How do I Find New Clients as a Travel Agent?

That’s the million-dollar question, right?

Every travel agent in the world is looking for exactly that: a strong client base that will significantly impact their commission and annual salary. Unfortunately, we don’t have a magic lamp to summon a genie and ask how to attract clients consistently… and I bet even the genie wouldn’t have a definite answer.

The truth is, attracting potential clients is hard. If it were easy, everyone would be quitting their boring jobs to become travel agents, enjoying the freedom of being their own boss while working from home.

Being a travel agent isn’t easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding. To attract new clients, you need to invest in yourself as much as you do when planning a dream vacation, whether it’s booking a cruise for a family of five to Alaska or organizing a Disney World trip with a stay at the Grand Floridian. You need to network within your circle of friends, leverage social media to market your name, showcase your expertise with training badges and certifications, and more. Oh, and you’ll need a bit of luck too, but that’s true for many things in life.

Here are some of the top strategies to help you find new clients as a travel agent.

Get Word-of-Mouth Referrals

One of the easiest ways to get your name out there and attract potential clients is through good old-fashioned word of mouth. Ask your friends and family to spread the word and let their friends, colleagues, and acquaintances know that you’re a travel agent ready to help. Since you’re already a familiar and trusted person within that circle, it makes it easier for potential clients to feel comfortable booking through you.

Social Media is Very Important

The internet is a crazy and beautiful place, but it can also be overwhelming, with people from all over the world actively promoting their jobs on social media. Guess what? You need to do the same.

Use platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and others to showcase your expertise as a travel agent. Post pictures or videos from your trips, share blog posts and travel guides, and let people know that you’re available to help. Engaging in online forums and Reddit communities can also be a great way to establish your name, connect with potential clients, and build credibility in the travel industry.

You might also want to create a website where you can upload guides, articles, pictures, testimonials, and more. The more active you are online, the better, but remember to update your social media accounts regularly and don’t abandon any of them once you start using them!

Join a Host Agency

There has long been a debate about whether travel agents should join a host agency. More often than not, the answer is yes. 

As an independent travel agent, you get to keep all your commission, but host agencies offer valuable benefits such as training, licenses, and, most importantly, connections inside the industry. You can network with other travel agents, learn from their experiences, and grow your career. Some host agencies also have such strong relationships with specific travel suppliers that they earn special recognition, such as medals or badges, which can boost your credibility when attracting clients.

The host agency will provide support, but it's up to you to market yourself. So, yes, you still need to use social media, gain word-of-mouth referrals, and continuously improve to become a more successful and popular travel agent.

Explore a Niche Market First

It might seem like a great idea to work with as many travel suppliers as possible, from Royal Caribbean to Disney, Sandals, and Universal. After all, more suppliers should mean more money, right? Not exactly. 

Positioning yourself as a specialist in a niche market is often a smarter approach, especially when you're just starting as a travel advisor.

If you know everything about Disney, market yourself as someone who knows all of Mickey’s secrets. If you want to break into the cruise industry, consider starting with Celebrity Cruises or Viking Cruises - two smaller travel suppliers that may be looking for experts to help promote their offerings. Niche companies typically have fewer travel agents, making it easier for potential clients to find and trust you.

Take the Travel Agent Courses

Every major travel supplier offers its own training courses that travel agents must complete to learn the ins and outs of selling their products. These courses are usually short and can often be completed in a week or two. 

The best part? Completing them gives you access to special rates, perks, and a certification badge that highlights your expertise. Guests will feel more confident reaching out to you when they see that you've been recognized as an expert by the travel supplier.