Why Investing in Yourself Can Grow Your Travel Business

JOHN MCMAHON Executive Vice President/Group Publisher
John McMahon, executive vice president/group publisher

When was the last time you treated yourself to something nice? As travel advisors we tend to be pleasers. The money and the travel is a motivator, but the real satisfaction comes when your client returns from that trip and you get that glowing review and thank you. Think about it, most purchases are material goods that have to be consumed. I put travel as entertainment since it involves feelings and emotions. It is something you do to relax and enjoy when you’re not working. You can’t return it; there is no money-back guarantee. You don’t get a do-over. You have a big responsibility and your recommendations must be on the mark. You need to invest in yourself to take on this responsibility. Travel is constantly changing and reinventing itself. I don’t know one supplier that says it’s business as usual. Investments in destinations, ships, hotels and planes are at a furious pace. How can you live up to your clients’ loss of time and money? You are now being paid to be smarter than them and the entire World Wide Web … what pressure!

Your treat to yourself should be your investment of continued education so that you don’t fall behind and feel that pressure. Here at Luxury Travel Advisor, we just invested in our learning tool Travel Agent University. It is by far the most advanced learning platform in the industry with over 38,500 active members. Last year alone, we handed out 60,000 diplomas. Our investment was made with you in mind, so go ahead and treat yourself to becoming smarter.

I recently attended a Classic Vacations Showcase in New York City where I met Jamar Wilkins, business development manager for Manhattan and Westchester, who is seen with me in the picture. Jamar is one of those pleasers; he is a thorough professional, who lives to service you, the travel advisor, and he does it with the biggest smile in the industry. He is someone you just want to do business with because you know he has your best interests in mind. That’s time worth investing in.