Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Briana Bonfiglio
    • Candace Protzman
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Jennifer Arango
    • Kelly Fontenelle
    • Louis Intreglia
    • Tom McCarthy

Travel Agencies Struggle To Find Talent, Survey Finds

by Richard D'Ambrosio / March 29, 2017


As travel agencies ride a wave of new business, the dearth of good talent is beginning to cause concern for agency owners, especially at the high end of the market, a new survey finds. 

In the 2017 Pulse of the Industry Survey, global marketing firm Strategic Vision found that 70% of luxury agencies are hiring travel advisors this year, thanks to an increase in travel bookings. But while Strategic Vision didn’t specifically ask about staffing issues, the volume of anecdotal respondents was alarming, said president Peter Bates.  

“It is going to be a good year for agents, if they can find the staff to handle it,” Bates said. “If yellow means agents are cautious about finding enough agents, and red means there is danger they won’t be able to meet their bookings demand, I would call the warning color amber.”  

One mid-size West Coast travel agency, for example, said it was difficult to find an “adequate pool of qualified travel counselors,” while a mid-size East Coast travel agency complained it “can't get enough great agents.” 

“Finding new talent,” and “attracting young people into the industry,” is bedeviling a small Northeast travel agency. 

Owners have turned to recruiting from other industries, especially in the real estate and service industries. “We think that is the way to go for agencies needing to fill gaps,” Bates said. 

While learning the technology is important for those who transfer in from another industry, Bates thinks it’s more important  to focus on helping them build supplier relationships, including connections with hotel general managers and local venues.  

“Technology is allowing owners to let new agents transact while they’re on the move—and the best agents are on the move all the time, visiting destinations and getting to know the product,” he said. “How else can you understand which product fits which client?” 

Being a member of a consortium helps, too, because of the training programs, negotiated rates and special offers they provide. 

The Pulse of the Industry Survey was sent in late February to CEOs, presidents, and other senior leaders of the leading luxury travel management firms and meetings & incentive buyers in the United States. 

  1
  1
Related Articles
Nexion’s 2023 Rising Star Reveals How She Succeeds as a New Travel Advisor
Corporate Travel and Aviation: Providing Connections and Genuine Service
Video: When, and Who, Should You Think About Hiring?
7 Reasons Why Small Ship Sailings Lead to Unforgettable Experiences
Why You Should Use a Travel Agent, Now More than Ever
Travel Agent New to the Industry is Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream
Travel Advisors Make the Best Couples... and Business Partners
A Million a Month in Sales: Elliot Finkelman Shares His Formula for Travel Success
Why Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent
Travel Agent Takes On United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

MOST VIEWED

  1. Maui Fires Update: Which Hotels and Resorts Are Open and Closed After Lahaina Fires
  2. Tropical Storm Idalia Forecasted to Become Hurricane Today, Hit Florida by Wednesday
  3. FAA Issues Nationwide Ground Stop for United Airlines Flights
  4. Southwest Airlines Strike Seems Imminent
  5. Hurricane Lee's Uncertain Path Raises Some Travel Concerns
  6. Celebrity Cruises Removes Gratuities from "All Included" Pricing


  1. Hurricane Lee Intensifies to Category 5: Caribbean and U.S. Impact Uncertain
  2. Hurricane Franklin Scuttles Two Bermuda Cruises
  3. Two Florida Ports Remain Closed After Hurricane Idalia
  4. Updated Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination, Booster, & Testing Requirements
  5. Idalia Expected to Hit Florida as ‘Extremely Dangerous Major Hurricane’ on Wednesday
  6. Royal Caribbean Monitoring Haiti Violence
TMR THIS WEEK
Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=8eb8c379-4b59-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b&Width=350&Height&250

Why Every Travel Advisor Needs a Business Plan…And How to Start One

A business plan is not just a document; it's your compass. 

Read More...
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Ask An Advisor: How Do I Nudge My Clients for Referrals Without Seeming Pushy?
Ask An Advisor: How Do I Nudge My Clients for Referrals Without Seeming Pushy?

I’m not getting the referral business I had expected, and as a result, my client list isn't growing.

Read...
Tips for Recruiting and Hiring Independent Contractors from The Travel Institute
Tips for Recruiting and Hiring Independent Contractors from The Travel Institute

Where to find prospects, what traits to look for, and what to be aware of during the recruitment process.

Read...
AI Unleashed: Empowering Travel Advisors for Business Growth
AI Unleashed: Empowering Travel Advisors for Business Growth

"I firmly believe that AI represents the most significant advancement for travel advisors, and it should be welcomed rather than feared." 

Read...
ASTA’s EVP of Advocacy Eben Peck to Leave Association Next Month
ASTA’s EVP of Advocacy Eben Peck to Leave Association Next Month

Peck has spent nearly 12 years with ASTA.

Read...
Travel Advisors Access Free Social Media Content, Suppliers Extend Their Reach
Travel Advisors Access Free Social Media Content, Suppliers Extend Their Reach

For most travel advisors, the importance of having a strong and regular presence on social media is a given. 

Read...
Travel Vets Launch AVANCE Collective, a 501(c)(3) Focused on the Industry’s People
Travel Vets Launch AVANCE Collective, a 501(c)(3) Focused on the Industry’s People

The ultimate goal of the organization is to “demonstrate the charitable power of the travel industry." 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
European Travel Trends 2023 Outlook
CP White Paper 1
Cruise Trend Outlook 2023
View All
industry insider
industry-insider.jpg
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=f22339b7-9c5b-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
What Does Social Media Really Mean?
Advertiser's Voice
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=9bb09e35-c85b-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
Video: The Difference Between Marketing and Advertising
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Packaged Travel |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Resources |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy