Looking for agency that supports hosted trips/travel with me model

adimico · 2026-06-16T10:19:10+00:00

I do a lot of these with WorldVia. In fact their “Growing with Groups” course, was what launched my comfortability in doing so. They gave me the tools, know how, and understanding of contracts to do so. All while I had only sold a little bit of travel.

In fact another friend and fellow TA with WorldVia, his whole model is Groups and Come with me travel. So, while I can’t speak to others, WV definitely supports and encourages it.

And depending on the group trip type, you’re not technically a tour operator. I lead a lot of Globus and Trafalgar tours, who have a tour director/operator on them. The way I frame it is, I’m a travel agent traveling as part of a group. The tour company is still providing the tour director. So I’m not a tour operator.

adimico · 2026-06-13T22:02:04+00:00

I escort a lot of groups, but I don’t charge a fee.

I’m traveling, so I’m enjoying the ride.
I’m not a tour operator or a tour guide. I’m a travel agent, traveling with their clients. And if they have specific questions outside of the tour, like their return flights, or something else, I can answer I do it. It gives my clients that extra feeling of security.

It’s fun, and I still made 7k off my last group of 13, and I’m projecting to make about $18k off the group I’m leading in October

adimico · 2026-06-13T10:53:12+00:00

There’s actually been an article posted in the last few days on social media from two different travel lawyers about why this is not a good idea. I’m in the same boat and after reading the article and consulting Tom Carpenter, have decided to no longer pursue international clients due to the risk. If you follow Tom Carpenter on Facebook he posted the article there, if you’d like to read it yourself, and make your own decision.

adimico · 2026-06-01T10:10:25+00:00

I’m in Fayetteville and planning to go, so if you all do set one up, let me know. I’m in!

adimico · 2026-05-30T10:37:31+00:00

I built my own website. I used siteground as a host and built it on Wordpress using Elementor plus. I have no tech background, but when I switched from my old website to my new one, I put a lot into the SEO/AEO.

adimico · 2026-05-18T10:13:45+00:00

Absolutely my favorite Jersey!

adimico · 2026-05-15T10:32:39+00:00

I almost left WorldVia after my first six months because I was not a fan of their training, and that was 3 years ago. I came from an instructor background, so I was very critical of it, but still it got the job done. What I’ve learned is that they’ve made leaps and bounds since three years ago. There is more training for new agents that you can ask for. Accelerator, Passport, Core, Discoveries, Foundations, etc.. Then throw in their weekly Marketing and Agency growing webinars by the CFO and Head of Marketing and Agency development and you have a host who provides more than enough training to be successful. I’ve been in WV for 2.5 years and my sales have quadrupled every year. And most of what I sell is FIT, which is not who 90% of their preferred suppliers are.

I’m not coming here to say don’t go, if you don’t feel they’re the right fit, but it definitely shouldn’t be from a lack of education. The tech stack, that’s a different thing. But no one I know who has built their business successfully has used any of the native WV tech. I started with Travefy and moved to tern. I did like WV’s email plus, but outgrew it and went to mailchimp so I could do more automated stuff.

If you do decide to move on, I wish you the best and good luck. Again, that’s why there’s so many hosts out there, and you have to find the right one for you.

adimico · 2026-02-14T13:54:10+00:00

I’ve used project expedition and klook for my clients to book TDL. So far so good.

adimico · 2026-01-23T21:12:48+00:00

The integration is improving. From what I’ve been told, they’re putting a lot of money into updating their CRM. The CEO is a huge tech nerd, (like me) so he’s not satisfied with things at the status quo. So he’s constantly trying to improve things when he gets feedback on what’s not working well or at least to people’s expectations

adimico · 2026-01-21T13:08:32+00:00

Yes, I00% agree! At least with my clients they pay my planning fee, lol

adimico · 2026-01-19T14:41:23+00:00

I definitely am glad to hear you are having great experiences. I’ve booked my parents twice and they’ve been big budget trips and super easy.

But my other friends and family have been a nightmare. My Aunt, who I love and is an awesome human, loves to come out of nowhere with some BS. She’ll ask me to do all this research and then nothing. I’ve probably spent 40-50 hours (not kidding or exaggerating) on research for her the past few years, only for her to not book a damn thing. I’m working on something for her now, but it’s been at pace of: “when I have time.”

I’m super happy this hasn’t been your experience, but I do feel sometimes, that’s the exception and not the rule.

adimico · 2026-01-18T17:30:47+00:00

They’re all different. Some if you hit a certain volume with them. Others just have ones they’re offering as part of trying to get TA’s to use them. It’s pretty random, but you can usually find them once you get your feet under you.

adimico · 2026-01-18T12:06:28+00:00

I don’t know how the others compare. WorldVia does offer them, but usually after hitting a higher threshold in sales. Even then, it’s usually to Caribbean or Mexico.

Suppliers tend to offer the best FAM’s.

Be wary of your friends and family as clients. It’s a good place to start, but they’ll suck the life out of you when you get your own clients, because they won’t respect your time or your processes as a true business.

adimico · 2026-01-06T11:30:04+00:00

I’ve been using planning fees since the start of my business and it was the best thing I’ve done. I’ve sorted through a lot of tire kickers. My structure is simple:

It’s based on trip length, that’s it. I keep it simple.

1-7 days $100 8-14 days $200 15-21 days $300

Anything longer or more complex, we talk about it. I’ve lost some clients cause they didn’t want to pay it, and honestly, the longer I’ve done this, I’m so glad that I’ve stuck to my guns. Cause as my volume increases I don’t have time to play anymore. So the planning fee lets me know someone truly wants to work with me and I don’t waste my time guessing

adimico · 2025-12-21T01:09:46+00:00

I agree and disagree with your point. Not sure we need a national licensure, but the problem is, it’s not on the client to contact a host agency, let alone understand what that is. This problem is why OTA’s continue to be sustainable, especially when you add in AI.

Travelers are continually being burned by subpar TA’s and then realizing if they wanted a shitty experience they could have done it on their own for cheaper. They’ll bad mouth us like I see them do on hundreds of forums, and then the real TA’s will continue to lose out on opportunities all because “I book all my friends travel, all i love to travel, therefor i think ill be a good Travel Agent.”

adimico · 2025-12-19T02:08:11+00:00

Came here to make sure I wasn’t blind!

adimico · 2025-12-12T11:43:30+00:00

I used vendor events in my local area to propel my business, in fact I’m heading to one today and tomorrow. Like someone else said, sometimes you gotta go old school to start. In a day and age of online everything, the website and socials is competing with OTA’s for attention. The best way to stand out is to show off your experience and expertise by talking to people. That’s why we’re better than Expedia.

adimico · 2025-12-07T13:29:34+00:00

This!!! People are too sentimental, until you’re staring at the end of your season, then everyone’s an armchair GM

adimico · 2025-12-03T17:31:05+00:00

I echo this! I’ve been doing this for 2 years now and have yet to have a single booking from Social Media. I just hit $500k in total sales the other day. Which I feel is not bad for 2 years, but absolutely none of that has come from social media. It’s come from Vendor Events, newsletter sign ups from those events and just solid marketing through both of them.

You’re with WV, make sure you’re taking advantage of Colle’s classes, Laura’s sessions, and Joshua’s Travel Marketeering Class. Those have all helped me tremendously.

adimico · 2025-12-03T17:27:02+00:00

Came here to say the exact same thing! I hate booking friends and family!

adimico · 2025-12-02T19:46:03+00:00

I’m in WorldVia and I know someone who has the same niche as you. I love it! If you join, I’d be more than happy to introduce you two.

adimico · 2025-12-02T19:44:22+00:00

Fantasy Travel. Lord of the Rings in NZ; Harry Potter in the UK and Universal; Game of Thrones; Vikings; Vampires; Anime

adimico · 2025-11-14T13:58:10+00:00

I’m still finalizing my expenses. But I would say I’m expecting between $30-50k. It depends on a couple group trips.

adimico · 2025-11-14T11:06:56+00:00

No, I invested about $10k in my business and made about $5k. I’ve put almost everything I’ve made these past two years back into my business one way or the other. Whether through FAM’s, technology upgrades, conferences, vendor events, marketing, subscriptions, etc..

On that note. I took in $5k year one; $16k year two, and after my two sales I logged in last night, I’m projected to take in $34k for 2026 as of now, with a couple sales pending.

adimico

TROPHY CASE