This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions. We’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST.

1. I'm very confused and overwhelmed by the FIT "best practice" for travel advisors.  When advisors put together a/an FIT, do they always use tour suppliers (like Classic Vacations/Project Expeditions, etc), or make it themselves by reaching out directly to tour operators (if price is more favorable to client), or just patch things together with a DMC? How do advisors find DMCs if they don't have connections? Thank you in advance. 
2. With hosts, what start up costs can I expect when joining. Is it better to join one that charges a flat monthly rate, or pay a lot every year or a one-time fee? There's got to be setbacks for each one, I'd imagine. Any other costs with a host I should consider?
3.  How do I determine what my niche is? I feel like I will only make money if I sell luxury. 

RESOURCES:

➡️What is an FIT - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

➡️We have a wonderful article from our friends at TPI they wrote earlier this year on the ‘Real Costs of Starting an Agency’ and they give a complete breakdown, including host fees and other fees to consider - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tpi-q1-2025

➡️Finding a Niche - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche