Travel agency employees can be under a lot of duress prior to the winter and summer holidays. When vacationers start packing their offices, staff gets swamped with work and does not have free moments. To make matters worse, managers don’t make things easier for travel agency employees, as they pressure them to sell more packages.
In these situations, it’s vital for employees to keep their heads on the swivel, as small mistakes can cause the loss of agency profits. We also can’t neglect management’s role in this, as higher-ups are responsible for motivating their teams.
That being said, we want to share some of the best tricks and tips that will make your travel agency’s staff more loyal and more productive in these critical situations.
Provide Refreshments
Many managers don’t realize the importance of hydration during these stressful situations. When a bunch of ecstatic vacationers rush into the office, asking all sorts of questions, employees lose water by sweating and answering all these requests. They dry up during continuous communication, which leads to fatigue and, thus, stress.
Having a water cooler and soda machine can go a long way in alleviating some of the problems. Water is vital for any staff member who talks a lot, while soda can increase your sugar if you’re ready to collapse. Of course, having refreshments is also fantastic when there aren’t any clients around, boosting staff’s morale as they take a breather.
Give Out Awards
You should never underestimate the power of awards. People in this industry are incredibly passionate about travel and various cultures, and giving them awards is a form of recognition for their work and knowledge.
The best thing about employee awards is that you can give them out for all sorts of things. For example, you can use them for employee of the month, employee of the year, best salesperson, friendliest salesperson, and more. You can even organize award ceremonies where you’ll treat your staff to a nice dinner and give them their prizes.
Provide Financial Incentives
At the end of the day, we’re all dependent on money to support ourselves and our families. No matter how much someone likes traveling, they work primarily for that paycheck at the end of the month. So, providing something extra on top of their salary can ensure their loyalty and increase productivity.
Monthly and annual performance bonuses are the easiest measures to implement, but you can also boost staff morale through pension and health plans. Of course, you can offer free travel tickets or extra days off during the year.
Create Pleasant Environment
Having a pleasant office space is paramount for work performance, whether you’re working in travel industry or some other business. Just by ensuring that the office is clean, you can significantly increase staff’s productivity levels, while reducing stress.
We suggest you regularly paint your walls in nice, warm colors. Adding a few plants here and there can make your employees (as well as clients) fantasize about distant tropical islands. Make sure that your furniture is comfortable and up-to-date.
Get the Latest Software
Truth be told, registering a travel agency isn’t the best way to invest your money, as there are many more lucrative business ideas to explore. Owners are painfully aware of this and try to cut corners wherever they can. Agency employees are the ones who feel these “frugal” policies on their skin more than anyone else.
One of the areas where owners try to save the most is the tech. As a result, agency employees might struggle to execute the simplest processes on their devices, most notably, booking packages. Since this is the most frustrating thing ever, you would be wise to resolve it by introducing the latest software and hardware into the office.
Lead by Example
Even if things go awry, you need to lead your team by setting an example. Help them out during peak hours and months, providing any type of support you can. Similarly, substitute them when they’re sick or have an issue at home. By taking some of that load off, they’ll appreciate you more as a manager and will be willing to work extra hard for your and the company’s sake.
Provide Feedback
Although working in a travel agency isn’t the hardest job, employees can still make mistakes here and there. Misusing software, providing bad accommodation information, or not knowing enough about the destination are just a few hiccups that an agent might have.
In these situations, it’s the manager’s job to educate their staff. However, it’s not just about telling another person how to do their job; it’s also about giving them positive reinforcement. Giving feedback the right way will supply an agent with information and boost their confidence. It will also build a relationship between the two of you, which can go a long way.
Provide Education
As mentioned, being a travel agent isn’t the hardest job you can do. Still, there are always things people can learn and skills they can adopt. Most notably, employees can always become better at sales and learn more about travel destinations. In the end, it’s their job to create a feeling of excitement in anyone who comes to the office.
However, if you force your employees to pay for this training out of their pocket, you might have a small riot on your hands. Because of that, it’s vital that you provide free education and even reward staff members who finish it.
Be Transparent
Transparency is vital in any business, including travel business. Owners should show their staff proper respect by giving them insights about the agency’s operations and the direction in which the company is going. Of course, you don’t necessarily need to share profit figures, but at least you need to make them understand whether you’re making money or not.
Brainstorm Ideas
The best way to tie an employee to a brand is by making them feel at home. Your staff members should become relevant to the planning process by sharing various ideas they might have about the business. Not only will this make them feel more involved but it will also boost their ego.
Besides motivating your staff, team brainstorming carries another major benefit – it can provide some great ideas that will improve your company’s outlook.
Conclusion
Boosting your employees’ motivation and job satisfaction mostly has to do with your interpersonal relationship. Your staff will follow a leader who can set the right example and provide relevant information about the business’ future.
They will also appreciate someone who makes them better, either by providing continuous education or direct feedback. By having a hands-on approach with your staff, you can significantly increase the productivity of your agency and sell much more travel packages!