You might think the travel agent profession has been replaced by the internet, but the opposite is true. While store front travel agencies have dwindled, home-based agents are growing and thriving. Technology has given consumers more power and information than ever before, but it has also made the process of planning a vacation overwhelming and unclear.

The truth is the travel industry has seen a sharp rise in the demand for travel professionals as more consumers are looking for personalized service and first-hand knowledge when planning trips that require less clicks and more conversation. Consumers are seeking value-driven, authentic experiences, and are turning to companies such as Avoya Travel® that combine powerful search technology with independent travel experts who help customers make the most out of every vacation.

Picture spending your days talking about exotic destinations and having opportunities to travel the world yourself. Sound too good to be true? It might be. Like with most professions, there are many who jump in but never achieve the level of success they imagined.

We all know success doesn’t happen overnight and the biggest challenge these days with any business is marketing. According to a 2015 home-based agent survey, marketing was the number one area that travel professionals felt they needed the most assistance to help grow their business in 2015.

While some companies offer marketing resources, they usually cost a significant amount of money, forcing many to navigate on their own. In either case, the time it takes to try and generate even one potential customer can sink your business.

That is where Avoya comes in as it provides an opportunity by investing millions into ground-breaking technology, innovative marketing, and an award-winning Live Leads™ program so that agency owners can run their business successfully. There are home-based travel agents in the Avoya Network who have sold over $5 million in annual sales while still making time to travel on five cruises and visit more than 14 countries in one year.

Avoya is devoted to helping travel professionals live a lifestyle of success. The Live Leads Program is the only solution that simply eliminates the biggest challenge faced by entrepreneurs today.

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Scott Koepf, Senior Vice President of Sales

With more than 30 years of experience in retail travel, Scott oversees the development of new innovative sales and educational programs for Avoya’s Network of Independent Agencies. Prior to joining Avoya, Scott served in executive positions with Sabre Holdings and was President of Cruise Holiday’s International. Scott is also a sought-after sales trainer and motivational speaker.