Gifted Travel Network

Since 2020, I have been a very happy member of Gifted Travel Network’s (GTN) host agency.
I discovered GTN when I began researching on HAR how to become a successful travel advisor. At the time, I had a busy corporate communications career with one of the U.S.A.’s big three automotive companies and was planning my second career post-retirement. I was specifically looking for a host agency that would accept new-to-the-industry members and provide solid business training. There were three hosts that I reached out to – one of them being Gifted Travel Network. I was a bit nervous, as GTN was one of the more expensive options, but the write-up in HAR looked great. Within 48 hours I was contacted by GTN. In fact, they were the ONLY host agency who responded to my inquiries. Not only did they respond, but they also provided lots of info on their program, asked me about my goals, and offered references for me to contact (which I did!). I was blown away by their customer service. A few months later, I signed up for their March 2020 Travel MBA Cohort. Yes, that was two weeks before the world shut down due to the pandemic.
The pandemic could have motivated me to stay in my safe corporate job for years to come. Thanks to Gifted Travel Network, I saw that what could be seen as a sign to give up on my dream, actually was an opportunity to immerse myself in it. GTN’s training, programs and continued support of my dream helped make my dream come true. They also listen to their members and take suggestions on how to further enhance their programs. It’s a true business relationship.
I am now in my third year (2 years of actually booking travel thanks to shutdowns) and am successfully achieving my business plan goals. I am so glad that I invested in my future with GTN. I encourage anyone who is serious about being a travel entrepreneur to consider them as your host agency.

Gifted Travel Network keeps getting better and better each year. It was one of the best decisions I've made in a long time to join them. The education is top notch. The friendships are nurtured. The support is unrivaled. I am in it for the long haul and am taking it deep into specializations because I know it is necessary to be more than just a "luxury" travel advisor to attract your ideal clients.

After 23 years in the business, we decided to go back to a host agency relationship to assist with our back-office needs. What I found at Gifted Travel Network gave us so much more! We are reinvigorated, awed by our fellow GTN agents, and just super impressed and amazed by how much their staff cares about their agents and their success. I looked at many agencies before landing at GTN. Our best decision of the year!

I wasn't planning to become a travel advisor when I contacted Gifted Travel Network. But almost 7 years later, I'm successful and enjoying selling luxury travel. One of things that has helped me the most is the Gifted Travel Network community of advisors who are always willing to help and support each other. From offering advice, sharing knowledge and celebrating the wins, as corny as it sounds, it's like a family. Everyone from the Executive team to the rest of the staff are available to answer questions and find solutions if needed. You can't do this alone - you need the help and encouragement of a team of like minded professionals.

I owe much of my success to the Gifted Travel Network and the giving environment they have fostered. I am so grateful to have joined this incredibly talented group of advisors who selflessly help their counterparts on a daily basis. I can't imagine joining a more cohesive group of advisors, a group that is not only knowledgable but also extremely fun!

I have been with Gifted Travel Network (GTN) since 2014. Over the years I have seen the network grow and mature into an incredibly professional and award winning Virtuoso, Forbes Travel Recommended Host Agency. Given all the accolades and growth, GTN has not lost sight of it's sense of community and support for all of our travel advisors. It is truly a collaborative environment. The support among advisors is one of the outstanding strengths. Training and support is part of GTN's DNA; to be sure everyone is up to date on the best practices in technology, marketing, client relationships, supplier relationships. Promoting advisor health, work life balance and general well being is also a part of what GTN values. Senior management is very accessible and the team goes beyond, to be of service to all the advisors. If you want to be the best, you go with the best. GTN is the best.

I switched to GTN after much searching, interviewing and reference checks of various host agencies, I kept coming back to GTN. What most inspired me to join was the support they give the entrepreneur with mindset and all things business. My former host did only supplier trainings, I knew there had to be more and I am happy I found it. I appreciate GTN and my colleagues I have met, and those I haven't met yet. So many willing to offer assistance when needed (like 6pm on a Friday night in the summer!).
I am glad I trusted my gut and left my former host and switched to GTN. I have learned so much I didn't realize I didn't know, and there's always more to learn! My business is growing and I am excited for the future.
Being a part of Virtuoso is a great perk as well. I was with another consortia, I liked them and they offer good training, but now I get reviews on Virtuoso and leads from my profile. I will be experiencing my first Virtuoso week this month and am excited about that. People do perk up a little when they hear you are with Virtuoso. It all adds up to what you need to start your travel business!

Gifted Travel Network is the firm foundation upon which I have built a thriving travel business in the past 5 years. The training; the high professionalism, expertise, authenticity and genuine care of the leadership team and its members; the camaraderie and support across staff and advisors have all fueled and continue to fuel my focus, skills and skyrocketing business started in 2018.
The continually growing clout and presence of Gifted Travel Network opens doors to preferred partner programs and conferences which puts me at the top of my game and makes me look like a rock star to my travelers. The 'back office' systems supply virtually everything I need to track my sales and clients; the staff is supportive and so responsive when assistance is needed and their discipline and structure keep me moving along smoothly.
They make my success possible and I am having a blast along the way.

GTN is an amazing community. So appreciate the continued support for those of us who have been in the industry for a long time. For those who are new, what a true gift. The Gifted Tavel team are true professionals whose aim is to ensure your success. The connections, partnerships, and friendships I have developed over the past four years since joining GTN are immeasurable.

After more than 20 years in the oil and gas industry, making the transition to the travel industry was an intimidating prospect. However, Gifted Travel Network (GTN) has proven to be the ideal partner in this journey. The most appealing part of GTN was that the owners, like me, did not come from a background of travel or hospitality, but from corporate America. This shared background made the transition smoother and more relatable, as they understood my journey and the unique challenges I faced.

What I appreciate most about GTN is that they don't just teach you how to sell travel; they provide a veritable mini-MBA on how to run your own travel agency. The knowledge and expertise that GTN provided have been invaluable, and I've learned more in the past five years than I did in two decades in the corporate world. While it's been challenging and required more hours than my previous job, it's also been more rewarding because it's something I am truly passionate about.

Over the past five years, I've leveraged GTN's platform to transform Fresi Travels from a casual hobby into a thriving LLC. We've organized hundreds of travel experiences, marrying our knowledge of destinations with the unique tastes and desires of our clients to create unforgettable trips. I initially thought I knew how to travel, but GTN showed me the vast and varied ways to explore the world, reinforcing my belief that everyone needs a travel advisor.

The support from GTN has been extraordinary. Despite my well-traveled background, starting an agency to support others was a whole different ballgame. GTN has been there every step of the way, providing the support and expertise I needed to succeed. I'm now running a boutique travel advisory company, leveraging my 30-plus years of travel experience and the skills I gained in corporate America to provide the highest level of service to our clients.

But more than that, GTN fostered a sense of community that I hadn't expected. We are not competitors; we are a collective, working together to ensure we all succeed. This collaborative environment has been a boon, with fellow advisors readily sharing their expertise and experiences.

If you're considering making a career change into travel planning or looking to start your own travel agency, I can't recommend GTN enough. Their understanding, support, and expertise are unparalleled, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with them.