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Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

Host Agency Reviews
Travel Industry
Host Agencies
Travel Advisors
Host Agency Reviews
Travel Agency
Fam Trips
Succession Planning
GDS
Luxury Travel
IATA
Global Distribution System
Business Development
Travel Planners International
Host Agency
Travel Agents
Uniglobe Travel Center
Vacation Planners
Destination Weddings
Commissions
Air Booking Tools

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 ... more

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Artwork for Travel Agent Chatter

Latest Episodes

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Geoff from KHM Travell Group. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

• I joined a host agency because I wanted access to support, tools, training and supplier re... more

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This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jackie from Nexion Travel Group. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

• I’m a brand new advisor. I have a friend who I thought would be fantastic at this as I ... more

YouTube

(274) Marketing? Trust & New Leads? Switching Hosts?

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Chelsea from OASIS Travel Network. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

• I'm a newbie to the travel indu... more

YouTube

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Samantha from Jus Adventures. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

• How do you work with clients who have a limited budget but expect a five-star luxury exper... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jennifer from Dugan's Travels
Co-host and sponsor for today
Dugan's Travels
Episode: Busy vs Productive? Next Trip? Higher-end Trips?
Jenn Lee
Speaker from Travel Planners International and Vacation Planners
Travel Planners International / Vacation Planners
Episode: Net Rates? Facebook Groups? Marketing on Social?
Andrea Wright
VP of luxury sales and partnerships at Outside Agents (Opulence)
Outside Agents / Opulence
Episode: Luxury Market? Use of AI? Need Inspiration!
Samantha Hammond
Co-host/educator discussing hosting, training, and mentorship
Host Agency Reviews
Episode: Tech Investment? 7-Day Setup Enough? Taking the Leap to FT?
Katy Rocket
Regional Director of Explore Worldwide, North America
Explore Worldwide
Episode: Tour Operator vs DMC? What is Adventure Travel?
Jennifer Dugan
Founder of Dugan's Travels
Dugan's Travels
Episode: Quoting? Incentives? Host Agencies?
Stephanie Pickles
Representative of Pickles Travel Network
Pickles Travel Network
Episode: GDS vs. Other Air Booking Tech? Booking Air for Clients? How to Get Clients to Respond Back to Supplier Options?
Lindsay Taylor
Travel advisor joining from a cruise ship in Alaska
Travel Leaders 365
Episode: Starting Out as An Advisor – in Canada! Tips for Starting a Host Agency? How to Join a Preferred-Agency Program?
Carolyn Orf
Representative from KHM Travel Group
KHM Travel Group
Episode: HAs Welcoming Partner Travel Advisors? Best CRMs To Track Payments? Trademark Pitfalls With Agency Names?

Hosts

Shayna Zand
Host of the show and managing director of HAR, co-host of Travel Agent Chatter.
Steph Lee
Founder of Host Agency Reviews, host and co-host across TAC and Friday 15.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 113 ratings
  • Your Friday Lunchtime Wisdom—Every Week!

    I look forward to Friday like clockwork—not only for the coffee, but because Travel Agent Chatter packs 15 minutes of pure industry gold into my lunch break. Steph Lee tackles the questions I didn’t even know I had. This podcast’s bite-size, actionable advice is delivered with warmth and wisdom, and feels like a mini-mentor session every week. Five stars doesn’t even feel like enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ARAY224
    United Statesa year ago
  • Valuable information and advice

    Thank you for these Friday Q&As! I’ve been an agent for two years and my old travel agent actually has allowed me to be under their wing and learn at my part time pace. The downfall is I don’t get a ton of training in the industry unless I’m booking something new so terms and business know how’s came slowly. I found your website and podcast so valuable for my growth and I’m just wanting to say thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bladesblah
    United States3 years ago
  • Wow!!

    I love your podcast. I started listening to it a few weeks ago.

    I love the different topics and success stories that are covered. I love the ideas that I’m hearing. It gives me new things to consider and try out.

    Maybe I’m not there yet ( currently on episode 11) , but ……I would love to hear how travel agents deal with visas? Is that something they handle ? Or something they allow the clients to do on their own ?Do they charge a fee for this? 🤔

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Piolin@88
    United States3 years ago
  • A necessary topic. very informative! Thank you for sharing! I totally reccommend. quick listening!

    Audible
    5
    Thomasa Bradley
    United States5 years ago
  • Great episode!

    A necessary topic. very informative! Thank you for sharing! I totally reccommend. quick listening!

    Audible
    5
    Thomasa Bradley
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the real-world guest insights from host-agency leaders and suppliers.
Listeners praise concise, actionable tips and concrete takeaways for growing travel businesses.
The show is valued for its upbeat, practical approach and supportive community atmosphere.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Limited budgets? Multiple Bookings? Group Contracts?
Q: What should a first-time group travel advisor know about contracts with suppliers and with clients?
Have two contracts: one with the supplier/hotel outlining rates, policies, and deadlines, and a separate contract with the client that reflects the agreed terms. Be explicit about services, boundaries, and payment timelines, and watch deadlines closely to avoid penalties.
Limited budgets? Multiple Bookings? Group Contracts?
Q: How can advisors keep clients coming back for multiple bookings without feeling like they're always selling?
Focus on proactive, personalized communication after trips, and use a CRM to track preferences and past experiences. Regular, non-promotional check-ins and tailored recommendations help maintain relationships and naturally lead to repeat business and referrals.
Limited budgets? Multiple Bookings? Group Contracts?
Q: What strategies do you use to set realistic expectations with clients who have a limited budget for a luxury experience?
Begin with a consultation call to uncover true budgets, explain what is feasible within their range, and consider offering alternative destinations or upgrade ideas that fit their means. If the budget is clearly incompatible with the desired luxury experience, be transparent and pivot rather than forcing a costly quote.
Busy vs Productive? Next Trip? Higher-end Trips?
Q: What about price buildup and deposits—how to handle early pricing and deposits?
Price tends to rise as departure approaches; locking in deposits early protects customers from later price increases, while understanding each supplier's terms on deposits and changes provides peace of mind to clients.
Busy vs Productive? Next Trip? Higher-end Trips?
Q: How do you sell higher-end trips when you don't personally travel that way?
Rely on expert resources within your network (BDMs, colleagues with luxury expertise) and present informed options confidently, stressing that you can coordinate the luxury experience even if you haven't personally stayed in those properties.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Agent Chatter

What is Travel Agent Chatter about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively, practitioner-focused show that blends in-depth interviews with practical Friday Q&As for travel advisors. Episodes typically explore host agency dynamics, supplier relationships, commissions, training, and growth strategies, with guests ranging from host agency executives to supplier reps and experienced travel professionals. The format emphasizes actionable takeaways, community building, and realistic guidance for building and scaling a travel business. Noteworthy elements include a consistent emphasis on choosing the right hosting model, balancing technology with hands-on mentorship, and leveraging supplier partnerships to serve clients better. Potential listeners—especially aspiring or current travel agents—can expect concise, ... more

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How many listeners does Travel Agent Chatter get?

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How many episodes of Travel Agent Chatter are there?

Travel Agent Chatter launched 10 years ago and published 383 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Travel Agent Chatter?

Recent guests on Travel Agent Chatter include:

1. Jennifer from Dugan's Travels
2. Jenn Lee
3. Andrea Wright
4. Samantha Hammond
5. Katy Rocket
6. Jennifer Dugan
7. Stephanie Pickles
8. Lindsay Taylor

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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