As a travel agent, you wear many hats. You are often over your own finances, marketing, sales, and even your own tech support. It is well worth it to invest in these areas and allow yourself to learn and grow. Join a network, take a FAM trip, watch a webinar, or pick up a book. Here are a few ideas to help you grow your home-based travel agency!
1. Start networking
Networking is a skill travel agents can’t live without. As the old saying goes, “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” A good connection can help you save a trip from going off the rails, provide insider knowledge, or simply help bring that “extra something” that puts an itinerary over the top. You can begin to build your network by attending tradeshows and getting to know vendors. Or you can set aside networking time while on your FAM trips.
In addition to making connections organically, there are many established travel agent networks that can provide you with learning opportunities and even credentialing that will give you a badge of credibility with clients. Here are a few to consider:
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)
ASTA is the largest association of travel professionals in the world. They advocate for travel agents, travel suppliers, and tour operators alike. ASTA’s mission is to “facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge, and the enhancement of professionalism.”
CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)
As the world’s largest cruise industry association, CLIA represents over 50 cruise lines and over 25,000 travel agent members. They are committed to promoting policies and practices that create a safe, secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment. The CLIA network strives to advocate, educate, and promote the common interests of the cruising community.
IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network)
Card-carrying members of IATAN’s travel agent network have access to exclusive education materials and rewards programs. Card benefits may include deals from industry suppliers such as hotels, airlines, attractions, FAM trips, and more.
2. Get industry education
Webinars and tutorials are an incredible resource for you to stay current on new products and deals provided by travel and hospitality vendors, sharpening your skills and knowledge as a travel expert. Take a look at these webinars and tutorials:
CCRA Webinars
Centrav Academy
Travel Agent Central Webinars
Travel Research Online
Travel Weekly Virtual Events
USTOA Travel Agent Webinars
3. Read a Book
The internet is a great resource for information, but if you really want to invest in your business savvy or even your personal growth, pick up a book! This will allow you to take a deeper look at business topics that really interest you. These are a few great ones to check out:
New Gold Standard, The
Joseph A. Michelli
Nordstrom Way to Customer Experience Excellence, The
Robert Spector & BreAnne O. Reeves
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip Heath & Dan Heath
StrengthsFinder 2.0
Tom Rath
How Successful People Think
John C. Maxwell
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
Daniel H. Pink
Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence
Gary Vaynerchuck
➡️ Read next: Top Tips for Marketing Your Travel Agency This Summer
