Shout out to HAR first as they have been instrumental in me being educated about the industry from the start! I found Levarte from Host Week 2024 and immediately signed up for 1-year.
My Honest Review of Levarte Travel After a Year

Levarte Travel is an excellent host agency for new travel advisors looking for strong foundational training, access to respected suppliers, and a supportive community. From day one, I felt welcomed and valued, and I truly appreciated the training opportunities and the wealth of industry knowledge shared by the agency’s owner, Lori. She is highly respected in the travel industry, and I was proud to represent Levarte at events and conferences, where her name carried weight and brought credibility to my brand.

The supplier network is solid, and if a preferred supplier wasn’t initially available, there was a process to request additions. However, while "luxury" was frequently discussed, I didn't see it reflected in the overall agency structure. Attending their semi-annual Wave Camp reinforced this for me—while it was a well-organized event with engaging vendor presentations, I noticed that the primary supplier discussions centered around the Caribbean, which didn’t fully align with my long-term brand goals. I believe it is Lori’s intention to support a variety of travel niches, but the main focus leaned in a direction that wasn’t the best fit for me.

One major plus was their discounted rate on Travefy—it was the lowest I’ve seen in the industry. That kind of pricing says a lot about the relationships the owner holds, and I appreciated having access to such a valuable tool at a fraction of the cost.

Another area where I felt limited was the consortia. Compared to other consortia I've since researched, it seemed less involved and less beneficial to agents looking for a strong industry presence. I wanted to lean on the benefits of a consortia to gain leverage with my clients. They do have a lead program, but I found it clunky and difficult to use, as it often directed leads back to the host agency (if at all?) rather than the individual agent. Additionally, I struggled with the agent-branded sites—after multiple attempts to resolve issues in person and via email, I ultimately gave up on using it as a reliable tool for my business.

The CRM provided was also a challenge. While it did serve as a commission tracking tool (for agents, only the staff used Sion), it lacked effective client marketing automation, and the same 4 promotional offers remained unchanged for the entire year I was with them. While the system allowed for easy client quote requests, using it for more comprehensive business management was frustrating. Many of the agents use other tools but when you pay a monthly fee, starting out, you want to maximize what the agency provides. You are also unable to freely edit the "website" they provide. I did raise concerns, and while they were acknowledged, not all were resolved.

One of the agency’s strongest assets is its accessibility. There is a system in place where agents can ask questions and receive somewhat timely responses, whether from staff or fellow agents. This level of support was consistent throughout my time with Levarte, which was a major advantage as a new advisor.

However, one of my biggest disappointments came when I was preparing to transition to a new host agency. I had heard the owner state multiple times on Host Agency Reviews that agents are allowed to take their bookings with them when they leave. Unfortunately, that was not my experience. A personal booking I had brought to the agency before becoming an agent was denied transfer multiple times, which was disheartening.

Another aspect that ultimately turned me off was their recruitment incentive structure. Although they are far from an MLM, they offer a 5% override on sales from any agent you bring into the company. It was explained as a "thank you" for recruiting other advisors, but to me, it felt like something else entirely. I prefer a host agency model that focuses solely on supporting agents' businesses rather than offering commissions for recruiting others.

Ultimately, I would still recommend Levarte Travel for new advisors looking to gain industry knowledge and hands-on experience. It provided me with a solid foundation that allowed me to thrive. In fact, my first booking with my new host agency was an $11,000 multi-stop European trip, which I attribute to the skills and confidence I gained at Levarte. That said, for those building a long-term, specialized brand—especially in the luxury or non-Caribbean space—it may not be the best fit.

Leaving Levarte was a necessary step in aligning my business with my goals, but I remain grateful for the growth, training, and experience I gained along the way.

Thank you.

I couldn't be happier with my experience at Levarte Travel. The commission structures are thoughtfully designed to reward agents at various levels based on annual sales, making it both fair and motivating. What truly sets Levarte Travel apart is their exceptional agent support. The continuing education programs are top-notch, ensuring we always stay ahead in the industry.

Accessibility to the Levarte staff is unparalleled. They provide wonderful support with timely responses, typically within 24 hours. This reliability is crucial for our day-to-day operations. Additionally, the in-person training events are a fantastic way to establish camaraderie with colleagues and ensure we have all the information needed to best serve our clients.

