Luxury sales drive travel agent demand

Luxury sales drive travel agent demand
By Daisy Melwani


Almost 80% of Australian based luxury travel agencies are looking to expand their teams due to increased customer demand, according to an analysis of Virtuoso-affiliated agencies.

Nearly 90% of the agencies anticipate increased sales, reflecting strong demand for upscale international travel, Virtuoso found.

The analysis comes a month before Virtuoso Travel Week – held each year in Las Vegas – will see a record 120 dedicated group of Australian-based Virtuoso advisors will join around 5,000 travel professionals from 90 countries.

“It is very clear the travel advisor role is alive and thriving and the profession continues to evolve – with virtually all Australian-based Virtuoso agencies in business for more than 10 years and almost 60% celebrating more than 20 years in business,” Virtuoso Asia-Pacific Managing Director Michael Londregan said.

“While the vast majority of advisors have more than 10 years experience, the greatest challenge for agencies is finding the right people to service an increasingly savvy client base.

“Today’s consumer is the most educated and informed traveller this industry has seen so travel advisors have to know how to cut through the clutter and curate experiences that go beyond the web. It’s a skilled profession and consumers are willing to pay for that expertise.

“Virtuoso agencies are looking for advisors with great customer service values, who are passionate about travel and who have an aptitude for problem solving and, while there is a perception out there that the industry doesn’t provide a viable career option, this is clearly incorrect.

“With almost 70% of Australian Virtuoso agency members recording more than $14 million in annual sales, and most top advisor earnings anywhere between $70,000 and $200,000 a year, the luxury travel advisor is a great career option for people who are looking for the most exciting product in the world – the world, itself,” Londregan said.

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