It has been a year since I signed up with OA. Now is a great time to share my experience with you if you looking for a new host ( like I was) or are a new agent looking to join the tourism trade.
OA is a GREAT host. No doubt. Before joining them, I simply picked up the phone and called them to speak with the owner. I had zero expectation of this actually happening but was pleasantly surprised when Chad Burt came on the line and spent a good half an hour speaking with me and answering all my questions. I signed up the same day. It didn't take me much time to understand their systems and if I had a question, the OA staff was very quick with their email replies. Best way to communicate with them. They have brilliant internal systems set up for just this purpose. Agency staff and higher-ups are almost always available for insight and help as and when needed. They are highly professional ( yet super funny on socials). I had a chance to meet most of the staff at one of their TA conferences and the vibe is that of one big family. For new agents, they have mentors for initial support. Though I have industry experience, I still set up a call with a mentor just to test the new waters. It was a lovely call.
They have great contracts with vendors, resorts, and consolidators across the world. Their payment system is top-notch with very little room for confusion. Payments have been on time on expected dates. The split is also one of the best ( that I know of) ( Ex host had a terrible split and I wish I had known of OA before).
All in all, I highly recommend Outside Agents. It has been a great year with them.
Happy Travel!
I have truly enjoyed working with Outside Agents. Education has been paramount! You are given choices to learn about the various travel products & destinations , technology , marketing and so much more. They have all have been very patience with me. Never pressuring me to do more. My goal was to grow my business when I joined! Shortly after signing with Outside Agents I was designated to care for my blind aging brother and older sister. My brother died right after the shut down of Covid-19.
The folks at the main office are amazing people care and will do all they can to help you with your need in a very timely, professional manner. This is my second host agency and even tho my first host agency was ok, OA is amazing and I'm thankful I made the switch. Here you are treated as family and the agent forum helps answer many questions an agent may have. Very friendly and family oriented. Thanks OA
Outside Agents is amazing in so many aspects, from the first phone call to the mentoring to the training. I’m starting out as a newbie and have been directed in the right direction from the very beginning. OA has great training from on demand to live in person trainings. The staff is always on hand if we need anything as well as active in our online group. If you want to feel like part of a family then this is where it’s at, here with Outside Agents.
I have been an agent with OA for about 3 years and I have nothing but positive things to say The customer service is great. The training is wonderful and I have not had any issues with getting my commissions. I actually recommended a new agent to OA and she has signed on as well. I am also pleased with what you get in your package for the price. I would highly recommend this Host to new and seasoned Agents that want a Host that really cares and are there for you.
I entered the travel business about nine years ago with a local travel agency that had decided to start its own hosting program. After a brief training with the first group of future agents, the entire program basically collapsed within three months. I stuck with what was left for a year or so and finally started looking for another host. My original move was driven by the host being local; I was not really aware of the larger world of host agencies. I did plenty of online research, including HostAgencyReviews.com, FindaHostTravelAgency.com, and a variety of individual host agency websites. I narrowed my choices to about three hosts and ultimately decided on Outside Agents. I have been happy with that decision ever since. I was looking for the best value at the lowest cost and consider OA an extraordinary bargain for the service and help you get. This was especially clear after attending their New Agent Boot Camp a couple of years ago. Great people. Great host. Great choice, especially for anyone just entering the business on a tight budget. Thank you to Steve, Chad, Dan, and the entire team.
I think this is a awesome agency to be a part of, training and support is great. Never a problem with commisson payments. Staff is very professional always willing to help with any problems you may have. The other agents are very helpful with new ideas and sharing their experiences. If you are new to travel, the training and support is awesome
Here's my take on Host Agencies. Outside Agents is my 3rd host agency after the first one which was IMO a lot of "rah-rah-rah" let's sell travel, to the second which was IMO lacking in the technology to help me with my work, and now Outside Agents which feels like family, is on top of the latest technology, and offers the best service that I've ever seen. Here's the thing...If you want an agency that tells you the reality of the travel industry and offers a lot of support when needed. This is it. I've been an agent for over 25 years, and although I don't work full time, OA is always there for me.
I am so happy that I chose Outside Agents when I started in travel, one year prior to the pandemic. I have attended 4 of their on-site trainings in almost 3 years, which have been an awesome investment in my business. The online training and support from this family-owned and oriented business are top notch. You are not left out to dry, they always have your back as long. There are unlimited opportunities to learn more and to increase your knowledge base. After almost three years, I can look back and know that I have chosen the best host agency I could have. Their support is incredible. Thank you, OA for always being there for us!
This company is great!! There is so much training available (I will say that a lot of the training is self exploration). If you have a question you can always reach out to someone. The tools thst are available are a great value for the cost. There is no pressure to sell. I have reviewed other companies and found none to compare.
Outside Agents is the perfect fit for entrepreneurs considering a career as a home office-based travel advisor.
Outside Agents is a 5,000+ independent contractor ‘Host Agency’ with an extremely low cost of admission as opposed to a ‘Franchise’ with costs of admission in the $10,000+ franchise fee range.
OA and travel vendor ‘product knowledge training’ coupled with ‘marketing campaigns that work,’ helped propel this humble OA travel advisor into a top 2% monthly sales producer position out of 5,000 advisors twice this year. OA tools and support systems work.
A tip to newbies! Find a niche market that interests you – destination weddings, reunion groups, religious trips, or golfers, etc., and use the plethora of GROUP marketing resources provided by Outside Agents to build your business.
And you really do get to engage with the OA owners when you reach out to them for help or advice!