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

Episode Highlights:

Come along for an eye-opening chat as Kelli Hayes Smith sits down with Angela Hughes, the mastermind behind Trips and Ships Luxury Travel. They dive deep into Angela's journey, from a greenhorn in the travel biz to dominating the luxury travel game.

Key Points Covered:

• Coaching & Mentoring: Angela stresses how crucial it is to guide and support new agents through their career path. Coaching isn’t just about giving advice; it's about nurturing growth and overcoming obstacles.

• The Luxury Conundrum: What screams luxury to you might not resonate with someone else. Angela breaks down this subjective concept, urging agents to understand their clients' unique definitions of luxury.

• High-End Sales & Profitability: Angela spills the beans on her secret recipe: selling top-notch products to boost your bank balance. Knowing your ideal client is the key to success.

• Navigating Mistakes: From choosing the wrong host agency to battling confidence issues, Angela and Kelli dish out advice on steering clear of common pitfalls.

Key Takeaways:

• Coaching Counts: For aspiring agents, having a mentor can make all the difference in the world.

• Define Luxury: It's not just about fancy hotels and first-class flights; it's about understanding what luxury means to your clients.

• Money Talks: Selling premium experiences isn't just a treat for clients; it's a savvy move for your wallet too.

• Choose Wisely: Your choice of host agency can make or break your career. Invest wisely in your business for long-term success.

• Believe & Achieve: Confidence isn't just nice to have; it's a must-have for success in travel.

• Community & Connections: To attract clients, get out there! Build bridges, forge connections, and watch your client base grow.

• Stay Sharp: The travel industry is always changing. Keep learning, adapting, and thriving.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation, sprinkled with invaluable insights for both budding and seasoned travel agents alike.

LINKS

Trips and Ships Luxury Travel

Today, Cyndi sits down with experts in Run Disney to help you understand how to sell Run Disney in your travel business.

Summary: Hey there, welcome to the latest episode where Kelli Hayes Smith and Jonathan Morris from Legato Host are kicking back and dishing out some real talk about the travel advisor game.

They're diving deep into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to become a travel advisor and why having one in your corner is still the way to go.

Forget the hype about AI taking over and the ease of booking online – they're here to remind us that human connections and relationships are the real magic in travel.

Plus, they're spilling the beans on why it's crucial for travel advisors to see themselves as pros, just like those rockstar real estate agents.

Oh, and they're not holding back on the hot topic of fees and whether to hitch your wagon to a consortia. So grab a cup of coffee, kick back, and let's dive into this laid-back chat about all things travel!

Takeaways:

• Bringing those consortia functions in-house? It's like unlocking a whole new level of flexibility and top-notch service for your clients.
• Building up that big ol' network of suppliers? That's your secret weapon for giving your clients the VIP treatment they deserve.
• Consortia relationships? Sure, they've got their perks, but sometimes they're like that clingy friend who just won't let you spread your wings and fly.
• Agent-centric marketing? It's like the missing puzzle piece in the travel industry, with most of the focus on pushing suppliers' stuff. Let's flip the script and put the spotlight back on us!
• It's time to shake things up and do it our own way. So let's challenge that status quo and build our businesses on our own terms – who's with us?

LINKS

Legato Host

Summary: Hey there, welcome to the latest episode where Kelli Hayes Smith and David Shull from Tern Travel are chatting up a storm about tech in the travel biz.

They're diving deep into the struggles travel agents face with ancient tech and why we're all craving some fresher options.

From the mind-numbing manual data entry to the headache of dealing with a bunch of disjointed systems, they're shining a light on all the messy stuff that slows us down.

But fear not! They're also championing the cool ways AI can swoop in and save us time, all while reminding us that the human touch is still where it's at.

Plus, they're dishing out tips on how to streamline our workflows and make our lives easier. It's a wild ride through the world of travel tech, and you won't want to miss it!

Takeaways:

• Old-school tech and system chaos? Yeah, they're big headaches for travel pros.
• AI? It's like our superhero sidekick, taking care of the boring stuff so we can focus on what we do best.
• Want to stop dropping the ball? Time to embrace streamlined processes and handy automation.
• Emails and travel tech? They're like peanut butter and jelly – a perfect match for making our lives smoother.
• Making checkout feel like a breeze? That's the secret sauce for building trust and sealing the deal.
• Know your worth, travel pros! When you're tech-savvy and professional, clients will pay what you're worth.
• Say goodbye to just booking – it's all about crafting killer plans that make clients' dreams come true.
• Protecting your business? Think solid terms and conditions and being savvy about chargebacks.

LINKS

Tern Travel

Join Cyndi Williams and Kelli Hayes-Smith as they spill the tea on fam trips and their recent escapades aboard the Icon of the Seas cruise ship.

Get ready for a relaxed chat packed with tips for travel agents on scoring those coveted fam trip invites and making the most of industry events.

They'll dish out all the juicy details about the Icon of the Seas, including some seriously cool features that you won't find on Google.

Plus, stick around for a sneak peek into the upcoming Wander Beyond retreat on the Utopia of the Seas!

Key Points:

• Fam trips are the golden ticket for travel agents, so buckle down and boost those sales to snag those invites.
• Remember, fam trips are all about work, not play. But hey, work doesn't have to be boring when you're cruising the high seas!
• Discover the hidden gems of the Icon of the Seas, like VIP dinners and rubber duck scavenger hunts. Quack-tastic!
• Upselling clients to Suite Class? It's not just about making more sales, it's about adding value and giving them the VIP treatment.
• Excited for the Wander Beyond retreat? Us too! Get ready to rub elbows with industry pros and soak up all the knowledge.

Sound Bites:

• "How do I get invited? How do I get these invites? Let's spill the secrets!"
• "We're gonna bring you the hottest content, straight from the decks of the Icon of the Seas."
• "Take your time, soak it all in, and let the brand vibes wash over you."
• "Upselling isn't just about the bottom line, it's about giving your clients the star treatment they deserve."
• "From Central Park chill vibes to Surfside kid fun, there's something for everyone on board."

Chapters:

• Introduction and Setting Sail
• All Aboard: Exploring the Icon of the Seas
• Hidden Treasures: Un-Googleable Finds
• Anchors Away: Takeaways for Travel Agents
• Smooth Sailing: Navigating the Embarkation Process
• Deck Vibes: Exploring the Ship's Hotspots
• Entertainment Galore: Showtime on the High Seas
• Marketing Ahoy: Tips for Travel Agents
• Ship Shape: Making the Most of Your Cruise
• Smooth Seas Ahead: Value of Working with Travel Agents
• Spa Days and Port Nights: Discounts and Delights
• Fam Trips and Invites: Insider Insights
• Prep Talk: Getting Ready for Industry Events
• Client Focus: Thinking Like a Traveler
• Game Plan: Strategizing Your Success
• Content Cruise: Gathering Marketing Material
• Announcement: Wander Beyond Retreat
• VIP Treatment: All Aboard the Retreat
• Setting Sail: Booking Your Spot
• Smooth Sailing: Closing Remarks

LINKS

Wander Beyond Retreat