Travel Experts Celebrates 35 Years of Service

Image: Travel Experts receives Virtuoso Award (Photo Credit: Travel Experts)

by Eraine Wessler
Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, Mon February 12, 2024

Travel Experts is celebrating a milestone this month. The host agency is celebrating 35 years of service of providing service and support to its loyal travel advisors.?

Susan Ferrell, Founder and President shared how the company came to be: “When we started the company back in 1989, there was a relatively new ‘rent-a-desk’ concept operating in a couple of travel agencies. I consulted with the owner of one of those agencies on the West Coast prior to opening Travel Experts. After visiting her office, I felt that working with independent contractors was the way to go," said Ferrell.?

She noted that efficiency is one of the keys to success.?

“My vision was to allow advisors to become entrepreneurs with unlimited earnings potential. I had also hoped that having all ICs would minimize the management and cost of employees. To this day, we keep our employee staff small but extremely efficient which also allows us to keep IC fees low," she said.?

It wasn't always easy, especially in the beginning when Travel Experts had a shared space with an office filled with independent contractors. But having an office that is now a network of high-producing ICs is still the vision for the host agency today.?

“When we first opened the office in 1989, the office was the only place from which ICs could work," said Ferrell. "There was no ‘remote’ option.”?

When Sabre developed a product that could be used anywhere with Wi-Fi access, that all changed.?

“That allowed us to grow, as we could add advisors from any city or even state. We now have advisors all over the U.S. and in some foreign countries. We still have a very small staff of about 30 to serve the needs of over 550 people. But that staff is extremely skilled at what they do and work efficiently as a team," said Ferrell. "“While the vision has not changed, what has changed is the way the ICs have to sell travel now which can be very challenging. And Travel Experts is blessed to have an amazing network of highly professional and successful ICs.”?

Another one of Travel Experts keys to success is building and maintaining strong relationships. More than 150 affiliates have been recipients of the prestigious Diamond award for 10 years of membership, with some boasting more than 25 years as a Travel Expert member. This longevity is a testament to the value Travel Experts delivers.

Travel Experts executive team include (left to right) Susan Ferrell, Founder and President, Sharon Fake, Executive Director, Claire Canady, Director, NC Operations, and Heather McIntyre, Director Technology & Finance.

Executive Director of Travel Experts, Sharon Fake remarked on the culture at the host agency that is now celebrating its 35th Anniversary.

“Our message to advisors is we are here for you and want to support your success," said Fake.?"The team of Travel Experts’ employees sole focus is to smooth the way for you to run your business, your way, with as much or as little interference as you wish. In addition, the engagement of fellow independents promotes an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual support.?Our national account status allows access to the top levels of supplier partners and the highest levels of Virtuoso management.?Our philosophy at Travel Experts is that we have no hierarchy.?We are all reachable and engaged with our ICs, no matter what the topic, big or small, and listening is in our cultural makeup.”?

The agency has withstood the test of time over 35 years, and as Founder Susan Ferrell says: "We are like a rock. Advisors that are members of Travel Experts get to do what they love, sell travel and keep 100% of what they earn. There are no start-up fees, no transaction fees, only a single monthly flat fee and only a month-to-month contract 'to make life easy.'”?

Travel Experts provides its advisors with a wealth of expertise and a management team that has been with the company for more than 20 years.?

“Our support team offers a concierge level of service to all of our independent travel professionals. As a result, Travel Experts lives in the best of two worlds; we are large enough to be an industry leader, while remaining nimble and responsive, and evolving with the times. Every member of the Travel Experts support team is committed to providing the same level of service that you, the travel advisor, bring to your best client," said Ferrell.?

For more information contact Travel Experts at 212 Sawmill Road, Raleigh NC 27615, Telephone 800-274-2544; Email: info@travelxperts.com; Website http://www.travel-xperts.com.