Recommend May2017 - 33

Now more than ever, when travelers think they don't need travel agents, it's your job to prove
them wrong. By having unflaggingly high standards in every aspect of your business, you will
convey to your clients loud and clear how valuable your services are.
Here are 50 tips to keep your travel business thriving. Keep them handy for regular reference.
These tips won't go out of style. You'll find them powerful tools not just for today, but tomorrow
and well into the future.
1 Have a business plan. Once
you establish a vision and the
direction of your travel company,
it will provide structure and keep
you on course.
2 Identify your market and develop
strategies to reach them.
3 Always be thinking of ways to
promote your company, yourself and
your employees. Become the go-to
source for media outlets.
4 Be active in your community.
Get involved in silent auctions and
other fundraisers where you can get
your name in front of residents. Set
up speaking engagements with local
Rotary Clubs, libraries and schools.
5 Use your website to inspire
travelers. Post new content and
promote it via (opt-in) e-letters.
6 Use social media strategically.
Develop a campaign, rather than just
randomly posting photos, comments.
For example, one week, devote all
postings to summer travel; another to
African safaris.
7 Give yourself daily deadlines.
By having deadlines, you force
yourself to be more productive.
8 Specialize. You can be a generalist,
but at the same time have some
specialties that are magnets for new

clients. Once the word gets out
that you are an expert on certain
destinations (the Caribbean, India,
South America) or certain types of
travel (cruises, adventure travel)
you'll have a natural flow of inquiries.
9 Have a younger person in your
office you're grooming to move up.
10 Treat every client like your
business depends on it.
11 Get back to clients quickly.
12 If possible, meet clients in person.
13 Be a good listener and be curious.
14 Project knowledge. Clients want
to know you know your stuff.
15 Always have an upbeat attitude
when communicating with clients.
16 Be consistent and show that you
are responsible.
17 Be patient...no matter what.
18 Don't talk too much. Let
them talk.
19 Forms: Have a very
comprehensive traveler's profile
on file for every client and revisit
annually (should have passport
details, dietary preferences,
allergies, etc).

20 Have a checklist of what
documents go to client and when.
Traveler's Profiles, credit card
authorizations, trip insurance
waivers...
21 Stay up to date with
technology. Provide clients with
travel information, itineraries
in the newest formats available
unless they prefer more traditional
methods. Find out how they want
to stay connected. Do they use
WhatsApp? What about Venmo?
22 Always find out what's essential
for clients. Pools? AC? King beds?
Large rooms?
23 Celebrations. Clients will
often tell you it's an anniversary or
graduation trip. But be proactive-
if you are aware of something
coming up (because of previous
conversations), mention it. And
always let the suppliers know. You
can get creative with this: Baby
Moons, Empty Nest Trips...
24 Pay attention to world
challenges and have sensitivity
when making suggestions. For
example, the subject of exploiting
animals for travel entertainment
is an area of grave concern. Make
it your business to keep abreast of
what's happening and how to keep
your business away from it.

may 2017 33

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