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The Journal

Travel Advisor Resources

How to Become a Luxury Travel Agent: the 2023 Guide

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/how-to-become-a-luxury-travel-agent

Luxury travel agent . It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? If you’re someone who has a passion for travel and appreciates the finer things in life, you may be missing your calling. A luxury travel agent plans five-star — and often extravagant, downright epic — trips around the world. 

We’re talking safaris , over-water villas in Bora Bora, the nicest suites in Paris — the works. It sounds glamorous, and it often is, as luxury travel planners frequently get to experience these high-end travel experiences for themselves. There’s also the draw of bigger commission checks, as compared to modestly priced trips ( how do travel agents get paid , anyway?). But there’s far more to being a luxury travel advisor than juicy payouts and sampling the goods. There are impossibly high-maintenance clients, unrealistic expectations and plenty of hoops to jump through. Think you’re cut out for it? We got you.

(Not quite ready to tackle luxury-seeking clients? Learn how to become a travel agent from square one, or, better yet, what is a travel agent? )

First, what counts as “luxury travel?”

When most think of luxury travel , elite properties like Rosewood or Four Seasons in gorgeous places like Monaco or the Maldives tend to come to mind. But there’s more to it than extravagant, amenity-filled hotels in coveted destinations. 

You’ll be planning beyond-ordinary travel experiences (and it’s really fun)

Luxury travel planning tends to include more dimensions than an ordinary booking. Clients may have unorthodox requests, like reserving separate villas for a single couple. They might desire custom excursions, such as an off-the-rails safari through the Serengeti. They could show interest in unique destinations, like chartering a one-off cruise to Antarctica…you get the idea.

Many luxury travelers expect white-glove service

Luxury travelers often want attentive, uncompromising service and have a desire to enjoy extraordinary experiences far removed from everyday life. Some clients may expect their needs to be anticipated, rather than spoken. Itineraries may change on a whim. And frequent follow-ups are often a must (though this may vary by client).

Expectations are high, so knowing how to navigate these particulars is a necessary skill. Don’t assume this is a raw deal, though. Luxury travelers may have heightened expectations, but they’re also willing to pay top dollar for those experiences, which means greater commission. 

Plus, luxury travelers are often looking for extensive itinerary planning (which is billable), and other commissionable services, too, like organizing transportation and special experiences. 

Even so, commissions for smaller-scale luxury trips are nothing to balk at. This is, after all, why many in the industry aspire to become a luxury travel agents.

How to become a luxury travel advisor, step by step

If you’re a travel planner who’s interested in leveling up into the luxury market, read on for our tips on how to become a luxury travel agent. Or, if you're ready to dive in today, sign up to become a Fora Advisor .

Start with the basics of travel planning

If you haven’t booked travel before, you may not want to start with elite hotels, resort buyouts and organizing luxe itineraries. Instead, it may be helpful to start with ordinary bookings and trips, and then work your way up. This way, you can build your confidence and experience in a lower-stakes setting so that you’ll be well prepared for luxury travel planning in due time.

And if it’s all new, Fora can teach you everything about becoming an independent travel agent . We offer comprehensive travel agent training on everything from the basics to hyper-niche destination planning — plus endless support.

Become a luxury connoisseur

Luxury travel is one of the most exclusive subsets of an already exclusive industry. Five-star hotels and high-end suppliers (like tour companies) cater to the one-percent, which means most of us will never experience travel at the crème de la crème level.

But in order to become a luxury travel agent, you must be acquainted with the product. No, you don’t have to fork over thousands of dollars to stay at luxury hotels in order to compare them. However, you should make an effort to learn about the luxury travel industry by doing research, leveraging your fellow advisors’ expertise and poking your head into five-star hotels when you can.

Developing your eye for luxury is an important step in earning your chops as a travel connoisseur, so you can consult with your clients as they decide between the best of the best.

Develop your high-touch service skills

Knowing about luxury travel is one thing, but booking it is a whole different beast. Because clients are paying five-star prices, they are expecting five-star service — and that white-glove customer experience begins and ends with you.

As a high-end concierge or personal assistant would, luxury travel agents do their due diligence in getting to know their clients and catering to their unique needs and travel preferences. When advising on a destination or specific hotel, demonstrate your thorough research, paint an enticing picture and be sure to highlight specific details in line with their tastes.

… including razor-sharp attention to detail

The devil is in the details when it comes to being a luxury travel agent. In addition to providing a highly personalized service experience, it’s crucial to ensure accuracy when dealing with reservations, transportation and other logistics. 

When working with hotels, be sure to communicate early and often to ensure your clients are treated like VIPs. For luxury travelers, little details like a personalized welcome gift go a long way. (By the way, we have access to perks at the world’s top high-end properties that you can offer your clients). But missing a little detail — like an early hotel check-in — will not be treated lightly.

Rely on your fellow advisors (and choose your agency wisely!)

Unless you’re an experienced globetrotter, you can’t know everything when it comes to luxury travel. 

If a client is looking to you for advice on a destination you know little about, leverage your fellow travel agents. At Fora, our team of experienced industry insiders (many of whom are luxury travel advisors in their own right) knows the ins and outs of luxury travel planning worldwide, so you’ll never be taking a shot in the dark.

For context: if you work at a boutique travel agency, you may have fewer resources. Alternatively, agents at a larger, high-end travel agency often gate-keep information (new agents are often viewed as competition), making it tricky to plan trips you’re unfamiliar with. Learning how to become a luxury travel advisor is as much about making connections as it is planning travel.

Market yourself, but remember: referrals are your best friend

You’ve studied up on luxury, refined your sales skills and done your research — now what? 

