Introduction
Travel agencies are experiencing a boom, making them an attractive niche for entrepreneurs. With rising demand, it’s more important to hire a virtual assistant to provide excellent service and focus on growth.
How To Sell More Trips to the U.S. When Demand Drops
International tourism to the US is currently experiencing a decline due to a variety of reasons. Some of these factors are related to stricter visa policies, travelers’ perception of insecurity, and exchange rate fluctuations. So, although it is true that travel agencies are at their boom, some places are experiencing certain shortcomings. This has led agencies to adopt different approaches to generate sales and keep the niche growing.
To reactivate interest in this destination, agencies can use three practical strategies that make a real difference.
- First, reposition the investigation by highlighting new experiences, like hidden local spots, wellness-focused retreats, or activities that feel fresh and exciting beyond the typical tourist routes.
- Second, personalize the offer. Focus on travelers’ evolving preferences, creating flexible, customized packages that speak to different needs and budgets — whether that’s families, luxury travelers, or solo explorers.
- The final strategy is to build trust by sharing clear, updated information about safety measures and travel conditions. This transparency helps clients feel confident about their decision, even when conditions are uncertain.
We acknowledge how this requires a lot of work. A virtual assistant would play a key role in redesigning offers and automating the delivery of marketing campaigns. At PeopleBlue, our virtual assistants can help keep your promotions updated, all while managing your CRM effectively and providing reliable pre-sale support so you can focus on growing your agency.
How to Adapt Your Offer to the New Entry Requirements for the U.S.
As mentioned, travel agencies need to stay ahead of changes to U.S. entry requirements, such as travel insurance policies and vaccination guidelines when applicable. Staying up-to-date is only the first step: it’s crucial to relay this information to your clients.
Your virtual assistant can support this process by:
- Automating pre-trip reminders about vaccination deadlines, entry forms, or testing requirements
- Assisting with travel documents, such as visa forms or insurance confirmations
- Tracking updates from government and airline sources and summarizing key changes
- Responding to client inquiries about entry procedures, timelines, and eligibility
- Sending customized alerts to clients affected by sudden policy changes
These tasks can make a big difference in ensuring a smooth transition. Your VA can handle these processes without requiring constant involvement from your core team.
How to Sell Travel Packages When the Client Feels Uncertain
In today’s travel landscape—whether for domestic trips within the U.S. or international getaways—it’s common for clients to feel hesitant about booking. Whether due to post-pandemic concerns, inflation, or geopolitical uncertainty, there are plenty of reasons people feel unsure about making travel plans. The key is to address that fear with calm, flexibility, and empathy.
One effective approach is to offer alternative destinations that align with your client’s interests but feel safer and more stable. Support your suggestions with stories, visuals, and testimonials that paint a vivid and positive picture of what they can expect.
Build trust through social proof:
- Share recent reviews from satisfied travelers
- Use authentic photos taken by past clients
- Include video testimonials that speak directly to your target audience
- Highlight safety measures and positive experiences from recent trips
This kind of reassurance helps clients imagine themselves having a positive journey—and lowers resistance when they’re unsure about booking.
A Virtual Assistant can play a key role in supporting this strategy by:
- Gathering and organizing client testimonials
- Adding social proof to your proposals, landing pages, and social media posts
- Personalizing travel package presentations based on client profiles
- Segmenting your audience to deliver the right message at the right time
- Automating follow-ups so no potential booking slips through the cracks
At PeopleBlue, our virtual assistants are trained to personalize your messaging and spotlight these success stories—so your travelers feel seen, supported, and confident saying yes to their next adventure.
Tools to Operate with Less Staff Without Losing Service Quality
Let’s discuss a topic that remains pertinent to businesses: staffing. Many travel agencies today face the challenge of staff shortages and high turnover, which can strain operations and hurt service quality. To tackle this, it’s essential to combine smart tools and flexible support.
Automation and CRM systems can streamline repetitive tasks and keep client information organized, while a Virtual Assistant can step in to handle day-to-day administrative work, follow-ups, and even basic customer service. One of the biggest perks of hiring a VA is that you get the support you need, all without the overhead costs of hiring a full-time, in-house team.
With a well-trained virtual assistant, your agency can cut costs, increase conversion rates, and deliver consistent service without overloading your in-house team.
To get the full picture of what a virtual assistant does and why the investment makes sense, check out this detailed guide on the benefits and costs of hiring virtual assistants for travel agencies.
Alejandra is a psychology student with experience in corporate environments.
