My business partner and I joined Oasis when we were entering the travel industry in 2017. Neither of us had ever worked in travel (I was a nurse practitioner, and she was a forensic accountant), but we were both ready to take on a new challenge. We conducted extensive research to identify the right host agency for our needs and personalities. Having no experience in the industry but with big dreams and personal goals, we wanted a partner who would offer the right combination of freedom and support. We knew early on that we wanted to be part of Signature Travel Network and focused on finding a host agency member of this outstanding consortium. From the very beginning, we felt that we had made the right choice.
Deciding whether to be with a host agency, work as an employee, become a sub-agent or be independent is a personal choice that depends a lot on your individual needs and both long-term and short-term goals. For us, the benefits provided by Oasis (high commission percentages, technology, back-office support), as well as the highly flexible membership structures, allowed us to scale and grow our agency to be Top 10 (out of over 800 agents) within a few short years. In addition, the entire team, including the front line and back-office staff, are dedicated, professional, and highly accessible even to new agents. We have learned a great deal about the industry from the Oasis team and the many exceptional advisors we have met over the years who have become our dear friends.
During the Covid pandemic, Lee and the entire Oasis team stepped up and went above and beyond to mitigate losses, help advisors negotiate refunds, restructure their membership options to make them more affordable, and provided exceptional support to the members. I believe that many companies can do a relatively good job when times are good, but only outstanding companies can maintain their standards and exceed expectations during a crisis. After weathering the storm with Oasis, I can wholeheartedly say that they are unique in the industry.
No agency or consortium is perfect, and of course, there is always room for improvement, but I appreciate that the Oasis team takes time to listen to our concerns and feedback. If you are a driven, independent, resourceful, and goal-oriented professional who wants to belong to a host agency for added support, higher commission structures, and a sense of community, then Oasis is for you.
When I first started in the industry almost 20 years ago, I was with another host agency. There were lots of issues that lead me to find another place to go. I did my research; used this website to learn about ALL the host agencies. I even made a spreadsheet with the items that were most important to me: getting paid the highest possible commissions, education and training, partner relationships with suppliers, support, etc. Every which way I looked, OASIS Travel Network (OTN) was in the top 3, in every category and I had 11!
Since being with OTN for 7 years now, I have truly found a family of other travel advisors who all want to support and help one another grow. Even if it is at 1am in the morning, someone is always there to help. The leadership of OTN has a clear vision and has 100% had the travel advisor in mind with every decision made.
I am always surprised of the conferences we have with all of our supplier partners! Just an incredible time to build and cultivate new relationships.
I am truly grateful for finding OTN and grateful for the leadership of Lee Smolinski and his entire team! Looking forward to growing even more in 2024!
INDEPENDENCE WITH HIGH COMMISSIONS
After working as a subagent at an agency with a different affiliation, I chose to venture out on my own in 2017 to provide my clients the amenities they craved.
After thoroughly going through the Host Agency Review site and interviewing many hosts, I decided to partner with OTN (Oasis Travel Network) and have experienced great growth.
The highest commissions offered for almost all cruise lines, allows the independent travel advisor the flexibility to pick the right fit product for the client.
In addition, being able to give fabulous amenities enables advisors to work travel magic. A flexible commission structure empowers advisors to choose the best option for their business, and ongoing live webinars keep advisors up to date throughout the industry. The private Facebook group is full of great information, and almost every question affiliated advisors have can be found on the proprietary intranet of OASIS.
The Oasis Travel Network (OTN), is a great place for creative, autonomously minded businesspeople who feel they have a vocation in travel.
I joined Oasis Travel Network in 2011. I had been working in the travel field for 10 years in a store front agency. I learned a lot- however, the hourly compensation was low and the hours long. When I moved out of state, I left my travel job but 3 months later I was contacted by Oasis Travel Network. They discussed the high commission rate to travel advisors; the education; the Signature Marketing Program, the Member Appreciation Trips (where I could include my husband, a family member) plus the bonuses offered to my clients with great rates, upgrades and perks. The decision to go with Oasis Travel Network was a no brainer. I was earning more and deciding on my work hours and my clients were getting more as well plus on occasion I could gift my family with travel experiences that they had dreamed of.
I love working with Oasis. In the 13 years with Oasis my income has increased by 300%; our MoGo Team of Subagents has grown to 4 as well as an administrator, and the best is that my daughter has joined the business and is now running it. She has been with me for 8 years and I love seeing this "Mother-Daughter" business continue to grow. We could not have done this without Oasis Travel Network's Support. The Best Host Team Ever!!
I could not be happier with Oasis Travel Network. I have been in the industry a long time, first working on the supplier end and then switching gears into an advisor role. When I first started as a home-based advisor 10+ years ago I did not do my homework and research host agencies. I landed at an agency that was not a good fit. Extremely low commission splits and no freedom as an advisor. That agency treated the IC's more as employees and not as true independent contractors. I stayed at that agency for 8 years because of my fellow advisors I formed relationships with.
