What Does a Travel Advisor Do?
My Path Unwinding Travel Advisors focus on building relationships with clients to create hassle-free vacations. To accomplish this, travel advisors:
- Stay up-to-date on travel destinations, suppliers, tour operators, regulations, promotions and more in their chosen area(s) of expertise
- Connect with potential clients through various, authentic marketing efforts
- Research itineraries, evaluate terms and value, and advise clients of options
- Purchase and accurately document travel details
- Answer client questions/ ease concerns, add additional travel components before travel
- Advocate for clients who experience challenges before, during or after travel
- Share in the anticipation, excitement, joy and memories of your client's experiences
Who Should Apply?
Travel Experience: We prefer advisors who have extensive personal travel experience to the destinations they are passionate about. We are interested in those who have travel experience with one or more of the following:
- Walt Disney World/ Disneyland Resort Deluxe Resorts & Club Level accommodations
- Disney Cruise Line (especially concierge)
- Adventures by Disney, Tauck, Abercrombie & Kent or other guided tours
- Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Viking Cruise Line
- Four Seasons Resorts, Montage Resorts, or other luxury properties
- All Inclusive Resorts such as Sandals, Beaches, Xcaret, Karisma properties, etc.
- Destinations including: Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and Europe
Travel Industry Experience: While we prefer advisors with at least 6 months industry experience , we will also consider motivated individuals who have personally experienced our target destinations listed above.
Education: Associates degree required, Bachelor's Degree Preferred
Skills/ Attributes:
- Kind , patient and social
- Excellent written & oral communication skills
- Ability to work independently/ self-motivated
- Ready to work in a fast-pace, ever changing environment
- Organized and attentive to detail
- Experience with common computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and databases
- Familiar with social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Commitment to growing a profitable book of business which typically requires at least 20 hours per week and availability some mornings for time critical tasks
What Do We Offer Our Travel Advisors?
Community: After your initial onboarding program, you will be part of a small group of caring travel advisors who trust and support one another. We have a private platform to ask and answer questions, share information, learn and have fun.
Ongoing training: Travel Advisor training never ends! We offer a comprehensive training program for new advisors. Following your onboarding, we have countless opportunities to gain specializations in a wide variety of destinations and travel brands. We have regular exclusive webinars with various tour operators, suppliers, cruise lines, etc. Our advisors have opportunities to attend site inspections and training trips (FAMs) around the world and to participate in leading industry events and conferences. We also meet in person at least annually to connect, recharge, and learn from each other. In the last year, our travel advisors have participated in an agency FAM with Karisma resorts in Mexico, traveled to Walt Disney World Resort on social media FAMs, participated in the exclusive invitation only inaugural Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas cruise, and enjoyed complimentary invite-only cruises aboard Disney Cruise Line.
Credibility and Integrity: We have been in business over 7 years and are accredited by IATAN (International Association of Travel Agents Network), the leading travel industry certification body. We are also a member of CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association), and ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors). We have been recognized as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for our sales, knowledge and experience in Disney Destinations and are a top producing agency for Karisma resorts among others. We follow ASTA's Code of Ethics and always strive to treat our clients and colleagues with fairness.
Leadership: Karen Shelton, President & CEO of My Path Unwinding Travel is a hands-on, approachable leader and trainer who prioritizes supporting her team of travel advisors. Karen has been recognized as an industry powerhouse leader in her membership in the Travel ALLIES Society. She is a member of Travel Leaders Luxury Leaders Alliance and a Certified Leisure Travel Specialist. She is an alumna of Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) Elite and of the International Luxury Travel Marketplace (ILTM). She has proven sales and marketing expertise and understands the day-to-day processes of working as a travel advisor. The Agency Advisory Board includes select advisors recognized for their tenure, sales, and commitment via participation in events, trainings, referrals, etc.
Tools: Our travel advisors have access to a branded agency email account and a comprehensive web based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform so that you can support your clients from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Our advisors have access to Disney Travel Agents, a centralized website for all Disney Destination travel industry news and reservations. We also have powerful tools for researching and booking cruises and hotels.
Marketing: Each of our advisors has a personalized website listing for sharing their expertise, interests, specializations and client reviews. This listing is backed by a robust SEO program so that potential clients can find and connect with our advisors in their local area. We also have targeted email and direct mail marketing campaigns. Our travel advisors also have the opportunity to participate in our strong referral program driven by our strong social media efforts. As a member of the Travel Leaders Network and as an affiliate of a Virtuoso agency, My Path Unwinding has a wide range of exclusive offers including hotel amenities and special cruise perks.
Compensation/ Perks
Our top producing travel advisors have the potential to earn $30,000 to over $100,000 after the first year.
Commission: Our partners pay us a commission on travel booked by our travel advisors (ranging from 10-21%). As independent contractors, travel advisors receive a "split" of that commission after travel is completed. My Path Unwinding pays our team twice a month.
Planning Fees: Once you have established expertise, you may be invited to participate in our agency planning fee program to charge clients for your services.
Travel Agent Benefits: Our travel advisors are eligible for travel industry professional membership (CLIA and IATA) after earning required commission levels. These memberships provide opportunities for professional perks such as reduced rates or complimentary theme park tickets.
Flexibility: As an Independent Contractor, you will set your own work hours and can work from any location in the United States.
Fees/ Costs
As an independent contractor, you will have initial start up costs which include a fee for our exclusive training program (which may be waived/ modified for experienced advisors). You will need a computer with a reliable internet connection and a telephone for your exclusive use. You may have state or local business license/ registration fees. . Following initial onboarding, our advisors are charged a monthly fee that covers email, CRM, and insurance.
If you think you might be a good fit, please request an application and more information below: