Who Are the Best Clients for Travel Advisors

Who Are the Best Clients for Travel Advisors

Who Are the Best Clients for Travel Advisors

While offering competitive pricing and great deals is part of being a travel advisor, the role is fundamentally about being of service and creating meaningful experiences. Here's why:

1. Adding Value Beyond Discounts

As a travel advisor, your expertise, attention to detail, and personalized care are what set you apart. You provide:

  • Peace of Mind: Clients trust you to handle logistics, troubleshoot issues, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

  • Tailored Experiences: You design trips based on their unique preferences, not just cookie-cutter packages.

  • Exclusive Access: With industry connections, you offer perks, upgrades, and insider tips clients can’t find online.

2. Building Relationships, Not Transactions

Your clients aren’t just booking trips—they’re entrusting you with their dreams. By focusing on service, you build lasting relationships that lead to:

  • Repeat business.

  • Referrals to friends and family.

  • Loyalty, even when prices vary slightly from online deals.

3. Helping Clients Dream Bigger

You do more than save clients money—you save them time, reduce stress, and create opportunities for extraordinary adventures. Your role is to inspire and guide clients to experiences they may not have considered or known about.

By focusing on being of service, you establish yourself as a trusted advisor, not just a booking agent. This approach creates lasting value for clients and a sustainable, rewarding career for you.


Finding the Right Clients

The best clients are those who:

  • Value your time, expertise, and guidance.

  • Appreciate the seamless experience you provide, from booking to post-trip follow-up.

  • Are willing to pay a little more for peace of mind, exclusive perks, and personalized service.

By focusing on clients who understand the value you bring, you build a business based on trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships. Those looking purely for the lowest price can still benefit from Levarti’s membership offerings, freeing you to focus on serving your ideal clients.


Focusing on Luxury Travel: More Value for Your Time and Effort

As a travel advisor, your time and expertise are valuable. Choosing to focus on higher-end and luxury travel can significantly enhance your earnings and client satisfaction. Here’s why:

1. Luxury Travel Offers Higher Commissions

Luxury bookings—whether it's five-star resorts, premium cruises, or private tours—often come with higher price tags. Since commissions are typically a percentage of the booking value, focusing on high-end travel yields significantly better returns for your efforts.

  • Example: A luxury cruise priced at $10,000 offers a higher commission than a budget cruise priced at $1,500, even though the work involved is nearly identical.

2. Comparable Effort, Greater Reward

Booking a budget trip often requires the same amount of research, planning, and servicing as a luxury trip, including:

  • Researching destinations and accommodations.

  • Coordinating flights, transfers, and itineraries.

  • Managing client questions, changes, and follow-ups.

With luxury travel, the same effort results in a larger payout for your time and expertise. Additionally, luxury clients are more likely to value your personalized service and become repeat customers.

3. Avoid "Selling from Your Own Pocket"

It’s natural to assume that people in your network may prioritize budget travel based on your own preferences or spending habits, but this can limit your potential. Many clients may be willing—and excited—to splurge on premium experiences, even if you wouldn’t personally choose or afford those options.

  • Surprising Opportunities: Friends, family, and social circles often include individuals eager to book luxury accommodations, business-class flights, or exclusive tours.

  • Don’t Assume: Let your clients decide their budget by presenting a range of options, including higher-end choices. You may be surprised by how many are willing to pay for the best.

Pro Tip: Always focus on the value a premium experience brings, such as comfort, exclusivity, or unique perks, rather than assuming affordability is the primary concern.

4. Building Relationships with Ideal Clients

Luxury travelers often prioritize:

  • Exceptional Experiences: They’re looking for curated, unique adventures that only a knowledgeable advisor can provide.

  • Time Savings: High-end clients value your ability to simplify the planning process while ensuring top-tier experiences.

  • Professional Support: They understand and appreciate the value of having an expert handle their travel needs.

These clients tend to be loyal, refer others within their network, and trust you to manage future high-value trips.

5. Opportunities in the Luxury Market

Luxury travel includes a wide range of options:

  • Private villas and five-star resorts.

  • Business or first-class flights.

  • Premium cruises, such as river or expedition cruises.

  • Customized private tours, safaris, or exclusive experiences.

By specializing in this market, you position yourself as an expert capable of delivering exceptional value and service.

6. Shifting Away from Budget-Only Travel

While it’s tempting to cater to budget-conscious travelers, it’s important to recognize the limitations:

  • Lower Commissions: Budget trips often generate minimal earnings for the same effort.

  • High Maintenance: Budget clients may focus on small price differences, requiring more time to finalize decisions.

Encourage price-sensitive travelers to consider Levarti membership for self-service options while reserving your time for clients who value personalized service and premium experiences.

Why Luxury Travel is Worth It

By focusing on high-end travel, you maximize your earning potential, attract appreciative clients, and spend your time on rewarding projects. With Levarti + RSI Vacations’ extensive resources and partnerships, you’re equipped to offer luxury clients unforgettable experiences while building a profitable and sustainable travel business. By stepping outside your own travel preferences and focusing on client needs, you’ll open doors to exciting opportunities in the luxury travel market.

Why Not Every Traveler is the Right Client for a Travel Advisor

While travel advisors provide immense value through expertise and service, it’s important to recognize that clients solely focused on finding the lowest price may not be the best fit. Here’s why:

1. Price-Driven Clients May Overlook Value

Clients who prioritize only the cheapest option often fail to see the broader value of working with a travel advisor, such as:

  • Personalized Itineraries: Lowest-cost options are rarely tailored to a client’s unique needs or preferences.

  • Time Savings: Searching for deals and managing bookings takes time, and travel advisors streamline this process.

  • Expert Guidance: Advisors offer knowledge, support, and perks that online searches simply can’t match.

2. High Effort, Low Loyalty

Price-focused travelers often:

  • Spend significant time shopping around, delaying decision-making.

  • Leave for another agent or online platform if they find a slightly cheaper option.

  • Require more effort to manage, with little regard for the added value of an advisor’s services.

These behaviors can drain time and resources better spent on clients who appreciate the full scope of what you offer.

3. Encouraging Membership Instead

For those focused solely on saving money, consider guiding them to become members of Levarti + RSI Vacations:

  • Self-Booking Platform: Membership allows clients to book their own travel through exclusive tools.

  • Savings without Service: They can access competitive rates directly without relying on your assistance.

  • Advisor-Free Travel: Membership is a better fit for those comfortable managing their own bookings and who don’t require tailored service.


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