What
In 2020, Oasis Travel Network (OTN) found that new-to-industry entrepreneurs were 2.5x more likely to join the host agency than experienced travel advisors.
Why It Matters
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly strained most travel advisors’ businesses — causing many agents to work for no pay on cancellations, and possibly driving some to switch careers or seek an early retirement. But the fact that OTN has seen an uptick in new-to-the-industry talent joining their network is a refreshing reminder that folks are still interested in pursuing a career in travel.
This tells us the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, and also that people are looking for a new career for many different reasons.
And it makes sense: The pandemic has forced many people to think about how they want to best spend their precious time — and for some, that involves following their passion for a career in travel. And new-to-industry advisors are less likely to be impacted by the current travel landscape, since the first year of most new businesses is often spent learning and setting the foundation for success — rather than selling.
Fast Facts
- OTN’s New2Travel program is self-paced and includes 16 modules and webinars, with additional suggested material and courses to further enhance a participant’s knowledge of the industry.
- Members of the host agency receive access to online training and certifications; technology for marketing, booking and managing; websites with consumer cruise and hotel booking engines; individualized branding for each agent or agency; a $500 credit for print mail marketing; in-person or virtual boot camp training; and discounted travel opportunities.
What They Are Saying
“We were very encouraged when we ran the numbers and discovered that more than twice as many newbies enrolled in our OASIS New2Travel program than experienced advisors,” said Kelly Bergin, president of Oasis Travel Network. “This tells us the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, and also that people are looking for a new career for many different reasons. We surmise that some experienced advisors have retired and are not looking for a host agency. We also believe that experienced advisors that remain in the industry are so busy with cancellations and rebookings that they were not thinking of joining a host agency in 2020. Now that the dust is beginning to settle, it will be interesting to see what happens in 2021.”
The Details
Oasis Travel Network
www.oasistravelnetwork.com
