Independent travel advisors are the face of the industry. They’re the ones curating memorable trips, building lifelong client relationships, and running businesses with heart and hustle. But behind the scenes, a number of industry groups and organizations are working to strengthen the hosted travel model—among them, the Professional Association of Travel Hosts (PATH).

Each year, the PATH Symposium brings together host agency leaders, consortia, tech providers, suppliers, and strategic industry platforms like Host Agency Reviews (HAR) to collaborate on the future of the hosted model. These conversations—while largely invisible to the everyday advisor—play a critical role in shaping how ICs are onboarded, supported, and positioned for long-term success.

This May, HAR is heading to Salt Lake City to attend the 2025 PATH Symposium. While we’re not a host agency, our role as a trusted platform that connects hosts and advisors puts us right in the mix of conversations that matter.

What Is PATH?

PATH was founded in 2007 by a group of host agency executives who saw the need for greater accountability, consistency, and ethical alignment across the hosted travel model. Since then, PATH has become a respected voice within the industry, representing host agencies that meet a shared standard of professionalism and transparency.

The organization’s mission is simple but powerful: Raise the bar for host agencies so that advisors have a stronger foundation to build from.

PATH member hosts commit to upholding best practices in areas like:

• Transparent commission structures
• Advisor onboarding and education
• Legal compliance and independent contractor protections
• Supplier relationships grounded in integrity
• Business practices that support long-term advisor success

It’s not about micromanaging individual advisors—it’s about creating an environment where they can thrive.

What Happens at the PATH Symposium?

The PATH Symposium is an annual event where host agency executives, consortia leaders, key supplier partners, and organizations like HAR gather to tackle shared challenges and opportunities in the hosted space. Unlike traditional industry conferences, the Symposium is more “collaborative think tank” than trade show.

This year’s agenda includes sessions on:

• Legal trends and IC classification
• DEI and leadership pipeline development
• Evolving host–advisor relationship models
• Shared tools and tech for advisor enablement
• Creating consistent onboarding experiences across agencies

There’s no exhibit hall, no sales floor, and no one-size-fits-all approach. The Symposium is designed to foster open dialogue among hosts, consortia, and suppliers—focusing on how collective progress can create better outcomes for all advisors.

We anticipate record-breaking attendance and believe this event will spark meaningful conversations and insights that will shape the future of the travel industry. – PATH President Anita Pagliasso

Why Should Travel Advisors Care About PATH?

If you’re a hosted advisor—or considering becoming one—PATH might seem far removed from your day-to-day. But the truth is, the work being done behind the scenes has a direct and growing impact on your business.

Here’s how:

✅ Better Onboarding

Many hosts have adopted new onboarding protocols based on discussions at past PATH Symposiums. These include welcome calls, training modules, mentorship pairings, and resource libraries that help new advisors get started with clarity and confidence.

✅ Stronger Legal Protections

PATH members are committed to staying ahead of regulatory changes. That means your IC agreement is more likely to include fair, transparent language that protects your independence and clearly outlines your compensation and responsibilities.

✅ Smarter Tech

When hosts align on operational needs, it often results in smarter partnerships with tech platforms. Advisors gain access to better CRM systems, lead management tools, and back-end resources to help scale their businesses.

✅ Advisor Advocacy

PATH provides a united voice for the hosted model in conversations that matter—whether it's advocating for IC protections, negotiating supplier commissions, or defining standards for host conduct.

What Makes a PATH Host Different?

While not all reputable hosts are members of PATH, membership does carry weight. It signals a willingness to be held accountable, to participate in industry conversations, and to align with other ethical business leaders for the benefit of advisors.

👉 Not sure what to ask when evaluating hosts? Here are three great starting questions:

1. Is your agency involved with any initiatives focused on host standards and advisor support? (Listen for whether they’re engaged in conversations about improving the hosted model.)
2. How has your onboarding evolved over the past few years? (Listen for references to advisor feedback or industry collaboration.)
3. What investments have you made recently in advisor support? (Think: mentorship, tech tools, education, or compliance.)

HAR’s Role in the Hosted Ecosystem

At Host Agency Reviews, we exist to support both sides of the advisor–host relationship. We help advisors make informed decisions through educational resources, in-depth host profiles, our annual Travel Advisor Survey, and real-world reviews. We also support hosts by providing data insights, visibility, and tools to strengthen their offerings.

Our participation in the PATH Symposium is part of that work. We show up to listen, contribute, and ask questions that keep advisors at the center of the conversation.

When we attend events like PATH, we’re not just reporting—we’re helping shape what the future of hosting looks like.

Where Industry Collaboration Is Headed

As the hosted model matures, we expect to see even more alignment among host agencies on:

• AI and automation tools to help advisors streamline operations
• Stronger supplier partnerships to protect commissions and booking autonomy
• Transparency and reporting standards to help advisors better understand performance and profitability

PATH will continue to play a critical role in facilitating these conversations—and HAR will continue to translate them into actionable insights for advisors.

Final Thoughts: Moving the Model Forward, Together

As a travel advisor, you may be building your business solo—but you’re never building it alone. Behind the scenes, host agencies, suppliers, consortia, tech platforms, and organizations like HAR and PATH are working together to strengthen the ecosystem you’re a part of.

At HAR, we’ll keep showing up to conversations like the PATH Symposium. We’ll keep asking the big questions, advocating for transparency, and building resources that support you—because you deserve a hosted model that grows with you.

And collaboration is how we get there.

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