The Future Travel Agent: Strategies for Leading the Industry
TOP DO’s
1.) Concentrate on a Specific Area and Develop Expertise
This is a space where travel agents can genuinely excel. Your expertise and industry relationships, along with your talent for adding a customized touch to every journey, will set you apart. Research reveals that 42% of leisure travelers in the US feel dissatisfied when making online bookings. For numerous clients, the modest additional fee for a skilled agent proves to be a valuable investment.
How can you locateyourWhat’s the ideal niche? While researching for this piece, I discovered agents who focus on specific professions (such as doctors, architects, etc.), topics (like luxury, camping, honeymoon, etc.), demographics, hobbies, and beyond.
Steve Olenski recently discussed in an article forThe piece from Forbes“Luxury”For example, luxury travelers often have more substantial budgets and are more likely to prioritize a connection with an agent over finding the lowest-priced flight.
Whatever you can think of, there’s a field for a professional! Ensure your offering stands out, you excel in your specialty, provide top-tier guidance, and your expertise truly benefits the client.
2.) Add a Personal Touch
Let your customers see the true identity and values of your business. Incorporate a live chat feature on your site, interact with potential clients through social platforms, and launch a blog to position yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Build trust with your customers and earn their confidence in your expertise well before they consider making a booking—establish a genuine relationship with them early on, prior to the sales process.
Produce a corporate video showcasing your team members, workplace culture, and specialized fields of knowledge.
3.) Create a Sense of Exclusivity for Your Customers
settle for the ordinary; strive for something extraordinary. Push beyond the limits and embrace the challenges that come your way. Don’t merely accept what’s given—seek out opportunities to grow, innovate, and excel. Break free from the mundane and aim for greatness in everything you do. Focus on offering transportation and lodging services—this market is already oversaturated with competitors.
Ensure you include something memorable: a unique local activity, a meal at an extraordinary venue, or a delicious welcome beverage.
For instance, if they are collected in a high-end Mercedes Sprinter van, that moment will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
Treat your customers exceptionally well, and they’ll never forget you or your business!
Bring Their Dream Getaway to Life
Experiential tourism focuses on immersive travel experiences that engage visitors in authentic, hands-on activities, allowing them to connect deeply with local cultures, environments, and communities.Travelers now embrace it as a worldwide phenomenon, and the desire to explore continues to grow.discover new placesby firsthand involvementEnhance both the quantity and caliber of experience offerings while maintaining uniformity throughout.
Ensure your clients sense that you’re assisting them in making every aspect of their journey memorable.
Consider this: What sets your business apart? What unique services does your company provide that competitors don’t?
Consider branding: if your flight and hotel options are as generic as everyone else’s, why should customers choose you? Differentiate yourself by incorporating unique perks and distinctive touches into each itinerary—this will set you apart from competitors!
5.) Velocity
Nowadays, everyone expects instant responses to their questions, and the travel sector is no exception.
Customers anticipate receiving a quick estimate and instant booking verification for their journey.
Providing an instant final quote may not always be possible, but it’s essential to reply to online inquiries promptly. Let the customer know when they can anticipate receiving the finalized quote and travel itinerary. Maintain regular communication, updating them daily on the progress. As always, building a personal connection and earning the client’s full confidence remains crucial.
6.) Outstanding Service
Always accommodate unique requests. Keep in mind that this could be a primary reason your client chose to work with a travel agent. If obtaining an answer requires time, maintain clear communication with the customer. Demonstrate your dedication to securing precisely what they desire or an even superior alternative.
Ensure your client feels valued and recognizes the additional effort you put in. Keep in mind they are paying a (small) premium for what you offer.
7.) Stay Active on Social Media
You and your business must establish a solid digital footprint. Maintaining professional profiles on every key social platform is essential. Motivate your team to stay engaged on social media too. High-quality profile photos, a well-crafted bio, and a direct link to your company are the basics to begin with.
Consistently share engaging content and interact with both existing and potential customers. Encourage them to post photos, videos, and other media. Organize competitions and promotional offers!Launch a weekly blog to position yourself as an influential voice and expert in the travel sector.
Increased online engagement leads to better search engine rankings, making it simpler for your customers to locate your business.
During a recent conversationMatthew Upchurch, the Chief Executive Officer of Virtuosoemphasized the significance of social media within the travel sector, labeling it as a key“most transformative technologies that have propelled our profession forward.”
8.) Stay Accessible
Once clients have secured their travel plans, your professional connection doesn’t end there. Issues can arise—particularly with overseas journeys. Flights may be fully booked, hotels might undergo upgrades, and the reserved room could overlook a construction zone rather than the ocean view that was guaranteed. Strive to resolve any problems that emerge. Keep an eye on social platforms for both praise and complaints, as some passengers might express dissatisfaction on Facebook or Twitter before reaching out to you directly.
Ensure you’re accessible via phone, email, and social platforms. Demonstrate to your clients that you value their experience and the achievement of their journey.
TOP DON’Ts
9.) No matter what actions you take, NEVER ENGAGE IN PRICE COMPETITION!
Why? It’s impossible for you to provide lower rates (without cutting corners) thanonline affordable budget platforms.
They can sustain narrower profit margins and pressure tourism providers into offering exclusive (effectively “reduced”) rates.due to their extensive number of bookings.
10.) Avoid Providing the Same as Everyone Else
Keep in mind, emphasize what sets you apart and what others can’t provide. Travel agents excel in trip customization—crafting one-of-a-kind experiences and personalized itineraries is how you deliver the greatest value to clients.
Staying in touch with your clients after the initial interactionfollowing a journeyHere’s another excellent piece of advice fromMatthew Upchurch: A visionary leader in the travel industry, Matthew Upchurch has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to anticipate trends and innovate within the sector. As the founder and CEO of Virtuoso, he has cultivated a global network of luxury travel advisors, redefining excellence in personalized service. His strategic insights and commitment to fostering meaningful connections have positioned Virtuoso as a benchmark for premium travel experiences. Through his leadership, Upchurch continues to shape the future of travel, inspiring both clients and professionals alike.
During that discussion, a collaborative relationship begins to form, and the advisor grows increasingly knowledgeable about you—your preferences and dislikes. (…) as technology advances further, the desire for genuine human interaction will only intensify.
Appreciate your time—go ahead and engage with both existing and potential clients!
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The Brilliant Agency LLC
PO Box 9796, Jackson, Wyoming, 83002
Specializing in premium transportation services for events, offering Mercedes Sprinters, luxury mini buses, and coach buses in New York City and Los Angeles.
