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The professional travel advisor has survived the Internet, online travel agencies, supplier direct-booking initiatives, a pandemic and now artificial intelligence. But I believe the profession faces another threat that our industry has been far too reluctant to confront — a threat our industry can no longer afford to ignore. It is the proliferation of business models that allow consumers to obtain the economics and privileges of being a travel advisor while making virtually no investment in actually becoming one. Let me be very clear: This is not about new travel advisors. Our industry desperately needs talented new people. We should recruit them, train them, mentor them and help them build successful businesses. Every successful travel advisor was new once. But there is an enormous difference between creating a pathway into a profession and creating a shortcut to its economics. Pay a fee. Gain access to an agency credential. Book your own travel. Collect commission on purchases you would have made anyway. Gain access to industry rates and benefits. Perhaps recruit others to do the same. That isn't the next generation of professional travel advisors. It is a business model built upon blurring the distinction between the travel professional and the travel consumer. And the organizations with the greatest ability to stop it are the same organizations making it economically possible: The suppliers themselves. Follow the Money Suppliers control the economics. They decide who qualifies for commission. They determine who receives travel advisor rates, FAM opportunities and other benefits historically [Read More...]

For years, the travel industry has debated commission splits as though advisors face a fundamental choice between independence and support. Keep 100% of your commission, the argument goes, and you’re largely on your own. Give up a meaningful percentage of it, and in return you’ll receive the technology, marketing, accounting, systems and support necessary to grow. After nearly four decades of owning and operating a travel agency, I don’t believe advisors should have to make that choice. Why can’t they have both? At Oasis Travel Network, we have built our business around a simple premise: a successful travel advisor already creates meaningful economic value for the organization supporting them. Their production contributes to supplier relationships, preferred agreements, marketing opportunities and other revenue available to a host agency. At sufficient scale, those economics can be substantial. Our philosophy has always been simple: Before asking the advisor to give up more of what they’ve earned, we should first build an efficient business around the revenue their production already generates. That’s what we’ve done. 100% Commission Doesn’t Have to Mean 100% on Your Own There is absolutely a cost to supporting a successful independent advisor. They need commissions processed accurately and quickly. They need knowledgeable people who can intervene when there is a supplier problem. They need marketing resources. They need technology, accounting support, education, preferred-supplier relationships and opportunities to connect with their peers. As their businesses grow, some will need help building teams and creating systems that allow them to scale [Read More...]

One of the biggest reasons people are drawn to becoming independent travel advisors is exactly that: independence. You get to build your own business, create your own brand, choose the clients you want to work with and decide what success looks like for you. But being independent does not mean you have to figure everything out by yourself. In fact, having the right community behind you can be one of the biggest advantages you have as a travel advisor. Because in an industry that changes as quickly as ours does, sometimes the most valuable resource is simply having someone you can turn to and say, “Have you dealt with this before?” Chances are, someone has. You Can Own Your Business Without Doing Everything Alone Running your own travel business means wearing a LOT of hats. One minute you are a travel advisor. The next you are handling marketing, accounting, technology, customer service, sales, insurance, supplier relationships and whatever unexpected situation landed in your inbox that morning. There is freedom in owning your business, but there is also a lot of responsibility. That is where having a strong network around you matters. The right community gives you access to people with different experiences, specialties and perspectives. Instead of spending hours trying to solve every problem yourself, you have people you can learn from, ask questions and bounce ideas off of. You are still running your business. You just do not have to reinvent the wheel every time something comes up. [Read More...]

One of the biggest mistakes travel advisors can make is only communicating with clients when there is a trip to book. Think about your own clients. Someone may book a vacation with you this year and not be ready for another major trip for six months, a year or even longer. If they don't hear from you during that time, there is a good chance someone else will get their attention before they're ready to travel again. Staying top of mind doesn't mean constantly sending sales pitches or asking, "Are you ready to book another trip?" It means consistently reminding clients that you're there, providing value and giving them reasons to think of you when the next travel conversation happens. The good news? You don't have to spend hours every week doing it. Here are a few simple ways to stay connected with your clients between bookings. 1. Send a Monthly Newsletter If you aren't consistently emailing your clients, this is one of the easiest places to start. A monthly newsletter keeps your name in their inbox without overwhelming them. More importantly, it gives you an opportunity to provide something useful instead of only reaching out when you have something to sell. Your newsletter could include: A destination you're loving right now A travel tip or planning reminder A featured resort, cruise or itinerary Upcoming travel trends A recent blog post A client trip or testimonial A special offer or promotion A quick personal update from your business It [Read More...]

