Now more than ever, when travelers think they don’t need travel agents, it’s your job to prove them wrong. By having unflaggingly high standards in every aspect of your business, you will convey to your clients loud and clear how valuable your services are.
Here are 5 tips to keep your travel business thriving. Keep them handy for regular reference. You’ll find them powerful tools not just for today, but tomorrow and well into the future.
#1 – Have a business plan. Once you establish a vision and the direction of your travel company, it will provide structure and keep you on course. Receive our FREE online Business Planning course today!
#2 – Always be thinking of ways to promote your company, yourself and your employees. Become the go-to source for media outlets. Already certified? Learn about digital credentials.
#3 – Be active in your community. Get involved in silent auctions and other fundraisers where you can get your name in front of residents. Set up speaking engagements with local Rotary Clubs, libraries and schools.
#4 – Specialize. You can be a generalist but, at the same time, have some specialties that are magnets for new clients. Once the word gets out that you are an expert on certain destinations (the Caribbean, India, South America) or certain types of travel (cruises, adventure travel), you’ll have a natural flow of inquiries. The Travel Institute has 13 specialist programs to choose from.
#5 – Stay up to date with technology. Provide clients with travel information, itineraries in the newest formats available unless they prefer more traditional methods. Find out how they want to stay connected. Do they use WhatsApp? What about Venmo? Are they on social media? Stay connected.
BONUS: #6 – Celebrations. Clients will often tell you it’s an anniversary or graduation trip. But be proactive – if you are aware of something coming up (because of previous conversations), mention it. And always let the suppliers know. You can get creative with this: Baby Moons, Empty Nest Trips…
By: Susan Farewell, owner of Farewell Travels LLC, a travel design firm based in CT. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
