Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Future of Travel Agents on Display at ASTA Entrepreneur Competition

by Richard D'Ambrosio / September 14, 2017
Future of Travel Agents on Display at ASTA Entrepreneur Competition

Travefy's David Chait addressing the crowd at ASTA AGC. Photo: ASTA


The travel industry is constantly evolving, and the American Society of Travel Agents’ (ASTA) recent Global Convention in San Diego celebrated change in many ways this year – perhaps none more prominent than the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year Award competition.

Hosted on the main stage in front of the full conference’s attendees, three finalists competed in a live "Shark Tank"-style competition, before three travel agency luminaries. Each contestant had a distinct value proposition that reflects how agents need to automate and personalize service, adapt to the consumer’s demand for home rentals, and create custom, experiential travel itineraries.

The contestants were David Chait, founder and CEO of Travefy, an itinerary management and client communication platform for travel professionals; Nico and Elkie Nicholas, co-founders of RentalsCombined.net, an online vacation rental site that works with travel agents; and Jacob Marek, founder of IntroverTravels, a company whose strategy is to build unique local experiences for introverted travelers by living there first.

The award is “about creativity and innovation, in an industry whose middle name is ‘Change,’” said Gloria Bohan, president and CEO of Omega World Travel, Fairfax, VA, at the beginning of the competition.

The contest’s judges included Marc Casto, CEO at Casto Travel, San Jose, CA; Denise Jackson, president and CEO at Balboa Travel Management, San Diego, and Tammy Levent, CEO and founder at Elite Travel, Tampa Bay. The audience also weighed in with its collective vote.

After a 5-minute presentation by each contestant, all three judges unanimously voted to give the award and a $10,000 prize to Chait and Travefy.

Chait impressed the judges with a tool designed to help agents build and communicate itineraries under their agency’s branding, to “save time and impress clients.” The software integrates with customer relationship management tools like Sabre’s ClientBase, and Travefy provides its monthly subscription service both through a website and a mobile app. Clients can even receive a PDF if they prefer paper.

Travefy also lets agents add in suggestions of things travelers can do in a destination, including everything from “Shake Shack to the Louvre,” Chait said during his presentation. “You can add in your favorite tailor in Hong Kong, or start with that killer Italy itinerary you have, and use it as starting point for future clients.”

According to Chait, Travefy has “2,500 paying organizations" serving one million travelers.

Travefy plans to use the $10,000 to enhance its workforce.

London-based RentalsCombined.net operates a website designed to help travel agents feel more comfortable booking home and apartment rentals. The company works with managers of more than 700,000 properties worldwide to vet rentals for quality control, reducing fraud and misrepresentations.

“Our mission is to be the leading global platform so that travel professionals can sell rentals with confidence,” the co-founders said, noting that shared economy lodging is the fastest growing in the travel sector. “We want to help agents be a part of the growth,” the Nicholas’s said.

The company has about 2,000 agents live on the site booking properties. If a consumer books directly with RentalsCombined, agent commissions are protected.

Also popular with the audience was Jacob Marek, who presented his concept of travel agents living abroad to design supplier relationships customized for a niche traveler.

  1
  0
explora
Related Articles
ASTA Happy with 2017, Excited for the Coming Year
Documentation is Key to Protecting your Travel Agency
How Small Can a Travel Agent Niche Be?
American Society of Travel Agents Announces National Board of Directors
Longtime Travel Luminary Susan Tanzman Passes
Luxury Car Rental Firm Sets Commissions at 25% for Travel Agents
ASTA Global Convention Shines Spotlight on Travel Agents
Skift Draws Ire of Travel Agents for Criticizing ASTA SeaWorld Reception
ASTA China Summit Is 'More Than Just an Expo'
Raising Consumer Awareness About Using a Travel Agent Is Key

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  2. CDC Adds Three Caribbean Destinations to “High-Risk” COVID-19 List
  3. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  4. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  5. Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska
  6. Travel Advisors Continue Push for Removal of U.S.’s Inbound Testing Requirement

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  2. Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
  3. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  4. Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
  5. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  6. Bahamas Eliminates Travel Health Visa, But COVID Test Requirement Remains
explora
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

TMR Recommendations
Daniel Zim
Zim Travel Law, PLLC. Demystifying Complexity with Down to Earth Advice. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Rodney Gould
Rodney E. Gould concentrates in travel and tour-operator litigation and regularly counsels travel-related entities worldwide.
hbar
Tom Carpenter
Carpenter Law Office - Representing clients in the travel and tourism industries. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Top Stories
Staffing Remains the Biggest Issue for the Travel Industry
Staffing Remains the Biggest Issue for the Travel Industry

Almost every single service sector worldwide is struggling with staffing issues and the travel industry is no exception.

Read...
Marketing, Engagement, & Partnerships Lead Discussions as TMP East Opens
Marketing, Engagement, & Partnerships Lead Discussions as TMP East Opens

The two-day conference provides attendees a packed schedule of general sessions, TED-style talks, panel discussions, a packed trade show floor and more.

Read...
U.S. Travel Association Names Roger Dow’s Successor in Geoff Freeman
U.S. Travel Association Names Roger Dow’s Successor in Geoff Freeman

Freeman will take the reins on Sept 1, taking over for Dow who is wrapping up a 17-year tenure as U.S. Travel’s leader. 

Read...
Legislative Day 2022: Two Big Priorities for ASTA’s ‘Most Significant Day’
Legislative Day 2022: Two Big Priorities for ASTA’s ‘Most Significant Day’

More than 230 travel advisors from 47 states came to D.C. for this year’s Legislative Day, just three states shy of its 50-state goal. 

Read...
What to Know About Shipping Luggage Ahead of Travel
What to Know About Shipping Luggage Ahead of Travel

Shipping luggage is safe and reliable, but there are some things to avoid. 

Read...
Despite Inflation and Rising Costs, Travel Is Still Top-of-Mind for U.S. Consumers
Despite Inflation and Rising Costs, Travel Is Still Top-of-Mind for U.S. Consumers

New survey data from ASTA saw that consumers are still preparing to travel despite the rising cost. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/QTPIinGDcIY/0.jpg
Video: Can Booking Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Groups Be Profitable for Advisors?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
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|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 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