Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol31 

Special thanks to today’s sponsor: KHM Travel Group

Today's guests prove that sometimes the best partnerships start at home. Lauren Pronger launched Well Inspired Travels in 2011, inspired by witnessing travel's transformative power when her father used it to complement his cancer treatment. When her husband Chris, NHL Hall of Famer and Triple Gold Cup winner, joined the business in 2018, they discovered they were more powerful together.

What makes this power couple unique isn't just their high-profile clientele of professional athletes and executives—it's their holistic approach to travel planning and firm "no asshole policy." 

The Prongers have built a luxury agency that perfectly balances Lauren's creative vision with Chris's business development expertise. They've mastered the art of strategic outsourcing through their host agency, allowing them to be the face of the business while having strong back-office support.

Lauren brings her expertise as a wellness consultant to both clients and properties, helping hotels level up their wellness offerings while ensuring clients can maintain their health practices while traveling. With 10 different certifications and a deep understanding of both Eastern and Western approaches to wellness, she's helping to shape the future of luxury wellness travel.

Chris brings his experience as an elite athlete to help clients, especially professional athletes, navigate the unique challenges of maintaining peak performance while traveling. Together, they've mastered the art of what they call "travel matchmaking"—deeply understanding their clients' needs, goals, and challenges to create transformative travel experiences.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about building a successful family business, maintaining work-life balance, and the growing intersection of luxury and wellness travel. You'll learn about their "one thing" philosophy that every trip should improve your life in some way, how they maintain boundaries with ultra-high-net-worth clients, and why they're moving away from public travel recommendations to private newsletters for clients.

In episode 185 Steph cohosts with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels. Don’t miss this great episode chock full of helpful wisdom, covering the questions you will find below: 

1. What is the best way to contact a resort to do a site inspection (email, phone call), especially if the resort is out of the country?

Thanks, Jenn B.

2. After organizing group tours as a volunteer for my club, I am now transitioning to become a professional. I love your podcast and website - thank you.  I'll be doing the 7-day series soon.

I do group tours that are customized for a special interest.  Numerous times, I have tried to book a block of rooms with a hotel and the pricing they quote is more expensive than what I can get from Booking.com or Agoda.com.  In the most recent example, it was 133 room nights and the savings by leaving the rooms on Booking.com was over $15,000.  Additionally, the in-house contract usually requires up front deposits and has much worse cancellation policies.  I really want to help the hotels, but I can't wrap my head around why I should book direct when it costs more and has worse cancellation.  

Thoughts?

Larry P.

RESOURCES:

The Definitive Site Inspection Checklist (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/definitive-site-inspection-checklist)

Make the Most of a Cruise Ship Inspection (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection) 

Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them + Etiquette (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip)

Options for booking air without the GDS system. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds)

Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: An Infographic (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-vs-booking-online)

How Much Do Travel Agents Make per Booking? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-per-booking)

10 Insider Group Booking Tips from Travel Advisors [+Infographic] (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/group-booking-tips-travel-advisors-agents)

Here’s What Suppliers Want You to Know About Booking Groups (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/supplier-want-you-know-booking-groups)

Dugan's Travels LLC | Host Agency Reviews (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/dugans-travels) 

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) 

In episode 184 Steph cohosts with David Meihoefer of TPI! Steph and Dave have some really substantive questions to dig into, so make sure you don’t miss it! Here are the questions: 

1. Hi Steph and Guest. Our host agency was just hit with fraud and they sent a notice that we’ll be responsible for any fraudulent bookings. Is this common? I’m new and I’m worried I will make a fraudulent booking and not know it. It would be helpful if we knew what to look out and how to avoid bad bookings. —Anonymous

2. I am curious about the industry practice regarding changing from one commission split level to another within a host agency. Is it customary to be paid on a booking based on what your split is when you entered the booking into your host’s commission tracking system? Rather than what your split is at the time of travel?

Thanks for any insight!

—Anonymous

3. Do you recommend new travel advisors have a marketing budget from Day 1? I know you need to spend money to make money. However, I’m unclear how much to spend and would appreciate guidance.

Thanks!

—Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Mark Pestronk on Preventing Fraud

https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/How-to-prevent-IC-fraud-on-suppliers

ARC’s Fraud Prevention Tools 

https://www2.arccorp.com/support-training/fraud-prevention

How to Protect Your Travel Agency from Credit Card Fraud

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/protect-travel-agency-credit-card-fraud

Role Reversal: Thinking Like a Travel Agency Fraudster 2017

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/role-reversal-thinking-like-travel-agency-fraudster-2017

Explaining Travel Agent Commissions [Infographic + Charts]

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions (All about travel agent commissions, including airline commissions.)

HAR’s $100 Travel Agency Marketing Plan  (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-100-travel-agency-marketing-plan)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) 

In episode 183 Steph cohosts with Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge. They’re gonna have a go at the questions below, and give you plenty to learn about in the process!  

