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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
GDS
Succession Planning
Luxury Travel
IATA
Global Distribution System
Travel Planners International
Business Development
Host Agency
Travel Agents
Uniglobe Travel Center
Vacation Planners
Commissions
Air Booking Tools
Travel Edge

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes380Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Travel Agent Chatter

Latest Episodes

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

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

• I feel like I’m busy all the time, but I’m not necessarily making more money. How do I fi... more

YouTube

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

• I’m still pretty new and don’t have a huge client list yet. What would you focus on first... more

YouTube

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

• How do you follow up with a potential client without feeling like you’re annoying th... 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

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?
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?
Veranda Adkins
Owner of Travel Legacy and experienced travel advisor
Episode: Come with Me Groups. $1.5M niche w/a work-life balance. Lessons from FB hack. Meet Veranda.
Lindsay Taylor
A representative from Travel Leaders 365
Travel Leaders 365
Episode: 2 DBAs under 1 LLC? Off-the-books flight-booking? Are agency fees a red flag?
Jenn Lee
Travel advisor and founder of Vacation Planners, previously part of Travel Planners International.
Vacation Planners
Episode: Importance of HA with leads? Providing private info to an HA? Write-offs for cruises?

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.

Top Entrepreneurship Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Follow-ups? Groups? Clients?
Q: When you're new, should you chase any bookings or be selective about types of clients and trips you take?
Begin with a broad client base to build experience and a strong referral engine; as you gain clarity about your ideal client, you can be more selective, but early on you benefit from exposure and the social proof of successful trips.
Follow-ups? Groups? Clients?
Q: What's the best way to start offering group trips without getting in over your head? Should you gauge interest first or plan the trip before promoting it?
Start small, craft a manageable group, and partner with a trusted DMC; have a structured, pre-packaged itinerary rather than attempting full customization for every participant to maintain control and deliver a smooth experience.
Follow-ups? Groups? Clients?
Q: How do you follow up with a potential client without feeling like you're annoying them? How many follow-ups is too many?
The consensus is a fine line between persistence and being overbearing, guided by the relationship, the client's signals, and a reasonable cadence; start with clear next steps after meetings and adjust based on the client's calendar and response patterns.
Net Rates? Facebook Groups? Marketing on Social?
Q: Question 2: how can you engage with a Facebook group for a sailing trip without revealing you're a travel agent, and later announce you can help with bookings after the trip?
They advise treating the group like a dinner party where you participate authentically, avoid overt selling, and position yourself as a resource by sharing insights and recommendations; use subtle, natural references to client experiences and avoid strong promotion within the group; explain that introducing the agency through the brand rather than personal identity can feel more comfortable and credible for the audience.
Net Rates? Facebook Groups? Marketing on Social?
Q: Question 1: when advisors quote net rates, what does the markup actually get calculated? How does it get calculated?
Host and guest discuss typical markups, suggesting 10-15% as a common range, and highlight that the markup should account for competition, the host agency split, and the specific travel type; they also note that some advisors may use flat percentages (e.g., 15-25%) or adjust based on the brand offering net rates, with an emphasis that net pricing reduces the agent's take unless time and services are accounted for in the markup.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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 episodes of Travel Agent Chatter are there?

Travel Agent Chatter launched 10 years ago and published 380 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. Andrea Wright
2. Samantha Hammond
3. Katy Rocket
4. Jennifer Dugan
5. Stephanie Pickles
6. Carolyn Orf
7. Veranda Adkins
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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