Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

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We’ve got two listening delights for you on this channel, folks! 😲 Season 1 is Travel Agent Chatter (TAC), a spotlight interview of a wide variety of travel advisors that we publish every quarter. Season 2 is our shorter, but more frequent Friday 15 series, where every Friday we answer your travel industry questions for — you guessed it — 15 minutes! Travel Agent Chatter -- a Host Agency Reviews audio series -- inspires you with in-depth interviews featuring successful travel agents. We dig into what they do that makes their agencies flourish and how they did it. Transcripts, videos and TAC show notes can be found at...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Season 2 - Episode 226

Host in home state? Social Media? Best Host Agency?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Jackie Friedman of Nexion Travel Group! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! When looking for a host agency is it better to find one in your home state? or it doesn’t really matter? - MichelleHello! I'm an aspiring travel advisor and keen to better understand how to tackle social media. I have my own personal Instagram account that I've been using for years to share content from my own travels, so I'm wondering what the pros and c...

Published: Sep 26, 2025Duration: 17m 10s

Season 2 - Episode 225

Advertising Tours? Software Overwhelm! Accessible Luxury?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Lori Speers of Levarte Travel! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! When I'm a vendor at festivals a few times a year advertising my travel agency, booth visitors repeatedly ask what tours are available besides the flyers I have on the table that show guided trips of a particular country with prices. I always have to stress to them that I can design a customized trip or a FIT and that we are travel advisors. At that poi...

Published: Sep 19, 2025Duration: 19m 58s

Season 2 - Episode 224

SOT Licenses? Last-minute travel? Certifications? Changing Commissions?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Meredith Calloway of Gifted Travel Network! I am in the process of forming an LLC for a travel agency based in California. However, I do not currently have a Seller of Travel (SOT) license. I was wondering if you host agencies allow independent agents (that are members of that host) to operate under their SOT license. - ZackCan a TA niche focus on last-minute travel or should a TA focus on last minute travel? - DianaWhat do you think is the most valuable...

Published: Sep 12, 2025Duration: 19m 57s

Season 2 - Episode 223

Commission Timing? Charging Fees? Switching Hosts?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Carolyn Orf of KHM Travel! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I understand some suppliers don't pay the host until after the travel date, but I've found some suppliers pay the month after the sale or after the final payment it's made. I also know some host agencies pay out to their agents weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. I'm curious to know the industry standard for how soon after receipt of commission from the supplier would a host age...

Published: Sep 5, 2025Duration: 21m 54s

Season 2 - Episode 222

Personal Travel? Accessible Travel? Client and Advisor Perks?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with April Swales of Uniglobe! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I am wondering how it works if I book flights and hotel stays separately for myself? I typically travel for work within Canada and also to San Diego for pleasure to see family. How does commission work for that type of travel? Hi, I just passed my tap certification. I'm interested in helping people with accessible travel .I'm disabled myself. Where's a good place to start. for exam...

Published: Aug 29, 2025Duration: 20m 50s

Season 2 - Episode 221

My own brand? Multiple hosts? Choosing the right host?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST, and you know it’s gonna be good. Join us! I don’t want to go out on my own and get an IATA and all that comes with that. But I also don’t want my host agency’s name on things like the client’s cruise documents, final travel documents, etc. I’m building my own brand that my clients know and trust, so seeing a different trave...

Published: Aug 22, 2025Duration: 20m 6s

Season 2 - Episode 220

Hosts for cruising? Overwhelmed at the beginning? FAM etiquette?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with April Swales of Uniglobe Travel Center! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST, and you know it’s gonna be good. Join us! -What is the best host agency for cruises? - Susan-I recently joined a host agency and I do a ton of research but somehow I feel more lost every day. I feel a little overwhelmed with so much information and access out there that my brain is freezing. I don't know where to start...

Published: Aug 15, 2025Duration: 24m 28s

Season 2 - Episode 219

OTA asking for marketing advice! Which HA for low fees + great training? How DO you handle your dual roles, Jenn Lee?

This week for the Friday 15, Steph co-hosts with Jenn Lee of Vacation Planners and TPI fame! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST, and you know it’s gonna be good. Join us! 1. I understand this podcast typically focuses on questions from advisors, but as a global OTA, we’re working to completely revamp our program for travel advisors in the US this year. While we already have several advisors from different host agencies using our services, our goal is to establish preferred partnerships with these agencies.I’...

Published: Aug 8, 2025Duration: 23m 3s

Season 2 - Episode 218

Travel Insurance? Cancel for any reason? New trends?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna and Steph are thrilled to join forces with the Arch Roamright team. They'll take on a slew of questions about travel insurance this Friday at 12 pm CST, so don't miss this one! Sometimes clients say they’re already covered through their credit card. How do I explain the differences without sounding sales-y?I often get questions about ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage , when is it truly worth recommending, and how do I explain the limitations?Are there any new trends in travel insurance we should know about, things like adventure travel, cruises, or luxu...

Published: Aug 1, 2025Duration: 17m 32s

Season 1 - Episode 33

He turned a love of D&D into $30k bookings. $35 events = 5-figure bkgs. Meet Rocky.

