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 small group and several expedition ship trips to polar regions. My question is how to achieve bookings and have a cohesive enough group to spend so much time together? For example, how or can I screen or evaluate the compatibility of potential travelers, so if a trip is very physical, to make sure everyone is the group is prepared? 

2.  I realise that every Host agency has a different network. Even though I understand that I'm not supposed to go out of network if working in their system, if I am able to keep my own name and advertise as my own company, am I allowed to book with different networks of suppliers?

3.  I have an interest in working with boutique suppliers, especially accommodations such as boutique hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. I'm wondering how host agencies mix with boutique suppliers? Do they generally have these connections? Am I able to make these connections and book with these suppliers using my host agencies IATA number? I heard from a friend that smaller, boutique suppliers don't like working with host agencies? Any truth to that? Looking forward to hearing your take.

RESOURCES:

➡️ We have a series of 3 blogs about booking group travel and what suppliers want you to know about booking groups Sally, we will like the 1st of 3 articles in the comments for you (the other 2 blogs are linked directly at the top of this first one) - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/supplier-want-you-know-booking-groups

• This also includes a blog about 10 insider group booking tips from travel advisors and the second tip about ‘qualifying your group’ is great based on your specific question - don’t be afraid to ask what you need to ask or share the details of what the trip is all about - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/group-booking-tips-travel-advisors-agents

➡️ Refer to our ‘What is a preferred supplier in travel’ article - it will help outline why you likely want to work with a preferred supplier versus going outside of your network - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier

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, 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 !

1. The name I wanted to move forward with is "Be Prepared Vacations." The focus is on Disney, so the "Be Prepared" is a nod to Scar's song in the Lion King. 

I spoke with a trademark attorney. Unfortunately, the word "Be Prepared" can't be trademarked because the Boy Scouts have it trademarked. He said I can use the name, but it can't be trademarked. I really liked the name after going through hundreds of ideas, and the URLs and socials are all available. Upon doing some research, it didn't appear that many other smaller travel agencies had their name trademarked. If you can't get the name trademarked, is that an absolute No-No for you? Or just a nice thing to be able to do? -Scott K

2. I would like to specialize in multi-generational travel, but it seems this niche is still new and is not listed on several of the HA sites. Is there a host agency that is better than others when looking at family travel, especially multi-generational travel? Is there a better consortia? Beyond the niche of multi-generational travel, I would work with theme parks, all-inclusive, cruises, FITs. I know that sounds broad, but it is more the demographic I am focused on. -Melissa G

RESOURCES:

➡️ We have an article about 6 tips for choosing travel agency names as well that might be helpful - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-names

➡️ We have a naming worksheet that you can download for free from this article too that gives you a full checklist of things to consider

➡️ In our second tip we specifically talk about trademark infringement and link to the Trademark Electronic Search System. Even if a company is doing something totally different from you, it’s something you want to be aware of - best to choose a different name.

➡️ We also have a previous episode (episode 58) that reviews trademarking - https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15/difference-of-tradeservice-markcopyright-trademark-process-costtime-mistakes

➡️ How to find a travel Niche - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche

➡️ We also have an article that gives you tips on finding the best host agency, we specifically discuss that if you’re looking for super specific niches, like multigen that you’re not going to find a host that is THAT specific https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency

➡️ Submit your Friday 15 questions here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15

Steph Lee co-hosts with Stephanie Gagnon of Just Perfect Travel. Check out the questions below, and then come and join us Friday at 12 pm CST for the podcast! Please submit your questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here!

1. I am thinking about trying to become a travel advisor as a side hustle/potential career change. But, with the way the world is right now… Travel bands, tariffs, impending USA recession… I'm wondering what the outlook actually is for someone trying to start a new career in this field? What are the real travel agents preparing for? Is it a good idea to get into this business while all of this political stuff is happening? — Madi D.

