Travel Experts tips

Travel Experts, the premier host agency with more than 500 advisors around the U.S., was among Virtuoso’s most esteemed travel companies and preferred partners within the United States honored with one of Virtuoso’s first annual regional awards.  

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.

Travel Experts Executives at Summit (Photo Credit: Travel Experts)

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