Radha Vyas

"Do travel agents still exist?" After 25 years in this industry, this question still makes me cringe. But here's the uncomfortable truth: We brought this on ourselves. When the internet disrupted traditional agencies, something else happened. The barriers to becoming a travel advisor dropped to almost nothing. Suddenly, anyone could get an IATA number. People joined host agencies not to build careers, but to access discounted travel. The result? An industry flooded with part-time hobbyists who inadvertently damaged our collective reputation. But there's another side to this story. The same disruption that created the problem also created unprecedented opportunity for those willing to approach travel as true entrepreneurs. Today's successful advisors aren't order-takers. They're experience architects. They don't compete on price. They create value that can't be found online.  They understand luxury partnerships. They master listening and connect dots others don’t see. They open doors no one else can. They give access to the unaccessable. They design soul stirring experiences their clients will cherish forever. The travel industry doesn't need more people booking travel. It needs more professionals elevating what it means to be a travel advisor. When you build a legitimate business around your passion for travel, you don't just change your life. You help restore respect to an entire profession. The question isn't whether travel advisors still exist. It's whether you'll be one of the advisors defining what we become. #travelindustry #traveladvisors #entrepreneurs

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I didn’t learn about business from books. I learned it while building travel businesses across 15+ years, with missed flights, midnight calls, and hundreds of client stories. In this journey, the biggest lessons weren’t about profit margins or marketing tactics. They were about three things: Time. Trust. And Systems. Time is your most expensive resource. The sooner I stopped trying to do everything myself, the faster we grew. Not all tasks are equal. Delegating is not a luxury; it’s survival. Trust is what keeps the engine running. Trust your team. Trust your vendors. Trust your process. But most importantly, build a brand that your clients trust, one trip at a time. Systems are your freedom. You don’t scale by working harder.  You scale by building a system that works even when you’re not in the room. From CRMs to workflows to SOPs, treat your business like it’s preparing for takeoff every day. Every entrepreneur hits turbulence. But with time mastery, trust in place, and systems that support you, you’re not just flying blind. You’re building something that can soar. If you’re in the travel space or just starting, build with these 3 in mind. They’ll change everything. Follow Ankush Agarwal

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Over the past few weeks, I’ve been learning a new skill that’s pushed me well (WELL) outside of my comfort zone: Skiing. It’s been equal parts challenging, terrifying and fulfilling; and a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t stop when we hit a certain age or career milestone. Ever heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? It’s a framework that outlines human motivation, from basic survival (food, shelter, safety) to higher aspirations like belonging, esteem, and finally, self-actualization, which is the drive to reach our full potential. In tourism, we often focus on meeting fundamental workforce needs: wages, stability, and job security. But if we stop there, we risk missing the opportunity to create truly fulfilled and engaged teams. The kind that stick around and drive the long-term innovation our visitor economy so desperately needs. In New Zealand, tourism is on track to reach full recovery by 2027. That’s not far away. If we want to attract, retain, and develop the best talent, it’s urgent that we embed training, upskilling, and career development into our everyday operations now: not when the workforce crunch hits, and old challenges around attraction and retention resurface. Learning isn’t just about staying relevant; it’s about unlocking the potential of tourism’s people. And just like skiing, it’s not easy, but the rewards are well worth it.

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The Real Story Behind Airbnb’s 15.5% Fee Hike Everyone’s focused on the headline number — 15.5%. But that’s not the real story. This isn’t just about a fee bump. It’s a strategic move to bring every host under one commission structure. Why? To set the stage for tiered commissions in 2026. What feels like a minor tweak today is actually step one in a 12–18 month rollout that will fundamentally shift how hosts interact with the platform. Anyone who understands platform economics will recognize this: it’s not a one-off. It’s the start of a much larger problem for hosts. The real question isn’t “how do I absorb 15.5%?” — it’s “how do I future-proof my business before the next wave hits?” #Airbnb #ShortTermRentals #PropertyManagers #VacationRentals #RevenueManagement

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"Fast service kills customer loyalty." Speed matters. But if your clients feel like just another booking, they won’t come back. In the travel business, efficiency is important. But personalization is what makes people trust you. How do you balance both? → Know their story. ↳ Ask about their past trips. Understand their preferences. → Use templates smartly. ↳ Automate repetitive tasks. Personalize where it matters. → Respond fast, but with care. ↳ A quick reply doesn’t mean a robotic one. Make it human. → Remember small details. ↳ Birthdays. Favorite destinations. Surprise them with thoughtful touches. → Follow up, always. ↳ After their trip, check in. A small message builds lifelong loyalty. Sales and service aren’t separate. They go hand in hand. ⤵︎ Want more strategies to increase bookings while keeping clients happy? Comment "EXCELLENCE" and I’ll share my best tips with you. #TravelBusiness #CustomerExperience

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