The travel industry is abuzz at the prospect of imminent growth in the group travel segment. The industry is
at an interesting juncture where entrepreneurial ICs are bringing a change to the work culture. Many of these
new entrants are part-time workers who value the flexibility and independence that the job brings them.
Those that are new to the job of selling travel need a fair amount of handholding and product knowledge
before they can start delivering positive results. This needs to be done quickly so that they can contrib-
ute well to the booming travel economy in the post-pandemic world where the travel advisors are being
actively sought, especially by the millennials.
As budget constraints remain the biggest challenge faced by the advisors, they have expressed the need
for better pricing models from the suppliers. They also feel they should get better commissions and perfor-
mance-linked bonuses. Marketing emerged to be another area where the advisors need support as well as
training, especially in social media and public relations.
Despite their willingness to sell more group travel products, the advisors face limitations due to the lack
of supplier support. They pointed out some obvious flaws in the system and processes in place - from the
delay in getting the initial quote to frustratingly longwinded calls with call center executives that leave
the issues at hand unresolved. This is another area that the suppliers need to work towards improving.
The global travel industry is steadily moving to recover and grow over the pre-pandemic levels. The geopo-
litical tensions and supply-side challenges, however, can impact the growth story the travel industry is
trying to write. The global epidemic has not been completely eradicated either. Travel advisors are making
it easier for people to adjust to traveling within the new normal. Their role will be of prime importance over
the next few years. And the industry needs them to achieve its highest potential in the post-pandemic world.
CONCLUSION
47