As travel advisors, we spend a lot of time thinking about how to grow our business. More leads. More bookings. More clients. While all of those things are important, growing your revenue doesn't always mean working harder or booking more travel. Sometimes, it's about taking advantage of the opportunities that already exist within the bookings you're making every day. Over the years, we've seen advisors increase their income simply by making a few small changes to their process. None of these require a complete business overhaul. They simply require being intentional. Here are five opportunities every travel advisor should be taking advantage of. 1. Register Your Hotel Bookings If you're booking luxury or preferred hotels and not registering those reservations, you could be leaving money and valuable perks on the table. Many hotel programs reward advisors for taking that extra step. Depending on the property or supplier, registering a booking can unlock additional commission, advisor recognition, complimentary stays, and exclusive client amenities such as breakfast, resort credits, or room upgrades. The best part? It usually only takes a few minutes. It's one of those simple tasks that can make a noticeable difference over the course of a year, both for your bottom line and for the experience you're able to provide your clients. Ask yourself: Before you close out a hotel booking, have you checked to see if it qualifies for additional advisor benefits? 2. Charge for Your Expertise Here's something we hear often in our industry. You're not [Read More...]

When people ask what makes Oasis Travel Network different, the conversation usually starts with commission, technology, or marketing. While those are all important pieces of the puzzle, one of the things I'm most proud of is our commitment to education. The travel industry is always changing. Suppliers launch new products, technology evolves, and travelers' expectations continue to grow. That's why we believe learning shouldn't stop after onboarding. Whether you're brand new to the industry or have been selling travel for twenty years, there's always something new to learn. Our goal has never been to simply teach advisors how to book travel. We want to help them build businesses they're proud of. Building Confidence from Day One Starting a career in travel can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of suppliers, countless destinations, new technology, marketing, sales, and everything in between. It can be hard to know where to begin. That's exactly why we recently launched our New to Travel Program. Instead of leaving new advisors to figure it all out on their own, we've created a structured learning path that walks them through the fundamentals of building a successful travel business. From industry basics and supplier education to marketing, business development, and the tools they'll use every day, new advisors have a roadmap they can actually follow. More importantly, they have a team behind them every step of the way. Education Isn't a One-Time Event One thing I hear from advisors all the time is that they're worried the learning [Read More...]

When travel advisors feel confident discussing travel insurance, clients benefit. That's a philosophy Oasis Travel Network has embraced for years, and the results speak for themselves. Over the past two years, OTN has seen significant growth in travel insurance sales, with overall sales increasing 40% from 2024 to 2025 and another 40% growth currently trending year-to-date in 2026. While those numbers are certainly worth celebrating, they are really the result of something much bigger: investing in advisor education, support, and confidence. "Our goal has never been to simply increase insurance sales," said Andria Fredrickson, Vice President of Insurance Operations & Advisor Acquisitions. "It's about helping advisors feel comfortable and informed when discussing travel protection with their clients. When advisors have confidence in the products they're offering, those conversations become much more natural and valuable." Travel insurance can be one of the most important parts of a client's travel investment, but it can also be one of the most misunderstood. Coverage options vary, supplier requirements change, and advisors are often faced with helping clients navigate complex situations and questions. That's where OTN's insurance support program comes in. Led by Andria Fredrickson, OTN has made insurance education a priority by providing advisors with ongoing resources, supplier training, and direct support when questions arise. Throughout the year, OTN advisors have access to insurance overviews from preferred suppliers, quarterly updates from insurance partners, educational webinars, panel discussions, and personalized assistance when navigating client situations. This hands-on approach helps advisors better understand the products [Read More...]