First, market yourself as a luxury travel agent . At Fora, we offer content marketing tools and resources to help you look super professional and curate your expertise to skew luxury. But becoming a luxury travel agent largely relies on your first luxury client. 

To get your first client, leverage your personal network. Do you know anyone planning a honeymoon? This is often the first (and only!) luxury vacation people take, so consider offering to plan a friend’s. And when all goes well, request they share your name with their network, and so on.

Identify a niche (at least to start)

Specializing in something specific can be a good way to get your foot in the door as a travel advisor. 

You could focus on booking luxury cruises, for example, then slowly branch out as your clients’ needs inevitably change. Not many people only go on cruises, right? Your clients’ subsequent vacations can serve as opportunities to expand your services.

(Also check out how to become a cruise travel agent .)

Set yourself up for success with a host agency that takes care of the nitty gritty

Ready to get started becoming a luxury travel agent? You’ll need a host agency that gets it. 

Enter Fora. We’ll ensure you thrive each step of the way — from your first booking to your 1,000th — and arm you with the tools you need to launch your luxury travel business. You’ll get access to our technology (like our  integrated booking platform ) and community of luxury travel experts. Plus, we handle all the logistics, like chasing commissions, invoicing hotels and getting you your payments, so you can focus on what you know and love: planning trips. 

We have a community-based learning model at Fora. You'll learn how to become a luxury travel agent online alongside fellow advisors and we'll support you through your first booking to the 1,000th and beyond. 

Sign up to take the first steps today to become a travel advisor — and check out our tips on how to be a successful travel advisor .

Want to know how to become a luxury travel advisor? Here’s the bottom line...

There’s a lot to love about being a luxury travel agent, and with Fora on your side, you get all the support, training and community you need.

And if you’re looking for more intel? Check out resources on other types of travel agent careers:

How to Become a Travel Agent from Home

How Much Do Travel Agents Make Per Booking?  

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent

Travel Agent Certification: Options and FAQs

Ready to start your own high-end travel business? Take the first steps to become a travel advisor today.

Eager to learn more? Download our guide on how to turn your passion for travel into $$$.

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

How to Become a Luxury Travel Advisor [Full Guide for 2024]

Last Updated: February 11, 2024

What Do Luxury Travel Advisors Do?

1. sell travel , 2. find a niche , 3. get proper training , 4. decide which agency to join, 5. educate yourself , 6. establish social media presence , 7. practice dedication, patience & training, key takeaways, how much do luxury travel advisors make, pros and cons of being a luxury travel adviser.

Would you like to become part of the travel & tourism industry and help others experience the joys of luxury travel? If so, then a career in luxury travel advising may be perfect for you. Our guide addresses the traits and skills required for this job. It also provides essential information on how to become a luxury travel advisor, salary details, and the perks and downsides of becoming one.

The most common misconception about luxury travel advisors is that they lead a glamorous life, enjoying all the luxuries the world of travel offers. Although, as a travel advisor, you get to visit places that most people only dream of and, for example, be among the first to see a new hotel, the job comes with specific requirements and responsibilities.

So what is a luxury travel advisor? Expert advisors provide their clients with luxury hotels, restaurants, and transportation and prioritize their needs. Being a luxury travel advisor can often be a 24/7 full-time job—available to tend to their client’s needs to ensure a memorable travel experience.

There are many challenges that this job entails. You need to possess a palette of certain traits and skills for success. Consider some of the following unwritten luxury travel advisor requirements.

• A passion for travel  
• Good interactional skills
• Provide excellent client care 
• Establish a suitable connection with clients 
• Excellent problem-solving skills 
• A strong work ethic  
• Desire to learn and recognize opportunities for growth  

If you possess the above skills, a career in travel advising is the right choice. But if you don’t, you might want to dedicate your time to training and acquiring these skills before making this your career.

How to Become a Luxury Travel Advisor? [7 Steps]

One characteristic that can make your advisor’s job easier and more fulfilling is a love for travel. Becoming a luxury travel advisor means you’ll spend plenty of time researching luxury destinations, and if you have a passion for travel, doing so will be fun and engaging.

Consider the following seven recommendations on kick-starting a career in the luxury travel industry.

The goal of the luxury travel industry is to sell the ideal travel package, and clients are willing to pay a lot for this. The relationship between consumers and producers is based on people having their needs met by purchasing a product. Though people don’t need travel as a commodity like housing or food, travel still sells.

What is a luxury travel advisor to expect in terms of demand for travel? In 2019, the global luxury travel market was valued at around  $945.6 billion. It’s estimated to reach $1,198.3 billion by 2027. But what is most important when selling travel is for an advisor to identify the right clients, inspire them to fulfill their travel dreams, and put their knowledge to use to make those dreams a reality.

Before you identify the right clients, select a niche for yourself. A specialized product or service comes with a more significant earning potential in today’s industry. You can choose to become a luxury travel advisor who is destination-specific and specializes in a region or country that attracts robust tourism, such as France or Japan. If you decide on US tourism, consider investing in USA travel insurance.

Multi-generational travel is a good choice for those who grew up traveling with their immediate family, while honeymoons are perfect for romantic souls. The more you learn about your niche of choice, the better you’ll be at identifying client needs and attracting and keeping clients.

While there’s no degree or certification required, it’s essential to know the travel industry. To identify whether or not you have the needed luxury travel advisor qualifications and need training, consider the following questions.

• Are you experienced in travel ? 
• Have you traveled extensively?
• Do you have the means and extensive network and friends willing to travel ?
• Do you have previous experience in planning trips? 

