How DMCs Provide Unparalleled Support for Travel Advisors

17.06.2024 - 22:03 / travelpulse.com / Claudette Covey

As savvy as seasoned advisors may be on the nuances of travel, it’s not possible for them to have their fingers on the pulse of every destination on the planet. That’s where destination management companies (DMCs) come into play, say travel sellers who capitalize on their services.

“It is impossible for me to know the best spot in every city all around the world,” said Nicole Patterson of Jetset World Travel. “Even if I have traveled there before, things change and it is impossible to keep up with every new possible spot.

“Having a local partner on the ground that lives and breathes that city helps me to weed through the chaos and home in on something that is a perfect match for what my clients are looking for.”

DMCs also enable Patterson to offer her clients one-of-a-kind experiences. “In order to find something that isn’t already all over social media or offers something slightly more special, I really need someone in the city that can help me locate that,” she said.

“Working with a DMC consistently over the years builds a relationship of trust. I trust that they will take very good care of my clients,” said Becky Lukovic of Bella Travel Planning, an affiliate of Travel Experts. “DMCs have access to the best guides and behind the scenes experiences and have a finger on the pulse of their destination. If my clients have a need while traveling, the DMCs are there to help, which to me, is invaluable.”

She added, “The DMCs I trust know the best people to work with, have wholesale contracts with hotels and have real-time feedback about the services they provide.”

For Pamela Walker of Walker Adventures, a Travel Experts affiliate, DMCs “are extremely important as they bypass the middlemen.”

“With their net rates I can mark up a profit for me and still provide good prices for my clients. And the clients also have someone on the ground in the destination they are traveling if there is an emergency or change of plans,” she said.

“I have always relied on DMCs – even for hotel pricing as many have contract rates and some even include the Virtuoso amenities. So rather than go through a tour operator, DMCs provide a one-stop shop for each destination they represent.

Another competitive advantage, Walker said, is a DMCs pricing, “which enables me to make more money since I don’t have to pay the overhead for the tour operation.”

DMCs “when it comes to destinations that are a little more unique or need curated experiences.”

“I use DMCs for destinations like Portugal/Spain, Iceland, Dubai, Ireland, Costa Rica (sometimes), Italy, etc.,” he said. “We are running into clients who are looking for itineraries that are more custom tailored with local experiences and I find it is much easier and beneficial to use a local DMC that