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Montecito Village Travel
First Class

Montecito Village Travel

join.montecitovillagetravel.com
32 reviews
Montecito Village Travel logo
Montecito Village Travel logo
join.montecitovillagetravel.com
805-456-2545
Email Host Agency
3329 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105
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All Reviews

32 reviews
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star

Top Review

May 23, 2024

I absolutely love Montecito Village Travel. It was THE right move for me and is a true representation of what a host agency should be! It is the first time in my seven years of being in travel I truly feel like it is my own business versus feeling like a 1099 employee. They are there to support me if needed and the tools are cutting edge helping me to be more efficient on the back end and freeing up my time for business development.

Paula Iwanski
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Paula Iwanski

Experience: < 1 year

Sales: > $1 million

Status: Currently with company

May 23, 2024

I absolutely love Montecito Village Travel. It was THE right move for me and is a true representation of what a host agency should be! It is the first time in my seven years of being in travel I truly feel like it is my own business versus feeling like a 1099 employee. They are there to support me if needed and the tools are cutting edge helping me to be more efficient on the back end and freeing up my time for business development.

2
0
2 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Anonymous Reviewer
July 23, 2023
Updated Review

I've been a hosted agent for most of my travel career and with MVT for just over three years. During the pandemic MVT communicated with us and made us feel like we were seen. Their support team is amazing, which is always nice when you need that. I really enjoy my Montecito team, and I am glad to have them on my side.

3
1
3 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Connie Miller
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Host Agency Response

Thank you!

Marcia Hellman

Experience: > 11 years

Status: Currently with company

January 19, 2023
Verified Review
Old Review

I started in tourism in 1998 on the supplier side, owning and operating an excursion company. We were the largest and most popular activity in the area and the ski area used us extensively for corporate groups. In 2005, with the assistance of a friend that was working at the ski area I started a travel agency. I worked inbound corporate groups until 2018. I then changed my business model and moved to outbound leisure. My first year was a struggle without the backing and resources that come with having a host agency. I was incredibly fortunate to have a conversation that lead to an introduction to Montecito Village Travel. I feel so grateful that I'm an IC with them. I have the support, resources, and backing that I didn't even know existed. I was just getting going with them when COVID hit. The encouragement and help from them was so appreciated. I don't know that I would have continued in the business without that. Now that travel is booming again I have everything I need to be successful. From the systems they have in place, educational opportunities, and networking it's all there. Not to mention it feels like you are part of a family. They are wonderful to know and work with. If I ever have a question or need assistance they are there for me. Thank you MVT, I'm looking forward to many more sucessful years together!

3
0
3 people found this review helpful. Did you?
beth king

Experience: 1-5 years

Sales: $500k-$999k

Status: Currently with company

June 06, 2022
Old Review

I changed my host company to Montecito Village Travel about a year ago and I'm still in awe at how great this host company is.
They have exceeded all my expectations when it comes to providing support and the tools needed for my success. Their in-house system is the best I've seen, offering everything from tracking commissions, sending brochures, invoicing clients, and even a calendar for headquarters staff, showing when they are out of the office.
The company has invested an enormous amount of time and I'm sure money, to make sure we have what we need to be successful, yet they don't charge a fee for using their system. The idea that they are successful when we are is backed up by everything they provide and do for us, versus other companies that say it but don't back it up through actions and tools.
They are always offering webinars weekly, with different vendors and also their in-house team, highlighting their system, marketing ideas, networking and everything else you could think of. Not only are these great tools but nearly every webinar has an incentive with the opportunity to win a gift card plus for their in-house webinars, an Amazon gift card is given all attendees.
Their high volume with the different vendors, cruise lines and hotels is at a level where the commission %'s are either on par or higher than I've seen elsewhere, meaning more money in our pockets!
Although Montecito is a large volume agency, they have a small company attitude. Everyone, from the President down is available if needed and there's never a feeling that anyone is "above" or too busy to help or even answer a question.
I've been in the industry over 40 years and it takes a lot to impress me this much but they have.

6
0
6 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Cindi Hanson

Experience: > 11 years

Sales: $150k-$499k

Status: Currently with company

March 24, 2021
Old Review

I have been in the Travel Industry for almost 30 years. After starting in a Brick & Mortar Travel Agency and then moving to a long stint with Corporate Travel, I wanted to get back into Leisure Travel. I founded my agency Infinity Travelaz in 2013 and signed on with a different Host Agency. In 2020 I wanted to take my business up a notch and I moved to Montecito Village Travel. What a great move this has been on my part! MVT is on top of everything! When Covid hit, we had daily communications, weekly emails from the CEO and constant thank yous for sticking with them and hanging in there during what turned out to be a very trying year in the Travel Industry. Just knowing that I moved to a Host Agency that keeps in constant contact, cares deeply about our business and wants to help us succeed in anyway they can ensures my decision to join them was totally the right one! Their main data base where information, tools to help us, accounting information, training, webinars and so much more is housed is unlike I have ever experienced before! So much to help us, it is just amazing! The staff is kind and caring and quick to answer questions or answer emails. The connection with Virtuoso is awesome and gives us another way to ensure our success. Thank you Montecito Village Travel for taking me on during such a tumultuous time. I am looking forward to many more years of this great relationship. You all are awesome!

8
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8 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Tim May

Experience: > 11 years

Status: Currently with company

May 30, 2018
Old Review

It is very comforting to know that my host agency, Your Travel Center, has my back and best interest in mind. Your Travel Center has been consistent since the day I began working with them. I have had some very specific requests recently that would significantly help my business and Your Travel Center has made every effort to provide the best solutions for me. I also like that they continue to have new resources that makes my life easier. It feels really good to know that I don't have to know everything; that I can pick up the phone or email my direct contact at Your Travel Center and someone who has the answer/solutions will provide me with it in a timely manner. I highly recommend Your Travel Center as the host to work with.

3
0
3 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Kelly Gruber

Experience: 1-5 years

Status: Currently with company

May 22, 2018
Old Review

I looked at a number of hosts, trying to find the best for my luxury clients.
Your Travel Center/Montecito Village Travel had the best and most extensive
list of connections --- means my clients get all the best perks.

3
0
3 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Elizabeth Johnsen

Experience: > 11 years

Status: Currently with company

February 02, 2017
Old Review

I have over 35 years of travel industry experience. I've spent most of my tenure working for major suppliers. Travel agents were my bread and butter. 14 months ago, I filled a lifelong dream to open my own travel company after years of guiding friends and family with their travel. I have never looked back. I worked closely with the Montecito Village Travel executives throughout much of my career and so it was a very natural fit for me to become an IC with MVT. When a long time travel agency owner, friend and colleague realized I was 100% serious about my business, she suggested I speak with MVT about joining the MVT Host family. It was seamless. My strengths are in building relationships, selling and creative marketing. My skills were not on the inner working of a travel agency. Back-office and procedures did not come easy. The MVT team from the top down are incredibly supportive. I can pick up the phone or send an email and no question is too small. I get to contribute. I learn, I ask questions and I receive top commissions and access to new suppliers and promotions. I feel as if I have the Fast Pass at Disneyland! I have learned so much this past year and I am so motivated to be the BEST with the incentives in place. I recommend MVT as a natural choice to other suppliers thinking about making the cross over that I did. I never even thought about looking at another affiliation (even though I know most of them). For me, MVT is my best choice. I am supported with Training, Technology, Marketing, Networking with piers, and Accounting. MVT cares about my success and they rally me on with support and equal excitement. I am grateful!

17
1
17 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Lisa Gilliatt, Elite Travel

Experience: > 11 years

Status: Currently with company

January 13, 2016
Old Review

After working in a brick and mortar agency for 25+ years, YTC made the transition to becoming a home based agent extremely easy. I appreciate the learning opportunities, availability of technology, and the ability to reach out with questions and for support.

6
1
6 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Sue Doyle

Experience: > 11 years

Status: Currently with company

January 08, 2016
Old Review

I have been a travel agent for 30 plus years and the last ten with Your Travel Center. The contracts they offer are spectacular and the support from owners and staff is unparalleled. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

9
0
9 people found this review helpful. Did you?
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