If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, you could consider pursuing this career. And don’t be concerned if you don’t have prior experience. All you need is some hands-on experience related to traveling by becoming an intern at a travel agency or planning your friends’ vacations.

Becoming a successful luxury travel advisor is challenging without becoming part of a travel agency. A host agency can help you establish contacts with tour operators, airlines, restaurants, etc., offer the best properties, and book trips without a problem. But before joining an agency, research their commission model and average commission percentage and agents’ annual fees. Consider also what you’re looking for in an agency.

Many expert advisors advocate staying on top of the game and continue learning about luxury travel advisor education. Products and destinations change rapidly and constantly.

You may not have enough time and resources to check out various hotels and cruise lines, but you could subscribe to online magazines and newsletters. You can also learn from the many digital platforms where luxury advisors share valuable experiences.

The best way to attract clients is to establish a robust online presence by starting a travel blog and setting up a website where potential clients can become familiar with your services. If you’re aiming to become a popular luxury travel advisor, updating your social media pages is essential—almost everyone does internet research before booking a trip.

Becoming an advisor takes dedication and patience. It’s essential to take every opportunity to meet new clients and take advantage of all training and learning opportunities. Like any other career, this job also comes with its highs and lows, which is why being patient can take you a long way.

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average luxury travel advisor salary is $50,894/mo ( $24/hr or $1,000/wk ). California is the best-paying state in the US for luxury travel advisors, with the cities San Mateo, Berkeley, and Daly City topping the list of highest salaries.

When deciding if this is the right career choice, consider the following pros and cons.

• Offers location flexibility
• Opportunity to become an independent agent once gaining experience
• Specialized niche options
• Decent paycheck
• Must be available 24/7 despite time zones
• Luxury travel advisor requirements (e.g., maintaining an online presence) can be  time-consuming and difficult
• Can be stressful

Choosing a career in the travel and tourism industry is a good idea for those passionate about traveling and possess the needed interaction skills to help them scale up in this competitive field. There’s no need for previous luxury travel advisor education for this job; it’s primarily based on personal skills, networking, dedication, and persistence. And traveling around the world means you’ll be dealing with foreign currencies for business expenses, so we suggest checking out these business credit cards for travel to simplify transactions.

If you’re looking for advice on how to become a luxury travel advisor, keep these basic concepts in mind:

• Selling travel
• Find a niche
• Find an agency
• Educate yourself
• Establish social media presence
• Dedication and training

There are no set prerequisites to a luxury travel advisor’s education. No specialized courses or certifications are needed to start the job, as it primarily depends on interpersonal skills and travel experience.

• Allied Market Research
• ZipRecruiter

ABOUT AUTHOR

by Beti Prosheva Gavrilovska

I am curiosity-driven and detail-oriented so you will often find me researching the latest trends, experimenting with search engine optimization, or testing software. As a keen observer of content, my teammates often like to joke that "noting escapes the eye of Beti."

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Travel Agent Resources

How to become a luxury travel advisor.

• X (Twitter)

By Courtney Eisen

March 15, 2023

Becoming a luxury travel advisor with LuxRally Travel is a great way to combine your passion for travel and adventure with making a living. There are plenty of advantages to becoming a LuxRally Travel Advisor, such as freedom, financial and career growth, flexibility, and much more. Here's what you need to do in order to become an experienced travel advisor:

Becoming a luxury travel advisor with LuxRally Travel is a great way to combine your passion for travel and adventure with making a living. There are many advantages to becoming a LuxRally Travel Advisor, such as financial and career growth, flexibility, travel opportunities, and much more.

Here's what you need to do to become an experienced travel advisor:

Research Host Agencies

There are many host agencies to choose from, and not all are created equal. Some host agencies simply provide infrastructure, while others offer basic training. LuxRally Travel offers comprehensive training and continued mentorship to those we believe want to turn their luxury travel advisor aspirations into a full-time, six-figure career. Apply for LuxRally Travel's free online travel advisor training program to get started.

Suggested Article: How to Select The Best Host Travel Agency For Your Business

Establish a Network

Building relationships is essential for luxury travel advisors. You must regularly connect with both industry professionals and potential clients. Take the time to create connections within your personal and professional communities so that you can start referrals and keep up with trends in luxury travel. Join various online communities of other travel advisors who specialize in luxury destinations and connect with other agents in your host agency. At LuxRally Travel, our agents often help each other with hotel recommendations and booking tools via group chats and weekly meetings.

Suggested Article: How to Sell Yourself as a Travel Agent

Seek Professional Development

As a Luxury Travel Advisor, it is essential to stay up-to-date on industry developments, resources, and trends so your advisees can quickly make informed decisions. Investing time in continuing education is critical for developing your skills and networking opportunities while keeping you engaged in this ever-changing industry. LuxRally Travel invites speakers from luxury hotel brands to give presentations and Q&As during their weekly meetings; this is especially beneficial for beginner travel advisors. One-on-one mentorship with our VP of Sales is always available to LuxRally Advisors, along with weekly AMAs with David Eisen, believed to be the highest-grossing single travel advisor in the world .

Suggested Article: The Importance of Travel Agent Mentors

Participate in Social Media Platforms

Utilizing social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn will help you establish yourself as an expert in the luxury travel sector by building trust amongst potential customers as well as informing them about specials or promotions. Announcing your career to your existing network is critical to building momentum for your future success. Remember, everyone travels and therefore, everyone is a potential client. Regardless of your community's background, whether they're spending $200 a night or $2,000 a night on hotels, your friends, family and business associates are a key place to start in building a client base.

