Travel Reservation Specialist (TRS)
The Travel Reservation Specialist (TRS) rank is available to traditional travel
agents who have GDS and travel industry experience. Prior to participating as a
TRS the applicant must pass the TRS proficiency exam, as well as a background check.
Next, they must interview and be approved by the Rovia TRS manager. Once approved,
the TRS will have remote access to one of the major GDSs, they are able to work
from home and process their personal customer booking requests. TRSs can earn up
to 80% of related travel commissions and processing fees.
Rovia offers college level accredited training classes to prepare the applicant
for the TRS exam, and provides training necessary to access the Global Distribution
System (GDS). Rovia is one of the only companies that offer basic, intermediate
and advanced training to prepare the next generation of home-based travel agents.
Rovia both the curriculum training for LTCs, BTAs and TRSs, they train agents in
the ways of professionalism that the industry and Rovia customers have come to expect.
Rovia also provides a lead generation system to qualified TRSs that have met certain
qualifications. The TRS can log into a secured scheduling system and subscribe to
handle leads generated from Rovia LTC participants. Since the leads are free the
TRS will earn 40% of the commissions, and 80% of any related processing fees. The
TRS will receive leads via live chat, online request forms, and phone calls. Rovia
will issue the TRS a softphone. (A softphone is a software program for making telephone
calls over the Internet using a general purpose computer, rather than using dedicated
hardware.) The TRS’ softphone is loaded on their home computer and connects all
related tracking systems. When the TRS receives a routed phone call, chat message
or email request, the TRS computer screen will open the booking tool to process
the quote or booking, and will track the transaction for commission payout.
Rovia requires that each TRS complete a “specialist” questionnaire which provides
data related to their areas of expertise and industry interest. This will help identify
those TRSs who want to specialize in certain booking requests such as cruises, group
travel, honeymoon planning, air accommodations, hotel or car reservations, and/or
vacation packages. Through the questionnaires, Rovia identifies TRSs interested
in becoming a destination and/or activities specialist who can book excursions such
as Hawaii or various golf packages. Rovia will send the related request to the TRS,
based on the customer’s specific area of interest.
The TRS program is unique to the industry, an offers any traditional travel agent
an opportunity to offset their current customer-based business with qualified leads
of travelers looking to actually travel, and are not just travel shopping with no
serious intent to actually take a trip. The TRS must have good communication skills,
work well with the public, and have the ability to overcome objections and close
business. Those willing to work leads will have an unlimited opportunity to sell
travel, and will not have to worry constantly about generating new business.