Boost Your Travel Advisory Business: Key Routines and Tools for Success

 Launching a travel agency is an adventure filled with excitement and possibilities. Much like the meticulous planning required for a seamless travel experience, the early stages of setting up a travel agency demand a strong foundation in organization and strategic planning. This article explores why establishing these cornerstones at the outset is crucial for enduring success and growth in the industry.

1. Preparing for Future Success

• Proactive vs. Reactive: Setting up organized systems and practices early on positions a travel agency to be proactive rather than reactive. When the foundation is strong, you're prepared to handle growth and unexpected challenges without falling into disarray.
• Building Scalability: An organized start ensures scalability. As your client base grows and demands increase, having established systems in place allows for smoother transitions and adaptations.

2. Creating a Professional Image

• Trust and Credibility: A well-organized business exudes professionalism. Clients and partners are more likely to trust and respect an agency that operates with clarity and efficiency from the get-go.
• Consistency in Service: Consistency is key in the travel industry. Establishing organized practices early helps maintain a consistent level of service, crucial for building a loyal client base.

3. Avoiding Pitfalls of Disorganization

• Reducing Stress and Burnout: Disorganization can lead to stress and burnout, especially as the business grows. By setting up organized systems from the beginning, you mitigate these risks, ensuring a healthier work environment.
• Preventing Errors and Oversights: Disorganization can lead to costly mistakes. Early establishment of clear processes and habits reduces the likelihood of errors and oversights.

4. Embracing Efficiency and Growth

• Maximizing Productivity: An organized approach allows you to maximize productivity. Time and resources are better managed, enabling you to focus on growing the business and enhancing client experiences.
• Adaptability: An organized foundation provides the adaptability needed to navigate the ever-changing travel industry. It becomes easier to integrate new trends, technologies and market shifts.

Starting your travel agency with a focus on organization, strategic planning and good habits is not just about avoiding chaos; it's about setting the stage for sustainable growth and success. In the competitive world of travel, being prepared and organized from the beginning is not just advantageous – it's essential. Embrace the journey with a solid foundation and watch as your travel agency reaches new heights.

Amid the players in at-home travel field, Dugan's Travels has remained at the top in catering to the agents' needs. They offer a low start-up, a fantastic educational program, and a vast network of support. Agents who work with Dugan's Travels gain high commissions and pay out little in monthly costs. 

"Dugan's provides our agents what is needed to be successful in travel. We not only have online orientation for new agents, but also conduct Dugan's University events and bootcamps. DU is offered in different cities on a semiannual basis. At DU, agents meet and network with other Dugan's agents while also attending exclusive presentations by some of Dugan's top suppliers," Jennifer Dugan comments on agent education and support. "Agents are also part of an online network of agents who help with questions and problems." 

Jennifer Dugan started Dugan's Travels in 1997 with the hopes of having a business that would not interfere with her experiencing the bonding of at-home parenting. As a former agent for an store-front agency, she quickly learned what she needed to do in order to make her business succeed. 

"As I was growing my business, I learned about all the snags and problems independent at-home agents face. I translated that into a system and an opportunity for other agents to join me." Jennifer Dugan explains about her company. 

What started out as a way to help other moms work at home became something more. At DU events, agents show how much they enjoy being together. When asked, many agents say what they enjoy most about the agency is the feeling of family. Agents help one another succeed and have interaction via a Facebook group as well as events through out the year. Many of the agents attend industry events together.

Dugan's Travels is well-respected with travel suppliers and provides valuable travel resources for agents. Dugan's is a member of IATAN, ARC, and CLIA and is a President's Circle member of Travel Leaders Network. 

With the right kind of organization and support, agents can do very well in the travel business. By joining the Dugan's Travels family, new and experienced travel agents alike can succeed and thrive. 

For more information please visit http://www.travelathome.com

Dugan's Travels is a hosting agency for independent travel agents and is a member of IATAN, CLIA, ARC, OSSN, NACTA, and Travel Leaders Network. Jennifer Dugan, a travel agent since 1994, started Dugan's Travels to be a work-at-home mom yet still remain a part of the travel industry. Dugan's offers agents the ability to build a business while working at home, and has low startup costs and a generous commission split. For more information please visit www.travelathome.com.

