Group Travel Niches? Preferred Supplier Networks? Boutique Suppliers?

Shayna Zand and Steph cohost with April Swales of Uniglobe Travel Center to host this week's Friday 15 to celebrate Travel Advisor Day/Month. You can check out their HAR profile HERE! You can scope out our questions below, then come and join us at 12 pm CST for the podcast! 

Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !

1.  I am thinking of getting into travel advising to share my love of animals. I have traveled to Kenya on a safari with a small group and several expedition ship trips to polar regions. My question is how to achieve bookings and have a cohesive enough group to spend so much time together? For example, how or can I screen or evaluate the compatibility of potential travelers, so if a trip is very physical, to make sure everyone is the group is prepared? 

2.  I realise that every Host agency has a different network. Even though I understand that I'm not supposed to go out of network if working in their system, if I am able to keep my own name and advertise as my own company, am I allowed to book with different networks of suppliers?

3.  I have an interest in working with boutique suppliers, especially accommodations such as boutique hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. I'm wondering how host agencies mix with boutique suppliers? Do they generally have these connections? Am I able to make these connections and book with these suppliers using my host agencies IATA number? I heard from a friend that smaller, boutique suppliers don't like working with host agencies? Any truth to that? Looking forward to hearing your take.

RESOURCES:

➡️ We have a series of 3 blogs about booking group travel and what suppliers want you to know about booking groups Sally, we will like the 1st of 3 articles in the comments for you (the other 2 blogs are linked directly at the top of this first one) - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/supplier-want-you-know-booking-groups

• This also includes a blog about 10 insider group booking tips from travel advisors and the second tip about ‘qualifying your group’ is great based on your specific question - don’t be afraid to ask what you need to ask or share the details of what the trip is all about - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/group-booking-tips-travel-advisors-agents

➡️ Refer to our ‘What is a preferred supplier in travel’ article - it will help outline why you likely want to work with a preferred supplier versus going outside of your network - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier