Tips for Travel Agents Selling the Caribbean

The Caribbean is a diverse region catering to travelers of all types but travel agents face a plethora of challenges when it comes to selling clients on it. Here are some tips to help you improve your business and become a go-to agent for travelers eyeing a Caribbean getaway.

The Caribbean is easily one of the world's most competitive regions when it comes to selling travel. Given its status as a coveted year-round destination for not only Americans but travelers all over the globe, it's no wonder so many agents seek to specialize in Caribbean vacations. Therefore, agents hoping to distinguish themselves must always be expanding their knowledge and connections and perhaps find a niche that suits their passion and expertise.

Having an online presence is vital to running a successful travel agent business in 2019 regardless of what destinations you're looking to sell. The good news is that website-building programs like Agent Studio allow you to showcase your personalized brand to a wide audience, attracting valuable customers and giving you credibility in a competitive industry.

It's important that agents understand where travelers most want to go within the Caribbean. The Mexican Caribbean-Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, etc.-for example, is among the top sellers, followed by places like Jamaica and the Bahamas. Stay informed on the latest research, surveys and studies to better understand where your clients want to go and the type of experiences they're looking for in those destinations.

Much of the travel that agents focusing on the Caribbean sell are cruises so it's paramount that agents specializing in the region familiarize themselves with the region's premier cruise lines, newest ships and hottest ports and private islands. Follow some of these helpful tips and you'll be a cruise expert in no time.

Fam trips or familiarization trips are crucial for agents selling the Caribbean as, unlike most other parts of the world, many clients will spend the majority of their time at the resort, as many are all-inclusive and loaded with amenities. Having a thorough understanding of the region's top properties and whether they're a fit for a client-whether they have a disability, identify as LGBTQ or are traveling with young children, for example-could determine whether they book with you again.

One of the reasons why fam trips and networking are so crucial to agents selling clients on the Caribbean is that there are times when resort websites aren't up to date. Ownership changes, renovations and other factors could result in outdated or incorrect information. In those cases, agents can't rely simply on what they find on the web or through a Google search or they could wind up misleading a client, damaging their reputation and losing future business. Experiencing a product firsthand and forging the connections that keep them in the know is a lot of work but a major key to long-term success.

The Caribbean is often impacted by hurricanes during the months of June through November so agents will want to encourage their clients to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for weather disruptions to ensure that a last-minute storm doesn't leave their client out of luck, upset and down on the idea of working with an agent in the future. Agents can also recommend Caribbean islands that aren't typically affected by hurricanes, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados and Grenada.