right to your iphone, to create 30 to 60 length video content that converts!

Take away:

•- Identifying "your go to platform" short form content is everywhere and though you may feel like you have to be, I advise choosing a platform to master and in this session I will share why Tiktok became my "platform of choice" 

- What type of storyteller are you?
Story Type #1: Educational Story. ... (inform and educate)
Story Type #2: Entertainment Story. ... (sell a dream)
Story Type #3: Vulnerable/personal Story. ... (share a relatable experience)

- Best apps to download to and use for editing on your phone

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

2024 Host Week - Fri - EduSpots, Storytelling To Sell, Aubrey Jackson

Tune in to see if you won. :) We'll see you next year! 

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

2024 Host Week - Fri - Prize Giveaways + Closing

****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol29

Special thanks to today’s sponsor: Caffeine

Today’s guest is a former professional fundraiser who put those skills to work and went from travel being a part time job on the side in 2017 to full time in June 2018. 

Here’s the thing to know though. Even with $2.5M in sales, that’s not the metric our guest watches. This travel advisor has niched down into groups—both destination weddings and celebrations groups—with a minimum of 10 rooms and an average spend of $500-1000 per guest, per day. 

The metric she does watch is the steady income that comes from her group booking fee of $5,000 per group and the 18 clients that are in her VIP club where there is a $6.5k a year annual retainer that has a minimum annual travel spend of $50k, and that doesn’t include air. 

For today’s guest, commission is just icing on the cake. 

Courtnie Nichols is a study in crafting the business of your dreams by thinking about what you want out of life and reverse engineering your business to fit the lifestyle you want. She only books one destination wedding a month. She takes most of Friday off and focuses on self-care. She lays out who she wants to work with and sticks to it. And December? Forget about it! She and the TravelBash team take the entire month of December off.

So come along for an inspirational conversation with a travel advisor who isn’t afraid to do things differently and by doing so, has found a work-life balance others dream of and a steady income stream that no pandemic or natural disaster can wreak havoc on.

Transcript +Show Notes

Vol 29 5k group booking fee. 6.5k retainer w/50k min annual spend. Content marketing. Meet Courtnie

In episode 162 Steph Lee is joined by Chad Burt of Outside Agents. We’ve got some great questions from you all. Speaking of – if you have a question for Steph and her co-hosts, please submit it here for a future episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !

1.	Do the airlines still give commissions on flights? If not, what is the benefit of an $2300 ARC #?  —Anonymous		


2.	Hello! I have a quick question about workflows. If you have a travel services agreement, is it better to have clients sign that before or after you send quotes/proposals? I don't want to scare clients away before they see options, but I also don't want to waste my time! —Kristin R. 

	


RESOURCES:


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/agent-etiquette-on-fam-trips-benefits-of-the-gds-should-i-belong-to-asta (Friday 15 going over benefits of GDS system)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (In-depth information on what the GDS, global distribution system, is and which travel advisors use it.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-an-arc-number (What is an ARC number?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation (A list of the different travel agent accreditation options.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions (All about travel agent commissions, including airline commissions.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency (Explainer of what a host agency is)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-qualify-clients-travel-agent (How to qualify clients and recordings of real travel advisor conversations to qualify their clients)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/free-travel-agent-forms-clients (Free travel agent forms from HAR)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-waivers-protect-your-travel-agency (Travel waiver forms from HAR)

Ask Your Questions

162  Do Airline Commissions Still Exist  Travel Services Agreements - When Should A Client Sign

In episode 163 Steph is co-hosting with Lindsay Taylor of Travel Leaders 365, If you have a question for Steph and her co-hosts, please submit it here for a future episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !

1.	I work as an independent contractor so I already have an LLC for non travel related business. I was wondering if I could just add a "second" DBA and use the same LLC to start the travel business but continue to work on my full time job as another name. So basically 2 DBAs under one LLC? I live in Florida. Thanks!  —Anonymous			

2.	Hello, so I live in the US and want to help people in Guyana, South America purchase flights to travel to and from the US and charge a small fee. I want to use sites like Priceline and Expedia and Booking to purchase the flights. Sort of an off the books business. Is this possible? —Mike S. 

3. 	Hi, I’m curious about startup/yearly/monthly fees. I keep reading that it's a red flag if a travel host charges. In your opinion and experience, what do you want to look for when searching for a host? Thanks! –Jamie K.


RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-business-structures (The options for your travel agency’s business structure — pros and cons)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)
https://www2.arccorp.com/support-training/fraud-prevention/ (ARC’s fraud prevention webinar)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-debit-memo (What is a travel agency debit memo?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (In-depth information on what the GDS, global distribution system, is and which travel advisors use it.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-leaders-365 (TL 365’s HAR profile)

https://TL365.com (TL 365’s website)

ltaylor@tl365.com (Lindsay’s email address)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)

2 DBAs under 1 LLC? Off-the-books flight-booking? Are agency fees a red flag?

In episode 164 Steph is co-hosting again with Lindsay Taylor of Travel Leaders 365. Have a look at the questions below that they cover in this rich and informative edition of the Friday 15! 

1.	Hi Steph. I worked as a Travel Manager at my previous company, however, it was a created position and I used a combination of Concur, Expedia, Hotels.com, National Car rental and all the other sites. I loved this position but it all went away during Covid. Now, I'd like to get back into it but everything I'm interested in requires some Sabre experience. I know it's easy and I know I could do it but do you think it's worth taking the 60 hour course with The Travel Institute? Is there a better place to obtain this training? It could add a few lines on my resume and I'm great with self-study. $149 doesn't seem high for getting some experience. What are your thoughts? Thanks for your time! :)  —Anonymous			

2.	Hi Steph. I have a diploma from Penn Foster and when I look at the CTA, I feel like I've already done all of the same lessons. Is it better to have one of these certifications over the diploma I've already received? Are these just better recognized and received by people in the industry and clients? It seems like these have a more elevated status over my diploma. Is that the case?  —Anonymous

3. 	I refunded a non refundable ticket by accident. The agency paid it back but now I'm on the hook for over $6000. The airline does not reverse the transaction so the traveler has a credit. Have you ever worked with this? I would like to find out how this is even legal?  ---Anonymous 


RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (In-depth information on what the GDS, global distribution system, is and which travel advisors use it.)
https://www.thetravelinstitute.com/product/sabre-personal-trainer/ (Travel Institute’s program)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/become-corporate-travel-agent (Tips on how to become a corporate travel agent.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/molly-williams-the-optimists-travel (TAC episode with Molly Williams. 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-certification (What travel agent certification is and isn’t. Plus, what are the certifications out there for agents?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-debit-memo (What is a travel agency debit memo?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (In-depth information on what the GDS, global distribution system, is and which travel advisors use it.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-leaders-365 (TL 365’s HAR profile)

https://TL365.com (TL 365’s website)

ltaylor@tl365.com (Lindsay’s email address)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)

(164) Course to Learn Sabre? Benefits of Certifications? Paying 6K for a Mistake – Is This Legal?

In episode 165 Steph is co-hosting David Meihoefer of Travel Planners International. Here’s a taste of the questions they’ll cover! 

1.	Hello, as a founding partner of an IATA accredited travel agency with plans to move to the United States by the end of the summer to operate from home, will I still have to go through all the stages of ARC-IATAN? Could HAR provide me with end-to-end support in this regard considering your 7 day agency setup program? Thanks & Regards.  —Roland Y.			

2.	Before I started my travel agency I created a few Facebook groups to get the ball rolling. I have 5 groups currently all specific to Royal Caribbean and their ships. Combined they have over 120k members and growing daily. It's a fantastic source for leads. 

This is where my question comes in. 
They are all public groups and in the rules it states "Pirates be Gone" no selling or promoting business within the groups. I have many many travel agents doing whatever they can to get leads from the groups. I have had to remove members, ban members for just doing their jobs as travel agents. Some are vultures and it's ridiculous. 
How do I handle this? I do not want to remove anyone, we all learn from these groups, we all make connections but I also put in 100s of hours creating content and managing these spaces to benefit my own agency. 
Is there a happy medium? We are new to the travel industry and it really stinks watching others swoop in and take potential sales away. We have had some downright nasty messages come through because of this, but we have also had some very nice messages with people willing to help. 
Any feedback you can provide would be great. Thank you for all of the incredible information you have provided, it has been invaluable. 
Thank you, Travis



RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-accelerator (HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course on starting your agency)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/iata-number (What is an IATA number?) 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-certification (What travel agent certification is and isn’t. Plus, what are the certifications out there for agents?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation (A list of the different travel agent accreditation options.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-an-arc-number (What is an ARC number?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads (How to build a client base and find leads)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-4-travel-agency-marketing-tools (Promoting your travel agency on social media with these tools) 

https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-planners-international
(Travel Planners International’s profile on HAR) 

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)

165  Moving An IATA - Accredited Agency To U S   Client Poaching On Facebook Groups!

****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol30 ******

Special thanks to today’s sponsors: Travel Edge and Uniglobe Travel Center

Today’s guest got her start in the industry with the inside sales team at Travel Impressions. After a reorg, Veranda Adkins decided to start her own agency, Travel Legacy. She gave herself 6 months to see if she could make things work. She’s yet to look back. 

Having been in the shoes of a supplier, Veranda tells us how advisors—even those just started out—can strengthen supplier relationships to help grow their agency.

Celebrating 10 years of business, Veranda has grown her agency to an impressive $1.5M in annual sales. In the past decade, she’s evolved from selling mainly cruises to now doing destination weddings as well as escorting 8-10 groups a year around the world. 

A firm believer in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, Veranda focuses her destination wedding business with one supplier, resulting in an elite status that helps to ensure her clients have an amazing stay AND results in a client satisfaction rate of 99%.  

And for those feeling like work encroaches on their personal life way more than they’d like, our guest has managed to find the work-life balance that eludes many entrepreneurs. She shares with us how avoiding FITs is part of her strategy to ensure she continues to love her job and has downtime to rejuvenate.
 
You’ll hear how to avoid losing your business Facebook page after a hack. From first hand experience, Veranda gives us two simple fail-safes so you can avoid the heartache and hassle she experienced.

Join us as we dig into groups with our globetrotting guest!

Transcript + Show Note

Vol. 30 Come with Me Groups. $1.5M niche w/a work-life balance. Lessons from FB hack. Meet Veranda.

In episode 166 Steph is co-hosting with Chad Burt of Outside Agents. Here are the questions they’ll tackle together this week! 

1.	I'm currently doing The Travel Institute’s TripKit course. Should I complete the CTA course before I start contacting host agencies? Also, what CTA course do you recommend (The Travel Institute, ASTA, etc…)  ---Anonymous				

2.	I'm interested in learning more about utilizing press releases for attendance of industry events and/or FAMS. How would you recommend doing that? ---Anonymous

RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-certification (What travel agent certification is and isn’t. Plus, what are the certifications out there for agents?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-business-press-release-templates-and-guide 
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip (Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them + Etiquette)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection (How Travel Advisors Can Make the Most of a Cruise Ship Inspection)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection (The Definitive Site Inspection Checklist)
https://form.jotform.com/241655302194150 (Become a HAR subject matter expert! Fill out the form and get quoted or appear in future HAR resources.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)

(166) What’s a good CTA course? Tell Me About Press Releases!

In episode 167 Steph hosts an episode on Disney and Seller of Travel laws! Also Chad Burt of Outside Agents pops in for some greetings and feedback! 


1. I am a new agent as of early spring 2024, so I am just getting my business known out into my community. I do live on a relatively small island in the PNW so I am excited to help facilitate tropical winter trips for the people who live here year round. 
I just signed on with the Chamber of Commerce so I am looking forward to getting more exposure in my community. 

Though I am excited to book tropical vacations, I am extra enthusiastic about booking Disney trips and specifically Disney World vacations since booking a trip can be complex with all of the various components. I love the parks and resorts and think I could be very helpful to potential clients but I am worried there aren't enough Disney goers in my local community.  

Do you all have any tips or suggestions for gathering Disney clients specifically? I do have a group set up on Facebook called "Tropical Getaways and Disney Days" but so far all members are family and friends. Thank you! —Shandra A.
    
