Join Kelli Hayes Smith and Jonathan Morris of Legato host as they explore the exciting possibilities of becoming a travel agent in today's vibrant market. Together, they dispel the myth that succeeding as a travel agent is a thing of the past and affirm that it's absolutely achievable. Discover the immense value that travel agents bring, especially to millennials who appreciate their expertise and personalized service.

They dive into the challenges new agents face, such as industry fragmentation and the importance of finding a niche. They also emphasize the power of community over competition and the necessity for agents to embrace technology and deliver exceptional service.

Travel agent, becoming an agent, market potential, value of travel agents, specialization, industry fragmentation, community over competition, technology, exceptional service

• Becoming a travel agent is still a viable and rewarding career choice.
• Millennials highly value the expertise and personalized service travel agents provide.
• Specializing in a niche can help agents distinguish themselves and deliver superior service.
• While the industry is fragmented, leveraging technology and systems can help navigate this complexity.
• Embracing collaboration and fostering community over competition is key to success.
• Providing excellent service and staying adaptable to new technologies is essential to meet the needs of modern travelers.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Background 01:20 - Is it Still Possible to Become a Travel Agent? 03:10 - The Value of Using a Travel Agent in Today's Market 09:48 - Navigating the Fragmented Travel Industry 13:09 - Specializing in a Niche to Stand Out as an Agent 19:21 - The Importance of Collaboration and Community in the Travel Industry 28:22 - Avoiding MLM Agencies and Ensuring Data Security 34:01 - Choosing the Right Host Agency and Training

Episode Highlight

Join Kelli Hayes Smith as she sits down with Jen Haslacker, the dynamic Sales Director for Host Agency Partnerships at Arch Roam Right, to delve into the crucial role travel insurance plays for both travelers and travel advisors.

Listen to Kelli and Jen as they explore the numerous benefits of travel insurance, from post-departure coverage and medical benefits to protection against trip cancellations and delays.

Jen emphasizes why recommending travel insurance is essential for travel advisors to safeguard their clients and their own businesses.

She also shares insightful tips on selecting the right insurance company, presenting insurance options to clients, and effectively handling claims.

Additionally, the episode touches on the importance of commission protection and showcases some fascinating stories of unexpected claims.

• Travel Insurance
• Post-Departure Benefits
• Medical Coverage
• Trip Cancellation
• Travel Advisor
• Commission Protection

• Comprehensive Protection: Travel insurance offers vital post-departure benefits, including medical coverage, trip delay assistance, lost baggage recovery, and political and security evacuation.
• Advisor's Responsibility: It's imperative for travel advisors to recommend travel insurance to shield their clients and themselves from potential legal issues.
• Choosing Wisely: When selecting a travel insurance company, seek referrals, consider their claims turnaround time, and opt for companies rated A+ or higher by AM Best.
• Referral Policy: Travel advisors should direct insurance-related queries to the insurance company and avoid guaranteeing coverage themselves.
• Annual Plans Insight: Annual travel insurance plans might be more cost-effective but often come with reduced coverage limits.
• Commission Protection: Some insurance policies include commission protection, ensuring travel advisors receive their commission even if a client cancels their trip.

• 00:00 - Introduction and Background
• 03:14 - Understanding the Benefits of Travel Insurance
• 07:27 - Tips for Choosing the Right Travel Insurance Company
• 09:29 - Presenting Travel Insurance Options to Clients
• 20:33 - Unexpected Stories of Covered Claims

Tune in for an inspiring and informative episode that highlights the indispensable value of travel insurance, ensuring you and your clients are well-protected and prepared for any journey!

Summary

At the Path Symposium, we delved into cybersecurity and the evolving landscape of education in the travel industry.

Key insights highlighted the critical need to safeguard against fraud and scams, underscored the importance of robust education and training for travel advisors, and shed light on the intricate tech stack new agents must navigate.

Our industry is dedicated to nurturing and empowering the next generation of travel advisors, ensuring they bring professionalism and value to their clients.

Wanderlust Campus stands at the forefront, offering comprehensive training and education to tackle these challenges head-on.

Path Symposium, cybersecurity, education, travel industry, fraud, scams, training, tech stack, professionalism, value

• Safeguard against fraud and scams in the travel industry
• Robust education and training are vital for travel advisors
• Navigating the tech stack can be challenging for new agents
• Support and nurture the next generation of travel advisors
• Ensure professionalism and value for clients