Contributed By: Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative
The founder of JCPenney’s, James Cash Penney, once said that “Growth is never by mere chance. It is the result of forces working together.”
Whether established or starting out, joining a larger travel company such as a franchise or host allows you to tap into an established vendor network, gain instant credibility and gain access to enhanced buying power. The third option, starting a new agency on your own, misses out on these benefits so we won’t be covering that here.
Is a franchise or host model the best fit for you? To help you decide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of the first two options, over the course of a three-part blog series. And since no two travel advisors are the same, we’ll introduce you to several Travel Advisors, from different walks of life, and at different stages in their career, who had the same decision to make, Franchise or Host.
As a franchise owner with a company such as Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, you are more than just a member. You own and operate your own travel business while leveraging the power of an established brand. This means you have access to insider information and can earn higher commissions.
Laura de la Horra, of Davie, Florida, used this to her advantage from the start. “I fell in love with the production reports,” she says. “What is my percentage on how much cruises I’m selling, how much tours I’m selling, how much air and so on.”
So how does she leverage the data these robust sales reports provide? She insists it takes her business to another level. It allows her to have a relationship with the business development managers (BDM) of the multiple travel partners Cruise Planners works closely with.
“I want to be able to have an educational conversation with my BDM. ‘I know I’m selling X% of your product…’” she says. “It’s just smart business 101. If you don’t have a relationship with your BDM, you’re not doing something right. You have to work with them so that you can mutually grow each other’s business.”
On the other hand, these relationships are especially difficult when working with host companies because essentially, they’re simply membership organizations.
1. Business Ownership
2. Brand Recognition
Learn more about the Cruise Planners franchise model and how you can get award-winning marketing support to grow your travel advisor business at www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.
Next…
Franchise vs. Host – Part II
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