Megan Hill. (Source: Megan Hill)

Success Stories focus on veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Megan Hill, owner of Destination Fun Travel.

How did you get your start as a travel advisor?

I grew up in a family that shared a passion for traveling, which was spearheaded by my grandparents who often took us on trips around the world with them. Although I had always enjoyed traveling, it was in 1986 when I went to Africa for the very first time that I fell in love with it. I thought Africa was the most amazing place that I had ever been.

It was then that I decided I wanted to travel everywhere in the world. From that point on traveling and exploring the world has been a top priority of mine. I truly enjoy learning and experiencing the different cultures, history, cuisine, traditions and natural beauty of the world.

I opened Destination Fun Travel in 2008 after a successful 15-year career in the pharmaceutical industry working for Wyeth (Pfizer) and Abbott. Although I truly enjoyed the pharmaceutical industry, my passion was still traveling and experiencing the world. I decided to make travel not only my passion but also my career.

How did you build your business?

When I initially opened my agency, I was a one-person operation, and my goal was to exceed expectations for every client with phenomenal customer service. I chose a few travel wholesalers and partnered with them, fully utilizing my BDM support while analyzing the marketplace.

I was very dedicated to my clients and provided exceptional customer service. I wanted my clients to feel special, as if they were the only clients that I was working on that day. At first, my business grew mostly by word of mouth and through bridal shows. (I purchased a fun customized Destination Fun Travel bar display that really had the agency standing out at the shows).

As the agency grew, I started to hire employees and advisors to assist me. I personally trained them and watched them also become successful. Teamwork is a major focus of the agency, as we all help, support and encourage one another.

What characteristics make you a successful advisor?

When I was in the pharmaceutical industry, I was a trainer for both Wyeth and Abbott. I really feel this training helped me tremendously with the agency, my agents and with clients to think outside the box, analyze the marketplace and find the agency’s niche and marketplace.

I love to brainstorm with other successful advisors about things they do that work well and follow through on those items with my team. I encourage all advisors to make a business plan and to put their ideas, thoughts, obstacles, and goals in writing and reference them throughout the year.

What have been your greatest challenges been?

I opened the agency in a time when online travel agencies such as Expedia, etc., were just becoming popular. But I knew that OTAs would not replace agents, as there will always be clients who want/need someone to take that trip to the next level.

Of course, the overall greatest challenge was with COVID and having the entire world shut down. But with COVID, an entirely new passion and opportunity for advisors emerged. Agencies and advisors became smarter through COVID and refined how they operated and worked, such as documenting every client’s booking approval with the suppliers’ Terms and Conditions and always receiving and documenting insurance acceptance/denials in writing from the client, etc. COVID was a golden opportunity for people to experience firsthand and understand the value of a travel advisor. I know I can confidently say that post-COVID we are better advisors and agency owners, and the travel industry is smarter and better today than it has ever been.

 What have your greatest accomplishments been?

My greatest accomplishments so far would be with the solid success of the agency and my amazing team of advisors. The agency focuses on offering a supportive team environment to assist, encourage and guide advisors to be successful.

Many years ago, I was invited to Sandals Stars Awards before my sales were at the level they are now. I felt honored to be included, and I very much appreciate Sandals and the other travel partners who saw the potential in me. I was a sponge on trip networking with others at the event. I took so many notes from successful advisors throughout the trip. 

It was just a few years later that I was on that stage receiving those big awards. That certainly brings a big sense of accomplishment and pride. The agency and Destination Fun Travel advisors win many sales awards each year with many agency partners from ALGV to Classic Vacations to Sandals and Beaches Resorts, etc. It is the training, collaboration, support, trust and teamwork that makes this happen.

What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?

Think outside the box and find those golden opportunities to sell travel around your community. This can be done through social media, networking, consumer events and finding a need/niche in the marketplace that you can fill and exceed expectations. I encourage all advisors to look deep into themselves and find what they enjoy booking and focus on their love and passion.

Always listen to the needs and wants of the client. Sometimes advisors tend to want to book their own budget for a client’s trips and not the client’s budget. Always try to upsell the clients, as happy clients will be repeat clients. You are always better off to under promise and over deliver.

I recommend starting quotes with ocean view or ocean front concierge level rooms. Then, advisors can go up or down, depending on the client’s wants and needs.

I also encourage advisors to personally pay for and experience a butler suite. They can then honestly and passionately talk to future clients about their own experience and why spending a little more may take that trip experience to the next level.

Talk advantage of the numerous resources available through our travel suppliers and partners. As for marketing, be sure to find the best network opportunities.

Most importantly, enjoy your job as a travel advisor. It is truly one of the most fulfilling careers out there, and I am blessed to be a part of the travel community!

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