Hey there, fellow travel pros! If you’ve been in the industry for a while, you know the struggles of balancing your passion for travel with running a successful business.
When you decided to become a work-from-home travel agent, you didn’t realize how much you would need to learn regarding the business side of the travel industry.
It’s easy to get caught up in webinars and training that aren’t moving the needle forward. Sure, you have great knowledge about certain locations and resorts, but then you realize that it isn’t doing you any good without having travel clients.
How the heck do you find quality travel customers these days anyway?
Essential Pillars of a Thriving Romance Travel Business
That’s why today, I’m going to share with you the 4 essential pillars that romance travel pros focus on to have thriving and successful travel businesses. I’ve been in the trenches for over 15 years, so allow me to show you the fast track…
Pillar 1: Honeymoons 🌴
Picture this: couples embarking on the most romantic journey of their lives – their honeymoon. This is where the magic happens! Honeymooners are looking for unique and unforgettable experiences, and they want someone to guide them through it. That someone could be you.
Understanding trends of what honeymoon couples are looking for and being a resource to help save them time and ensure they get the honeymoon they are dreaming of is your role.
Your expertise and service are valuable. In a sea of information, your honeymooners are searching for treasure, and you not only have the map, but you hold the key to the treasure chest.
Since honeymoons are such a special occasion, couples tend to spend more, want the best, and are willing to get help from a professional.
When you take good care of your honeymoon couples, they will become lifelong clients.
So, pillar one is essentially your lifelong clients.
Pillar 2: Destination Weddings 💍
Destination weddings are all the rage. Couples are looking for dreamy, Instagram-worthy locations to tie the knot. They want their day to be perfect, and that’s where you come in.
If you are wondering how to become a destination wedding travel agent, first define your target market, get destination wedding training, and then establish a process to get leads, get hired, and manage a destination wedding group.
Destination weddings have a lot of moving parts, so it is advised to take a course, hire a mentor, or join a community of destination wedding travel experts to help you navigate planning a destination wedding until you master the process on your own.
We have a destination wedding business course called the 20K System & Toolkit, but there are other great resources out there to get started as a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings.
The beauty of the destination wedding is that one couple brings with them dozens of friends and family. This can rapidly build your business as you have a large customer base very quickly.
Essentially, pillar 2 is your customer base.
Pillar 3: Sales and Marketing 💡
You can be the best travel agent in the world, but if nobody knows about you, your business won’t thrive. That’s why you must invest in sales and marketing.
So, if you’re wondering how to make 6-figures as a travel agent, then this pillar is for you.
The secret to six-figure success? Marketing, marketing, marketing! Embrace digital marketing, social media, and email campaigns. Engage with potential clients on platforms like Instagram and YouTube where you can share tips and advice.
How do you attract customers to your destination wedding & honeymoon travel business?
The key is to understand your target market. Know what your ideal clients are looking for and tailor your services and marketing message to their needs. Build a strong online presence and don’t forget to ask for referrals from satisfied clients. Word-of-mouth is golden in this industry.
If you do not know how to market your travel business or get travel leads online, then I encourage you to get educated. Marketing is about 50% of what you do as a travel professional, so it isn’t something you can skip.
Pillar 4: Entrepreneurship 🧑💻
Running a successful romance travel business requires an entrepreneurial mindset. You must be creative, adaptable, and willing to take calculated risks.
You know the saying “It’s not personal, it’s business.”? What I learned as a work-from-home travelpreneur is that being an entrepreneur is personal.
I must take care of myself and my mindset to serve my clients well, be the leader my team needs me to be, and create a business that will last.
Entrepreneurship will stretch you every day. I have had to learn to be an administrative-time managing-productivity-ninja to build my 6-figure travel business… and you will too.
But the good news is – it can be learned. New habits. New mindsets. New processes. All you need to do is be open to learn and grow.
Success Doesn’t Come Overnight
Success doesn’t come overnight. Be prepared for ups and downs, but never lose sight of your passion for travel and why you decided to become a romance travel planner.
The bottom line? Invest in education. To excel in this niche, you should keep yourself updated with the latest trends in honeymoon and destination wedding planning. Many online courses and certifications are available to help you become an expert, including our Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Travel Business Academy.
