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You only have once chance to make a good first impression, but if you’re a travel agent, you’re working hard at making that good impression all the time as you woo new clients. After all, there’s a lot of competition out there and you need to stand out.

“To stand out means you have to offer a product or value that is unique,” said Marinel de Jesus, of Peak Explorations. “That can range from services to the places you offer and everything else in between. Creativity is the key here so you’ll need to figure out what makes your product different, which usually is related to the very reason why you started the company in the first place.”

For example, her agency focuses on lesser known trails and allows for solo travelers to join groups.  “Peak Explorations provides solo travelers a way to trek safely with a group of like-minded travelers at a reasonable price,” she said. “At the same time, Peak Explorations promotes social causes by supporting its non-profit counterpart, Trails Without Borders. Hence, trekkers who join the trips offered through Peak Explorations are also making a difference in the lives of others.”

Marianne DeIulio, an Independent Consultant at Just Travelin’, wants her customers to remember her when they are booking their next vacation, so she stands out by helpig them to remember important details about their trips. “I send my clients reminders and follow up with them about balances, optional tours, and all the extras that go along with planning their trip,” she said.

She also provides them with a personalized folder with their invoice, as well as flyers, brochures, travel tips to the area they are going to, and resort information.  

“If they are going on a cruise I give them a packing list,” she said. “I send them info on their airline on how to check in and what the extra baggage fees might be. This is all information that they would need to search for on their own. My clients are so appreciative of this extra information.  I think this is one of the reasons why I receive a lot of repeat business. I value my customers very much.”

Standing out from the competition can be as simple as specializing in one particular area. “I think specializing is more important than ever,” said Kerry Mooneyham of Midwest Travel Solutions, whose passion is the South Pacific and Caribbean. “By understanding one area or one product more than a travel agent who is a generalist, you can give your clients more value, more firsthand knowledge and better tips.”

In December, 2015, Mooneyham traveled to Australia and Tahiti, even though she had already been there. “I decided that I would specialize in the South Pacific,” she said. “By taking all of the training I could, and traveling to the area at least every other year, I could offer clients looking for this destination more.”

Tammy Shamblin Renie said that the simple way to stand out from her competition is to care about her clients. “When I have a new client contact me I want it to be positive experience and I want them to know I will be with them from the planning process until they return home,” Renie of Red Parrot travel. “About 65% of my business is repeat and referrals.”

But every industry rapidly changes, so Renie makes sure to stay current by educating herself. “I attend seminars, travel to destinations and listen to an endless amount of webinars.”

Lisa Fitzgerald, of the Fitzgerald Travel Agency has narrowed down her standout tips to three. “Be professional and courteous at all times. Know your self-worth, you are valuable, you are an asset and your services are second to none. Be consistent. In being consistent, you become reliable and trustworthy,” she said.

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