BREMERTON, WA – Dugan's Travels, a host agency founded in 1997, is making strategic investments to enhance support for its independent travel advisors. The agency is focusing on strengthening its internal team, refining educational programs, evaluating technology, and deepening supplier partnerships, all with the goal of improving the advisor experience.
Owner Jennifer Dugan emphasized that the agency's growth is not about size but about quality. "We've never wanted growth just for the sake of being bigger," she said. "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."
One of the key areas of focus is the support team behind the advisors. The agency is refining responsibilities among team members Christina, Shari, Tracy, Joleen, Cecily, Barb, and Jennifer, ensuring that each person's strengths are utilized effectively. This includes areas such as advisor education, new-agent support, supplier relationships, events, Five Star advisor development, webinars, peer-to-peer learning, and internal processes.
Education remains a cornerstone of Dugan's Travels, but the agency is shifting from simply offering more training to providing actionable learning opportunities. The webinar program is being strengthened, and the Five Star community continues to offer advanced education for established advisors. At the same time, newer advisors receive support to build strong foundations. Peer-to-peer learning is also expanding through the Hear From Our Peers series, where advisors share real experiences and strategies. An upcoming session will feature an advisor discussing how her passion for Scotland became a specialty, illustrating how personal interests can translate into business success.
Dugan's University (DU) remains a vital part of the community, bringing together advisors, team members, and supplier partners for education and networking. The agency is planning future DU events with a focus on creating experiences that strengthen relationships and provide practical takeaways.
Technology evaluation is another priority. The agency is reviewing CRM options, focusing on functionality, usability, cost, and the practical needs of 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 are being enhanced through the Inner Circle program, which fosters deeper partnerships with suppliers who 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 underway, with an emphasis on meaningful value.
Dugan's Travels believes that improvement doesn't always mean adding new programs. 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?"
The agency's philosophy, rooted in helping people build travel businesses while maintaining flexibility, continues to guide its evolution. As Dugan's Travels moves forward, it remains committed to 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 and for the people who support them."
For more information about Dugan's Travels, visit https://duganstravels.com/.
