Travel Advisor Success Story: Amanda Scott, Tycoon Travel Club

June 24, 2024

Travel Advisor Success Stories focuses on experienced travel advisors and how they became successful. Here’s a look at Amanda Scott, owner and CEO of Tycoon Travel Club.

How did you get started as a travel consultant?

I have always had a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial drive combined with a deep love for customer-facing careers. These passions naturally led me to opening my own travel agency where I could combine my commitment to excellent service with my enthusiasm for helping others.

How have you built your business over the years?

I’ve built my business by developing strong, long-term relationships with my clients. Rather than simply booking trips, I invest time to understand their travel dreams, preferences and budgets. This personalized approach allows me to create unique experiences that exceed their expectations. By building trust and showing genuine care, my clients become more than just customers; they become advocates for my services. Today, a significant portion of my clientele comes through referrals, underscoring the power of word of mouth, which is built on trust and satisfaction.

What qualities make you a successful consultant?

My success is based on my unwavering tenacity, strategic planning and commitment to exceptional customer experiences.

Every aspect of my business is run on core values, ethics and integrity that ensure trust and reliability. By collaborating with suppliers, hotels, destination transportation companies and travel teams, I carefully plan and execute strategies that align with clients’ goals and enhance their experiences. With in-depth knowledge and expertise in the luxury and corporate incentive travel space, I provide my clients with unparalleled insights and solutions tailored to their individual needs.

What were your biggest challenges?

Scaling the agency has been one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of my entrepreneurial career. While there are many hurdles to scaling a business, I realized early on that finding the right talent is particularly difficult. At first, I tried using contract agents, but after some trial and error, I realized that building a supportive administrative team as a foundation was a more effective approach.

What were your greatest successes?

One of my biggest accomplishments was generating over half a million dollars in bookings within my first 12 months. This significant achievement put my agency in the top tier with suppliers and caught the attention of hoteliers. Since 2017, I have consistently maintained Platinum status or higher with prestigious brands such as Le Blanc and Palace Resorts, AIC Hard Rock Resorts and UNICO, and Sandals & Beaches Resorts.

In 2023, I quadrupled the standardized peak production goal for Playa Hotels and Resorts and earned the distinction of being the nation’s leading travel consultant for Hyatt Ziva and Zilara all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. These accomplishments demonstrate my commitment to delivering exceptional results for my clients.

What tips can you give to consultants who are new to the industry?

If you’re just starting out, don’t take the path of most resistance like I did. My recommendation is to either start at a host agency or work as an independent contractor for a reputable, established agency. This will allow you to join a valuable support community and learn the industry in a fraction of the time. It’s important to take your time with your due diligence so you can decide what best fits your goals and values.

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