1. I am in the final steps of picking a host agency.  My business is based out of the United States but my clients are from many different countries. I have a 16,000 person international reach and need to be able to service any client, regardless of where they are citizens.  I have been told, possibly erroneously, that I can only book clients that are US citizens due to the suppliers limitations.   Is this correct for most US host agencies?   If so, are there any host agencies that allow booking of non US citizens,  when my company is US based. —Apryl B. 

RESOURCES:

➡️Protecting client payments: https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/How-to-protect-client-payments

➡️ Advice for traveling in fraught times: https://www.travelweekly.com/Arnie-Weissmann/Advice-for-traveling-in-fraught-times

➡️ Just Perfect Travel, Stephanie’s agency!  https://www.justperfecttravelllc.com/

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Cazavia Travel to host a special edition this week's Friday 15 to celebrate Earth Month. Cazavia’s host agency is Montecito Village Travel and 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 12 pm CST for the podcast. 

Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here!

1. How can travel advisors influence client decisions without being pushy—especially when sustainability isn’t already a priority for the traveler?

1. Can you share an example of how an advisor made a trip more meaningful or sustainable for a client, even if that wasn’t the client’s original goal?

1. What role do travel advisors play in supporting local communities and economies through the trips they plan?

1. What do you wish more people knew about the impact their travel decisions have on the destinations they visit? 

RESOURCES:

➡️We have a great article as well on Supporting Clients Sustainable Travel, the green and red flags to look out for with suppliers specifically - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/supporting-clients-sustainable-travel-green-lights-and-red-flags

➡️ Only a few weeks ago, we partnered with Tourism Cares to publish an article on how sustainable and meaningful travel can grow your impact and business - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-sustainable-and-meaningful-travel-can-grow-your-impact-and-business

➡️ 200+ Travel agent rates! https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-rates 

➡️ We have an article on 5 simple ways travel agencies can support sustainable travel with a checklist if you’re just getting started - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/sustainable-travel-checklist

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Lori Speers to host this week's Friday 15. Lori's host agency is Levarte Travel and you can check out their HAR profile HERE!  our co-host! Also, we have a veritable barrage of questions this week, which you can read below, and then come and join us 12 pm CST for the podcast. 

Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here!

1.   Why is it so hard to narrow down a host on a general niche (like Mexico AIs)? 

2.    What's the deal with TA discounts being earned + you not usually being able to tap into them until you reach certain sales levels? 

3.    Why don't TAs necessarily have access to exclusive discounts for trips for their clients?

4.    What about after hours support for traveling clients not being on the host side, but rather the supplier's?

5.    Are air/car rentals maybe worth my time due to low commissions?

RESOURCES:

➡️Guide to choosing a travel niche. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche

➡️ Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them + Etiquette (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip)

➡️ 200+ Travel agent rates! https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-rates 

➡️ What is a travel consortium? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops)

➡️ All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)

➡️Host Agency Review’s Travel Agency Software Profiles https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

Our Managing Director Shayna Zand takes the helm this week at the Friday 15, with Connie Miller of Montecito Village Travel as our co-host! Check out Montecito's profile here and the questions below that Shayna and Conni will tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST.

Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

1. Do you really need an Identification number to be seen as a travel agency.. or can I essentially just book someone's trip for them? I’m not sure I want to find a host, I want to start my own business, but I don't know if that would be beneficial without having a number because I don't know if I would get the best discounts that way. I would love to just book people's trips, any advice? I'm fine booking the trip and just charging a fee without receiving all the extra commissions.. I just want to know if that is something I am technically allowed to do. I also want to know would it benefit the client though.

2. How does a newbie travel advisor become a sub-agent? And where can a newbie find a mentor?                           

3. When changing Host agencies, is it possible to transfer clients and vendor information without doing it individually? As a courtesy, should I tell the agency that I am moving on to another agency?

RESOURCES:

➡️ We have an article about What is a Travel Sub Agent and is it Right for you - we will post it in the comments.

