Dugan's Travels Invests in Advisor Support for Next Chapter of Growth

Dugan's Travels, a host agency founded in 1997, is making strategic investments in its support structure, education, technology, and supplier relationships to better equip its independent travel advisors for success in an evolving industry. The agency emphasizes that its focus is on improving quality rather than simply expanding in size.

"We've never wanted growth just for the sake of being bigger," said Jennifer Dugan, owner of Dugan's Travels. "We want to be better. That means continually looking at what our advisors need, what our team does well, and where we can make improvements that provide meaningful support."

A key area of focus is strengthening the team behind the advisors. The agency is refining responsibilities among its support staff, including Christina, Shari, Tracy, Joleen, Cecily, Barb, and Jennifer, to ensure that each person's strengths are utilized effectively in areas such as advisor education, new-agent support, supplier relationships, events, and the Five Star advisor development program. The goal is to provide clearer communication and stronger support for advisors.

Education remains a cornerstone of the agency's offerings. Dugan's Travels is enhancing its webinar program and developing training tailored to advisors at different stages of their businesses. The Five Star community will continue to offer advanced learning for established advisors, while newer advisors receive foundational support. Peer-to-peer learning is also gaining prominence through the "Hear From Our Peers" series, where advisors share real-world experiences and strategies. An upcoming session will feature an advisor discussing how her passion for Scotland became a specialty in her travel business.

The agency's Dugan's University (DU) events continue to be a vital part of its community, bringing together advisors, team members, and supplier partners for education and networking. Future DU events will involve more team members in planning, aiming to create experiences that strengthen relationships and provide actionable ideas.

Technology is being evaluated with a focus on practical benefits. The agency is reviewing CRM options, considering functionality, usability, cost, and the needs of independent advisors. "We want technology to solve problems, not create new ones," Dugan said. "There are always new platforms and tools available, but the question for us is whether they actually make things better for our advisors and our team."

Supplier relationships remain integral, particularly through the Inner Circle program, which fosters deeper partnerships with suppliers who want to actively engage with the advisor community. These partnerships create opportunities for education, marketing, and business development. Planning for the next year of Inner Circle partnerships is already underway.

Dugan's Travels is guided by the principle that improvement doesn't always mean adding more. Sometimes it involves refining existing processes, clarifying roles, improving communication, or eliminating inefficiencies. "We already do a lot," Dugan noted. "Our next chapter isn't about seeing how many more things we can add. It's about looking at everything we're doing and asking: Is this useful? Is it working? Is the right person handling it? And does it ultimately help our advisors?"

As the travel industry transforms, Dugan's Travels remains committed to its founding philosophy of supporting advisors in building sustainable businesses. The agency intends to continue evolving while staying grounded in the importance of people, relationships, education, and support. "We're going to keep trying things, learning, listening, and adjusting," Dugan said. "What matters is that we're willing to keep looking at ourselves and asking how we can do a better job for our advisors."

For nearly three decades, Dugan's Travels has focused on developing professional travel advisors while maintaining a supportive culture. More information can be found at Dugan's Travels.