Two veteran advisors have teamed up to form a new host agency, Travel Agent Pro (TAP), which they hope will be a home to business-minded agents.
Based in Dallas, the agency was the brainchild of Lia Vincent, who also owns Vincent Vacations in the city. Vincent approached longtime industry friend Jill LaBarre, most recent Oasis Travel Network’s senior vice president of sales and industry engagement, about the opportunity to build a host from the ground up.
“The opportunity to create a host agency from scratch is really an amazing chance that will come along only once in a lifetime,” said LaBarre, who got her start in the industry in 2012 as an independent contractor affiliated with Oasis. “And then it’s a bonus to be able to do it for someone who is lovely, and sweet, and kind and still has business savvy. I feel very fortunate.”
LaBarre left her role on Oasis’ executive team in August and has been building Travel Agent Pro’s infrastructure since then.
Her goal is to create a boutique agency where like-minded businesspeople can connect and collaborate, receiving a personalized experience from their host. LaBarre said TAP is also willing to accept new-to-industry advisors, but they must be looking to make a full-time career of travel advising.
“We are not looking to be one of those host agencies that has thousands of members,” LaBarre said, noting the rule of thumb at TAP is “quality over quantity.”
What TAP offers
TAP is a member of Signature Travel Network and offers several tiers of membership. Its one-time registration fee is $149 and there is an annual $100 fee from Signature. To receive 70% commission, advisors pay $19 per month; 80%, $29 per month, and 90%, $49 per month. The host also offers a 100% commission option, available on a custom basis based on conversations with interested advisors.
“Because we’re the new kids on the block, we wanted to create something that was really compelling,” LaBarre said. “I think that, in general, advisors will see, wow, this is really reasonable. We’re looking for people who want to do business. We’ll get the support and the revenue by bringing on people who are really focused on the business, which will enable us to maintain these lower fees.”
Via its partnership with Signature, TAP is offering members a number of technology and booking tools. TAP also publishes a series of articles on “The Pathfinder,” talking about topics of interest to all advisors, LaBarre said.
Early interest from advisors
Already, TAP has drawn interest from advisors who knew what LaBarre and Vincent were building. According to LaBarre, nearly 50 advisors have affiliated with the host.
“We have some eager beavers, which is really exciting,” she said, noting she’ll likely increase her initial goal of 100 advisors by the end of the year.
LaBarre believes she has such a strong connection with the travel advisor community because, at her core, she is still a travel advisor and understands the needs of professionals.Â
“There’s a level of respect on both sides because I have a true, hands-on understanding of the travel advisor business,” she said.
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