Becoming a Luxury Travel Advisor with LuxRally Travel may seem intimidating, but our course is designed for beginners. We've developed a full scope curriculum, community and mentorship program to get you started. If you take the necessary steps post training, such as establishing professional networks within the industry, pursuing learning opportunities related to luxury travel and participating actively on relevant social media platforms then success won't be far away!

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Did someone say Smartie Party?

Wondering how to become a travel agent let our smarties lead the way..

For thirty-three years and counting since our founding in 1990, we’ve aimed to create a work environment where a passion for hospitality can be fueled into creating clients’ remarkable travel memories.

With curiosity around how to become a travel agent increasing in recent years , our team is often told that being a SmartFlyer travel advisor is a dream job ; we can’t help but agree! For thirty-three years and counting since our founding in 1990, we’ve aimed to create a work environment where a passion for hospitality can be fueled into creating clients’ remarkable travel memories–both for our growing team of in-house advisors and our global community of over 250 independent affiliates. While we can’t give away all of the secrets behind what makes this business so special, we’ve broken down some of our most commonly asked questions for those considering a career in luxury travel.

The below “How to Become a Travel Agent” FAQ is comprehensive, but please keep in mind that we do not onboard new-to-industry advisors on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year . In order to ensure that our platform’s resources are dedicated to our existing advisors and clients, we have shifted towards onboarding new agents only once per year through our mentorship program: Takeoff. This highly personalized approach to advisor development pairs new-to-industry associates with experienced SmartFlyer agents who are as passionate about developing fresh talent as they are driving their own sales. But more on that later!

Whether you’re an experienced advisor looking to shift gears, or considering making the leap into travel for the first time, read on for all you need to know about how to become a travel agent.

I’m An Experienced Agent–give me the rundown on becoming a Smartie.

If you have travel industry experience and are looking to bring your business to SmartFlyer, please submit your information here and someone from our Affiliates team will be in touch with you directly.

Tell me more. Which preferred hotel programs are you part of?

To name a few : Accor STEP, Belmond Bellini Club, Couture by Langham, Dorchester Collection’s Diamond Club, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Hilton Impresario, Hyatt Privé, IHG Luxury & Lifestyle, Jumeirah Passport to Luxury, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, Marriott STARS & Luminous (Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION), Peninsula Hotels PenClub, Rocco Forte Hotels Sir Rocco’s Knights, Rosewood Elite, Shangri-La’s The Luxury Circle, and SLH WithIn.

What exactly is SmartFlyer CORE? It’s taking over my social feed!

We host an annual agency-wide summit, CORE (Collaboration, Originality, Relationships, and Education) where we bring together our team and partners to strategize for the year ahead.

I’m an established agent based in Australia. Who should I reach out to?

If you are based in Australia and would like more information on joining our SmartFlyerAU team, please connect with Anthony Goldman via email at [email protected]

I’m Looking to Make a Career Pivot: Tell Me More About Takeoff

What are you looking for when bringing on new smartflyer travel advisors.

Dynamic self-starters will find synergy in this space. Smarties (that’s what we call our agents!) are natural-born lovers of hospitality; a successful candidate thrives on nailing the details. If you’re looking for the secret to how to become a luxury travel advisor , it’s all rooted in professional relationships. We foster talent seeking a collaborative community as the tool to grow your own business and meet revenue goals.

Is your team salaried or work off an independent contractor model?

Both! While we do have an in-house team of experienced advisors, the vast majority of our network is made up of independent contractors who utilize the SmartFlyer brand to ensure their clients receive the best possible perks but own their own businesses. We are only currently accepting applications for independent contractors, with all new-to-industry agents required to complete our Takeoff program.

Is SmartFlyer a member of any consortia?

Yes, for a decade and counting, SmartFlyer has proudly been a member of Virtuoso , the leading global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel. Virtuoso agents are partnered with over 1,800 of the world’s best companies such as hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, and more. In turn, SmartFlyer travel advisors use their personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft bespoke trips for clients, including unique experiences, special values, complimentary perks, VIP treatment, and rare access.

How often does Takeoff hold training sessions?

Takeoff launches with a two-week course called Smartie School covering everything on how to become a luxury travel advisor. From there, we hold bi-monthly Takeoff Roundtables with all mentors and associates. Additionally, throughout the year, there are countless opportunities for education including our weekly product and destination training with partners around the world. Finally, Takeoff associates have monthly one-on-ones exclusively with their mentor.

What is the deadline to apply for Takeoff 2024?

We accept applications (linked below) on an ongoing basis each year. To be a part of Takeoff 2024, please submit by November 1, 2023. Applicants will be notified by mid-December 2023 of their acceptance with the program kicking off in early February 2024 and concluding in January 2025.

Okay, I’m ready to apply!

If you are new to the industry, please submit your request to join Takeoff here . As a part of the application, you will be asked to submit a one- to three-page business plan that outlines the description of your targeted client demographic, how you plan on positioning yourself as a SmartFlyer travel advisor, and what marketing strategies you plan on using to bridge your credibility while reaching out to this potential network.

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The Travel Institute Releases New Edition of Luxury Travel Specialist Program

The Travel Institute has released the 4th edition of its Luxury Specialist course providing travel advisors with the latest insights on the rapidly growing segment, along with an all-new section on branding and promoting your luxury travel business.

"Luxury travel is no longer only for the ultra-wealthy," said Guida Botelho, CTIE, senior director of education for the Travel Institute. "As the market has evolved, the concept of luxury travel and who can enjoy it has been redefined. Our 4th edition luxury travel course provides the updated knowledge and know-how agents need to successfully serve this market today."

Course Changes Content changes include an updated look at the types, characteristics and attributes of today's luxury travelers, along with strategies for finding them. There's also new information on the various elements of luxury travel and how they relate to traveler types, as well as current market trends and a sampling of luxury products.