2. Should I seek out a host agency if I live in WA state that adheres to WA seller of travel laws? ---Anonymous



RESOURCES:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-business-press-release-templates-and-guide (Press release templates and guide to writing!)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/best-disney-travel-agents-booking-secrets (Best Disney Travel Agents Share their Booking Secrets)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/amy-garner-wicked-travel-concierage (TAC episode with Amy Garner who focuses on accessibility and Disney when she started)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/vol-22-laurie-burg-cupcakes-castle-travel-company (TAC episode with Laurie Burg on how she systematized booking Disney)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn4S0mV4zMk&t=9850s (Host Week 2023 session on The Marketing Playbook with Erica Carr)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acWJe1gyY5U&t=18945s (Host Week 2023 session on 5 Steps to Building a Marketing Plan with Christine Hardenberger)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-100-travel-agency-marketing-plan ($100 Marketing Plan)
https://www.youtube.com/live/b8PvbmxA35U?feature=shared&t=7421 (Host Week 2024 session on Reels Blueprint: Create 30 reels in 20 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/live/tT7cHbr_y-g?feature=shared&t=18225 (Host Week 2024 session Storytelling to Sell with Aubrey Jackson)
https://sourceofsources.com/ (The new HARO!)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license#WA (Details on Seller of Travel registration for Washington)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)

(167) How Do I Sell Disney  Ins And Outs Of Seller Of Travel

Discover how wellness expert Lauren Pronger + NHL Hall of Famer Chris Pronger created a luxury agency combining health, peak performance, + 5 star experiences.

Vol. 31 | NHL Star to Luxury Travel: How This Power Couple Built a Wellness-Focused Travel Agency. Meet Lauren + Chris.

View the video, transcript, and show notes at: https://har.news/vol32

Today's guest made the leap from tech project management to travel advising in 2023 while living abroad in Switzerland. Within just two years, she's grown her agency, Your Travel Story, to nearly 6 times the sales from Year 1.

What makes Grace Camoglu’s journey particularly fascinating is how she balances being an FIT travel advisor with living in Switzerland, raising two young children (ages 8 and 11), and primarily serving North American clients—all while operating in a different time zone.

Grace has embraced fees from day one, starting with $200 and now charging $500 per household for a 7-10 day trip. She'll share how she's navigated time zone challenges, host agency selection as an expat, and why she believes in charging fees from the beginning.

For Grace, travel is a family tradition. Her father, who worked at a travel agency in Taiwan before immigrating to the U.S., instilled a love of exploration in her from an early age. Now, she's passing that passion along to her own children while building a business that works for her family's unique situation.

Tune in for practical insights on building a travel business abroad and how you can take an objective look at your workflow and use time tracking to hone in on the inefficient areas that are costing you money. 

And for icing on the cake, Grace will share with use some insider tips for your clients next trip to Switzerland!

Transcript+Show Notes

Vol 32 | Ex-pat living 6,000 miles from your clients. Maximum efficiency w/time tracking. Charging fees from day one. Meet Grace from Switzerland.

 ****** Transcript, Images + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol33 ******

What happens when you combine a Lord of the Rings obsession, a dragon-themed jeep, and a charismatic entrepreneur? You get Rocky Dimico, the owner of Flights and Fables - one of the most uniquely branded travel agencies we've ever featured! 

Rocky went full-time from day one after a life-changing trip to New Zealand sparked his "aha" moment. But this isn't just another niche story - it's a masterclass in building a brand that people can't ignore. We're talking dragon logos on Jeeps, black tents with gold dragons at vendor events complete with a travel advisor dressed as a wizard, and a business name that came from surveying his Dungeons & Dragons community.

You'll hear how Rocky's gone from zero to hero in just 20 months, selling 6 Lord of the Rings themed trips to New Zealand , expanding into anime/Japan travel, and booking his first groups. His vendor event strategy alone has generated multiple five-figure bookings from $35 investments.

But here's what makes this episode special: Rocky's approach to partnerships, networking, and community building that every entrepreneur can steal. From his Chamber of Commerce connections that led to 4 media articles, to his creative partnerships with map makers and IV therapy businesses, to finding a mentor advisor as his agency grew.

Whether you're looking for inspiration on niche development, want to see what fearless branding looks like, or need ideas for finding clients through in-person events, this episode will knock your socks off.

Plus, stick around to hear about Rocky's big dreams for brick-and-mortar fantasy travel shops in downtown areas across the country and how he successfully found a travel advisor mentor.

Vol 33 | He turned a love of D&D into $30k bookings. $35 events = 5-figure bkgs. Meet Rocky.

Discover how this Andrey Zakharenko of Russian Connections/Always Travel worked his way up from an agency intern at 17, to agency owner of a travel agency with $3.5M in sales. Hear about his most successful marketing techniques, the benefits (and challenges) of a dual brand agency, and why he charges service fees (and how he found the perfect sweet spot for how much to charge). 

