Gifted Travel Network

I found Gifted on HAR in 2021, and is has been one of the best experiences of my life so far! Attending the new Jumpstart session of the Travel MBA program in October 2022 made all the difference for me. Being there in person I was able to connect with the facilitators (Amy R. and Shannon C.) and my cohort in a way that truly surprised me! The training was thorough and we got to interact with the amazing office staff who all support the GTN advisors. When I left, I felt very prepared and confident to start my own business. After Jumpstart, we had cohort exclusive calls weekly where our mentor provided more detailed training needed to become a successful travel advisor. These calls along with the weekly trainings, partner connections and all-network meetings really provide the support and community I was seeking in a host agency. Gifted Travel Network is truly a community of the most talented travel advisors and luxury travel educators and I am so thankful and grateful to be part of such a wonderful team!

I had a long corporate career as an Executive in the Food & Beverage industry and when I decided a career change to the travel industry could be the right move for me, I did a LOT of research. Ironically, I found Gifted Travel Network (GTN) on Host Agency Reviews (HAR). I read every review and wondered if the things other advisors said were really true. I trusted my intuition and took the leap. Let me tell you… our Executive Team is brilliant, and they each bring complementary skillsets. Those skillsets have built a company that is collaborative, forward-thinking, and business savvy. They understand if you own a business you need to know how to run a business. We are not just transactional, sitting behind computers booking trips. They teach us how to build our business with everything from Marketing, Relationship Building, Branding, Booking and Finances to Social Media. They are selective in ensuring we have preferred suppliers who are the right fit for our businesses, and they cultivate those relationships. They reinforce we need to come from a place of ‘giving’ to our clients. They also understand to be successful in travel you need to have the right mindset (and they help coach you through the tough times when you need it). Most importantly, it’s not just words…they are consistent and lead by example.

And although their Travel MBA program is very prescriptive it doesn’t do your work, it doesn’t create your brand and it doesn’t magically give you clients. Nor would I want it to. It is through your own hard work and uniqueness. What you end up with is a brand you believe in with clients who appreciate the value you bring to them.

What I value the most of being an Independent Contractor (IC) for GTN are the relationships with other IC’s. Initially it was the strong bond with the other individuals in my Travel MBA Cohort and now with others (including other IC’s, GTN Staff, Suppliers…) who I continue to build relationships with in-person, on Zoom meetings and our online interactive platform. There is no competition…only collaboration. (And we have some fun in the process!).

This can be a tough industry, but the risk is worth the reward!

Gifted Travel Network has been a great partner on my new travel advisor journey. As someone who is just starting in the industry the entire Gifted Travel Network team has been wonderful to work with and easy to approach with all of my questions or concerns. The training programs are thorough, yet simplified so you aren't overwhelmed with a ton of information all at once.

The team members truly care about setting you and your business up for success by getting the basics down first and building from there. I would 100% recommend Gifted Travel Network to anyone who is new to the industry and looking for the right host agency partner.

A passion project in retirement that turned into a thriving business: Two reasons why and the how:

First, a little background: After twenty years of trading risk arbitrage and equity derivatives in downtown manhattan, the time had come for chapter two, or no chapter at all; the latter option was not appealing. My dad said, "what about being a travel advisor? You love to travel, have a great client list and have been to +60 countries. We use an advisor and it makes all the difference in the world?" I love the idea, but where do you begin?

With Wall Street clientele, the appeal of Virtuoso as the luxury leader in travel helped me narrow my search for a host agency on this very site. The other requirement was a real education; only GTN had both. The year-long program was vital to my success. One could launch without the education on the back of my extensive travel and business experience, but aren't your odds of success drastically higher if you are a true expert? Doesn't that take immersion and mentorship? Would I have done more damage to my budding travel reputation with the finance clients I hoped to convert to travel clients had I not? Would I get more than one chance from those clients?

Fast forward to December 2021, I am in GTN's top producers club (top 30) in my first full year of business! I am invited to the Virtuoso ultraluxe community, attended Belmond's signature Bellini event for 10 USA advisors in Sicily and was on a top producer retreat with GTN. Without education, it would not have unfolded this way and certainly not this quickly.

