Gearing Up for New Beginnings

Every year is a chance for a new start and that couldn’t be truer this year. After 9 months of uncertainty, the arrival of vaccines could be the solution to getting travel back to a place that’s more familiar to us all. As we prepare for what’s to come, there are a few ways we can set ourselves up for success in 2021.

Re-Learn Your Favorite Suppliers

With changes in policies and the way client offers work, you may need to get back to the basics with the supplier brands that you’ve always turned to. Review the deposit and booking protection policies. Make sure you know where to access information and marketing resources. With all the COVID-19 policy updates, many suppliers have restructured their agent-only websites to put important information at your fingertips.

Get Back in Touch

As this year comes to a close, we can finally anticipate positive responses when asking people about future vacation plans. The start of the year is a good time to reconnect with your clients and catch up. Ask about their families and any new hobbies they may have picked up during the months of quarantine. Understanding the general feeling of your clients can help you create marketing messages that will match their comfort level with planning a trip.

Stay in the Know

Breaking news is a daily occurrence. And that might make it difficult for you to keep up with what’s really impactful for you and your business. If you haven’t looked into an ASTA membership, now may be the time to get involved. The work they’ve been able to accomplish legislatively on your behalf this year is remarkable. If you’re not a member, you can sign up for their newsletter for a small fee. At KHM Travel Group, we’ve started a new bi-weekly email newsletter with tips and techniques from our team that’s available to you for free. You can learn more about our Travel Advisor Today email and sign up at https://khm.io/newsletter.

Brush Up on Technology

This year has changed our vocabulary in many ways, but I’d argue that no phrase has been uttered more than “You’re muted.” Zoom calls, FaceTime, webinars, and chatting via social media have become the new normal for communication. These virtual connection methods are essential during the era of social distancing. But even after we’re able to meet in person, you may find that these new platforms are more convenient for you or preferred by your clients. Make sure you understand how each works, so if you’re faced with a situation where you’re leading a call with a client, you can feel confident in your ability to tackle technology.

The above suggestions may seem like we’re taking a few steps backward, but with new beginnings come opportunities to improve ourselves and break out of bad habits – whether personally or in your business. The future of travel is still greatly unknown, but what’s certain is that we’ll all be navigating this together. If you set yourself up for success now, you’ll have solid footing as this new journey begins.

About the Author

Rick Zimmerman is the President and CEO of KHM Travel Group, one of the country’s leading host travel agencies. Rick joined the travel industry fresh out of college where he worked as a travel agent for a small agency in Cleveland, Ohio. After a 25-year career in the construction industry, Rick returned to his travel roots and helped found KHM Travel Group in 2005. Rick is an active advocate of the travel agent community and serves on multiple travel-related Advisory Boards.