In episode 191, Steph cohosts with Dave Meihoefer of TPI and they’ve got a ton of questions to cover, so make sure and ready up on ‘em in advance! Have a gander:
1. Hi Steph! I thought I had a rare name, but your podcast is making me feel like just another Stephanie! :). SO many Stephanies!!! We should start a club!
I have gone through the Accelerator Course, just going back and starting the business end of things - after 2 1/2 months of name searching, I feel like I can finally fill in the blanks! Thanks so much for all of your great podcasts and resources!!
This question doesn't really pertain to me now, but when looking to the future, in my successful advisor life, what is the benefit of leaving a host agency and going on my own? Will I be a host agency lifer? Or is there a pot of gold on the other side? Just curious, cheers-
Another One of those Stephanies
2. Hi Steph, listener & big HAR fan here from Belgium, Europe!
Don't know if this has already been asked, but couldn't find it straight away in the archives 😉
Here is my question:
"How would you deal with clients who are travelling and complaining about every minor detail, going from "the gym was only open for 1 hour" (though the sign & website says from 6am to 7 pm), "the room was cold but they wouldn't turn on the heating" (even though it was already on), "breakfast is too British", "restaurant prices were too Western, not to Indian standards" (in a Michelin star restaurant in India), ... They are driving the local rep up the wall, nothing seems to suit them, they've been given free upgrades etc, but when confronting them personally, they're telling a completely different story than the local agency is.
I'm worried it's some sort of strategy, to get a reimbursment or discount for their next trip, but don't want to fall for this.
How should one handle this professionally without risking getting bad reviews and knowing they got everything they requested at time of booking and more.
They are also seasoned travellers so shouldn't be a case where they came unprepared.
Any thoughts, insights?
Kind regards,
Inez
3. Hi Friday 15! I'm a school teacher and will be starting part time until I retire in 2-5 years. During the summers I have tons of free time but if I have clients on a trip during the school year how will I be available to them? For example if a problem arises and they need me to rebook something / advocate for them with a supplier, etc? Teaching is not like some jobs where you can just duck away from your desk for 15 minutes randomly in the middle of the day to take a phone call. When I'm at school I'm very much in a "school bubble" that nothing can interrupt.
I guess the main "questions behind my question" are, how realistic is it to successfully do this as a side hustle while teaching, and for how long? How much will I be able to take care of my clients (or how much of that will actually be needed) during the school year?
---Alissa B.
RESOURCES:
HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course on how to start your travel agency! https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator
Top 10 benefits of using a host agency. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-using-a-host-agency
Travel Agency Accreditation https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation
What is a Preferred Supplier Relationship in the Travel Industry? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier
What Are Travel Consortia & Co-Ops? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops
Do You Need A Travel Agent License? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license
Travel Planners International HAR profile with user reviews. https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-planners-international
Travel Planners International
https://www.travelplannersinternational.com
Dave on FB
https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)
