Working in the travel industry is a very profitable professional choice that also comes with other exclusive benefits, such as exploring international destinations -either in real-time or during the planning phase -, interacting with other passionate travellers both colleagues and clients, and taking advantage of special discounts.
All in all, it is a very communicative job that also allows you to express your creative side. However, it often comes with a lot of stress and pressure, as it’s a highly-competitive industry, but also during the peak of the tourist season when the demand increases abruptly.
As a travel agent, you will most likely at some point, need to collaborate with a b2b tour operator, for designing a travel package to later on sell to your own clients, without having to handle all the operational aspects by yourself.
Although, finding the right partner is not the easiest procedure of them all, even more so when it concerns tailor-made travel,and most probably it will require research, if not unsuccessful cooperation.
Therefore, below you will find some factors of high significance, on which you will depend for your final decision.
● Experience and Expertise: While conducting your extended research, you should not in any case neglect or overlook the current reviews and feedback from previous clients. It is probably the most accurate way to verify the operator’s experience and quality of services.
A business’s establishment date is also highly important, as the more years it operates, the better the understanding of the industry is, thus the services offered are more comprehensive.
● Destinations: A B2B tour operator might have been the best one according to other agents, yet it’s not unlikely to be unsuitable for you, according to the desired destinations. The ideal one would have in-depth knowledge of the specific destinations you are interested in covering. Otherwise, how will they provide a seamless travel experience, if not well-versed in the local culture, attractions, and logistics?
● Customization & Flexibility: Besides the overall experience in travel services, previous collaborations, and variety of destinations, it’s also important to be expertized specifically in tailor-made travelling, as the client’s convenience being prioritized comes with advanced skills, thus flexibility and adaptation to last-minute changes.
● Values: As the final factor, it was necessary to refer to the importance of choosing partners so that their overall mindset aligns with yours. The values and morality that govern the operation of your business should also appear in the frame of operations of the businesses you choose to collaborate with. Specifically for the tourism field, clients tend to appreciate brands that support local communities, minimize environmental impact, and engage in ethical tourism.