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-sub-agent

➡️ HAR Events Cal! - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events

➡️ How to Choose the best host and key factors to consider https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2025/how-to-choose-the-best-host-agency-for-travel-advisors-key-factors-to-consider

➡️Switching Hosts 5 Things to Consider https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/switching-host-agencies-5-things-to-consider

➡️Dual Affiliation   https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/belonging-to-more-than-one-host-agency

➡️A huge thank you to Connie for joining us today and we will post the link to Montecito Village Travel’s profile for you in the comments section so you can go check them out.

https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/montecito-village-travel

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

Steph and Shayna co-host the Friday 15 with Stephanie Pickles of PTN! Scope out PTN's profile here and the questions below that Stephanie, Stephanie and Shayna will cover this Friday at 12 pm CST.

Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here!

1. Where do I find a list of all the host agencies in Japan (like HAR for US and CA). I want to start a branch operation in Japan. I want the consortium in Japan. What are the accreditation in Japan? -Joseph W.

2. If an Independent Contractor neglects to renew their Florida Sellers of Travel Independent Sales Agent license on time, what are the repercussions by the state? How have other host agencies handled this situation? Is the host agency liable? --Anonymous

3. Why would there be a foreign transaction fee when you are paying the supplier? I guess if they booked direct there might be. --Larry H.

RESOURCES:

➡️Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) https://www.japan.travel/en/

➡️World Travel Agency Associaion Alliance (WTAAA) https://wtaaa.org

➡️All Nippon Travel Agency Association (ANTA) https://www.anta.or.jp/

➡️Do you need a travel agent license/seller of travel registration? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license

➡️What is a DMC in travel? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

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! 

1. Hi Stephanie and Team! Thanks for all you do! I am hitting a wall trying to figure out how to bill for group FIT trips. To have each person in the group pay individually for each hotel reservation and activity would cause many foreign transaction fees on their credit cards. It is so much easier to just collect one payment/client and then I could pay it to all of the vendors on my business credit card which has no foreign transaction fees. However, I have heard multiple times that this is not best practice. I called and emailed my host company about this and their only advice was to talk with other advisors about what they do which is fine, but I want to make sure I am doing things properly. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! Appreciate all you do!

Sincerely,

Anonymous

2. Dear HAR, I’m a relatively new advisor (I started about a year and a half ago) and I am trying to understand the concept of “leads”. My host agency (which I love!) does not have a lead generation program, and I would really like to see how a lead works and practice using my training and skills with a mock lead. Do you know of any programs or practice websites/workbooks for this? Also, in the future how might I generate real leads on my own? Thank you for everything you all do!

Lisa B.

RESOURCES:

Do you need a travel agent license/seller of travel registration? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license

What does FIT in travel mean?

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

F15 on tour operator vs. agent (Episode 138) https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15/how-to-navigate-clients-loyalty-programs-stay-clients-agent-not-tour-operator-project-management-platforms-outside-crm

What is a DMC in travel? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company

Credit card processing for travel agencies https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/credit-card-processing-for-travel-agencies

Travel waivers to protect your travel agency https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-waivers-protect-your-travel-agency

Travel agent technology: payment solutions https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software/category/payment-solutions

List of travel industry lawyers and contact information

Do travel agents need errors and omissions (E&O) insurance? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance

Travel Industry Solutions’ HAR profile https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software/travel-industry-solutions

Travel Industry Solutions website https://travelindustrysolutions.com/

Travel Leads: Here’s what you need to know. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads

Do you need a travel agent license/seller of travel registration? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-do-travel-agents-do

TIS/HAR webinar: How to find clients without feeling overwhelmed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMAI7rKAN1Q

Dale Carnegie trainings https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en

Simon Sinek - Art of Presenting course

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

View the video, transcript, and show notes at: https://har.news/vol32

Today's guest made the leap from tech project management to travel advising in 2023 while living abroad in Switzerland. Within just two years, she's grown her agency, Your Travel Story, to nearly 6 times the sales from Year 1.