Levarte Travel has created an environment that focuses on collaboration over competition. It genuinely feels like a family here. The owner is personable and makes an effort to get to know each agent as an individual. Their commitment to our success as CEOs is evident in every aspect of the business.

Levarte Travel is well-established in the travel industry, and I am grateful to be a part of such an amazing host agency.

I researched for quite a while before deciding to use Levarté Travel as my host agency. A friend recommended it to me and I’ve already recommended it to another friend who wants to be a travel advisor. The owner, Lori Speers, wants everyone to succeed. She conducts calls where you can ask any question. Levarté is an industry leader, and has a great reputation with all the vendors. There are so many trainings to choose from. An advisor can never say they weren’t trained. They have a mentoring program, which I have used several times since joining. The mentors are knowledgeable, professional and very helpful. There are FAM trips and Wave camps, which I can’t wait to get involved in. I’ve only been involved since the first of March, but I’m already so happy with the support of this host agency. I wish I had done this years ago!

I was looking for a host that gave me great value for my money. Levarté was definitely that. I feel if you are a new or seasoned agency owner, Levarté can give you what you need. From the start to finish, you are offered mentoring, great education from fellow advisors, Lori, and suppliers on a weekly basis. I am truly grateful for my team of fellow business owners.

I’m so excited. I deposited my first contract group which is a wedding. And I have been doing travel for almost 10 years. And I can honestly say that since coming to LEVARTE, my travel business has increased tremendously. I feel like because of the environment, it allows me to be the best advisor I know I am. It’s such a blessing to be a part of this family. 🥰

LeVarte Travel sets the gold standard in host agencies, providing unparalleled support, training, and tools for success. Under the visionary leadership of Lori Speers, a titan in the industry, LeVarte stands as a beacon of excellence. The staff's responsiveness and unwavering willingness to assist, coupled with fast commission payments, exemplify their commitment to agent success.

One of the most commendable aspects of LeVarte is their robust training program, offering both weekly group sessions and personalized one-on-one mentorship opportunities. These resources, combined with Lori's extensive network and experience, provide invaluable assets for agents navigating the dynamic travel industry.

Having transitioned from another host agency, I can attest that LeVarte's support and resources are unparalleled. In just three years with LeVarte, my commissions have soared, a testament to the effectiveness of their tools and guidance. For any agent aspiring to thrive in the travel business, do not be fooled by their size, LeVarte Travel is unequivocally the partner of choice. Thank you, LeVarte Travel, for empowering my business's success.

After being with two host agencies that didn't pay attention to the lower producing agents I began searching for a smaller host agency and one that provided more one on one support. I met a colleague on a FAM and after speaking with her and asking questions about Levarte I took the leap of faith and joined Levarte. That was the best decision I could have made. The time, attention and training Levarte provides is unsurpassed any in the industry.

I have been a mentee of Lori Speers for over 4 years in various travel host. She has always been the fountain of information and inspiration. She is the Travel Guru. I am so excited that she is now her own CEO and I am blessed to be apart of her company. From day one I have felt so personally important and valued,
Her team is exceptional at each of their positions as customer service and website building etc. The training has been the most informative ever and during a WAVE Camp two day training were where ready with vendor sheets in out booklets that were sent to us so the note taking was made easy and very handy as we did not need to write the main information as it was on their flyer in the booklet, this is a very handy tool.
I get so much more now with Levarte Travel.

As a new host agency, Levarté Travel has gone beyond the usual and customary. They have kept us informed almost daily with new developments with COVID-19, the specials available by various vendors and the training is awesome. The 1st WAVE Camp was full of information from suppliers and corporate. The trainings are given by seasoned travel professionals, easy to understand, keeps your attention, maximum involvement with question and answers sprinkled with fun. Whether you are considering becoming a travel advisor or you are looking for a change from your present host agency; consider this host agency.

I'm just starting out, but am SO excited about travel. This was perfect timing to grow with this group and learn the ins and outs of the travel industry. I very much appreciate all of the tools available to me, to help me be a successful travel advisor. Here's to a long dreamy relationship!