Tourpreneur Tour Business Podcast Connectivity Series: Understanding How Travel Advisors work with Tour Operators
Mar 10, 2025
Evan Frank, CEO of Fora Travel and former CEO of Context Travel, shares insights on the changing dynamics in the travel industry. He discusses how travel advisors are evolving into modern, relatable figures, leveraging social media and relationship-building skills. The importance of multichannel distribution and personal branding for tour suppliers is highlighted. Evan also emphasizes proactive planning in travel experiences, showcasing how technology reshapes the connection between advisors and operators in this post-COVID landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Evan Frank's Background
- Evan Frank co-founded OneFineStay, a short-term rental pioneer like a hotel management company for homes.
- He later became CEO of Context Travel, a tour company for intellectually curious travelers.
Distribution Challenges for Boutique Hospitality
- OneFineStay's biggest challenge was distribution, not the guest experience.
- Competing with OTAs on Google Ads became too expensive, and using OTAs meant losing uniqueness and high commissions.
Travel Agent Pricing
- Most people misunderstand that travel agent pricing operates on rate parity, similar to OTAs.
- Using a travel agent shouldn't cost more; it should provide a better experience for the same or similar price.