What makes Grace Camoglu’s journey particularly fascinating is how she balances being an FIT travel advisor with living in Switzerland, raising two young children (ages 8 and 11), and primarily serving North American clients—all while operating in a different time zone.

Grace has embraced fees from day one, starting with $200 and now charging $500 per household for a 7-10 day trip. She'll share how she's navigated time zone challenges, host agency selection as an expat, and why she believes in charging fees from the beginning.

For Grace, travel is a family tradition. Her father, who worked at a travel agency in Taiwan before immigrating to the U.S., instilled a love of exploration in her from an early age. Now, she's passing that passion along to her own children while building a business that works for her family's unique situation.

Tune in for practical insights on building a travel business abroad and how you can take an objective look at your workflow and use time tracking to hone in on the inefficient areas that are costing you money.

And for icing on the cake, Grace will share with use some insider tips for your clients next trip to Switzerland!

In episode 200, Steph and Shayna co-host and Global Travel Collection is out sponsor. We’ve got three substantial questions to dig into this week, so study up & let’s go! 

1. I'm just in the beginning of becoming a travel agent and really appreciate all the information I have been able to get from Host Agency Reviews. Thank you so much! My question is related to my potential agency name. I have looked up the possible name on NameCheap and it was not listed but when I look on Facebook there is a page with the same name. It doesn't appear that there has been any activity since 2022. Should I abandon the name I want or add something to the Facebook page name as I create it like my name or the word vacation? Or do you recommend something else? -Debi W.

2. As an aspiring travel advisor, do you believe changes in the United States' relations with other countries will significantly impact the number of people booking trips and vacations? How will such changes affect the travel industry? Also, do you think I should continue my efforts to find a host agency?Thank You for your response.

-Tonia

3.

I currently work for a major tour operator and have been quite successful in the luxury FIT space over the past year alone. My company is large enough to handle their own contracts etc., so the idea of host agencies, consortia, etc is foreign to me. While I don't dislike my job, I want to start my own business, be my own boss, and deal with quality over quantity. My business plan is to offer the same kind of tailored itineraries that I do now, but a primary objective is to lead organized small group tours to my specialty destinations. I have read loads of articles on "finding the right host agency". But what I am stuck on is SHOULD I have a host agency. 

-Anonymous 

RESOURCES:

➡️Tips for choosing travel agency names + examples. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-travel-agency-names) 

➡️Smart Traveler Enrollment Program 

https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step

➡️What is a tour operator?

➡️What does FIT in travel mean?

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

➡️What is a DMC in travel? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 

In episode 199, Steph and Shayna co-host with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here’s the questions they’ll tackle this week. Please join us! 

1. What is your favorite place to travel with children under 5?  ---Staci W.

2. Hi guys, my question is about organizing and processes. Working independently it's difficult to see how other people organize not only their workflow but how they store 

their information to recall it. From as simple as an A-Z address book to put formats or special codes for suppliers, sometimes you just want things simple and quick.

I struggle with how to set up my files to recall information. I see Steph saying "oh I'll attach a link …" and she retrieves it.

Any tips on how to organize computer files? Any help on notes on webinars watched?

Thank you! —Theresa W.

RESOURCES:

➡️ Project Management Software: Trello, Asana, Monday.com

➡️ Software that allows different programs to pass information between them: Zapier

➡️ HAR’s list of travel agency CRMs https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software/category/crm

➡️Voices of Innovation: Celebrating Women's Leadership in Travel | Host Agency Reviews https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2025/voices-of-innovation-celebrating-women-s-leadership-in-travel

➡️Ways to Contact Jennifer! 

Dugan’s website https://joindugans.com/

Dugan’s HAR profile–ask your questions and read reviews https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/dugans-travels

Dugan’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/duganstravels

Dugan’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/duganstravels/

➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15