Host/ Consortia tips

Whether you're a seasoned veteran travel advisor or curious about starting a career in the space, you'll want to learn about what Fora has to offer today's travel professionals.

WHY IT RATES: The partnership is an industry-first for a host agency and travel supplier to award ASTA scholarships. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Writer, TravelPulse

Envoyage Logo. (Photo Credit: Flight Centre Travel Group)

Travel Experts is celebrating a milestone this month. The host agency is celebrating 35 years of service of providing service and support to its loyal travel advisors. Susan Ferrell, Founder and President shared how the company came to be: “When we started the company back in 1989, there was a relatively new ‘rent-a-desk’ concept operating in a couple of travel agencies. I consulted with the owner of one of those agencies on the West Coast prior to opening Travel Experts. After visiting her office, I felt that working with independent contractors was the way to go," said Ferrell. She noted that efficiency is one of the keys to success. “My vision was to allow advisors to become entrepreneurs with unlimited earnings potential. I had also hoped that having all ICs would minimize the management and cost of employees. To this day, we keep our employee staff small but extremely efficient which also allows us to keep IC fees low," she said. It wasn't always easy, especially in the beginning when Travel Experts had a shared space with an office filled with independent contractors. But having an office that is now a network of high-producing ICs is still the vision for the host agency today. “When we first opened the office in 1989, the office was the only place from which ICs could work," said Ferrell. "There was no ‘remote’ option.” When Sabre developed a product that could be used anywhere with Wi-Fi access, that all changed. “That allowed us to grow, as we could add advisors from any city or even state. We now have advisors all over the U.S. and in some foreign countries. We still have a very small staff of about 30 to serve the needs of over 550 people. But that staff is extremely skilled at what they do and work efficiently as a team," said Ferrell. "“While the vision has not changed, what has changed is the way the ICs have to sell travel now which can be very challenging. And Travel Experts is blessed to have an amazing network of highly professional and successful ICs.” Another one of Travel Experts keys to success is building and maintaining strong relationships. More than 150 affiliates have been recipients of the prestigious Diamond award for 10 years of membership, with some boasting more than 25 years as a Travel Expert member. This longevity is a testament to the value Travel Experts delivers.

The industry’s most innovative host agency, Avoya Travel, has just unveiled its highly anticipated calendar of events for 2024, offering a blend of in-person gatherings and virtual experiences aimed at empowering Independent Agencies within the Avoya Travel Network (IAs) with enhanced networking opportunities and educational resources.

Crystal, the luxury cruise line owned by A&K Travel Group, has become a preferred supplier of the travel agency consortium, Ensemble, which has travel agents in both the U.S. and Canada. 

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Virtuoso, the global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, recently published the findings from its 2024 Luxe Reports, a survey that found 46 percent of the network’s travel advisors found their travelers are concerned about climate change during their travel planning process. 

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.