10 things to ask a "new to you" DMC

Crafting custom, high touch trips around the world most often includes collaboration with a DMC partner in destination. So, in a "new to us" destination, how do we as travel advisors gather a list of DMCs that we can potentially work with? In this free webinar, learn how to source, vet, and collaborate with DMCs around the world in a way that leads to the ‘wow’ factor trips for clients and repeat and referral inquiries.

Enjoy a free replay of this webinar! You can skip around to various parts of the session: 

00:06:25 What collaborating with DMCs looks like and why travel advisors would even do that in the first place (plus, what is a DMC?)

00:09:41 How to source, vet, and collaborate with DMCs

00:10:00 8 questions to ask DMCs

00:12:01 Asking a DMC about their location and destinations

00:15:55 Do you have minimum parameters?

00:19:30 Do you accept partial trip designs?

00:20:30 Do you require hotels to be part of the booking?

00:24:30 Want the rest of the questions? Tune into the instant replay above! ;)

00:38:52 Why do we ask DMCs these types of questions, and why are the answers important

00:41:30 How to streamline your DMC research and collaboration

00:42:20 Answering event participant questions

00:51:00 Demonstration of how to use The Hive to gather a list of DMCs, save your research, and get feedback from other travel advisors

Essential Questions to Ask a "New to You" DMC

When it comes to delivering exceptional travel experiences, sourcing and vetting the right Destination Management Companies (DMCs) is something that most travel advisors will do at some point in their travel planning endeavors. A strong partnership can make a world of difference for the travel advisor and client…and a poorly developed partnership can often end in dissatisfied experiences all around.

How do travel advisors establish robust relationships with DMCs to ensure that clients receive tailor-made, high-quality trips? Don’t make the mistakes I did … far too often I overlooked key questions and ignored red flags until it was too late and I lost clients.

Take advantage of this shortcut to developing strong partnerships with DMCs, as I share the top, critical questions that every travel advisor should ask when collaborating with a new DMC for the first time.

Understanding the Role of DMCs

Before diving into the specific questions, what is the importance of DMCs? These companies serve as local experts, offering bespoke services that enrich travel experiences. Unlike tour operators who often rely on third-party vendors, DMCs generally own and operate their offerings, providing greater customization and flexibility. This makes them invaluable for travel advisors who want to craft unique, memorable experiences for their clients.

Some of my favorite DMCs include TempoVIP (read travel advisor’s reviews of TempoVIP on The Hive), Original Senses in Greece (again, check it out on The Hive), and Wild China (take it from me, I lived in China!)

1. Asking a DMC about their location and destinations

Understanding where a DMC's team is based and the scope of their services is foundational. This information gives travel advisors a better sense of the DMCs local presence and operational capabilities. Questions such as, “Which countries form the majority of your business?” and “What are your primary and secondary markets?” help clarify their focus and expertise.

2. Do you have minimum parameters?

Different DMCs have varying entry requirements for new queries. Some may have a minimum budget or trip duration. Knowing these parameters upfront helps in aligning client inquiries accordingly and ensures productive discussions from the get-go.

3. Do you accept partial trip designs?

Some clients might prefer to book parts of their trips separately, so knowing this information can help you manage client expectations. Travel advisors should ask whether DMCs accept partial trip designs, as policies vary widely.

4. Do you require hotels to be part of the booking?

DMCs have different policies regarding hotel bookings. Some require advisors to book hotels through them due to contracted rates and volume-based contracts. Others offer more flexibility. Plus, investigating whether a DMC has negotiated hotel rates can also help lower costs.

More Questions to ask DMCs

There are many more questions to ask DMCs that will help give you a clear idea of how they work, what they offer, and if they are right for your clients. Tune into the replay above to get the rest of my questions and other insights about what the answers you get will tell you about the partnership.

build strong dmc connections on The Hive

Take your DMC collaboration to the next level on The Hive, the travel industry’s #1 space to search for information, save your notes, and share your insights with other travel advisors (and learn from theirs!). The Hive is an invaluable resource for travel advisors, offering a complex search feature, note-taking and storage with tagging, and collaboration with other travel advisors.

With The Hive, you can filter searches by destination and niche categories that are not available on any other travel planning tool. This makes it easier than ever to craft detailed, personalized proposals that align with your clients' desires.

Plus, The Hive’s notes feature allows you to store and share information among colleagues, enhancing collaboration and ensuring you’re always equipped with the most up-to-date insights.

The insights shared in this webinar underscore the potential for success in the travel industry for travel advisors at any level in business, paving the way for profitable and satisfying client experiences.

Want to learn more about The Hive and how it can support your travel planning business? Check out a recorded demo or jump right in with a free 6-week trial!