An all-new section focuses on currently marketing and sales advice and instruction.

As an example, in one of the new "Insider Insights" sections, Anna Pinto, executive director of worldwide sales for Micato Safaris talks about the need for luxury travelers to have ESP, which she defines as a "laser focus" on experiences, service and privacy.

"Knowledge is key in the luxury market," said Chris Austin, chief sales officer for Explora Journeys, the featured sponsor of the new course. "As a luxury travel advisor, you need to be prepared to understand your clients' needs, wants and passion points and have the ability to service those. This course elevates your knowledge and provides guidance for a successful luxury travel business."

Other course sponsors are IHG Hotels & Resorts, IC Bellagio, Star Jets International and Micato Safaris.

Growing, Loyal Market According to a recent report from technavio , luxury travel is expecting to grow globally by $703 billion between 2023 and 2027.

Along with the market's anticipated growth, advisors who specialize in luxury travel benefit from an established customer mindset that sees 85% of luxury travelers already convinced that working with an advisor provides them the best travel experience (according to a 2022 Flywire survey).

Still, advisors need to understand the segment's needs in order to provide the service that will luxury clients coming back.

"The greater the effort, the greater the reward," Botelho said. "Luxury agents need the right service model and mindset for an extended planning and sales cycle. They also need high standards, attention to detail, patience and passion about support travelers before, during and after a trip. If that sounds like you, this course can help you become a true luxury advisor with long-term, high-value relationships that are professionally and financially rewarding."

Students who successfully complete the Luxury Travel Specialist course, pass their online exam and submit the experiential checklist earn standing as a Certified Luxury Travel Specialist. They also receive continuing education units (CEUs) toward maintaining a CTA or CTC certification from The Travel Institute that they already have.

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Becoming a Travel Advisor | The Luxury Travel Agency

Are you thinking about becoming a travel advisor.

Making the decision to become a Travel Advisor is not an easy decision for most to make.

To start, there are many unknowns.

• How do I get started?
• What education do I need?
• Do I need to be well-traveled?
• How much money can I make?
• What do I need to be successful?
• What are the real perks and benefits of being a Travel Advisor?
• During this pandemic, is now even a good time to become a Travel Advisor?

Baccarat Hotel, New York – A Partner Hotel of The Luxury Travel Agency

  I want to be a Travel Advisor, how do I get started?

Let’s start with the first question. How do I get started?  I have been in those shoes and was overwhelmed with that, what I thought was a complex question, and in the end, the answer is quite simple.  You just decide you want to do it!

In reality, there is no special training or education you must have. Depending on the state or province you live in, there may be some licensing or certifications needed, but in general, you can pretty much put up a sign and say “ I’m now a Travel Advisor ”.

Now, does that make you successful?  No.  You do need more than that to become a successful Travel Advisor. We’ll discuss more about what it takes to become a successful Travel Advisor later in this post.

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

  Do I need an education to be a Travel Advisor?

No, you don’t NEED and education. But, does an education help? Of course, it helps, but by no means is it mandatory, nor is it a guarantee.  I have found the most successful Travel Advisors have a true passion for travel, are a “people person”, have good writing skills, are creative, have excellent customer service skills and willing to work hard… very hard; this is not a 9-5 job!

I’ve met a lot of Travel Advisors with a background in education, law, sales, marketing and even medicine!

Soneva Jani Maldives, a Partner Hotel of The Luxury Travel Agency

  Do I need to be well-traveled to be a Travel Advisor?

Regarding, “Do I need to be well-travelled to become a Travel Advisor” gets a little tricky to answer.  Ideally, yes, you should be well-travelled; but again, that is not mandatory.  Your lack of travel can be easily compensated by your passion for travel and your passion to learn about new destinations, your excellent customer service, your people skills and your determination to succeed. Will it be easy, maybe not, but if you have the passion and the drive, you will succeed. I have met many successful Travel Advisors who got into the business without a solid travel background and became hugely successful, mainly due to their passion, drive and commitment.

Luxury safari, one of our favorite trips to book

How much money can I make as a Travel Advisor?

This may be the trickiest question of all. In the end, being a Travel Advisor is akin to being a salesperson in the sense you are working on commission (as well, we recommend you charge a planning/consultation/service fee).  The drawback to this is there are not guarantees. The positive though, is there are no limits to how much you can make. In the end, the harder and smarter you work, the more you will make!

Laucala Island Fiji, a Partner Hotel of The Luxury Travel Agency

What do I need to be a successful Travel Advisor?

This is the second trickiest question to answer as there is no guaranteed formula.  I’ll talk a bit about generalities and a bit about specifics.

In general, as mentioned before, a passion for travel, drive and commitment are essential to becoming a successful Travel Advisor. So is the belief (and practice) that taking care of your clients and doing what is right for them is at the forefront of everything you do. Emergencies and issues don’t happen just during business hours, you must be willing (and able) to take care of your clients in the evenings, on the weekends, during the holidays and maybe even when YOU are on vacation!

This may sound like a big commitment and it is.  But the rewards are so great, it makes it all worth it. If you are like me, taking care of a client in distress, solving their issues and recusing them and/or their trip, is, in itself, a big reward!

More specific things you need to be a successful Travel Advisor are a niche, good potential clients and probably most importantly, choosing the right host agency to be your partner.

We will tackle each of these one at a time.

Heli-Skiing, one of the many experiences we can arrange for our clients.

Niche: what is your niche going to be? Honeymoons? Family Trips? Italy? Cruises? Safari? Business Travel? Luxury Travel?

