127 episodes
Travel Agent Chatter | Starting and Growing Your Travel Agency Steph Lee | Travel Industry Veteran, Founder Host Agency Reviews
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4.9 • 65 Ratings
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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!
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(99)Filling company under PO box, using your vaca for booking, & business name availability problem
Welcome to Friday 15! Today Steph chats about filling your company under a PO box, if you can use your personal vacation as a startup booking, and what to do when you have a business name availability problem.
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://courses.hostagencyreviews.com/ (Free previews of HAR’s Complete Guide to Starting a Travel Agency Course first chapter with 7 lessons.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-expenses Travel expenses article!
https://hostagencyreviews.com/events/2023/las-vegas-travel-agent-forum (Travel Agent Forum March 31st in Las Vegas. Stop by our booth or join us for the host agency panel Steph is moderating.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/uniglobe-travel-center (Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Uniglobe Travel Center!)
https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm#streetaddress (USPS’ Street Addressing program allows you to get a street address for you PO Box)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-travel-agency-names (Free tips on things to think about when choosing name for your agency)
https://courses.hostagencyreviews.com/ (The HAR course has a 6 page exercise to walk you through different ways to think about your name.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15
📧 Never miss a HAR resource.
Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter:
http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter -
(98) How to charge fees, marketing for wave season, clients outside your niche
Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 98 Steph chats about how to charge fees, marketing for wave season and providing services to clients outside your niche.
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/travelagentchatter/ashley-morris-alpaca-your-bags-travel TAC episode on DWs/Honeymoons.
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-expenses Travel expenses article!
https://hostagencyreviews.com/events/2023/las-vegas-travel-agent-forum (Travel Agent Forum March 31st in Las Vegas. Stop by our booth or join us for the host agency panel Steph is moderating.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees (The Travel Agent’s Guide to Charging Fees. Verbiage for charging, inspiration for charging, and ideas on different fee structures)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tagged/travel-agent-surveys (Read all the HAR reports on fees through the years!)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/consortia/virtuoso (More details and reviews on Virtuoso consortium. Also lists the host members of Virtuoso.)
Not taking March 24th off. March 31st, Geraldine Ree. https://www.geraldineree.com/travel-advisors (More on Geraldine Ree)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15
Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!
📧 Never miss a HAR resource. Join 30,000+ agents and subscribe to our newsletter: http://www.hostagencyreviews.com/newsletter -
(97)Host vs. franchise and getting your own E&O insurance or using your Host's
Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 97 Steph chats about choosing between a host and franchise and if you should get your own E&O insurance or use your Host Agency's (If they offer it).
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/independent-travel-advisor-report-2022%20 (Independent advisor report 2022)
https://courses.hostagencyreviews.com (Affiliate link for course in footer of the page)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/events/2023/las-vegas-travel-agent-forum (Travel Agent Forum March 31st in Las Vegas. Join us on the host agency panel Steph is moderating.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-franchise-or-host-agency (Franchise or Host Agency article)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/franchises (List of industry franchises)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency (What is a host agency)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance (Do travel agents need E&O insurance. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know.)
https://courses.hostagencyreviews.com/ (Our course on Complete Guide to Starting a Travel Agency with video interviews with E&O carriers)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/dream-vacations-advisor (Thanks to our sponsor, Dream Vacations Advisor)
Taking March 24th off. March 31st, Geraldine Ree. https://www.geraldineree.com/travel-advisors (More on Geraldine Ree)
Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! -
Vol. 25 | Average DW size of 80 pax. Close ratio of 75%. A website to die for. Meet Ashley.
****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol25 ******
With 175 all-inclusive site visits under her belt, Ashley Morris may have a funny name to her agency --- Alpaca Your Bags Travel --- but she does not joke around when it comes to planning amazing destination weddings and honeymoons for her couples.
Ashley’s website is now on its third iteration and this one is a beaut! Visually appealing, full of content and personality, and set up to streamline her operations, it’s a model for how to prime your prospective clients to fall in love with you and ensure they have a great experience their entire journey working with you.
And that website is clearly doing something right because Ashley is clocking in an average wedding size of 80-90 guests and a most impressive 75% close ratio after her free consultation calls, there is a lot any advisor—destination weddings or not—can learn from her. It’s no surprise to us that her 9 year old agency is currently on track for $4M in sales for 2023!
We discuss the various parts of her website including her new lead magnet, the custom page for each couple that seamlessly integrates into her site, the reservation form with live inventory of the group bloc and how she manages to head off future disasters with some unique questions she asks before guests get to the reservation form.
Whether you’re new or experienced, doing groups or individuals, have a listen because this episode is chock-full of tips that are applicable to agencies of all sizes and types of travel!
This episode is in memory of Will Medina. An icon in the travel industry destination wedding space who recently passed away unexpectedly. ❤️
****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol25 -
(96) Non-disparagement clause, Faith-based host, Can Canadian agencies sell travel in the states
Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 96 Steph chats about non-disparagement clause in host contracts, switching host agencies and how to do it, and if Canadian businesses can sell travel to clients in the states.
A list of helpful resources for today’s episode:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15
https://www.travelagentforum.com/ (HAR will be at Travel Agent Forum in Vegas from March 31st to April 3rd)
https://courses.hostagencyreviews.com (HAR’s new Ultimate Guide to Starting a Travel Agency course)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (Host Agency Contracts: What to Look For)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdEeS4KrdBLqVDL24Cw8Mw2XeMQVBwmec (Host Week Playlist on YouTube)
https://www.ed-ventures.com/ (Ed Ventures, small, MN-based faith tour operator)
https://ntaonline.com/markets/faith-travel-association/ (Faith Travel Association for networking)
https://www.acta.ca/ (ACTA’s website)
https://sosmt.gov/ (Montana’s secretary of state)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/uniglobe-travel-center (Uniglobe’s HAR profile)
Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! -
(95) TA referring leads, Company sign host contract, TA software, Diff btwn TA and Tour Op.
Welcome to Friday 15! In episode 95 Steph chats with Jenn Lee, VP of Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Planners International about travel agents referring leads, host partnerships with companies, travel agent software, and the difference between travel agents and tour operators.
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://courses.hostagencyreviews.com (Find out more about our affiliate program for HAR’s Ultimate Guide to Starting a Travel Agency course — earn 20%)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y3oiffMCiJtWZYXPZDXbVuFaJrs_2HYT/view
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/hosted-travel-advisor-income-fee-report-2022 (2022 Hosted Travel Advisors Report w/info on niches)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-industry-lawyer-list (list of travel industry attorneys)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (What to look for in your contract with your host agency)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (What to look for in your contract with your host agency)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license (Info on Seller of Travel registrations)
https://traveljoy.com/ (Travel Software Traveljoy)
https://travelesolutions.com/Default.aspx (Tess, by Travel eSolutions is a Travel Software)
jennl@tpionline.com (Schedule a 15 min. power session w/Jenn)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/300979650917199 (Fiercely Forward Travel Advisors FB group)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15
Submit your burning question here Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!
Customer Reviews
Awesome resource!
I have been listening to TAC for about 6 months, and I have loved every episode! I’m starting my own travel company, and the advice Steph gives, along with the awesome guests she has on the show, have already given me tons of ideas. Looking forward to taking in each new episode as it comes out!
Wish there were more!
This is such a fantastic podcast for Travel Advisors! I find so much inspiration and motivation every time I listen to one (and often listen to them more than once!). Steph and her crew are a wealth of knowledge and Steph does a fantastic interview each time! I love the diversity of her guests and the transcript afterwards is invaluable!
Inspiring indeed!
Congratulations to Steph and her sweet podcast!
I’ve found so much inspiration by listening to every single one of her episodes. I’ve learned about the industry through her interviews and insights.
Big fan!!