In early January, Dugan's Travels began using SmartAgency, Dugan's new, custom-built computer system. All agents will be registered and using SmartAgency by February 1, 2018. SmartAgency, a CRM system built to Dugan's specifications, is getting great reviews from agents. It will continue to grow and develop with many enhancements already in development. The 1.0 version provides basic functions for agents including client management, reservations, and commission and sales information.

Dugan's Travels teamed with Strix Louisiana to build SmartAgency. With this collaboration, SmartAgency was created with an intuitive interface that is easy for agents to use and easy for team to manage back-office tasks. "Our agents and team needed a better CRM and that's something we (the team at Dugan's) control. Using a third-party system just did not meet the needs of our agents or our agency. So, we decided to spec out and build a system that would." Jennifer Dugan stated.

Dugan's provides SmartAgency free to all active agents. Dugan's Five Star Agents, the agency's top agents, have been using SmartAgency since mid-January. All agents will have access to the system by February 1, 2018.

As with any system change, there is a learning curve, but the transition to SmartAgency has gone very smoothly. Agents are stepping up to the task and attending webinars and reading learning materials to learn how to use SmartAgency. Agents state the system is very intuitive and say entering reservations is a simple process. Future developments include better group management tools as well as tools to make it easier for agents to communicate with clients and for staff to communicate with agents.

Dugan's Travels is a travel host agency with 400 independent contractor agents located across the United States. Dugan's Travels is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. All staff work virtually and are also located across the United States.

Dugan's Travels was founded in 1997 and began hosting agents in 1999. Dugan's Travels has received many awards including Presidents' Circle with Travel Leaders Network, Platinum Funjet 500 Club Agency, Crystal Preferred Partner with Apple Vacations, and Best of the West with Sandals. Dugan's Travels is a member of IATAN, CLIA, ASTA, and PATH. For more information please visit www.travelathome.com.

Effective December 1, 2017, Jennifer Dugan announces changes to Dugan's Travels team.

Jennifer Dugan is named Chief Family Officer. Jennifer will be responsible for nurturing the culture of Dugan's Travels and agent recognition and awareness. Jennifer will ensure Work With A Family of Agents! is not just a slogan but a way of life for Dugan's Travels. As the agency owner, Jennifer is also responsible for licensing, state seller of travel regulation compliance, and other banking and legal matters.

Virginia Ann Busceme is named Chief Operations Officer. Virginia will be responsible for the business activities of the agency including commissions, agent contracts, invoicing, ClientEase, Smart Agency implementation and development, and other business related activities.

Shari Speer is named Chief Supplier Relations Officer. Shari will be responsible for developing and expanding Dugan's Travels' relationships with travel suppliers and agent awareness and education on the business, 

offerings, and promotions from travel suppliers. Shari is also responsible for all Dugan's University seminars.

Karen Pattison is joining the team of Dugan's Travels as the New Agent Coordinator. In her position Karen will work with new agents when they join Dugan's and advise and assist them through the New Agent Orientation program.

Melissa Land is named Marketing Coordinator. Melissa will be responsible for promoting Dugan's Travels and Dugan's Preferred Suppliers through inward and outward facing marketing. Melissa will continue to do prospective agent telephone sessions.

Carolyn Orf is named Chief Development Officer. Carolyn will be responsible for agent development for new and experienced agents. Carolyn will continue to nurture agents through Dugan's STEP Program and will oversee and develop Dugan's New Agent Orientation and other agent education programs.

Karlene Penick will continue in her role as Agency Specialist--Contracts and Commissions.

Barb Cerbie will continue in her role as Agent Advisor.

Wendi Carrillo will continue in her role as Senior Agent and Problem Resolution Specialist.

STRIX of Louisiana will continue to coordinate agent contracts, agent invoices, web and cloud support, and the development, implementation, and operation of Smart Agency.

Karen Pattison is joining the team of Dugan's Travels as the New Agent Coordinator. In her position Karen will work with new agents when they join Dugan's and advise and assist them through the New Agent Orientation program.