The good thing is, you can start with one niche and as you learn and experience more or as your client’s needs change, you can move or expand into a new speciality or niche. I have seen many people who started in business/corporate travel and moved into the luxury side of the business.  Others started with a specialization in honeymoons and transitioned into family travel as their clients’ families grew.

Good Potential Clients: Do you have potential clients? And if so, are they “good” potential clients?  Depending on your niche, people you know may or may not be “good” potential clients. If you want to specialize in safaris, do you have potential clients that are actually interested in safaris? If you want to specialize in honeymoons, so you have potential clients that are getting married or at least in that typical age range for marriage?  And, if you want to specialize in luxury travel, do you have potential clients that we willing to spend on a luxury trip?

Before you make the decision to become a Travel Advisor, you should make sure you have a good base of potential clients. Without a good base to start, you can still be successful, it just can be more of a challenge.

Lobby of the Mandarin Oriental Paris, a Partner Hotel of The Luxury Travel Agency

Choosing the Right Host Agency:

If you are just getting started, you will want a host agency that has someone dedicated to you; someone well-traveled, has been in the business long enough to have the contacts you need and someone that can help you “learn the ropes”.

They should help you set your goals and help you attain them. Their goal should be your growth and your success.

If you want to specialize in luxury travel, the agency should have partnerships with all the top hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, St. Regis, Peninsula, Hyatt, Waldorf Astoria and more. (The Luxury Travel Agency partners with over 20 of the best hotel brands in the industry, plus we are a Virtuoso agency!)

In the end, picking the right host agency from the start can be the beginning of a relationship that if done right, will last for decades.

River Cruising, a popular way to travel

Still interested? Let’s look at the real perks and benefits of being a Travel Advisor

• You are your own boss
• You are passionate about travel
• how you work
• when you work
• where you work from
• It is FUN! You will learn A LOT
• You get to help people and you get to travel
• There is an endless supply of free training
• You get to TRAVEL
• The earning potential is unlimited!

Interest in private villas and home rentals has shot up during the pandemic

  Is now, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, a good time to become a Travel Advisor?

I think now is the best time to become a Travel Advisor. Demand has never been higher and the need to work with a professional Travel Advisor is going to grow as the world starts to open up.

Right now, you will have the opportunity to learn the business, start making contacts (both within the industry and with potential clients).  You can get your “office” set up and prepare for when the floodgates open and everyone will be traveling again. Once travel starts again, there will be so much pent up demand, that everyone is going to be extremely busy! Ask yourself, when people start traveling again, do you want to just be getting started and learning or do you want to be ready to start planning and booking great trips?    The future is yours, what do you want to make of it?

Are you ready to take the next step? Complete our Become a Luxury Travel Advisor survey and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours. 

We look forward to hearing from you,

Andrew Satkowiak

Executive Vice President

Travel Notes is a thoughtfully researched luxury travel blog written by our team of expert advisors. We’ve travelled to all corners of the world and here we share our experiences. Interested in learning more? Give us a call or sign up below.

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• Why Brownell

If you want to be a full-time luxury travel advisor but have no prior experience in the travel industry, the Brownell Mentoring Program is for you. This innovative one-year structured program is designed to bring entrepreneurial business people into the travel business.

Mentoring participants spend a full year working directly with a team of professionals who specialize in a variety of areas: sales, customer service, marketing, product knowledge, vendor relations, Virtuoso products and services, managing daily work flow, professional development and continuing education, best accounting practices, and much more.

Why Choose Brownell?

There has been a lot of buzz about the resurgence of travel advisors. But beyond questions about how to plan a trip with a travel advisor, more and more people with no background in the travel industry are asking “How do you become a travel advisor?”

There are many different training programs within the industry, but Brownell’s Mentoring Program is still the gold standard in the industry. Winner of the Virtuoso award for Outstanding Mentoring & Talent Development our training program is for people who want to become luxury travel advisors. The first of its kind, this is a year-long intensive program that gives you all the tools and training to be a successful travel advisor.

How to Become a Travel Advisor

This engaging cartoon follows a character on their journey to becoming a successful travel advisor. You’ll learn about the essential steps required to enter this exciting profession, including education, industry knowledge, communication skills, and passion for travel.

You’re thinking about applying for the Brownell Mentoring Program , but is it right for you?

Before you make a big career change, read these points to see if it will be a good fit..

• You are ready to transition from your current job to work full-time as a luxury travel advisor – this is not a part-time job.
• You have the financial resources to be self-supporting for a year or more as you build a new business.
• You have no prior experience working as an advisor in the travel industry.
• You have written or are in the process of writing a business plan for your new business.
• You are well traveled and passionate about learning about the world.
• You are the go-to person for travel advice for your friends and family.
• You understand how running a business works and that you’ll spend the majority of your time at a computer (and not on a plane).
• You are a self-starter that is highly motivated and organized.
• You have a large network of potential clients.
• You know the value of a travel advisor and can confidently communicate that to clients.
• You enjoy building relationships and getting to know people.
• You are dedicated to continuing your education and developing your skills.
• You like working within an information-sharing community that supports each other.
• You embrace new trends in technology, marketing, and social media.
• You share Brownell’s core values of passion, integrity, excellence, graciousness, and innovation.

How it works

• Inquire about the Mentoring Program.
• Upon acceptance, head to the Brownell HQ office in Birmingham for a 5-day intensive training session.
• Participate in monthly conference calls, trainings, and certifications.
• Complete homework and assignments.
• Graduate armed with extensive training and knowledge about the travel industry.

Interview with Advisor Jessica White, owner of Jessica White Travel

"It had to be Brownell!"