The second reason is: In real estate, the most valuable metric is location, location, location, but at a host agency, it is culture, culture, culture. The collaboration and support amongst advisors in our community is the silver bullet and goes hand in hand with the educational foundation of GTN. Imagine how much the collective mindshare benefits our clients. I was not expecting instant responses to questions or requests for advice yet opening up the browser to 7 responses in thirty minutes is common. It's another level of vetting and advocacy, but it only happens if the culture is there. We are not competing like local real estate agents who might compete for a listing in town. Our clients are worldwide, an enviable difference, and it means we are not competing so let's help each other win. We share tips, insights and experiences on our internal system in discussion groups that pale in comparison to snarky online forums. We travel together, 14 GTN advisors and I are just back from 12 days in Tanzania, and as a result, we grow together. It's made all the difference in professional growth inspired by culture and education. What more can you ask for?

I joined the Travel MBA program in October 2021. I was brand new to the industry (completely lost on how to start a business, book travel and successfully sell my brand) - it has been so helpful. It's a super supportive community across the board so you'll always get access to what you need. I could not recommend them enough! They also provide amazing opportunities in the industry all the time and are well respected in the industry. For reference, I worked in finance for about 8/9 years before making the jump to starting my travel advisory business and it has been growing very consistently for a full year now!

After being in the industry for 8 years as an IC with a very small agency, I decided I needed more. My move to GTN was absolutely the "more" I was looking for.
The GTN founders and staff, truly breathe the industry, their depth of knowledge is apparent from the start. They are actively involved in all aspects of travel and the travel industry. This translates to a great amount of support for an IC. The connections a host agency has and ability to support their ICs when in need is really one of the most important things you can look for when searching for a host. GTN offers training, FAMs, vendor calls, conferences and more; all of which mean you have many opportunities to be well aware of what is the latest happenings in the industry and to better your own agency and goals. I absolutely rate this host a 5/5 and would recommend anyone thinking of moving to GTN to make the move!

I cannot say enough amazing things about Gifted Travel Network. After dipping my toes in the industry for a year, I knew I needed more training, support and mentorship. Through my own research I discovered that GTN had an amazing Travel MBA program that not only focused on industry education but how to be a successful business owner. I was looking for a host made up of professionals that were serious about the luxury travel industry and dedicated to the success of their agents . I found that with GTN. In June of this year I founded my own travel agency with the support and dedicated mentorship of some of the smartest, savviest and experienced travel professionals in the industry. Not only do they have dedicated mentors for the Travel MBA program, but the continuing educational calls, partner engagement, and other opportunities are ongoing. The network is engaging and collaborative, from the newest agent, to the top execs. Although I am still new and have a lot to learn, I am 100% positive that I joined the best host out there, and am on the path to success as a luxury travel advisor and business owner.

Prior to being with Gifted Travel Network I was with a different host agency and I can say without a doubt that my move to Gifted Travel Network has been one of the best decisions of my career. Support, Care, Knowledge, Contacts, Relationships...GTN is the total package. My business is more successful due to the connections and "clout" that a partnership with GTN gives you. The best in the business! I truly believe that GTN has the best commission structure, the most supportive and "present" leaders, and the most amazing and positive fellow agents in the business.

I joined Gifted Travel Network in 2020 and it's been the best decision for my agency and career. There is so much support from leadership and peers (other owner/agents), it seems impossible not to succeed. Everyone wants to help each other improve and excel. Having access to Virtuoso (through GTN) brings my agency immediate credibility with clients. The network of relationships I've been able to create through GTN and their affiliation with Virtuoso has provided tremendous depth to the trips I offer. I can confidently send anyone anywhere in the world (having not been there) because I have trusted partners to lean on. Gifted is a gift! My agency wouldn't be where it is today without their connections, support and leadership in the industry.

I joined GTN and started in their Travel MBA program last year. That was hands down the best decision I could have made. I was brand new to the industry and didn't know much about it but that has all changed for the better now. One thing I LOVE about GTN, is not only do they teach you the ins and outs of the industry but they really focus on the business side of things. Being an entrepreneur and knowing how to run a successful business is just as important as learning the travel industry. The year long Travel MBA program really helped me excel and is great for all business travel experience levels. The GTN community is so supportive and helpful. We are truly like one big family just trying to help one another out in anyway possible. I could go on and on about GTN but this has been 100% the best decision I made for my business. I have exceeded all my goals and have grown so much just in my first year with them!!