If you’re a new travel advisor first starting out in the industry, things can feel a bit … overwhelming, to say the least. Unlike other careers, there isn’t really a crash course you can take to learn everything there is to know. It’s a complex position that can lead you down several different paths, depending on your interests and clientele. One of the best things an advisor can do early on in their career is figure out which brands align with the type of travel they want to sell.
“A piece of advice I always offer new advisors is to start with finding a partner that aligns with what your clients are looking for, aligns with your values, and aligns with your business goals,” said Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands at ALG Vacations. “Once you’ve done that, the next thing I’d say is don’t try to learn everything all at once. Enjoy the learning process by taking it a day at a time.”
ALG Vacations prioritizes working with new advisors and offering comprehensive education on their products in order to help set them up for success. “ALGV’s portfolio covers a wide range of products and programs so that you can offer the best for your many clients,” Marks said. “But whether you’re first starting out or an experienced advisor, finding the perfect trip for your clients can be overwhelming.” With this in mind, the company developed ALGVPro, which is a great place to start if you’re hoping to learn more about ALG Vacations.
ALGVPro
ALGVPro is a self-paced on-demand specialist program travel advisors can take to learn more about ALGV brands and how to book them in VAX VacationAccess. The modules, which are three to 11 minutes in length, cover a range of topics, from navigation tips and tricks to selling Europe successfully. It walks advisors through the company’s brands to help advisors figure out which ones most align with client preferences. They can choose to start with the Recommended Path or test out of this heading straight to the Accelerated Path.
“The Recommended path is great even for experienced advisors,” said Sarah Bonsall, travel advisor at Latitude 21 Travel. “I have been working in VAX since the beginning and (even I have) learned new stuff!”
Marks points to the Self-Help Library and Know, Grow, Go Webinar Calendar as other useful educational tools to become familiar with, both housed under the “Tools” dropdown on the algvacations.com navigation bar.
It’s worth noting that only ALGVPro-certified travel advisors are eligible to win prizes and earn WAVEMAKER® status. It’s also required to have this certification when attending most of ALGV’s FAM trips and events, including Ascend.
WAVES® Rewards Program
Speaking of rewards, the WAVES® program is something you’ll want to know about. In addition to earning commission on bookings, advisors have the opportunity to earn rewards points as well, and these points can be redeemed for either travel or cash. In addition to the WAVES® program, ALGV’s WAVEMAKER® program recognizes its most dedicated and highest-producing travel advisors. The top 1,000 advisors get exclusive benefits through WAVEMAKER®, and WAVEMAKER PLUS takes it even one step further, giving the top 150 advisors even more perks.
ALGV360
Once you’re familiar with which brands align best with what your clients are looking for, you can get to know ALGV360. This resource lives under the “Tools” dropdown in the main menu and provides advisors with marketing materials to engage with clients. Once registered, users gain access to a slew of branded content, including flyers, banner ads, emails, hotel and destination images and more. This content is all customizable, so adding agency logos and contact information is encouraged.
Luxe by ALG Vacations
ALG Vacations keeps a strong focus on innovation as the travel industry is always evolving. Every new feature introduced is done so with the travel advisor and current trends in mind. “We are seeing how today’s travelers seek out exclusivity and increasing value investing in elevated hospitality experiences, so we developed Luxe by ALG Vacations for our advisors to meet this trending demand,” Marks said.
Luxe by ALG Vacations is a portfolio of over 450 domestic and international hotels and resorts around the world that meet the global standards of luxury. “Luxe by ALG Vacations also introduced a dedicated Concierge service, ready to assist with personalized arrangements like airport fast-track services, bespoke tours, and dining reservations,” said Marks.
ENVFs
While ALGV offers a host of different destinations to sell, Mexico and the Caribbean are among the most popular. “Advisors can feel confident booking all types of vacations with ALGV. With our expansive list of resort and airline partners, we offer an immense range of travel opportunities for their clients, from couples or multi-generational families to honeymooners or corporate bookings,” said Marks. “For our Mex-Car travelers, our Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights (ENVF) provide the most seamless experience for getting clients to these destinations.”
Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights have a ton of value to both travel advisors and their clients. In addition to being nonstop and having convenient flight times, advisors can earn up to 15% commission when they book these. Plus, advisors can book their clients with Preferred Perks Plus to get them VIP treatment such as preferred seating, a free checked bag, snacks and beverages during the flight and more.
Travel Protection Plus
Available with Apple Vacations, Funjet Vacations, Travel Impressions, United Vacations® and Blue Sky Tours, ALGV’s Travel Protection Plus provides coverage to travelers to ensure their investment is protected. One of the most noteworthy perks is “Cancel for Any Reason,” where travelers can cancel their vacation up to two hours before departure no matter what the cause and get the full travel credit or cash back, depending on which option was booked, minus the cost of the insurance plan. Also, when clients have Travel Protection Plus on their booking, advisors get up to $200 per room of their commission protected.
While this isn’t everything there is to know about ALG Vacations, these features will put you on the fast track to becoming familiar with the company. It’s important to remember you also always have someone available to reach out to if you have questions or need support — you just need to find your business development manager.
“Your Business Development Manager is there to answer your questions, understand your business goals, and help you achieve your target,” Marks said. “I am very proud of the fact that ALGV has the biggest BDM team, and we’ve only continued to grow over the years. We highly encourage working with your BDM and utilizing their support.”
To learn more about ALG Vacations, visit www.algvacations.com.
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