Jessica White, an entrepreneur at heart, found that Brownell embraced her ambitions and provided the support she needed to grow. What really stood out to her was the company’s culture, which was a big factor when she was considering joining. During her research process, she kept hearing words like “family” and “closeness,” and although many companies make similar claims, Jessica soon discovered that Brownell was different. After being in the program for a year, she could tell that the culture of Brownell was genuine and felt grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.

Five Day Startup Training

You’ve been accepted into the Brownell Mentoring Program, and now you’re on your way to starting your career as a luxury travel advisor. So what’s next? A 5-day startup training at Brownell HQ in Birmingham, AL.

You and the rest of your Mentoring class will spend a week getting a crash course on all things Brownell. We cover everything from how to make a booking to simply how to start your own travel business. You will also get to meet the team – your dedicated Hosting Support team as well as the marketing, accounting, operations, and technology teams. The Hosting team will also walk you through your IC Handbook (be sure to leave room in your suitcase for this jam-packed binder!). As you walk through each chapter, you will get an overview of all things Brownell. Topics include:

• Brownell tech systems, like ClientBase and Travel Tribe
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• Charging fees
• Educational travel
• Supplier relationships

…and so much more.

Interview with Julie Sudderth, owner of Vivid Getaways

"Brownell checked all the boxes"

Learn about the positive experience of Independent Travel Advisor Julie Sudderth with our mentoring program, which she praises for its invaluable support and guidance. With her history of running multiple businesses, Julie knows first-hand the challenges of navigating the travel industry alone. However, she found the expertise and resources she needed to succeed with Brownell. Julie conducted extensive research before selecting a host agency and concluded that Brownell met all her requirements. The mentoring program provided personalized support, enabling her to learn from seasoned professionals and build a thriving travel business with confidence.

Advisor Testimonial

I started with brownell 5 years ago through the mentoring program and honestly has been the best career move i have ever made i had only done corporate travel before starting at brownell, and the team provided such amazing excellent support and resources to really jump-start my business. i came from an hr background – so i can truly say the training i received was thoughtful, thorough and first-class. beyond the success of the brownell travel advisors, one of the things that really attracted me to brownell was the strong mission and values of the company that is a part of everything we do. the values are not just something written on paper but really integrated into the business and all decision-making. i feel like i am surrounded by the best of the best in the travel industry, and whenever i have any questions i have a dedicated expert team to help. having a million-dollar travel business within 5 years was beyond my wildest expectations – and i know i could not have done it without the extraordinary support of the brownell family. thank you.

Jessica White

I heard that Brownell was the Ivy League of host agencies, and I found out it’s true! Their mentoring program is very thoughtfully designed to provide new advisors with a robust and logical curriculum to go from a travel newbie to expert advisor within their first year. And I can’t say enough about their Marketing team. From the monthly programs of white label newsletters and social media content to the broad list of custom marketing materials they can create for me, my marketing program is leaps and bounds better thanks to their assistance. I am only 6 months into launching my new travel business, but I am already building a strong list of clients and book of business.

David Barclay

Brownell offers a one of a kind, year long mentor program. The mentor program covers absolutely everything a travel advisor needs to know to launch their business as a strong, successful business from the start. Once you finish the mentor program, you still receive an incredible amount of support from the Brownell team. Brownell offers unparalleled partnerships, marketing services, business reviews, administrative and sales support and more. I am so grateful for the tight knit community of extremely knowledgeable, gracious and supportive Brownell employees and travel advisors. I can’t imagine launching and maintaining my business without Brownell.

Brownell has an amazing reputation in the travel business which gives my business immediate credibility i would have to work years to earn. i started in their mentoring program in early 2018 and have never regretted it for a moment. the program is rigorous and teaches you everything you need to know to launch a successful travel business. another great benefit of being in the mentoring program is that you are being trained with a small select group of people that have the same goal in mind..

Think of it as a travel advisor degree from the very best Ivy League school. The Brownell Mentoring program is a year-long training program with a celebrated history of developing successful travel entrepreneurs. The program gives you the education, resources, strategies, and business development tools to launch your own luxury travel agency.

If you are currently working full-time as a successful professional travel advisor and have an active client base with an annual volume of leisure sales between $300-$500k, check out our Hosting Program. If you are passionate about travel, ready to build a new career and a new business on a full-time basis as a self-employed entrepreneur, check out the Mentoring Program.

Assuming you meet all of the graduation requirements, you automatically continue under the Brownell Hosting Program, but with higher earnings and lower expenses.

You begin selling as soon as you complete the initial training sessions in Birmingham.

Participants in our mentoring program (mentees) are independent contractors who are self-employed and “hosted” by Brownell vs being employed by Brownell. Just as with any start-up business, you will be investing in a new career and while you will earn money by selling travel in your first year, you should have the financial stability to be self-supporting while your focus will be on investing in the development of your new company.

No. Launching a new business is a full-time job, and then some. We know from experience that part-time travel advisors have more gray hair, a higher-rate of hypertension, and are less profitable than full-time advisors. Ok, we haven’t proven that yet, but the anecdotal evidence sure does look that way!

You will have start-up costs and various business expenses, plus some travel and marketing expenses. We tell mentees to expect to break even in their mentee year, but many exceed their sales goals and earn a bit of money in their first year.

No, you will not have a single mentor…you will have a team of mentors who are deeply invested and passionate about helping you be successful. During your mentoring year, you will have direct access to world-class in business development, sales, operations, technology and marketing teams. You will also learn best practices and sales strategies from top travel executives from hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and ground-service providers across the globe.

We offer two classes each year: one in the winter, generally February, and one in the summer, generally July.