I finally came to my senses and decided to actually research host agencies and look for a better fit for me. I found Oasis and it checked all of the boxes. Oasis is part of the Signature consortium, which was important for me to stay in. You have a choice of commission splits, and best part of all is you have the freedom to run your agency how you like. You can sell whatever supplier you choose. Yes, there are preferred suppliers and there are incentives for selling them. However, you are allowed to make your own choices and sell whichever suppliers you choose.
I respect the Admin team and their transparency with the company and preferred supplier choices. There are a lot of training opportunities, with several webinars a week. There is an annual conference, a smaller training event, and several other member trips to choose from.
I also love that Oasis is not a mega host agency with thousands of members. It's smaller and more of a boutique host agency. You're not just a number with them. The owner actually responds to emails and questions.
I am so happy with my choice and Oasis keeps getting better with the lower fees incentive.
Oasis is a caring, helpful, and professional place to host your business. The only goal is the success of the advisors and the agency. Having come from a more demanding agency, I can speak from experience that you cannot find a better host than Oasis. They are always responsive when help is needed.
I have been with OTN since 2014, having started with a different agency is 2011. Agencies are like night and day and I haven't looked back. Not sure why it took me so long to leave my first one.
Oasis Travel Network permits us to work independently but they are nurturing. Not only are they nurturing, so are the other agents that are affiliated with OTN. If you have a question, all you have to do is reach out on our Facebook Agent page and you will get lots of answers from your colleagues. Everyone helps each other. I started with Oasis when they were much smaller, but becoming larger has actually enabled them to offer us more. Every week there are 3 one-hour trainings that we can attend, there are in person trainings every year (called OTN University). In addition, there are other active events to participate in and each one comes with a learning component. For instance, we may be on an appreciation cruise, but vendors (partners) attend and give us trainings which are much more personalized than being in a large room with hundreds of other agents. Oasis offers each year some FAMS, an appreciation trip and many other events. OTN has a chairman's club where we get rewarded with points or using preferred vendors. This assists us with our fees, as well as money toward trips.
There are several commission options and you can pick the one most appropriate for you. Staff at Oasis, especially Lee Smolinski are transparent. Lee has periodic updates to give us and if he learns a company is in financial distress, he will share that with us. While selling our preferred partners is preferred, you can sell any vendor that you want. OTN belongs to the Signature Consortium so we benefit from them as well and can attend their conferences.
I have been with OASIS since 2014. Like most host agencies they offer all the back office tools and client facing tools that an independent agent needs and uses to run their travel business. In my view what sets OASIS above other host agencies (I have belonged to others in the past) is the staff at OASIS which are focused on making their independent agents successful in a number of ways.
Key ones are:
1) the ongoing supplier relationships with a focus on product training, strong business development partnerships and active marketing programs with suppliers. This has helped a number of times when I have reason to reach out to suppliers for assistance with marketing campaigns and or addressing client needs.
2) well established and constantly evolving tools and processes to streamline agents' operations which allows me to focus on their clients rather than back-office administration and bookkeeping.
3) weekly webinars, quarterly/annual conferences/training and sponsored exclusive FAMs and supplier hosted events that give agents an opportunity to meet face to face and build true relationships both within OASIS as well with our supplier partners.
4) actively engaged with the travel industry taking on leadership roles within various travel organizations, including our consortium. This translates into when I say I am with OASIS, there is immediate recognition and I believe great level of willingness to work/help me as the situation calls for.
5) a wide range of al a carte services and commission structures that can allow me to pick and choose the ones that best fit my business strategy.
6) an active incentive program based on a number of activities such as training, event participation, sales and so on that rewards agents and generally motivates everyone to be successful.
7) last and probably most important the team starting with Lee Smolinski and on down putting us first. There have been a number of times over the years where someone at OASIS has either lobbied on our behalf with a supplier, industry organization and our consortium. Also working with their agents to navigate through and providing resources to help us in the ever-changing travel industry.
I started with OTN in 2018. It is a wonderful organization. I have been offered so many opportunities to learn, network, and travel. I am so thankful to be a part of a group that values each member as much as OTN does. I feel very welcomed and a part of group that wants to grow our business together. I have met so many wonderful OTN agents at our events that have taught me so much about this business. Those relationships are invaluable to me. This is a great place to start something new or expand an already thriving business.
Being part of the OTN Travel team is truly rewarding. The comprehensive training provided has significantly enhanced my confidence and skills. Moreover, OTN's strong partnerships with suppliers, including airlines and hotels, allow us to offer exceptional deals and experiences to our travelers. It's a privilege to contribute to this professional and dynamic team.
When I began my business, I spent a lot of time talking to and researching host agencies. Choosing OTN was a great decision. The weekly opportunities for training and other networking opportunities throughout the year are helpful to me in growing my business. The team at Oasis is there to support you and help you be successful.