Starting Out as An Advisor – in Canada! Tips for Starting a Host Agency? How to Join a Preferred-Agency Program?

Starting Out as An Advisor – in Canada! Tips for Starting a Host Agency? How to Join a Preferred-Agency Program?

Author: Host Agency Reviews September 13, 2024 Duration: 20:20

In episode 173 Steph and Lindsay Taylor answer a bunch of excellent questions submitted by you, our faithful viewers and listeners. If you have a question, by the way, send it our way at https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15

1. Hello Friday 15 team! I live in Ontario Canada & my question is, how do I get into the travel industry as an advisor with no experience but have the schooling as well as TICO Certified? Thank you kindly for all you do!  –Chrystal M.

2. I’ve decided to expand my agency and diversify income. I plan to open my host agency division soon. Do you have any tips for someone starting a host agency from scratch? —Anonymous

3. Hi, I am wondering how to join 'preferred agency program' (e.g. Marriott Luminous, Hyatt Prive etc.). All the program says they are invitation-only but I am wondering what the general criteria is. Does joining a consortium help to become eligible? –Anonymous

RESOURCES:


HAR’s travel jobs board. Subscribe to weekly jobs email of new postings! (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-jobs)

ASTA’s Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor is a fantastic course for those looking to have a strong foundation before starting in the industry! Steph partnered with ASTA on it and they have a track for employees, independent contractors (ICs), and corporate travel agents. (https://har.news/roadmap)

ARC fraud protection resources (https://www2.arccorp.com/support-training/fraud-prevention)

Veriff identity verification (https://www.veriff.com/)

Older HAR blogs with some resources on credit card fraud and thinking like a frauster. A little dated, but still good content to read through.

PATH: Professional Association of Travel Hosts (need to be 50 ICs or more to join)

All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)


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
Backend business organization? Contracts? Fraud Risks? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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…
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Duration: 18:01
Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Solstice Collective to host this week's Friday 15 to celebrate the beginning of the long weekend in the USA. You can check out their HAR profile HERE! Also, we have a veritable barr…
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Duration: 22:44
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 belo…
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Duration: 16:45
Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Fora Travel to host this week's Friday 15 to celebrate the beginning of May. You can check out their HAR profile HERE! Also, we have a veritable barrage of questions this week, whic…