It is hard to believe that the travel world, in fact, the entire world, was changed 22 years ago this morning. I had several brick-and-mortar agencies, and that morning went from “Oh probably a small plane, that’s unfortunate” to “OMG” in a matter of 77 minutes. And it only got worse from there. For years! Read the rest of this entry »

We may be headed into a recession. Or not! The so-called experts are all over the place so it is anyone’s guess. However, the resumption of payments on student loans is suspected to be a factor. While I certainly can’t say if we will or won’t slide into a recession, I can say that it is always better to be prepared. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s back to school time, and across the United States, there are millions of kids just praying for a good school year where they can learn, have fun, and not be bullied or ostracized. It’s stressful trying to fit in as a student. But as an adult (and a business owner), it’s a little different—we look for ways to stand out! Read the rest of this entry »

As travel pros, our clients count on us to have our fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing market. People’s preferences on where they want to go are always shifting, and it’s important to stay abreast of the latest trends. It’s a good idea to stay ahead. A recent survey indicated that some of the hotspots in 2024 might be a bit out of the norm and a bit exotic. I am not so sure that the typical hotspots of London and Mexico are out, but I will definitely bone up on these ones. Read the rest of this entry »

The wildfires on the beautiful island of Maui have devastated many homes and caused a great deal of destruction. As travel agents, we are responsible for letting our clients know about this tragedy and how they can help the victims in any way possible. Read the rest of this entry »

Understanding your target customer is key to success in the travel industry. Market research is a powerful tool that can be used to identify these customers, understand their needs, and tailor your offerings to meet these needs. Today, we’ll look at a few key steps to get you started! Read the rest of this entry »

In a word, no.

The world is in a state of flux. It always has been and always will be. So, it stands to reason that the travel business is also constantly changing. Destination trends come and go, new hotels and attractions open, and there are always new travel technologies to keep up with. As a travel professional, you will be left in the dust if you are not bringing your a-game. So that ACC, MCC, CTC, VTA, or DS after your name does not mean much unless you constantly extend that education. Read the rest of this entry »

Gone are the days of uncapped airline commissions (to the newbies, yes, there was a time when airlines paid commissions and they were limitless). But in today’s environment, we must constantly look for ways to maximize revenue while providing an exceptional customer experience. Many are hesitant to employ one of the most effective strategies–up-selling and cross-selling.

Whether you’re selling flights, hotels, or tours, these techniques can help you increase your earnings and satisfy your customers simultaneously. Read the rest of this entry »

In today’s ever-changing marketing landscape, it is important to keep up with the latest trends and tools to stay competitive. Content Marketing has proved to be an effective method of promoting brands, products, and services for most industries, including travel. Today, we will look at how you can make the most of content marketing to attract and retain customers, boost your online presence, and build a loyal community of travel maniacs.

But first…. Read the rest of this entry »

In the competitive world of the travel industry, delivering awesome customer service is key to success. By going above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences, travel agencies can make their customers happy and build long-term loyalty. Today, let’s discuss some cool tips for improving customer experience in the travel industry. Read the rest of this entry »

It has been said you need to spend a buck to make one. And that is true. However, you don’t need to break the bank to do it.

Travel agents are responsible for providing clients with the best possible travel experiences—but how can they cost-effectively do this? In today’s digital age, there are many ways to enhance marketing capabilities without spending much money. Here are five tips to get you started: Read the rest of this entry »

In the wake of the unfortunate implosion of the Titan submersible, some may argue that it’s time to hang up our explorer’s hats and retreat to the familiar comforts of home. WRONG! This setback should not dampen our spirit of adventure. While losing the Titan submersible is undeniably tragic, we must embrace the thrill of discovery in a post-Titan submersible world.

Now the Titan submersible was a pretty exotic form of tourism, one that is only available to a small segment of society; however, many lessons apply to “standard” travel as well. Read the rest of this entry »

I feel ripped off. And at the risk of showing my ignorance, I will say that I only learned about Juneteenth within the past few years. How did my education let me down so badly? However, as with any segment of people, there is an opportunity to engage and teach. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently I became overwhelmed. I was falling behind on returning telephone calls, emails, and things were slipping through the cracks. Something was going to get ignored, and I could not afford that. I needed help. But I am not in a position to hire staff. I have investigated virtual assistants and could not justify the move—I tend to be one of those guys who thinks that no one can do a task as well as I can. So, what to do? I just needed to get over this hump. Read the rest of this entry »

Booking travel online is just plain dangerous.  The allure of using a mouse and a few clicks to secure flights, accommodations, and exciting activities appeals to most people. But proceed with caution. Last week, “a few beers” with a friend turned into some type of man-splaining about what a travel professional can do. Man-splaining is not the phrase, but travel-splaining sounded stupid! He made a critical mistake somewhere in the fourth beer and asked me to cite specific examples of online problems.  And here’s what I said… Read the rest of this entry »

In the super competitive travel industry, you must be more than average. You must shine like a diamond and blow your competition out of the water. Lucky for you, I’ve got some thoughts to help you do just that. Let’s dive in! Read the rest of this entry »

We sell travel. But so do dozens of websites and brick-and-mortar competitors. Get out of the mindset that you sell travel and begin to think like a marketer. You market travel. The sale is a byproduct. And with effective marketing, sales will follow. Look to Apple for proof. Somehow, they create enough marketing buzz to convince people to shell out $1000 every two years for a cell phone!  But travel is a bit different. Let’s explore the ten essential qualities that I think will allow you to stand heads and shoulders above the rest. Read the rest of this entry »

I hate when that happens!  Last week, I listened to a podcast and they were trying to figure out if business travel would ever return to its heyday. I went to look for a link and came up blank. But I am forging ahead with some thoughts on replacing some lost corporate travel with meetings and incentives.

Today, we delve into just some benefits that can be reaped in this potentially very lucrative niche! Read the rest of this entry »

We all know the basics, right? Traveling is an exciting adventure to explore new places, cultures, and experiences. However, no matter how well planned, unforeseen circumstances can always arise, risking financial loss and physical harm. The solution? Travel insurance! And not only does it protect your client, but it also pays you handsomely as well.  But how to impress upon a client the need?

We only need to look at the  Celebrity cruise where a deceased passenger was held in a beverage cooler. Insurance would not have prevented the death but would have covered a re-patriation if needed. Read the rest of this entry »

ABC. In grade school, it was the alphabet. But, as relatively mature adults in the travel industry, it takes on a new meaning. And you know how we all love acronyms, so here is one more to add to your dictionary. Read the rest of this entry »

With ownership comes power. When you own your home, you can decide on the color of the exterior. When you own your own car, you put any bumper sticker you feel fits. When you own your own travel business, you can make decisions about what to sell and to whom. So why on earth would you opt to allow someone else to make the decisions about your online presence? Read the rest of this entry »