Preparing for a Travel Agency NOW? Bookings for International Clients?

Preparing for a Travel Agency NOW? Bookings for International Clients?

Author: Host Agency Reviews May 2, 2025 Duration: 27:19

Steph Lee co-hosts with Stephanie Gagnon of Just Perfect Travel. Check out the questions below, and then come and join us Friday at 12 pm CST for the podcast! Please submit your questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here!


  1. I am thinking about trying to become a travel advisor as a side hustle/potential career change. But, with the way the world is right now… Travel bands, tariffs, impending USA recession… I'm wondering what the outlook actually is for someone trying to start a new career in this field? What are the real travel agents preparing for? Is it a good idea to get into this business while all of this political stuff is happening? — Madi D.


  1. I am in the final steps of picking a host agency.  My business is based out of the United States but my clients are from many different countries. I have a 16,000 person international reach and need to be able to service any client, regardless of where they are citizens.  I have been told, possibly erroneously, that I can only book clients that are US citizens due to the suppliers limitations.   Is this correct for most US host agencies?   If so, are there any host agencies that allow booking of non US citizens,  when my company is US based. —Apryl B. 




RESOURCES:


➡️Protecting client payments: https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/How-to-protect-client-payments


➡️ Advice for traveling in fraught times: https://www.travelweekly.com/Arnie-Weissmann/Advice-for-traveling-in-fraught-times

➡️ Just Perfect Travel, Stephanie’s agency!  https://www.justperfecttravelllc.com/


➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 



Hosted by the team at Host Agency Reviews, this audio channel blends two distinct formats into one practical resource. The first is Travel Agent Chatter, a quarterly series of spotlight interviews that dive deep into the experiences of working travel advisors. These longer conversations explore the real stories behind the careers, covering the nuances of building a business, personal client triumphs, and the cultural insights gained from a life in travel. The companion series, Friday 15, operates on a completely different rhythm. Every week, a focused fifteen-minute episode tackles specific questions from the travel industry, offering direct advice and timely insights that are both concise and immediately useful. Together, this podcast creates a balanced mix of inspirational narrative and actionable strategy. Whether you're seeking motivation from peer journeys or need quick answers to pressing professional questions, the channel is designed to support the daily realities of travel entrepreneurs. It’s a resource that understands the industry's blend of passion and pragmatism, delivered through the authentic voices of those who are deeply embedded in this world. Tune in for thoughtful perspectives that are as varied and dynamic as the travel profession itself.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15
Podcast Episodes
Billing for FIT Trips? How Do Leads Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Steph and Shayna welcome Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out TIS’s profile here on our brand-new travel tech software profiles.Here are the juicy questions they’l…
Travel with Small Children? How To Organize Digital Info? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
In episode 199, Steph and Shayna co-host with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here’s the questions they’ll tackle this week. Please join us! 1. What is your favorite place to travel with children under 5? ---Staci W.2…
How To Organize Contacts? Should I Go Out On My Own? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:58
In episode 198, Steph Lee co-hosts with a longtime friend of the Friday 15, April Swales of Uniglobe Travel Center. They’ve got two especially in-depth questions, so have a look and tune in Friday 12 pm CST! 1. Do you ha…
When to LLC? How To Be a Sub-Agent? Worried About Refunds! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:48
In episode 197, Steph Lee hosts and Andavo Travel is our sponsor. (Thanks, Andavo!) Here's a taste of the questions she'll cover! 1. At what point should you LLC (so as to protect your assets), even if your income is not…
System for Supplier Contacts? Go Independent? Thank You Gifts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:13
In episode 196, our very own Mary Stein co-hosts with the one and only Jenn Lee of Vacation Planners! Here’s the questions they’ll tackle this week! 1. Do you have a good system for organizing all your travel BD contacts…
When to LLC? How to Deal with Failure? Which Course To Take? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:58
In episode 195, we have a HAR Team special with Shayna Zand and Rita Perez! Here are the questions they’ll cover in this week’s episode! At what point should you LLC (so as to protect your assets), even if your income is…
What CRM for Credit Cards? Too Many Hosts!! How to Assess Fees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:53
In episode 192, Steph cohosts again with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here are the questions they’ll cover!1. ​​Hi I’m a new independent travel advisor just getting ramped up and which CRM is recommended for CC pay…