Starting my journey? Questioning my host? Niches?

Starting my journey? Questioning my host? Niches?

Author: Host Agency Reviews October 3, 2025 Duration: 20:43

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Jenn Lee of Vacation Planners and TPI! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! 

  1. Hello all! I am at the start of my journey to becoming an independent travel advisor who will join a host agency. What are some of the ways that travel advisors obtain health insurance? I did see that ASTA members have access to their insurance partner but that this varies by state. I'm in Indiana if that helps. Thanks so much! I am really finding your podcast helpful. - Cindy
  2. I’ve been with my host for about four months and I’m not loving the experience. I feel like I’m on my own when it comes to marketing, the website they provide is very basic, and the trainings aren’t great. On top of that, I pay a $40 monthly fee, a $180 startup fee, and they take a 70/30 commission split. I do appreciate that I get access to a lot of partners, which is a plus, but overall it feels like I’m paying a lot for very basic tools. My question is: is this experience pretty typical for newer advisors with host agencies, or is it a sign that I may need to start looking elsewhere? (Note: she has come back saying that we flagged to host as an MLM/Hybrid that she’s a part of) - Keeping this Anonymous
  3. Are there Host Agencies that specialize in wellness travel? Are there host agencies that specialize in Faith-based or Religious travel as a main thing or sub- niche, OR at least have options to book through certain faith based suppliers. - Warren and Jason


RESOURCES:


➡️We have a full article about travel MLM’s and what you need to know - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-mlms

➡️We will also link to our host directories where if the host fills the requirements of being a travel MLM, we ensure it’s clear to you all - https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts

➡️Still figuring out your Niche? Here’s our step-by-step guide - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche

➡️In our article on how to find the best host agency, we have a downloadable doc that compares the hosts and in one of the columns we outline the hosts’s Niche/specialty that can help guide you - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency

➡️Tech Week! Registration is open for HAR*Wired! | Host Agency Reviews: https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/tech-week

➡️Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legacydriventravelpros 

➡️https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/vacation-planners

➡️https://vacationplannersfranchise.com/



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: 50

Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15
Podcast Episodes
Busy vs Productive? Next Trip? Higher-end Trips? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:59
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I feel like I’m busy all the time, but I’m not necessarily maki…
Leads? Planning Fees? Training vs Selling? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Carolyn from KHM Travel Group. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I’m still pretty new and don’t have a huge client list yet. Wha…
Follow-ups? Groups? Clients? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:08
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Josh from Global Travel Collection. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! How do you follow up with a potential client without feeli…
Net Rates? Facebook Groups? Marketing on Social? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:36
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn from Travel Planners International and Vacation Planners. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! When advisors quote net rates,…
Which host? Start-up? FIT? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:43
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Gina from Uniglobe Travel Center. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! While I have years of experience building my own travel plan…
Larger hosts? BDMs? Time? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:27
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Laura from WorldVia Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I'm currently researching host agencies, and one thing I k…
Airfare? Beyond Commission? Expansion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:04
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Amy from KHM Travel! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! With airfare remaining one of the biggest travel expenses, what are some…
Find Clients? Luxury Clients? Habits? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:55
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Simon from Global Travel Collection! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I don't have a big network of friends and family to sell…
Mistakes? New Tech? Switching Hosts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:49
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Chelsea Martinez from OASIS Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! If I join a host agency today, what are the bigges…
Host v Franchise? Tech? Questions to ask? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:20
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn Lee from TPI and Vacation Planners! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I'm trying to decide between joining a host agency or…