Education, connection, and community have always remained at the core and forefront of its continued mission to support advisors at every stage of their business journey. As the travel industry continues to evolve, OTN is continuing to invest in new ways to help advisors grow through expanded educational opportunities, immersive experiences, and stronger industry connections. This past month marked an exciting milestone with the launch of OTN’s first regional event initiative — designed to bring advisors together in a more collaborative, accessible, and relationship-driven environment. The regional event created an opportunity for advisors to network with peers, strengthen supplier relationships, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insight while fostering the sense of community that has long been a defining part of OTN. For many attendees, the experience served as a reminder that some of the most valuable education in the travel industry happens through conversations, collaboration, and shared experiences. In addition to regional events, OTN is continuing to expand its focus on luxury-focused experiences, associate trips, immersive supplier opportunities, and hands-on educational initiatives designed to help advisors deepen both their industry knowledge and product expertise. “These events and experiences are designed to create meaningful opportunities for advisors to continue learning, growing, and connecting. Whether through regional collaboration, immersive travel experiences, or ongoing education, the goal is to ensure advisors feel supported, confident, connected, and equipped to continue building successful businesses.” - Andria Fredrickson, Vice President of Insurance Operations & Advisor Acquisitions. These initiatives also work alongside the recent launch of [Read More...]

Oasis Travel Network is proud to announce that we have been recognized by Travel Insured International, a leading travel insurance company, as Host Partner of the Year—an honor that reflects the dedication of our agents and the commitment of our entire organization to protecting travelers. This award is more than a milestone; it is a reminder of the responsibility we share to help clients explore the world with confidence and peace of mind. At OTN, we believe that selling travel insurance is not an optional add-on—it is an essential part of professional travel planning. Travelers face more uncertainties today than ever before, from flight disruptions and medical emergencies to weather events and unexpected global changes. Ensuring that every client is properly covered is one of the most important ways advisors can demonstrate value and care. To support this mission, Oasis Travel Network continually invests in education, tools, and resources that empower our agents to discuss and sell travel insurance with confidence. Under the leadership of Andria, Vice President of Insurance Operations & Advisor Acquisitions, our insurance program provides comprehensive training, clear communication, and hands-on guidance so advisors can navigate policies, answer client questions, and match travelers with the protection that best fits their needs. From webinars and marketing materials to one-on-one support, our goal is to make insurance conversations simple and successful. Andria notes that this recognition belongs to the entire Oasis community: “Our agents go above and beyond to advocate for their clients. When advisors understand the real [Read More...]

Oasis Travel Network Appoints Ryan Ranahan as Vice President, Cruise & Strategic Partnerships Boca Raton, FL — January 30, 2026 — Oasis Travel Network (OTN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Ranahan as Vice President, Cruise & Strategic Partnerships, a newly expanded leadership role now overseeing the company’s cruise and strategic partnership initiatives, created to support the organization’s continued growth and long-term strategic vision. With more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, Ryan brings deep expertise in cruise travel, strategic marketing, and supplier partnership development. He is widely respected for his creative approach to travel branding, compelling destination storytelling, and longstanding relationships with cruise lines and key supplier partners. Throughout his career, Ryan has successfully launched innovative initiatives and fostered collaborative partnerships that drive advisor engagement and supplier success. “Ryan’s industry insight, creativity, and passion for cruise travel make him a strong addition to our leadership team,” said Lee Smolinski, Chairman and CEO of Oasis Travel Network. “As we continue to expand our cruise platform and strengthen strategic partnerships, his leadership will play an important role in driving growth and delivering increased value to our advisors.” In his new role, Ryan will work closely with OTN’s executive leadership team, including Kirsi Kiviranta, President & Chief Operating Officer, and Erwing Hernandez, EVP of Operations, to advance the organization’s cruise strategy and strategic partnership initiatives. His focus will include expanding cruise partnerships, developing forward-thinking programs, and strengthening supplier relationships to further elevate Oasis Travel Network’s cruise portfolio. [Read More...]