Create Travel Clients for Life with an Offboarding Strategy

Want to know how to be a good travel agent? It starts with being really, really good to your clients. Before, during, and even after their trip.

As a travel pro, you’ve probably perfected the “before” with your client onboarding process.

You know how to lead prospects from the consult call to the contract, how and when to collect cc details, and how to get the ball rolling.

In fact, I’ve worked with several travel agents now who wanted me to create a document to give to their new clients that explains their travel planning process step by step, so there are no surprises!

Today, though, I have a different question for you — what does your offboarding process look like?

In other words, what do you do once a client is (technically) no longer a client? They’ve returned home, unpacked their bags, and are still basking in the glory of the incredible trip you planned for them.

Sure, you don’t have an obligation to do anything else for the client at this point.

BUT — having a gracious and supportive offboarding process in place can turn one-and-done travelers into clients for life.

The goal? Make sure your client really feels that you care about how their trip went — and prime them to book their next trip with you too!

How to Be a Good Travel Agent with an Offboarding Strategy

I’ve seen travel agents use a lot of great strategies in their offboarding process. These include:

• Calling up the client after their trip for a debrief session (if they’re raving about the trip and your service, this is a great opportunity to snag a testimonial from them, too!)
• Sending a “welcome home” card or personalized gift
• Posting their vacation pics (with permission) on your travel business’s social media sites
• Offering a discount for booking their next trip with you <– LOVE this idea, since it’s a great way to directly incentivize your clients to use you again

Service that goes above and beyond — and really differentiates you from those online booking engines — is service that doesn’t stop when the client’s trip does.

Implement your own offboarding process to show your clients how much you care. A little love goes a long way toward client loyalty!

Are you already practicing good travel agent etiquette with your own offboarding process? Share the strategies you use below!