A look at how hands-on education, supplier access, and community shaped agent growth in 2025—and what continues into 2026
Contributed By: Dugan’s Travels
At Dugan’s Travels, we believe that education doesn’t just happen behind a screen. While online training is valuable, there is no substitute for firsthand experience, supplier relationships, and learning alongside other advisors who are actively building their businesses.
In 2025, we made a deliberate commitment to provide meaningful, hands-on opportunities for our agents and we did exactly that.
Everywhere We Went in 2025
This past year was one of our most active and intentional years of agent events to date. With only two months off, our advisors had access to a wide range of educational travel experiences designed to deepen product knowledge, build supplier confidence, and strengthen community.
Here’s where our agents had opportunities to learn and grow in 2025 :
- January 2025 – Virgin Voyages sailing with a hotel inspection in Key West
- February/March 2025 – Hawaii FAM across Oahu and Maui
- April/May 2025 – Sailings on Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises Silhouette, paired with Sandals Resorts and Key West hotel inspections
- June 2025 – Las Vegas for Travel Leaders EDGE
- July 2025 – DU Seattle with ship inspections on Princess Cruises, Celebrity, and Norwegian Cruise Line
- September 2025 – DU Anaheim paired with Disneyland
- October 2025 – London and Scotland. Ireland with Globus
- December 2025 – Sailing on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas
Only August and November were event-free — a reflection of how intentionally we invested in agent education throughout the year.
Why This Matters for Independent Advisors
Each event served a different purpose, but all were rooted in the same philosophy:
agents sell better when they truly understand what they’re offering.
These experiences allowed our advisors to:
- Walk resorts and ships firsthand
- Build real relationships with supplier partners
- Ask questions in real time
- Learn from other advisors at different stages of their journey
- Return home more confident in what they recommend to clients
We see consistently that agents who participate in events like these gain clarity, confidence, and long-term momentum in their businesses.
Support Without Pressure
One important distinction we’re proud of:
Our events are opportunities, not obligations.
Not every agent attends every event and that’s intentional. Advisors can choose experiences that align with their business goals, availability, and stage of growth. Our role as a host agency is to provide access, guidance, and support not pressure.
Continuing Opportunities Into 2026
While 2025 was a standout year, it wasn’t a one-time push.
As we move into 2026, Dugan’s Travels continues to offer:
- In-person educational events
- Supplier-led learning opportunities
- Destination-focused experiences
- Structured business education that supports long-term growth
- A community where advisors learn from both leadership and peers
Our commitment remains the same:
to create an environment where independent travel advisors are supported, educated, and connected without hype or unrealistic promises.
A Host Agency That Shows Up
For advisors considering a host agency, it’s important to look beyond marketing language and ask a simple question:
What does this host actually do to support its agents?
At Dugan’s Travels, 2025 speaks for itself and we’re proud to continue building from that foundation in 2026.