Jennifer Dugan stated, "Dugan's Travels has been a host agency since 1999. We are so excited to continue to grow and evolve to make sure all our agents' needs are met."

Dugan's Travels is a travel host agency with 400 independent contractor agents located across the United States. Dugan's Travels is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. All staff work virtually and are also located across the United States.

Dugan's Travels was founded in 1997 and began hosting agents in 1999. Dugan's Travels has received many awards including Presidents' Circle with Travel Leaders Network, Platinum Funjet 500 Club Agency, Crystal Preferred Partner with Apple Vacations, and Best of the West with Sandals. Dugan's Travels is a member of IATAN, CLIA, ASTA, and PATH. For more information please visit www.travelathome.com.

To use a travel agent or not?

As owner of Dugan's Travels, a travel agency, I often hear from people saying that no one uses a travel agent anymore. It is true that there are so many websites out there and it is super easy to go to a hotel chain's website and book a hotel for a couple of nights.  Anyone believing this isn't true hasn't seen the statistics showing that 65.8 of all the travel booked in 2011 was booked at the supplier's (ie Marriott, Holiday Inn etc) website.

Does this mean people are over using travel agents?  No not at all.  It is just people tend to use a travel agent for more complicated trips than a simple hotel booking.  Does this mean a travel agent doesn't want this business?  That depends on the travel agent.  At Dugan's Travels we will take any trip big or small because we want to be your go to agent for anything you need.  That being said, when I have a client who does want to make their own hotel booking, I don't shame them or act offended.  I do give them my travel agent number so that they can still do it as they want but then hopefully the agency will in turn get the credit.

I think agents who get mad or angry that someone doesn't use them is just spinning their wheels.  Some people are comfortable doing their own reservations.  Some people are just quick to the point get it done.  They remember at 1am they need a hotel for the  next week business trip.  Why not embrace it and realize that is what our world is like.  I tell friends or family, it is okay if you book it and if you put in my information if there is any problems I can help you.  Otherwise my hands are tied at what I can help you on.  I don't think they can't handle booking a simple hotel for a couple of nights.  My friends, family and clients are smart people! I believe they can do things on their own and if they need me, I am an email or phone call away.

I think as a travel agent I need to know what people are doing and not get offended but learn to embrace it.  This might be while I am still around as an agency while so many others have given up.

So to all your travelers out there, I don't feel it is right for anyone to shame you because you want to book your own travel online... just contact us so that we can have a part of it and help you if you need us!  Once our information is on a booking, we can help out.  It's okay and we still want you to be our customer!

Is being a travel agent right for me?

Of course being a travel agent from home is like any type of career, it isn’t for everyone.  However for a wide range of people, it is a great industry.  Here are some reasons travel may be good for you.

You like people.  You don’t have to like everyone but generally like people.  If you don’t, then this probably isn’t the best career for you.  You have to interact with customers and suppliers.

You enjoy helping people.  You are a consultant for people who are planning a trip.  Your job is to help your clients plan and go on trips.  You can’t be someone who is annoyed when someone asks for help.

You like to travel.  If you are a traveler yourself, you will have information on different destinations.  If you do like to travel, you can save money on your own vacations.

Everyone already calls you.  Your friends and family contact you anytime they need help making their travel plans.

You are someone who can use the Internet.  While everyone else you know can’t seem to maneuver around the web, you can get online and find just about anything.

You enjoy projects and researching things.  This is one of the areas that has made me the agent I am today.  I did not do a lot of traveling and I actually failed geography class!  But I know how to research and find out information for my clients.  I use the Internet and books to help me.

You love to dream.  I am constantly thinking of the next place I would like to go and spend hours searching for things.  My searching helps me to learn more and more about the world and places to visit.

You are not afraid to pick up the phone and call suppliers to get information.  You don’t have to know every location in the world or have traveled all to be a good agent.  If you are the type of person who will pick up the phone and call someone for help, you will do just fine.  Suppliers and there to help you plan your clients’ trips.

