Unleash Your Travel Business's Unique Potential: Ways to Stand Out from the Competition

Are you struggling to make your travel business stand out in a sea of similar service providers? Do you feel like you're missing a key strategy for business growth or reaching potential customers? Finding new ways to surprise and delight your clients doesn’t have to be expensive or take up too much extra time. Here are some ideas to unleash your creativity and explore new ways to differentiate yourself from the “competition.”

Focusing on Exceptional Customer Service

Of course, service is at the heart of any successful business. Ensuring your clients have a seamless experience from start to finish is crucial. Planning and booking aren’t enough these days if your clients don’t feel they’re being listened to and cared for. This is especially true for the luxury client! Personalization is an easy way to help your clients feel special. Some ideas to consider:

Handwritten thank you notes,
An email prior to their trip with a link to an article about their destination, or a restaurant suggestion,
“Before You Go” information or a list with packing suggestions,
A small gift or welcome amenity delivered either before they leave or waiting in their room on arrival. This might include:
Chocolates or some other type of treat local to their destination,
Some sort of “travel pack” to make their flight more comfortable, such as ear plugs, an eye mask, or snacks,
A local bottle of wine, spirits, or beer delivered to their room, if appropriate.
Let the supplier or hotel know if you’re clients are celebrating a special occasion so they can be greeted with a “Happy Birthday!” or “Happy Anniversary!” when they arrive,
Tip: Ask your supplier partner if they’d be willing to provide something special to your clients! They’re usually happy to help you shine!
Upon return, send your clients a welcome home message with a brief survey asking how they felt about your services. Feedback, especially negative, is an opportunity for growth.

The most basic service level should always include double-checking details, delivering clear communication, and simply being available. Your clients want to know they have someone to call if things go sideways. Respond promptly to customer inquiries and concerns, ideally within 24 hours or less. This shows customers you value their business and care about their needs. It won’t prevent all potential problems but being proactive will pay off.

Embracing Innovation

Technology can enhance the client experience, streamline internal processes, and help you introduce new products or services. The following tools have made a big difference in the way many advisors serve clients:

An online itinerary-building tool (such as Travefy) offers your clients the opportunity to have their entire trip in the palm of their hand without carrying around a stack of documents. The mobile app includes real-time flight updates and an instant messaging feature (don’t worry, you can turn that off if need be 😉).
Canva, a free online tool, can be used to create beautiful social media posts, Work with Me documents for prospective clients, stunning email templates, and even Bon Voyage videos to share prior to clients’ departure. There’s a paid subscription as well, but you’d be amazed at what can be done with the free version.
Seek out a few mobile apps your clients might find helpful for their upcoming trip. Here are some that may appeal to them:
PackPoint - Answer a few simple questions about your trip and the app will create a customizable packing list, including recommendations based on weather, activities, and whether you'll have access to laundry facilities.
XE Currency Converter - Helps you stay on top of the changing rates, including the option to track up to 20 currencies with alerts and notifications.
Google Translate - One of the most useful features is the instant camera translation - just point your camera at a sign or menu and the app will translate it for you in 38 different languages.
Google Maps - An absolute must for your FIT clients with a car rental. One of the best things about Google Maps is its ‘Your Places’ feature where you can create your own lists and maps! In these lists, you can bookmark popular tourist attractions and restaurants before downloading your map. Maps can even be used offline on the go.

Tip: Create custom Google maps for your FIT clients and link them to their Travefy electronic itinerary! Sites and restaurant suggestions will prevent them from wasting the day trying to figure out what to do next.

Collaboration

Collaboration is another key factor in driving growth for your travel business. This means working closely with other players in the industry, such as suppliers and even other travel advisors, to develop mutually beneficial relationships that can help you reach new clients and expand your offerings. No one can be an expert in all things, so it’s essential to seek advice from a supplier or fellow advisor that has expertise in areas you lack.

Facebook and LinkedIn can be fantastic resources when seeking out groups with the information and guidance you’re looking for. Be engaged with your host agency community, attend live industry events whenever possible, or join your local Rotary Club. If you belong to a travel consortium, such as Virtuoso, there may be themed communities offered. For a small fee, you’ll connect with others to learn more about adventure travel, cruising, culinary focused travel, sustainable travel, and more.

Travel has made a roaring comeback. And with demand growing still, there is more than enough business to go around. From Forbes Advisor, “Despite the challenges that came with traveling last year, Americans still intend to travel in 2023. A resounding 87% of survey respondents expect to travel at least as much as they did in the prior year, with 49% selecting that they expect to travel more.”

Ultimately, the key to success is finding the right balance between service, support, innovation, and collaboration. By understanding the benefits offered from each of these factors, and carefully considering the impact on your clients, you can build a travel business that stands out from the crowd and drives sustainable growth for years to come.

Pokora, Becky. “[Survey] 49% of Consumers Plan to Travel More in 2023.” Forbes, 9 June 2023,

www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/inflation-has-not-deflated-americas-travel-plans-2023/#:~:text=49%25%20of%20Americans%20Plan%20to%20Travel%20More%20in%202023&text=Despite%20the%20challenges%20that%20came,they%20expect%20to%20travel%20more.

About Uniglobe Travel Center

Uniglobe Travel Center (UTC) offers a variety of programs to support your independent travel business, all of which provide top-tier commissions and assistance with the development of sales and marketing plans. Each comprehensive home-based travel agent program is geared to your level of experience in the industry and helps you grow to the next level.

With 200 years of combined travel experience, our dedicated host agency staff are fully equipped to help you reach your goals. We focus on support, business development and coaching, and will give you the right balance you require of each element to become the best home-based travel agent you can be.

The Uniglobe brand is an internationally trusted and respected name in the travel industry, celebrating over 26 years of working and growing together. Since 1996, UTC has been a leading host agency helping travel agents build their businesses and realize their dreams.