Travel Advisor Success Stories
Join our professional network of independent travel advisor contractors and build your own My Host Agent travel advisor success stories
Empowering Independent Travel Contractors Through Decades of Expertise
At My Host Agent, the best way to grow is to learn from Travel Advisor Success Stories rooted in real-world experience. Our parent agency, Total Advantage Travel & Tours, Inc, was founded by Robert Townshend in 1995 to provide premium retail travel services. In 2025, John Zeus Tokatlidis and Robert Townshend co-founded My Host Agent as a specialized division to recruit and support the independent contractor community. We highlight these travel advisor success stories to demonstrate what skilled advisors can achieve with proper support and a strong professional network.
Scaling to the Elite: The Ambassador Journey
Independent Advisor: Charlene Daigneault, Smiles for Miles Travel
Recognition: Air Canada Vacations Top 50 Ambassador
Achieving national recognition as an independent contractor requires a host agency that commands respect from global suppliers. These types of Travel Advisor Success Stories highlight the power of a professional partnership. By leveraging our longstanding supplier clout and boutique support system, Charlene earned the prestigious status of an Air Canada Vacations Top 50 Ambassador. These stories serve as a roadmap for advisors who want to reach the highest tiers of the Canadian travel industry.
“Being an independent advisor under the My Host Agent umbrella has been fundamental to my growth,” Charlene shares. “Specifically, the credibility of the Total Advantage Travel name and the accessible support from the team allowed me to focus on my clients while reaching new sales milestones like the ACV Top 50.”
See Charlene's review
“Host Agent, Big Impact”
I’ve been the proud owner of Smiles for Miles Travel in Northern Ontario for over six years now, and joining My Host Agent (the host division of Total Advantage Travel & Tours) is the best business decision I’ve made.
This year, I am honoured to be named one of Canada’s Top 50 Advisors in the 2025 Air Canada Vacations Ambassador Program. I honestly don’t think I would have hit that milestone without the incredible support and structure my host agency gives me every day.
The tiered commission program is a good deal. That’s thousands of extra dollars staying in my pocket instead of going to the host. And the fee? Just a flat $35 CDN a month. No surprises, no percentage grabs – just pure predictability.
Being 100% Canadian and TICO-registered means everything to me. The host team answers my calls and emails promptly, usually within minutes, not days. The TRAVERSAVERS supplier access is great, especially with Air Canada Vacations. My clients remain; my clients, long term. My Host Agent never touches them or my data.
I also love our travel advisor community, the marketing tools, the fam trips, and the constant training. The support we get is designed to help us grow, not compete with us. My Host Agent provides everything I need from a host agency.
If you’re a Canadian travel advisor who’s tired of high fees, slow support, or hosts that act like your competitors, do yourself a favour and talk to My Host Agent.
Charlene Daigneault
Owner of Smiles for Miles Travel – Timmins and Northern Ontario
(Proudly hosted by My Host Agent)
Follow Smiles for Miles Travel on Facebook!
Agency Success Story: Gilbert Manza
Agency: Executive Travel Services
Specialization: High-Touch Corporate & Complex Airfare
While we take pride in our transparent membership fees, the true value of My Host Agent is seen in the calibre of professionals who call our network home. Gilbert Manza, owner of Executive Travel Services, is an industry veteran who represents the gold standard in complex international airfare and corporate management.
Gilbert’s decision to host his agency with us is one of our proudest Travel Advisor Success Stories. It demonstrates that our infrastructure supports not just newcomers, but elite consultants who require a high-functioning resource to maintain their professional standards. By operating within our network, Gilbert bridges the gap between independent entrepreneurship and executive-level efficiency. His presence inspires our entire community, showing that with the right host, your business can continue to thrive and evolve.
See Gilbert's review
“Highly Recommend!”
With over three decades in the travel industry, I transitioned my agency, Executive Travel Services, Inc., to a hosted model and immediately chose My Host Agent. This decision transformed my business for the better.