You are looking for a way to have a second income.  If you already have a job this business is one that won’t require you to work long hours or stay in any location for too long. 

You move around and want something you can do from wherever you are located.   As long as you have access to the Internet, you can work from home as a travel agent just about anywhere.

You have special interests.  This is a wide area.  Maybe you enjoy a particular sport or have a favorite place you like to visit.  If this is the case for you, you can specialize in what you enjoy.  Many agents will just sell one particular vacation like ski trips or golf trips.  Some will focus on a particular location like Florida or Mexico.  Some focus on things like cruises or family trips.

You enjoy learning about new things.  This is one field that you will never know everything about it.  It constantly changes and there are so many areas of travel.  There is no way no matter how long you have been in the business you will know it all.

You have always wanted to be a travel agent.  This something I am told all the time by new agents.  The travel field has always interested them.

You already know people who travel.  Maybe your friends and family travel or your full-time job requires you to book travel already for many people.  I have several agents who do the travel for the place they work already.  They say they normally book it online or through another agency and realized they could be making money from the work.

You are tired of working for someone else.  This business will be your business.  You will work for yourself and instead of working hard to make someone else rich, you will be the one profiting.

You enjoy making money.  When I worked full time as a travel agent at an agency, I would look at my weekly sales.  I used to always think about if I had been on commission, what I would have made instead of the hourly rate I made.  Now if I have a great week, I get the money from it as opposed to the same pay.  Of course, the flip side is if I have a bad week I works to my disadvantage.  There is a great incentive to work hard and be rewarded.  There is nothing like the feeling of booking a cruise and making $500 in an hour.  If you want to make money and are willing to go after it, you will make it.

You want a job that allows you to work from home.  Many of my agents just wanted a way to work at home either for family reasons like children or for health reasons.  Many just want to own their own business and have the opportunity to be at home with their children.

You don’t want a 9-5 job.  I work whatever hours I decide.  Many of my customers enjoy the fact they can call me after they get home from work.  I enjoy working late at night when my house is quiet.  Many you want to have other commitments during the day like schooling or activities that a regular job would not permit.

You want to travel.  There are great opportunities to travel as an agent.  Some require a certain amount in sales in order to allow you to participate in familiarization trips or discounts as a travel agent but they are available.

Whatever the reason for deciding for being a home based travel agent, it can be a wonderful opportunity for a variety of people.

Why become a travel agent?

People often ask me how I get paid or why they should not just make their own reservations.  Hotels, rental car companies, tour companies, cruise lines and some airlines pay a travel agent a commission on the sale.  This is not an additional amount you have to pay.  It is the same price as if the person booked it with the company him/herself or if a travel agent makes the booking.  For my agency, this is what I survive on.  Some have decided to charge fees for their services.  So why should people use a travel agent?  Many times I can get things cheaper due to all the resources I have at my fingertips.  There are some companies that only deal with travel agents so you would not be able to get their prices.  One company I deal with on a regular basis for Hawaii packages will not sell to the public and I have saved people money using this company.  A travel agent is like any personal service that you use regularly like hairdresser, doctor, lawyer, etc.  Once you find one that provides you the service you want and need, it can be a lasting relationship.

But what about all the places on the Internet that you can buy your travel?  It is a good idea to check to see if it is the deal that some may think it is.    I think that the Internet is a great resource but many think they will get a better deal than they would thru a local travel agency.  If this has been the case for you, this does not mean all agents are like this.  Or it may be a one-time deal where you did save by using the Internet.  The problem with the Internet is that there isn't that personal touch a local agent could give you.  If a problem arises, you can be in trouble.  There are also many fraudulent companies online.  I have done some research on using the internet to book travel and I have found that there are many times where the internet shopper pays more than what I can find.  Some rental car companies online charge more than what I can get my customers.  Then some agencies get better rates thru certain companies due to affiliations or sales offered only to travel agencies.  Many airline websites will not check all options because they aren't affiliated with certain airlines.  There will always be the chance of getting a special on the Internet, I won't deny that.  Some airlines are offering Internet fares only but many times a travel agent can get you the same rate.