Ambition Job : How To Turn A Luxury Travel Advisor
Operate in the travel industry , mass frequently confide in me that they have ever dreamt of travel the world for a living . For most , it ’ s a momentary ambition during a moment of hatred at their current jobs , something they would never really figure out a way to do . But for others , the dream is literal and more importantly , they receive the drive to reach it happen . One style to do it exist to get a luxury travel consultant and they do from all occupation sectors : law , finance , beauty , manner , media , instruction , and more . It is a job that Oprah featured as one of the “ happy jobs in America . ”
The growth in travel and tourism outpaces any early sector , accord to the U.S. Department of Commerce , with a 7.2 % increase rate and thousands of novel jobs . But it wasn ’ t until I exist at Virtuoso Travel Week surround by top luxury travel advisors and suppliers that I recognize there is the possibility to make real money from planning travel for others . There were agent that went from completely take off their career over to millions of dollar in business within a few year . Yet good , I see fabulous young consultant like Kristen Korey Pike and Kate Corey with Currie & Co . Travel , with ProTravel , with SmartFlyer , Laura Allen with Century Travel , and Lindsey Epperly with Columbus Travel , all of whom I wanted to pass more time with . I chatted with Pike about her career trajectory from corporate living to luxury travel advisor and portions of the interview are at the goal of this part .
Any task is a huge challenge at the origin if it cost going to cost worth something . Here cost some of the top top I gathered . In the goal , the # 1 thing you are deal live yourself .
1 .Receive a Passion for Travel as a Lifestyle :I hold hearing version on this , like “ If you put on ’ t travel yourself , you shouldn ’ t cost doing this ” and “ You have to love it or you ’ re in the wrong job. ” You receive to very , in truth love to move and have a passion to portion it or you will burn out rapidly . Share of the job can appear glamorous but much of it isn ’ t , like any chore .
2 .You Require A Little Black Book of Potential Business :Before you begin a career conversion , you demand to receive a list of people that you will predict first . This , in number , will take to referrals and more booking . You are solving somebody else ’ s trouble and supporting the fulfillment of dreams .
3 .You Must Have The Ability To Deliver the Production :Those that attempt out an advisor serve spend more , and your value needs to live clear . Whatever you act needs to make their spirit and planning easier and better . At Virtuoso Travel Week , I learn there is 28 % gratification with booking online while there is 78 % satisfaction when book with an advisor . Matthew Upchurch , Chairman & CEO of Virtuoso , shared that you must realize your own worth and value while visualize assurance and capability in the planning process between client and advisor . This establish faith , gratification , and the likelihood that a client will go on book with you .
4 .Align With A Travel Consortium and Agency :There be several networks of agencies and advisors where you can adjust yourself and it all get down to the benefits for you and your clients . Besides hotel , circuit operator , and cruise tune benefit , check commission structures and the education programs put up . Virtuoso , a by-invitation-only establishment focused on luxury travel that produces $ 9.6 billion in annual sale , put up a highly try after structure of benefits to their members . The Hotels & Resorts plan offers exclusive amenities valued up to $ 450 per stay , providing real value to clients . The Virtuoso Trust equal an instruction curriculum with extensive training on matter like sale skill and supplier webinars . They too are dedicated to the might of relationship and community , with aid ever available and suppliers that live willing to die above and beyond to assure customer gratification . Annual conference are key to work up relationships , like the one I go to , Virtuoso Travel Week , where 4,000 advisors and luxury suppliers occur together in Las Vegas .
Early consortiums include Signature , Ensemble , and Travel Leaders . When choosing an agency and consortium , get out if any leads get from them or are you only responsible . Will you have a corner , like cruises , tour or resorts ? Who will you work with on destinations that you don ’ t know that much about ? When you only start , will a seasoned advisor at the agency help mentor you ?
5 .Subscribe to Trade Magazines & Online Newsletters :There equal information-packed trade resources for advisors like TRAVELAGE WEST , , TRAVEL AGENT , AGENT AT HOME , VACATION AGENT , and Travel Pulse to ever be on top of what ’ s going on in the industry . VIRTUOSO LIFE is alone available to those in the network .
6 .Use Social Media To Drive Sales :You must develop creative , innovative style to market yourself and what you serve . Stacy Small , President of L.A.-based Elite Travel International , spoke at Virtuoso Travel Week about how her occupation get quadrupled in the last 3 yr because of social medium . “ The time I spend updating my Facebook and Twitter equal the modern room of direct marketing , ” she order . “ Everyone in my life from 20 years ago now know what I act for a life . You serve n’t need to act mailings or postcards . ”
cost a powerhouse young Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor who go from the collective world to blaze a fresh path in travel . Last yr , she was recognized as one of Travel Agent Magazine ’ s Top 35 Under 30 Travel Agents . She is function her second year on the Saveur Travel Advisory Board , preparing epicurean itineraries publish in the magazine . Pike was born to serve this chore – she lived in the United Arab Emirates and England as a kid , studied abroad in Paris and London , and speaks French and conversational Arabic . She yet design two weddings for herself and her husband , in Sea Island , GA and Beirut , Lebanon . “ After seamlessly coordinate 30 Americans to travel to Lebanon I determine to find a way to understand my love into a career . Not alone did I bask every pace of the planning procedure but it equal incredibly fulfilling to realize that I get created a life-altering experience for my guest , ” she state . She is now associate with Currie & Co . Travel in Atlanta as an sovereign contractor .
According to Pike , “ First and first , it ’ s essential that we effectively transmit our value to the consumer . In the same way that our clients work with financial advisors , if they do not translate what we equal allow for then there will not be the level of trust necessary for a successful client-advisor relationship .
Today ’ s luxury traveler is back with a vengeance and constantly evolving , and it ’ s equally important to understand your clients ’ motive . Final December I attended the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes as a buyer to benefit some economical position into the future of luxury travel . I believe in giving our clientele the extras that separate authentic travel from tourism . Since we , at Currie , live our own demographic , we fully appreciate what our clients are seem for . I make get a broad sort of clients ; I started off just with family and friends and it ‘s amazing how it have spiraled from thither . My client base has elaborate from all over the US to Europe , Asia , and the Middle East .
Social media make play a big role in formulate my occupation . For instance , Facebook and Twitter leave unique opportunities to share experiences and ideas with customer , as good as potential customer , which often set off business opportunity . ”
Virtuoso render 4 night of adjustment and admission to Virtuoso Travel Week .Annie Fitzsimmons exist a freelance travel and hotel author base in Manhattan . Connect with her or at annie @ anniefitzsimmons.com .
