Get to know the team behind the Travel Advisor Resource Center (TARC)! In this foundational episode of TARC Talk Discovery, founder Steven Gould is joined by Kathy Santos (Director of Global Partnerships) and Zen Saavedra (Business Development Manager) to walk through the ecosystem designed to empower independent and boutique travel advisors. Discover how TARC operates as a centralized hub connecting advisors to vetted global suppliers, attorney-backed legal contracts, foundational certifications like the RTA Program, and business scaling systems like TA Launchpad and Compass.
⏱️ In This Episode
- 00:08 – Welcome & The TARC Mission – Steven Gould introduces the vision behind creating a centralized resource hub for travel advisors.
- 01:26 – Meet Kathy Santos – The role of Global Partnerships in connecting advisors with vetted industry suppliers and DMCs.
- 03:45 – Meet Zen Saavedra – Business development support, advisor onboarding, and community engagement.
- 05:04 – The TARC Website Ecosystem – Navigating the searchable platform built as the “Google for the travel industry,” covering E&O insurance, legal guides, and workflows.
- 08:00 – Recognized Travel Advisor (RTA) Program – An overview of the 13-module foundational certification recognized by IATA and CLIA.
- 08:40 – TA Launchpad (Essentials vs. Pro) – Step-by-step agency formation pathways for both DIY setups and intensive deep-dive coaching.
- 09:17 – Attorney-Backed Legal & Workflow Templates – Accessing over 200 attorney-drafted contracts, terms and conditions, and client workflow systems.
- 10:24 – Personalized Travel Guides – Utilizing customizable, branded destination guides as high-converting client lead magnets.
- 11:20 – Power of People & Compass Program – Operational strategies and training modules for hiring, onboarding, and scaling sub-agents and ICs.
- 12:06 – Dual Directories: Travel Pro & Partner Directory – Gaining consumer visibility while accessing direct contact info for verified supplier representatives.
- 13:36 – The Five TARC Talk Formats – Breaking down Meet & Greets, Edge Series, Discovery Webinars, Perspectives, and Live interactive sessions.
- 15:34 – Community Networking & TARC Tribe Pro – Connecting with peers through niche Facebook groups and the exclusive TARC Tribe Pro network.
Key Takeaways
- Centralized Industry Knowledge Hub: TARC acts as a comprehensive, curated search engine for travel entrepreneurs, eliminating guesswork around essential operational needs like E&O insurance, merchant processing, and agency compliance.
- Accredited Foundational Education: The 13-module Recognized Travel Advisor (RTA) program offers industry-recognized credentials backed by organizations like IATA and CLIA, giving new and experienced advisors a structured curriculum.
- Turnkey Legal Protection: Members gain access to an extensive library of more than 200 lawyer-drafted contracts, client waivers, and terms of service created specifically for modern travel agency models.
- Streamlined Agency Scaling via Launchpad & Compass: Whether building from scratch using the DIY TA Launchpad or scaling an existing agency by training independent contractors through the Compass program, TARC provides tailored development tracks.
- Dual-Sided Directory Power: The ecosystem bridges the gap between consumers and suppliers through the client-facing Travel Pro directory (for lead generation) and the internal Partner Directory (for direct supplier contact info).
- Multi-Format Educational Programming: The TARC Talk series delivers diverse learning experiences across five distinct formats, ranging from tactical business “Edge” sessions to informal “Meet & Greets” with global DMCs.
- Collaborative Community Network: Through dedicated niche focus groups and the premium TARC Tribe Pro community, advisors can share peer recommendations, discuss destination trends, and build strategic referral networks.
Resources Mentioned
| Resource | Description |
| Travel Advisor Resource Center (TARC) | Central platform delivering education, supplier connections, and operational business tools for travel advisors (traveladvisorresourcecenter.com). |
| Recognized Travel Advisor (RTA) Program | 13-module foundational certification curriculum recognized by global travel bodies including IATA and CLIA. |
| TA Launchpad (Essentials & Pro) | Structured agency setup program offering self-guided and deep-dive pathways for launching and formalizing a travel business. |
| Legal & Workflow Template Vault | Comprehensive collection of 200+ attorney-reviewed contracts, liability waivers, and operational templates tailored for travel advisors. |
| Compass Training Program | Targeted training resource inside the Power of People pillar dedicated to onboarding, training, and managing agency team members. |
| TARC Travel Pro & Partner Directories | Integrated directories providing consumer-facing agency profiles and an internal network of verified global supplier contacts. |
| TARC Tribe Pro & Community Groups | Dedicated community forums and niche Facebook groups for networking, supplier feedback, and business masterminding. |
