Search Travel Market Report

alg
ALG Sponsored
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
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Jennifer Arango
    • Kelly Fontenelle
    • Keri-Anne Slevin
    • Louis Intreglia
    • Tom McCarthy
Sponsored By ALG
Sponsored By ALG

Success for This IC Means Three Hosts

by Robin Amster

The decision to affiliate with three host agencies has proven to be a successful business model for independent travel agent Carol Rodgers.

Rodgers, ACC, of Fort Lauderdale-based Carol Rodgers Travel, is aware of the potential downsides of multiple affiliations cited by host agencies. But she believes the positives far outweigh the negatives for her business. 

Unlike some independents, who ally with multiple hosts in order to chase higher commissions, Rogers views the arrangement as the best way to serve her clients’ varied needs.

Ironically, this sometimes means she earns lower commissions, she said.

Three hosts
Rodgers has been a travel agent since 1991, first with Certified Vacations in Fort Lauderdale and later with a small Florida agency that was affiliated with the now bankrupt host agency Joystar.

She launched Carol Rodgers Travel in 2006. Her first host agency was Cruise.com, which is a member of the Vacation.com consortium. About two years ago, she affiliated with Oasis, a host agency that belongs to Signature Travel Network.

A few months ago, Rodgers joined a third host: World View Travel in Coral Springs, Fla., a Virtuoso member agency.

Different hosts for different needs
“Each of the hosts serves a different market overall,” said Rodgers.

Cruise.com and Vacation.com offer her “probably the most robust group cruise program, but not a lot of high-end [options],” she said.

In order to fill the gap for up-market product, Rodgers joined Oasis and World View which gives her access to the Signature and Virtuoso programs.

“I believe if I keep clients’ interests at the forefront I’ll be okay,” said Rodgers. “So I’ll shop things. If someone wants XYZ cruise, I’ll take a look at all three hosts for the best deal for my client.”

Competitive edge
Having multiple hosts, “enables me to be as competitive as possible,” Rodgers said. “That doesn’t always work out the best for me personally in terms of commissions but chasing commissions goes against my grain.”

As it is, Rodgers earns a healthy $100,000 a year in commissions.

Rodgers gave an example of choosing her client over the commission.

She said she would have earned a higher commission if she had booked a client on a Silversea cruise through Cruise.com. However, Signature was offering an attractive onboard credit on the particular sailing the couple wanted, so she booked the trip through Oasis, her host affiliated with the Signature consortium.

Repeat clients
“You want that client to come back to you,” said Rodgers.

Rodgers doesn’t advertise; she tired that that a few years ago, with little result. “I overlook commissions in favor of what’s good for the client – I look at that as my advertising budget.

“I do get results from referrals and I work 100% from referrals,” she said.

Keeping it all straight
Rodgers knows of the potential for problems when an agent has multiple hosts.

“I think people are always amazed when I say I have a few hosts; their first response is how do you keep everything straight,” she said.

“Part of my recordkeeping is always who I booked with,” she said.

She pointed out that every host has a different means of reporting business, different passwords and other differences of that kind. “It slows me down a little but I think it’s worth it,” she said.

Diluted volume
Spreading her business among three host agencies – and their preferred suppliers – is a concern, Rodgers acknowledged.

“One concern is that none of my hosts thinks I’m a big producer,” she said, although she did once land on Oasis’ list of top 10 ICs, as measured by overall volume.

“If I put all of my business with one host, I’d probably be treated a little bit more royally by that particular host,” Rodgers said. “But I do well enough with them that I get listened to.”

  4
  0
ALG Sponsored

MOST VIEWED

  1. The Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals for 2023
  2. The Ten 'Most Christmassy' Towns in the U.S.
  3. What Will Be the Biggest Travel Trends of 2024?
  4. The Worst Airports for Holiday Flight Delays
  5. Here Are the New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2024
  6. Royal Caribbean Monitoring Haiti Violence


  1. Iceland Travel Update: Southwest Earthquakes Heighten Risk of Volcanic Activity
  2. U.S. State Department Warns Travelers About GPS Dangers in South Africa
  3. The World's Most Expensive Flights
  4. CBD Gummies Result in Lifetime Passenger Ban for Carnival Cruiser
  5. 15 Exciting New Hotels Opening in 2024
  6. Canada Updates Ireland Travel Advisory After Dublin Riots
TMR THIS WEEK
Presented by Windstar
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=31e281c0-9d92-ee11-adc6-005056a855ed&Width=350&Height&250

Consultative Selling for Travel Advisors: Why It is Important and How to Do It

With consultative selling, a travel professional is viewed as a trusted advisor (more akin to a lawyer, financial advisor, or other high-level consultant). 

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
The ABC’s of Crafting Meaningful and Memorable Travel: Part 2
The ABC’s of Crafting Meaningful and Memorable Travel: Part 2

We're the bridge between dreams and reality, connecting individuals to the captivating tapestry of the world. 

The Top 10 Travel Gear Gifts for This Holiday Season
The Top 10 Travel Gear Gifts for This Holiday Season

Ten products that make great gifts for clients or for the travelers in your life. 

10 Things Travel Advisors Need to Do to Wrap Up This Year & Prepare for the Next (Part 2)
10 Things Travel Advisors Need to Do to Wrap Up This Year & Prepare for the Next (Part 2)

Five more things advisors told TMR they do to wrap up the year and position themselves for an amazing next year.

Mazatlán – A Colonial City on the Beach
Mazatlán – A Colonial City on the Beach

If you pride yourself on recommending fabulous vacation destinations that aren’t the typical hotspots, consider Mazatlán, the Pearl of the Pacific. 

10 Things Travel Advisors Need to Do to Wrap Up This Year & Prepare for the Next (Part 1)
10 Things Travel Advisors Need to Do to Wrap Up This Year & Prepare for the Next (Part 1)

The first five of 10 things advisors told TMR they do to wrap up the year and position themselves for an amazing next year.

Willamette Valley Oregon to Serve as Host of Tourism Cares' 2024 Travel Summit
Willamette Valley Oregon to Serve as Host of Tourism Cares' 2024 Travel Summit

The 2024 fall Meaningful Travel Summit will be held in Eugene Oregon, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. 

OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
Trends in River Cruise, 2023
European Travel Trends 2023
Winning in The Tech Era: Essential Insights for Travel Advisors
View All
Advertiser's Voice
tmrtv.jpg
https://img.youtube.com/vi/VV869UVCj4o/0.jpg
Video: What Makes a Good Travel Advisor?
ALG sponsored
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