Articles tagged “travel agents”

With more cruise choices than ever before, there are plenty of opportunities for travel advisors to boost earnings from cruise sales. Doing so, however, means taking a proactive approach to education and customer service.

Cuts to the Mexico Tourism Board are having an immediate impact on local operators in some of the country's most popular tourist destinations. A lack of marketing resources is especially difficult for some of the country’s smallest and often most alluring places.

This might be the best time in history for travel advisors to sell cruises, but it's also the most complex. Those who take time to know the growing array of cruise choices and focus on the high end of the market are the most likely to succeed.

A proliferation of Hawaii short-term rentals, which are exacerbating an already expensive and tight housing market, is sparking heavy debate in a state where tourism is the main economic driver. While such accommodations are needed to handle rising visitor numbers, some say it's time to get them under control and look at the consequences of unchecked tourism growth.

In Australia, the New Distribution Capability is moving from a vague concept to an active business model, as Qantas urges travel agents to sign up to a new channel with expanded content. Those who miss the June 30 deadline could lose out on some enhancements but also face new fees for airline bookings.

The recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka underscore the need for addressing traveler safety. While mitigating risk does not come with the same obligations for leisure travel advisors as it does for those on the corporate side, there are still steps they can take to protect clients.

Training for travel advisors has become a big priority for consortiums and host travel agencies, particularly as more people enter the industry from previous careers. There seems to be a shift from mostly educating new agents about destinations to including sessions on sales strategies and marketing.

Leisure travel advisors may not have the same obligations as their corporate travel counterparts when it comes to keeping travelers safe, but this week’s terror attack raises questions about risk and responsibility.

Ensemble Travel Group hired its first CEO, a veteran travel advisor and agency owner. The move signals a realization that first-hand understanding of the daily challenges faced by travel advisors can only help a consortium better serve its members.

Host agencies are seeing an influx of prospective travel advisors, many coming from other careers, and are creating education programs to ensure the newcomers are up to par. There are a wide range of options out there, so potential agents should do their research before choosing a host.