From the start, My Host Agent streamlined onboarding and reduced stress. They managed ARC accreditation, supplier contracts, insurance, CLIA/TRUE affiliation, and every back-office detail. As a result, I focused on selling travel and serving my clients.
My Host Agent stands out with a generous commission structure, one of the highest in the industry, fast payouts, and complete transparency. I receive commissions quickly and always know my financial status. Their intuitive accounting and reporting tools save me hours each week.
The support team consistently delivers. Whenever I have a question or need guidance, they respond quickly and provide expert advice. Their genuine investment in my success makes it feel like a true partnership.
Because of My Host Agent, I enjoy the freedom and flexibility of running my own agency while benefiting from the buying power, technology, and support typically reserved for large consortia, without the headaches of going it alone.
If you’re an experienced agent or agency owner considering the hosted model, reach out to My Host Agent; you’ll find the ideal home for your business.
Thank you to the entire My Host Agent and Total Advantage Travel & Tours team for treating Executive Travel like family!
Gilbert Manza
Owner of Executive Travel Services, Inc.
(Proudly hosted by My Host Agent)
Robert (President) and Ida (Office Manager) of Total Advantage Travel & Tours, Inc.
Travel Advisor Success Stories Built on Leadership
First and foremost, our independent advisors are never just numbers in a database. You have direct access to our team’s expertise. Instead of a faceless corporate structure, My Host Agent offers a family-run environment where your business growth is supported by the people who built the brand. This personal connection is the foundation for our Travel Advisor Success Stories.
Travel Advisor Success Stories Driven by Technology
Secondly, we provide the technical infrastructure necessary for serious independent travel professionals. Our contractors gain full access to Amadeus GDS and the ClientLinq CRM system. As a result, you can manage high-volume bookings and complex client data with total precision. This travel technology is a critical component of the Travel Advisor Success Stories we see every day.
Robert Townshend received the TRAVELSAVERS Canada Chairman’s Award, the top honour for affiliated agencies.
Travel Advisor Success Stories Backed by Credibility
Finally, your independent brand is backed by three decades of trust. Because Total Advantage Travel & Tours is a staple of the Canadian travel industry, My Host Agent contractors enjoy Top Tier status with TRAVELSAVERS, Air Canada Vacations, WestJet, Manulife, and more. Ultimately, this legacy ensures that you can offer your clients the most competitive value and elite support in the travel marketplace.
My Host Agent: Robert | John Zeus
Join Us
Ready to Write Your Success Story?
Our My Host Agent team is excited to connect with passionate independent travel advisors eager to grow their businesses alongside a renowned Canadian host travel agency. We welcome motivated professionals to join us on this exciting journey.
My Agent Resources
Professional Development
Canada’s hub for travel agent professional development and training. Access foundational certifications, masterclasses, and ongoing training to support your career as a travel advisor. See Education & Training
KORE™ Advisor Training
New travel advisors? Elevate your career with online training for Canadians using KORE™. Launch or grow a flexible, rewarding travel career, gaining real-world skills and recognized credentials.
Travel Technology
Streamline your workflow with our integrated host agency travel technology. Gain direct access to AC Connex, Travelbrands, and Expedia TAAP all in one professional environment. View Technology Page
Preferred Travel Suppliers
Discover our top travel suppliers to boost your business with great partnerships and essential marketing support. See Our Suppliers
TICO Certification Requirements
Obtaining your TICO Certification is a mandatory requirement to join our network. Secure this license to ensure your total legal compliance. See Requirements
Fees & Agent Benefits
See our fees, commission tiers, and benefits. Learn more about our offerings by visiting our Fees & Benefits Page
Host Agency FAQ
myhostagent.com and myhostagent.ca are divisions of Total Advantage Travel & Tours, Inc., and are licensed by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) under registration number 4374724.
Travel Agent Hub
Find tips, updates, and insights for hosted travel agents on our blog.