Travel agents are being encouraged to know their worth and to charge fees for their travel planning services.
But is there a right way and a wrong way to go about doing this?
In case travel advisors are wondering how to get started launching fee-based services, ASTA has set out to provide expert advice.
"Travel agents are worth everything they're paid and more, but there's a need for advisors to continue adapting to consumer preferences and market conditions," said Zane Kerby, ASTA president and CEO.
In order to assist agents in making the transition to fee-based services, ASTA is launching a new educational course entitled Professional Fees-Strategies and Solutions.
"Travel agents are much more than intermediaries-they're trusted travel advisors, destination specialists, small business owners and human beings with extraordinary expertise in a complex landscape of travel options," said Kerby. "It is our hope that this new course will help them navigate the possibilities of their earning potential."
The new program isn't coming out of nowhere: Travel agents have been decrying the abuse of their services for a long while.
IntroverTravels' Jacob Marek pointed out how hours can be wasted planning an itinerary, something he once did for clients who then turned around and booked the trip online themselves.
"As our past consumer research work has highlighted, consumers are more than willing to pay for good professional advice," said Kerby. "While we appreciate the travel partners who understand the value that travel agents provide, it's important now more than ever to ensure that travel advisors understand the value that they provide."
With this in mind, ASTA partnered with renowned industry consultant Nolan Burris to launch its new course designed to help agents learn the ins and outs and best practices of instituting fee-based services.
Professional Fees-Strategies and Solutions is available online at a cost of $190. For ASTA members, the fee is just $49. The course can be taken stand-alone or as part of ASTA's Verified Travel Advisor certification program.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
