Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

This week we’ve got Chelsea Martinez from Oasis Travel Network. Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! 1. I'm a relatively new travel advisor specializing in European FITs. I enjoy the researching and itinerary building aspect of it, but I find booking, managing the client's payment and passport details, finding the best prices across various platforms, etc. to be very stressful and honestly some of my clients would prefer to do that part themselves. Are there any travel advisors who charge a fee to just design an itinerary, and then the client can book it themselves and manage their own reservations? I guess more of a travel designer role than a travel agent. I know I wouldn't make as much money doing this as I wouldn't earn commission, but I was wondering if this is a business model some people use. Thank you, I love the podcast! - Emily2. & 3. A bunch of questions have surfaced over our first year in operation. Hoping you might be able to address these over the next few months, if you think they'd be helpful to others. Thanks. - Bill-Professional fees — pricing and transparencyWhat's the best way to describe the fees we charge clients—planning fees, service fees, consulting fees, or simply professional fees? And are there any good rules of thumb for pricing? We currently quote fees upfront, using a sliding scale based on how much research and coordination we anticipate. I've also noticed that some booking platforms allow advisors to build their fees into the trip price. I can see how that reduces friction, but it feels a little sneaky to me. Doesn't that undermine the whole idea of charging clients for our professional expertise?-Making the most of relationships with people who aren't prospectsWe're coming up on our first anniversary and have learned something interesting: We know plenty of people who travel frequently, often with generous budgets, but many of them genuinely enjoy doing their own research and planning. Others already have longstanding relationships with travel advisors. I'm beginning to think we should stop viewing these folks as prospective clients and instead look for ways to tap into their networks. What's the best way to approach that? How do we encourage referrals and introductions without making friendships feel transactional or stepping on another advisor's toes?RESOURCES:Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them + Etiquette https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip 3 ways travel agents save you money that OTAs can’t https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/3-ways-travel-agents-save-you-money Our free travel itinerary template for travel advisors https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/free-travel-itinerary-template-for-advisors Travel market research report data on travel agent fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more. https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ Host Agency Reviews 2026 Annual Report Reveal | Host Agency Reviews https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2026/host-agency-reviews-2026-annual-report-reveal HAR’s travel agent guide to charging fees https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-feesLeave rating for Travel Agent Chatter on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1447NIKUGzbRe1apiVJjcl) or Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/travel-agent-chatter-friday-15/id1187029258). Here’s instructions on how to leave a review on Apple podcasts (https://support.apple.com/guide/podcasts/rate-or-review-a-show-pod5facd9d70/mac).

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Samantha from Jus Adventures. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I am fairly happy with the Host Agency I am with right now, but I keep hearing recommendations to make sure that the niche you are selling is something that your host specializes in. How do we find out more about this with the individual hosts? For example, I specialize in European Rail and British Isles travel. I don't necessarily need a host that specializes in Caribbean cruising, but it feels like they all do that. Is there someone else I should be looking at? - MelissaIf I'm creating FITS in Europe and not really using DMCs - do I need E&O insurance as a tour operator? - JulieHow do you face your fear about marketing your travel business on social media if you are an introvert?RESOURCES:All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)Guide to choosing a travel niche. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-nicheDo travel agents need errors and omissions (E&O) insurance? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insuranceWhat is a DMC in travel? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-companyhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/amy-freyder-epic-away-travel

***View the video, transcript, and show notes at: https://har.news/vol37"She believes she could. So she did." This is what Kentucky-born advisor Ashley Young has tattooed on her arm.While she's new to travel, she's determined to be successful and make an impact in the world with her business. Part of that giving back is finding the right on the ground vendors that will a) give her clients a unique and fabulous experience, and b) keep the money in the local community. In addition to that mission, Ashley also donates 3% of her profits to local communities.Join Shayna as she dives in to how Ashley's business works and how she has woven responsible travel into the fabric of her agency.

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I have submitted 2 applications to host agencies I’d like to join, however they aren’t taking new agents right now. I have another meeting with another host and I’m not sure what to do. I’m new and need to get started. I’ve been waiting to hear back about 4 months now. Do you have any advice? - SandyDo you really need an Identification number to be seen as a travel agency.. or can I essentially just book someone's trip for them? If I'm being honest I don't necessarily want to find a host, I want to start my own business, but I don't know if that would be beneficial without having a number because I don't know if I would get the best discounts that way. I would love to just book people's trips but I don't want to feel like I'm ripping them off because I cannot get the best discounts...any advice?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?RESOURCES:How to find the best host agency https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency7DS Course - https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-acceleratorResources - https://hostagencyreviews.com/resourcesWhat is an IATA https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/iata-numberSOT license - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-licenseTravel Leads - a complete guide https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leadsOther leads program software - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Gina from Uniglobe Travel Center. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I am an IC with about 2 years in the business. I'm considering going out on my own because I'm not happy with my situation for many reasons. How do you know it's the right time to make this change? What do you see as the pros and cons of staying an IC and being independent?Do advisors typically split their planning fees with their host agencies? If so, does it follow the commission split? Thank you!For my Friyay! 15 Question, I’m thinking about adding my booking metrics data like the number of booked cruises, flights, and destinations to my website. Do you think this is a good idea? If so, how would an agent go about adding that information to the site? All this to help build a trusting relationship with clients about the services that we provide. - QuincyRESOURCES:Directory - https://hostagencyreviews.com/hostsTop 10 benefits of using a host agency. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-using-a-host-agencyHow Seller of Travel Laws Affect Service Fees. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/seller-travel-laws-service-fees)https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees (Travel agent guide to charging fees.)Travel market research report data on travel agent fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more. https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/Webinar - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2026/host-agency-reviews-2026-annual-report-revealFees - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees (Travel agent guide to charging fees.)How to make your website -https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-make-a-website-from-scratch