1. Hi, I am just joining a Travel Agent as part of her independent Agency starting in December but I do need to establish myself as an LLC as well as set up a business bank account which I will do at the bank that I have been using for my personal banking. Do you have any suggestions as to the best Credit card for TA's? Thank you, Robin R

2. Are there any arrangements where a customer can still earn points with a hotel chain or airline while purchasing through a travel agency? I hate having friends and family make an effort to work with me, pay the same as they would pay on their own & lose their points. –Jenn T.

3. Hi Steph, are there any host agencies that work with international new advisors outside the USA and Canada? Thank you! –Meseret G.

RESOURCES:

Setting Up Your Travel Agency’s Financials

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/setting-up-travel-agencys-financials)

The Best Credit Card Rewards for Your Travel Agency

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/best-credit-card-rewards-travel-agency)

How Much Do Travel Agents Make per Booking?

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-per-booking)

Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: An Infographic

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-vs-booking-online)

Travel Agent Booking Basics

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-booking-basics)

Travel Agency Accreditation Options [Infographic + More]

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation)

Travel Edge | Host Agency Reviews with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-edge)

Luxury Travel Advisors & Agent Host Agency Network | TravelEdge

(https://www.traveledgenetwork.com/)

instagram: @traveledgenetwork

In episode 182 Steph cohosts with Jennnifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here’s a taste of the questions! 

1. Hello, HAR team. Thank you for your very informative article series on booking group travel.  I'm working on my first group and trying to wrap my brain around contracts. Is there a contract between you (the travel advisor) and the supplier, and another contract between you and the client, or is it all one contract? Is this in addition to the usual terms and conditions form used when booking FIT travel? Last, are there any red flags to watch out for or items to be sure to include when signing these contracts with suppliers? Thank you for all you do!  --Molly C. 

2.Do advisors typically split their planning fees with their host agencies? If so, does it follow the commission split? Thank you! --Anonymous

3. I've had a hard time summing up my niche into one word, as I'm new to the industry. My goal is to provide travel to the curious mind that is leisure, but can also include giving back to the community/land/culture through volunteering, shopping local markets, or through participating in educational experiences. It seems the appropriate name for this niche would be Eco Travel or Responsible Travel. Granted, it's difficult to be 100% environmentally friendly since some travel is unavoidable, but if you have any suggestions regarding the name or suggestions of suppliers that specialize work with this type of niche, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for this incredible podcast. - Jamie K. 

In episode 181 Steph cohosts with a longtime Friday 15 friend, April Swales of Uniglobe Travel! Here's a taste of the topics they'll tackle -- via your questions! 

1. I'm a new advisor and the host agency's booking platform is soooo complicated! I'm still trying to make it through the training. Thinking about switching to another host. Are booking platforms so complicated in general? How can you find out?  —Marsha G.

2. Hi Steph, I've been a long-time listener and am now a regular caller—love the show!

For my Friyay! 15 Question, I’m thinking about adding my booking metrics data like the number of booked cruises, flights, and destinations to my website. Do you think this is a good idea? If so, how would an agent go about adding that information to the site?

All this to help build a trusting relationship with clients about the services that we provide.

Thanks for your insights! I’ll hang up and listen now.😁

Best,

Quincy H.

3. Hi Steph! I saw your post on LinkedIn about the Beneficial Ownership Information. Is this required for all agencies? Why haven’t I heard about this before? —Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Find booking tools and reviews on HAR’s travel agency software list. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software)

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI): What it Is, How to File, + Reporting Requirements (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/beneficial-ownership-information-boi-what-it-is-how-to-file-reporting-requirements)

Uniglobe Travel Center’s profile with reviews and info 

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/uniglobe-travel-center)

Uniglobetravelcenter.com

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) 

 In episode 180 Steph welcomes Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge Network as a co-host. They'll cover the following topics in this week's Friday 15! 

1. As I move into setting up my own Travel Advisor business, I'm thinking about what computer to get. As a teacher, I've been provided a MacBook Pro, which I love, but I know no different! Laptop? PC? Apple?  —Stephanie B.

2. I am in the process of researching which host agency to join. Which ones offer discounts to tickets (concerts/sporting events/day tours/activities/etc.)? Evolution Travel offers those discounts, but am unsure whether the MLM model is the right choice for me. I haven't been able to find this level of detail when doing my search. Ideally, 'm looking for a host agency with a GDS, part of consortia, no minimum sales requirement and have discounts to tickets. Thank you so much! :)  —Cecily M.  

3. Most resources we come across assume that the agent is structured as a sole proprietorship or single-LLC. This has caused us to ask if there are any major differences in how a MMLLC is handled within the industry. For example, do host agencies see us as a single "agency" or as two agents when it comes to commissions, fees, training?  —Joseph H.

