Travel Experts Shares Why Independent Travel Advisors Should Join a Host Agency

As the travel industry has changed over the decades, the result is that many travel advisors are re-evaluating their business; how they work and who they work with including suppliers as well as their consortium or Host Agency. 

“It has been said that the company that an independent travel advisor keeps makes all the difference in their ability to survive and be successful, especially now as the travel industry faces challenges as a result of our ever-changing environment,” said Susan Ferrell, President & Owner of Travel Experts, the premier Host Agency with more than 500 independent advisors. 

“Selecting the optimum Host Agency is an important decision not to be taken lightly,” Ferrell notes. Joining a Host Agency can provide opportunities to independent travel advisors that maximizes revenue potential, offers effective marketing, provides technology solutions and, most important, a support staff.  

The right Host Agency can take an independent advisor to a higher level of business, expanding their client base and relieving them of internal office issues. 

“One of the keys to finding the right Host Agency is to remember that not all host agencies are created equal, making it imperative to understand the differences between the competition,” Ferrell says, adding: “Advisors need to make sure there are no hidden costs or procedures that could undermine the profit potential.”

Travel Experts provides it’s member advisors with 100% of all commissions including air, tour, cruise, car and hotel bookings and the agency earns some of the highest commission levels in the industry. There are also no start-up fees to join, and advisors pay only a flat monthly fee to be a member with no long-term contract required.

Independent travel advisors often join a Host Agency to save money as they reduce overhead costs. “However, we caution that advisors should also look for contract flexibility as another way to minimize costs,” Ferrell says. Some Host Agencies offer long-term contracts which may require higher fees to be paid, while others may have hidden costs, all which can erode the advisor’s bottom line.

Many advisors seek to join a consortium or Host Agency to increase their commission earnings. Expanded commission opportunities mean independent contractors earn more. But Ferrell says “It’s vital to compare the levels of commissions in order to maximize revenue potential. Not all plans are alike and advisors need to compare.”

The marketing assistance provided by a Host Agency is another key ingredient as it allows an independent advisor to more robustly grow their business.

Taking advantage of the opportunities and connections that a Host Agency provides can make a significant difference to an independent advisor’s earning potential. The supplier relationships that a Host Agency has can help an advisor and give them a competitive edge when working with clients.

Through an affiliation with Travel Experts, advisors also get access to Virtuoso, including personalized marketing materials.  

One of the most crucial services provided by Host Agencies is the support network. The support staff provided by a Host Agency makes a tremendous difference with how an independent contractor conducts their business. The right Host Agency can help enhance an advisor’s reputation and image, streamline operations, and help build their client base.  

Ferrell urges advisors to look for a Host Agency that offers some of the following:  

• A dedicated support staff which makes advisors feel like an individual but will also address problems, especially during challenging times. 

• Staff that offer professional development, along with guidance on important issues, such as how to promote an advisor’s business, leverage social media effectively, charge fees, and other crucial matters. 

• Staff that provide access to a comprehensive collection of resources, ideally encompassing the full scope of the business, including accounting, administration, IT infrastructure, operations, and sales. 

Technology can also be a major benefit for independent contractors. Travel Experts suggests seeking out a Host Agency that understands the value of a powerful technology component and its positive impact on an advisor’s business capabilities. Technology can encompass a personal website or web page connected to the Host Agency which facilitates marketing opportunities.  

Technology provided by Host Agencies may include front office and back-office software, personalized electronic invoicing and management reports. There also may be an advisor intranet website, and daily e-mail updates on industry events, supplier news and FAM trips. 

With the technology support, advisors can focus more of their time on developing and servicing their clients.

For more information contact Travel Experts at 212 Sawmill Road, Raleigh NC 27615, Telephone 800-274-2544; Email: info@travelxperts.com; Website http://www.travel-xperts.com. 

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