****** Transcript, Images + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol33 ******What happens when you combine a Lord of the Rings obsession, a dragon-themed jeep, and a charismatic entrepreneur? You get Rocky Dimico, the owner of Flights and Fables - one of the most uniquely branded travel agencies we've ever featured! Rocky went full-time from day one after a life-changing trip to New Zealand sparked his "aha" moment. But this isn't just another niche story - it's a masterclass in building a brand that people can't ignore. We're talking dragon logos on Jeeps, black tents with gold dragons at v...

Published: Jul 29, 2025Duration: 1h 56m 46s

Season 2 - Episode 217

Tech Trends? AI Practical Use? Staying Current?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna and Steph are thrilled to join forces with Dan Christian, fellow podcaster and host of the excellent Travel Trends podcast. They'll take on a slew of questions about tech and AI this Friday at 12 pm CST, so don't miss this one! There are so many new travel tech tools out there, it can feel overwhelming to choose what’s actually worth investing in. How do you recommend an advisor figure out which tools will really help their business grow?One of my biggest headaches is dealing with last-minute changes, like when flights get...

Published: Jul 25, 2025Duration: 29m 40s

Season 2 - Episode 216

Tech tools? Last minute changes? Tech Stack?

Shayna and Steph team up with Stephanie Gries from Travefy to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Travefy’s profile here: Travefy | Host Agency Reviews. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST! There are so many new travel tech tools out there, it can feel overwhelming to choose what’s actually worth investing in. How do you recommend an advisor figure out which tools will really help their business grow?One of my biggest headaches is dealing with last-minute changes, like when flights get cancelled or clients want to add som...

Published: Jul 18, 2025Duration: 24m 22s

Season 2 - Episode 215

Marketing my agency? Working with DMCs? Franchise vs Host?

Shayna and Steph team up with Jenn Lee from Vacation Planners to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Vacation Planners profile here: Vacation Planners | Host Agency Reviews. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST! I'm stuck on making a decision. I've only had two clients in the last year (my friends). They are FITs, its honestly been a pain to deal with. I do have a supplier helping me with this, but it's still been rough. I know I've only had 2 clients because I haven't advertised. It really seems soc...

Published: Jul 11, 2025Duration: 22m 31s

Season 2 - Episode 214

Hiring an agent for my agency? Selling other products? FAMs?

Shayna and Steph team up with Jennifer Dugan from Dugan’s Travels to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Dugan’s profile here: Dugan's Travels LLC | Host Agency Reviews. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST! I am a travel agent (since 2012) and own my own agency (since 2016). I am thinking of bringing on another agent and need to fully understand the differences and implications to both me as well as to the agent between me having this agent as an (a) employee, (b) and independent contractor, or (c) me bein...

Published: Jun 27, 2025Duration: 19m 32s

Season 2 - Episode 213

Balancing Work Life with Family Health Needs. Industry Standard for Payouts? Presenting Prices to Clients?

Shayna and Steph team up with Lori Speers from Levarte Travel to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Levarte’s profile here. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST! Currently, I’m working as a receptionist, after my first year, I was promoted to Jr. Agent. Unfortunately, due to some health issues my son is facing, my career progress has been put on hold, and it wasn’t my choice to step back. I’ve had to prioritize his well-being, but it’s difficult not to be able to pursue my dre...

Published: Jun 20, 2025Duration: 27m 7s

Season 2 - Episode 212

Protection for Wedding Coordinator? Selling Merch as Agent? Franchise vs. Own Brand?

Steph teams up with Eric & co. of Cruise Planners to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out CP's profile here. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST! If you plan a destination wedding just as a coordinator - client pays vendor directly - how can you protect yourself? —Lenora D.I attend market festivals as a vendor advertising my travel business between the spring and fall. This year, I have added some physical items to sell that are related to a few countries that I advertise. Because these are physical produ...

Published: Jun 13, 2025Duration: 25m 48s

Season 2 - Episode 211

Backend business organization? Contracts? Fraud Risks?

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’ll tackle this Friday, as always, at 12 pm CST! I absolutely love working with clients and planning trips, but when it comes to the backend of running my business—things like systems, organization, and workflows—I feel like I’m constantly playing catch-up. What kinds of processes or tools should I be thinking about to stay on top of things and actually fr...

Published: Jun 6, 2025Duration: 26m 51s

Season 2 - Episode 210

Commission Splits? Selling Myself? Group Booking Contracts?

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! Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !I am a huge fan of your podcasts and I look forward to listening to them each week. I have been in the industry for just over 2 years working part time while I build up my business. I am c...

Published: May 30, 2025Duration: 20m 55s

Season 2 - Episode 209

Investing in my website? Do I really need an SEO strategy?

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 barrage of questions this week, which you can read below, and then come and join us at 12 pm CST for the podcast. Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !I mostly get new clients from referrals. What’s the value of investing in a professional webs...

Published: May 23, 2025Duration: 18m 1s

Season 2 - Episode 208

Group Travel Niches? Preferred Supplier Networks? Boutique Suppliers?

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 below, then come and join us at 12 pm CST for the podcast! Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !1. I am thinking of getting into travel advising to share my love of animals. I have traveled to Kenya on a safari with a s...

Published: May 16, 2025Duration: 22m 44s