RESOURCES:

What is a DMC in Travel? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company)

All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)

Everything you need to know about Travel MLMs (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-mlms)

Advice on how to find the best host agency + questions to ask. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency) 

What the GDS is + options for booking air without the GDS system. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds)

In episode 179 Steph is co-hosting with David Meihoefer of TPI! Here’s a taste of the subjects they’ll tackle: 

1. I'm still debating which host agency to choose, do you suggest I wait until host week to choose?  Also do you think I should have my website set up before choosing a host? -Thanks, Jenn

2. I am still just doing lots of reading, and trying to better understand the travel advisor landscape a bit better.  One question I am wondering if you can answer for me is the relationship between the host agency and the consortium.  

When I talked to a host, it sounds like they select their suppliers directly. They have a team that does that. However, it also seems like their suppliers have to come from the consortium, or at least they have to maintain a certain ratio there. So if someone wanted to be a supplier to that host, would they also have to be a supplier to the consortium? 

Just trying to understand who really maintains that relationship between the suppliers? Is it both, or more one than the other? —Anonymous

RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) 

How to build a website in 7 minutes + videos (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/wix-tutorial)

Register for the party of the year: Host Week (https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/host-week)

Advice on how to find the best host agency + questions to ask. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency) 

All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)

What is a travel consortium? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops)

What is a host agency? 

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency)

Signature Travel Network’s HAR profile (https://hostagencyreviews.com/consortia/signature-travel-network)

Travel Planners International's profile with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-planners-international)

In episode 178 Steph is co-hosting with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here are the questions for this week! 

1. I loved the HAR CRM and Itinerary article. My head is spinning: I've looked at so many, Planiteasy, Travefy, Traveljoy, Unmapped, Axus, Tess, Tern. Which one can I either forward the email confirmation from hotels/air/car and it will input all the details not just the confirmation, dates... like prices, room type and cancel policies, or do they all make you enter this again to create the client itinerary once finished booking the reservation? Which let you import confirmations directly from suppliers and help create itineraries?

So yes I want a unicorn, a central repository for all my client's profiles and their bookings, plus the ability to create and send itineraries...that are of course beautiful.   Haha.

-Janette 

2. Does anyone have a place that they can recommend to track expenses?  I'm using an excel spreadsheet and honestly I'm not a fan of it. -Dina

3. Hi there! I have a client wanting to go on a fall foliage tour back east this year. I already quoted her a land tour, but now she’s asking about a train tour. Walking a lot would be a problem for my client. How should I balance all of these requests and find the right suppliers? Thank you for all your feedback. -Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Find itinerary builders, read over 90 advisor reviews + more in HAR’s new travel agency software list! (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software)

Freshbooks. https://www.freshbooks.com/

Xero. https://www.xero.com/

Quickbooks. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

Expensify. https://www.expensify.com/

What travel expenses can you (and can’t you) write off? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-expenses

Travel agents, here’s how to qualify clients. (Tutorials + real-life examples) https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-qualify-clients-travel-agent

Host Week EduSpot: Shifting Identities - Making Travel More Accessible. https://www.youtube.com/live/tT7cHbr_y-g?feature=shared&t=19139

 Host Week EduSpot: Growing Your Business Through Accessible Travel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0cSwYJxyOU&t=15922s

Dugan's Travels’ profile with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/dugans-travels)

https://www.facebook.com/duganstravels/

In episode 177 Steph is co-hosting with Stephanie Pickles of Pickles Travel! They’ve got a ton to discuss, including the following: 

1. I hope to be a beginner agent one day soon and as I am sorting out how to break into this industry I have settled on going through a host agency, in large part thanks to your wonderful website and podcasts which I have been absorbing rapidly. 

However, as I review your Host Agency profiles I see GDS (which I understand and cannot use), as well as Ticketing for non-GDS agents and Air Programs listed under Corporate tools. What is the difference between a Ticketing for non-GDS agents program and an Air Program that is a corporate tool? Many thanks!  —Kerrin M.

2. I guess you can now call me an 'older newbie', but I think I am losing some clients when they ask, "Do you do flights." As I know most TAs don't do airfare I have been giving them the same response. 

However, I have lost some clients by saying that. I have learned recently that Centrav is now offering training on how to purchase airfare for clients. What's the best way to handle such a question or should I go ahead and make their flights if asked given the problems that could arise?  —Marc C.

3. Recently I had a client ask me to help him book a trip to Sicily.  I found two packaged deals that would fit his interests. The problem is that he asked me to send him the links I was looking at so that he could see the suppliers I am working with plus the hotels so he can make a choice. Not knowing how to handle such a response, I sent him the links. So far in two days, I haven't heard from him. What's the best way to handle such a situation from a client?  —Marc C.

RESOURCES:

Options for booking air without the GDS system + what the heck the GDS is. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)

Find itinerary builders + more in HAR’s new travel agency software list! (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software)

Pickles Travel Network’s profile with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/pickles-travel-network)