10 Things Travel Agents Must Do To Compete In Todays Market

1. Pick A Focus

There are so many different options and offerings you can choose from to sell as travel specialist, my suggestion to you is, Pick one or a few to focus on. By doing this, you give consumers a real reason to come to you when the need expert advice on your product specialist. This is how you will separate your self from the thousands of general travel booking engines online consumers already have access to.

2. Go Upscale

Your ideal clientele will not be those looking for the best deal online. You will find that it’s the people who are more successful who value the use of travel agent, because they normally do not have the time to sit online searching through dozens of websites for the best possible deal. This is the type of clients you need to attract.

3. Look Professional Online

Your clients do not care where you live, what you look like or what type of car you drive, but the care about how you represent yourself on the web. In order to look credible, look different and look professional, you most have a proper custom website that gives a strong representation of what you are about.

4. Be Creative

It’s the extra thought and creativity that will win you the business over your competition almost 100% of the time. When putting a package together for a potential client, think of the little things you can add to the package as a complimentary offering, something your client would love but did not know about. Do not just go with a standard approach; try to make your service a little more special.

5. Be Efficient

Being efficient is all about having the right tools to manage your business. It is almost impossible to grow a business to become anything significant if you are managing your day-to-day operations on excel spreadsheets and Google calendar. Align yourself with a Host Agency that provides you with the right tools that automates your bookings and leads management process so you can spend less time on logistics and more time on marketing.

6. Focus On Leads

The core purpose of your business is sales; in order to make a sale you need leads. Your daily primary focus should be lead generation. Create marketing partnerships with other non-competitive businesses that have the attention of the type of clients you are trying to attract. Join a host agency that has an aggressive approach towards generating leads for their hosted travel agents. Use free platforms like social media and online directories to promote your business and your website.

7. Build A Brand

The key to building a long-term successful business that can eventually grow and function without you is “Branding.” Before you start your travel business, or if you are an existing agent looking to take your business to the next level, seek branding consultation. Work with a brand specialist to build an identity and a marketing message that will attract others to your business.

8. Create Value

Creating value for your clients is not about promising them the cheapest deal. Your value comes from the expertise and the service that your provide. When people travel, having the best possible experience and peace of mind when they travel means more to them than saving $200.

9. Ask For Feedback

Feedback is essential to the growth of your business, especially the bad ones. Always ask your clients for an honest review on how you did. Share positive feedback on the testimonial page of your website, and use the negative feedback to improve the standard of your service.

10. Be Aggressive

If you are not going to take your business seriously, then you should probably not do it. What you put in is what you will get out. Take an aggressive approach towards the success of your business. From generating new business to closing a sale, have urgency and purpose in your approach.