Academy Application

Academy Application

This application is designed to help us learn more about you than simply your interest in travel. We want to understand how you think, communicate, approach learning, serve others, and envision building a business.
Section 1: About You
Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Preferred Pronouns
Have you previously worked in the travel industry?
If yes, tell us briefly about your experience.
What is your current work situation?

Other
Section 2: Why Travel Advising?
Why are you interested in becoming a travel advisor?
Why are you exploring this opportunity now?
What would you like your travel business to look like 1–3 years from now?
Which areas of travel are you currently most interested in learning or selling? (You do not need to choose a permanent specialty. We are simply curious about what currently interests you.)

Other
Tell us about a trip you have planned for yourself or someone else. What part of the planning process did you enjoy most, and what felt challenging?
Section 3: Time + Commitment
How many hours per week can you realistically dedicate to building your travel business once you are actively operating?
The Academy requires approximately 5–10 hours per week. How would you make room for that commitment during the program?
What other major commitments are you currently balancing?
This may include employment, school, caregiving, another business, or other ongoing responsibilities. You do not need to share personal information you would prefer to keep private.
Which statement best describes your availability for live virtual sessions?

Other
Section 4: Building a Business + Visibility
Travel advisors are responsible for attracting and developing their own clients. How do you currently imagine people discovering your business?
Think about the people you interact with regularly - friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, community groups, online communities, etc. About how many people could you realistically imagine having a natural conversation with about travel over the course of a few months?
Where do most of those relationships come from?

Other
What kinds of travel conversations already come up naturally in your life?
How comfortable are you talking about yourself, your expertise, and the value you provide?

Other
What part of talking about yourself or your business feels easiest? What part feels hardest?
Which forms of visibility or marketing are you most open to exploring?

Other
Section 5: Travel Mindset + Research
If two vacation options both fit a client’s budget, what questions would you ask before deciding which one to recommend?
A prospective client asks you about a destination or travel product you know very little about. What would you do?
Tell us about a time you had to move forward without having all the answers. How did you decide what to do next?
When researching travel information, what makes a source trustworthy to you?
A friend tells you, “Disney is the best vacation for families.” How would you respond?
Section 6: Client Service + Emotional Intelligence
Tell us about a time you helped someone make a complicated decision or navigate a difficult situation.
What did you do, and what was the outcome?
Imagine a client is upset about something that is not your fault, but they are directing their frustration toward you. How would you handle the situation?
Tell us about a time you realized you had misunderstood someone or made an incorrect assumption. What did you do next?
Tell us about a time you received constructive feedback that was difficult to hear. How did you respond, and what did you do with it?
When you make a mistake, what does taking ownership look like to you?
Imagine you have followed up with a prospective client twice and they have not responded. What would you do next?
Section 7: Inclusion + Professionalism

Reach for the Magic Destinations serves clients and works with advisors from many different backgrounds, identities, family structures, abilities, beliefs, and life experiences.
What does creating an inclusive and respectful client experience mean to you?
Imagine a client’s family structure, identity, accessibility needs, or travel priorities are different from your own. How would you make sure they feel understood and well served?
What does professionalism mean to you in a client-service business?
Section 8: Learning + Feedback
When learning something new, what helps you most?

Other
When you feel stuck on something, what do you typically do first?

Other
What kind of support helps you learn and grow most effectively?
How do you prefer to receive feedback?

Other
Section 9: RftMD Fit
What about Reach for the Magic Destinations makes you interested in exploring this particular agency?
RftMD believes in high support + high ownership. What responsibilities do you believe should remain yours as an independent business owner?
What are you hoping an agency will provide as you build your business?
Which aspects of RftMD’s culture or philosophy resonate most with you?

Other
What does being a good member of a collaborative professional community look like to you? Consider both what you hope to receive and what you would contribute
What would make an agency relationship feel unhealthy or unsustainable for you?
Section 10: Business Reality

Travel advising can be deeply rewarding, but it is also a business that takes time to build.
Travel advisors are typically paid commission after the client travels. That means you may spend time researching, communicating, and booking a vacation months, or even more than a year, before receiving income from that reservation. How does that reality fit with your expectations for building this business?
Which statement best reflects your expectations around income?

Other
Building something over time often feels less exciting than starting it. What helps you stay consistent when motivation is low or progress feels slow?
Travel advising involves both exciting work and routine administrative work. Which part of that balance do you think may be most challenging for you?
Section 11: Final Reflection
What do you think may be your greatest growth area as a new travel advisor?
If you are invited into The Academy, what would you want to accomplish by the end of the experience?
What questions do you have for us?
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Section 12: Required Acknowledgments
Please confirm that you understand (must select each option):
Should be Empty:

Academy Application

Section 1: About You

Section 2: Why Travel Advising?

Section 3: Time + Commitment

Section 4: Building a Business + Visibility

Section 5: Travel Mindset + Research

Section 6: Client Service + Emotional Intelligence

Section 7: Inclusion + Professionalism

Section 8: Learning + Feedback

Section 9: RftMD Fit

Section 10: Business Reality

Section 11: Final Reflection

Section 12: Required Acknowledgments