People who are interested in learning more about the Mentoring Program first must fill out the questionnaire, and then someone from our team will be in touch. If we think the person could be a good fit for the Mentoring Program, we will invite them to apply (typically about three months prior to the start of each class). Once a candidate is accepted, the pre-training work begins. We accept up to five people for each Mentoring Class.

Our next MBA Course information session is December 12th at 7PM in Gainesville

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Start your Travel business today with the Luxury Travel Institute.

Become a travel advisor today, remote working, exceptional earning potential.

Work from anywhere in the world! All you need is an internet connection; Your cellphone is your office.  

One of the biggest advantages to becoming a travel advisor is the flexibility. You can work from home, on vacation, or just about anywhere in the world. 

With our online office you can organize your clients, track important dates as well as commissions.

With our expertise and guidance, new travel advisors are able to average $1,500,000.00 in sales the first year.  

Commission is earned on the vacation as a whole, this includes: trip fare, air fare, insurance and excursions.

Educational Training

Luxury Travel Institute wants its advisors to succeed. Therefore, our policy is to help generate as much business as we can for our advisors.  

We even have a Guarantee: 

If you do not produce $1,000,000.00 in sales your first year, we will refund your Course cost.

The Luxury Travel Institute has a 24-hour Back Office to help our Travel Advisors provide the absolute best service to their clients. This also affords our Travel Advisors the luxury to forward the phone and head out to the beach when the "Surfs Up"

 We implement our training through classroom, Resort Weekend Training classes, "on the job", virtual training and 24-hour mentoring.

Through on the job training, LTI is able to educate its advisors on the different products/ brands we sell. To give advisors a better understanding of the product we like to get the advisors to experience the product for themselves through FAM trips and ship inspections.

LTI is able to provide many educational materials to its advisors through its various partnerships. For Instance, LTI is a member of the Virtuoso Travel Consortium which provides a whole virtual course for new travel advisors. 

Partnerships

To help educate and build sales, Luxury Travel Institute sends its travel advisors on FAM trips. These trips are to experience the product, we offer cruise, tours, hotels and resorts as educational tours for our Travel Advisors

These trips allow the advisors to experience the product to better assist their clients by using their first-hand experience.

Luxury Travel Institute is partnered with many different cruise lines, hotels, resorts, airlines and insurance providers. With these partnerships, LTI is able to educate its travel advisors as well as help grow their business. This is also important because with this many partnerships we are able to service our clients with any of their needs.

Discover Your Potential with Luxury Travel Institute

At Luxury Travel Institute, we believe that dedication and ambition is the key to unlocking your full potential and building your business as a travel advisor. Our courses and programs are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed immediately in the luxury travel industry.  Explore our website to learn more.

Join Our Team

If you're interested in one of our open positions, start by applying here and attaching your resume.

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Connecting Cultures and Traditions

Can a Luxury Travel Advisor Save You Time and Money?

Understanding the benefits of working with a luxury travel advisor.

For discerning travelers seeking exceptional experiences, a luxury travel advisor can be an invaluable asset. These experts possess a wealth of knowledge, connections, and personalized services that can elevate any journey to an unforgettable adventure. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the numerous benefits of working with a luxury travel advisor, including time savings, cost optimization, exclusive access, customized itineraries, and enhanced travel experiences.

Time Savings: The Gift of Efficiency

Luxury travel advisors act as your personal concierge, meticulously planning your itinerary and handling every detail, freeing you from time-consuming research and stress. With their extensive network of contacts and deep industry knowledge, they can quickly identify the best flight options, accommodations, activities, and dining experiences to suit your preferences. By working with a luxury travel advisor, you can save countless hours of research, comparison, and booking, allowing you to focus on the anticipation and excitement of your journey.

Cost Optimization: Value beyond Price

Contrary to popular perception, luxury travel advisors can often save you money by leveraging their industry connections and negotiating exclusive rates. They have access to deals and discounts that are not available to the general public, ensuring you get the best value for your investment. Furthermore, by creating a tailored itinerary that maximizes your time and experiences, luxury travel advisors can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and optimize your budget.

Exclusive Access: Unveiling Hidden Gems

One of the primary benefits of working with a luxury travel advisor is their ability to secure access to exclusive experiences and amenities. From private tours of world-renowned museums to intimate dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury travel advisors can arrange unique and unforgettable moments that are off-limits to the average traveler. They also have connections with local experts and can provide insights and recommendations that enhance your destination discovery.

Customized Itineraries: Your Journey, Your Way

Luxury travel advisors understand that every traveler is unique, with distinct preferences and aspirations. They take the time to get to know you, your interests, and your vision for the perfect trip. Based on this deep understanding, they craft customized itineraries that are tailored to your specific desires, ensuring that every moment of your journey is meaningful and memorable. From adventure-filled expeditions to relaxing retreats, luxury travel advisors can create a bespoke itinerary that exceeds your expectations.

Enhanced Travel Experiences: Beyond the Ordinary

Working with a luxury travel advisor goes beyond booking logistics and securing access to exclusive experiences. They are passionate about creating journeys that are transformative and enriching. By sharing their knowledge of destinations, cultures, and history, luxury travel advisors can deepen your connection to the places you visit. They can arrange private guided tours led by experts, immersive cultural activities, and opportunities for meaningful interactions with local communities.

In the realm of luxury travel, a dedicated advisor can be an invaluable companion, guiding you along a path of unforgettable experiences. From saving you time and money to providing exclusive access, customized itineraries, and enhanced travel experiences, the benefits of working with a luxury travel advisor are undeniable. Whether you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or a relaxing getaway, a luxury travel advisor can help you create a journey that exceeds your wildest dreams.

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