Suppliers? Rebranded? Credit Card Authorizations?

Suppliers? Rebranded? Credit Card Authorizations?

Author: Host Agency Reviews February 6, 2026 Duration: 19:05

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming NEST Plus with April! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

  1. When choosing a supplier to work with, what are some questions to ask them about their support given to you and your clients. Same question for host agencies. It gets expensive trying so many only to discover the fit is not right. Thanks - Barbara
  2. Hi!!! I have basically been binge listening to the podcast for about a month now and I've enjoyed everything thus far!!I am a (fairly) new advisor. I've been under my host since November 2024 but I wasn't taking my business as serious as I wanted. I've rebranded and now I've launched with more confidence and have been showing up more now that I feel like my new business aligns with what I'm trying to do. My question is, since I've rebranded I know I want to add to my specialization or niche is cruising (small ships, river, ocean) BUT i am unsure of how to add this to my marketing when ny current focus is on slow travel. What would be any recommendations or insight into adding a new niche/specialization to my marketing? - Simone
  3. There seems to be more and more fraud in the travel industry. I am interested in knowing if TAs do more to screen clients before initiating a conversation with them - if so, what. Personally, I google prospects, and check social media. - Lene

RESOURCES:

  1. Learning more about Preferred Suppliers https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier
  2. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-consortia-education#sts=Part%202:%20Questions%20to%20ask%20the%20hosts/consortia
  3. We have an article about rebranding - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/when-rebrand-travel-business
  4. TIS article on fraud and fighting chargebacks - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tis-q1-2025


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]

Duration: 26:51
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…
Commission Splits? Selling Myself? Group Booking Contracts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:55
Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Vacation Planners and Travel Planners International 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…
Investing in my website? Do I really need an SEO strategy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Group Travel Niches? Preferred Supplier Networks? Boutique Suppliers? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
How To Trademark Your Agency? Interested in Multi-Gen Niche! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…