U.S.-based host agency Fora expands into Canada

A U.S.-based host agency that describes itself as “modern," combining tech with human touch, is now operating in Ontario and has plans to expand across Canada in the coming weeks.

Fora Travel, which is headquartered in New York City, says it has built a “revolutionary platform” that empowers travel entrepreneurs, making it "simpler and more rewarding" for Canadians to become a travel advisor.

According to a press release, Fora's mission is to “empower the next generation of travel entrepreneurs.”

The company says that since launching in 2021, Fora advisors have booked more than one million room nights.

“In an industry traditionally characterized by a high barrier to entry and outdated technology, Fora is turning travel advising into an accessible, inclusive, and lucrative career path with the flexibility to work part-time or full-time,” the company says.

The company’s model revolves around allowing people to build their own travel business.

An annual membership fee of $399 provides access to Fora's Advisor Portal, including the ability to book more than 170,000 bookable hotels, training programs, content and marketing tools, fast and streamlined commission payments, and an online forum that connects thousands of advisors within the global Fora community.

As per Ontario’s regulations, newcomers are required to complete their TICO Education Standards Exam ($35.00). Fora says it will soon offer a free prep program to streamline the process.

"At its core, Fora was built to fix what's broken in travel advising - outdated systems, high barriers to entry, and poor advisor support," said Henley Vazquez, co-founder and CEO of Fora Travel, in a statement. "We created a model where technology amplifies human expertise, not replaces it. With our Canadian launch, we're excited to open the door for more entrepreneurs to thrive in this incredible industry and help grow more small Canadian businesses."

Complementing its Advisor Portal is Forum, Fora's peer-to-peer community platform that fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and support.

Fora also supports advisors through in-person gatherings, ongoing education and access to exclusive agency partnerships, unlocking upgrades, special amenities, and VIP perks at over 7,200 hotels and cruises worldwide.

The company says it currently has more than 7,000 advisors actively booking trips each month.

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