Show Notes + Transcript + Pics: https://goo.gl/oASXbx

Subscribe today so you don’t miss another episode: https://har.news/newsletter

Transcription + Notes

Vol. 1 | From Travel Agency Intern to Owner of $3.5M Agency. Meet Andrey.

You won't want to miss the tips from a 35-year veteran travel agent, Karen Hurlbut! We discuss how to get the best deal for your meeting client (and she has some really great tips!), the balance of booking leisure vs. corporate travel, and Karen's favorite places for continuing education.    | | | |   Show Notes + Transcript + Pics: https://goo.gl/upmLZ1

Special thanks to our sponsor: Travel Quest

Subscribe today so you don’t miss another episode: https://har.news/newsletter

Vol. 5 | How to Get the Best Deal for Your Meeting Clients + Booking Corporate. Meet Karen.

We talk all things destination weddings with Will Medina of Destination Weddings Expert, a travel advisor whose only form of marketing is social media. Not bad for a guy booking ~20 DWs a year, averaging 50 guests each!    | | | |   Show Notes + Transcript + Video/Pics: http://har.news/tac9

Subscribe today so you don’t miss another episode: https://har.news/newsletter

Vol.9 | This Destination Wedding Travel Agent Only Markets Through Social Media. Meet Will.

Join us as Valerie, owner of a $6M agency, imparts her wisdom on group bookings. Her theory? If you're not doing groups, you're leaving $40k on the table every year. Find out how Valerie filled her 196 person group in just one month, what you should always have in your groups contracts and how she's trained her clients that booking early is truly when you get the best pricing. Thank you this episode's sponsor, KHM Travel Group!    ++++  Show Notes + Transcript + Pics: http://har.news/tac10

Subscribe today so you don’t miss another episode: https://har.news/newsletter

Vol. 10 | How This Group Specialist Filled Her 196-person Group Cruise in One Month. Meet Valerie.

Andres Zuleta started Boutique Japan 7 years ago using content marketing and a lot of sweat equity. How did they grow using organic web traffic to be a remote team of six with $3.2M in sales? How do they manage a location-independent team? Listen to find out. ++++ Show Notes and Transcript + Video/Pics: http://har.news/tac12

Special thanks to our sponsor, KHM Travel!

Subscribe today so you don’t miss another episode: https://har.news/newsletter

Vol. 12 | Building a Remote Team + Using Organic Web Traffic to Build a $3.2M Agency. Meet Andres.

With 85% of his income from his air-only travel agency coming from fees, Lary Neron is living proof that you can make money in airfare. And he insists his philosophy goes beyond airfare and can be applied to any travel niche. Find out what he does to be able to earn 85% of his income from air ticketing fees ranging from $60-500 per ticket!    | | | |   Show Notes + Transcript + Video/Pics: https://har.news/vol17

Subscribe today so you don’t miss another episode: https://har.news/newsletter

Vol. 17 | He sells $775k/yr worth of air with $60-500/tix fees. Find out how you can too! Meet Lary.

We’ve got two listening delights for you on this channel, folks! 😲 

The first is Travel Agent Chatter (TAC), a spotlight interview of a wide variety of travel advisors that we publish every quarter. 

The second is our shorter, but more frequent Friday 15 series, where every Friday we answer your travel industry questions for — you guessed it — 15 minutes!

Travel Agent Chatter -- a Host Agency Reviews audio series -- talks about all things travel. We specialize in-depth interviews with travel agents from all walks of life.

Whether you’re a new or experienced travel advisor, we help you up your game by sharing where other travel agencies have found success and offering inspiring stories from the front lines!

Transcripts, videos and show notes of the TAC episodes can be found at https://hostagencyreviews.com/TAC

And every Friday at 12pm CT we publish the Friday 15 to our TAC feed. It’s 15 minutes over the lunch hour, where we answer your travel industry questions. Submit your questions and watch videos of the Friday 15 at https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15.

Travel Agent Chatter and the Friday 15 are hosted by Steph Lee, the founder of the website Host Agency Reviews and travel industry veteran. She's insatiably curious. A lover of travel, writing, gardening & the stars. Most importantly, she ♥'s her dogs, Fennec and Orion!

Travel Agent Chatter :and: Friday 15

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