Meet Bit Devine: Finding New Opportunities with the Right Host Agency
What can an experienced travel advisor gain from joining a host agency after years of working independently?
For Catherine “Bit” Devine of Byways and Backroads, the answer included new commission opportunities, professional resources, and a supportive travel community.
Bit began her travel advisor journey in 2007, almost by accident. Over the years, she developed her experience and passion for helping others explore the world. But despite her industry knowledge, she eventually realized she had been leaving potential commission earnings on the table.
In 2022, Bit joined Travel Resources Group (TRG), a boutique host travel agency, and discovered how the right partnership could help her take her established business further.
In our Meet the Advisors series, Bit shares her experience and why joining a host agency became an important step in her professional journey.
An Unexpected Beginning in the Travel Industry
Not every travel advisor begins their career with a carefully planned business strategy.
For Bit, becoming a travel advisor in 2007 was something of an unexpected journey.
What began almost by accident developed into years of experience helping travelers discover new destinations and meaningful experiences.
Through her business, Byways and Backroads, Bit has developed a particular interest in destinations such as Ireland, Norway, and Portugal.
As her career progressed, she continued developing her industry knowledge and professional connections, including joining the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.
But even with years of experience behind her, Bit would eventually discover that there were opportunities she had not been fully taking advantage of.
Why Join a Host Agency After Years in the Travel Industry?
For experienced travel advisors, joining a host agency may not seem like an obvious next step.
After all, if you already understand the industry and know how to plan travel, what additional value could a host agency provide?
For Bit, one important realization was that she had been leaving potential commission earnings on the table.
When she joined Travel Resources Group in 2022, she gained access to a host agency relationship that offered more than commission opportunities.
She also found professional resources, guidance, and a community of fellow travel advisors.
Her experience highlights an important consideration for established advisors: You can have years of industry experience and still benefit from the right business partnership.
More Than Commissions: The Value of Community and Support
While commission opportunities were an important part of Bit’s decision, the benefits of joining TRG extended beyond the financial side of her business.
As an independent travel advisor, having access to other professionals can provide opportunities to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from different experiences.
At Travel Resources Group, our boutique approach emphasizes personal relationships and a collaborative environment where advisors can support one another.
For experienced advisors like Bit, that means being part of a community that respects their knowledge while providing additional resources to help them continue growing.
It is not about starting over or changing everything that makes your business unique.
It is about finding the support that complements what you have already built.
The Right Tools Can Make a Difference
Running a travel business involves much more than planning memorable vacations.
Client management, reservations, supplier communications, and day-to-day administrative responsibilities all require time and organization.
In her interview, Bit discusses using TESS, the customer relationship management system TRG provided at the time.
Since that conversation, Travel Resources Group has transitioned to Tern, an AI-driven travel management platform introduced to our advisors in February 2026.
Tern provides tools for managing clients, building itineraries, and organizing travel planning workflows.
As TRG continues developing its resources, our goal remains the same: helping independent travel advisors spend less time navigating administrative challenges and more time focusing on their businesses and clients.
Is a Boutique Host Agency Right for an Experienced Travel Advisor?
If you have been working independently for years, choosing a host agency is a decision worth evaluating carefully.
Commission structures matter, but so do the resources, professional relationships, flexibility, and support available to you.
Before choosing a host agency, consider what you want your business to look like in the years ahead.
Are you making the most of available commission opportunities? Do you have access to the business tools you need? Would professional accountability or a community of experienced advisors help you achieve your goals?
For Bit, joining TRG opened the door to opportunities she had not previously been fully utilizing.
Her experience is a reminder that professional growth does not end once you become established.
Sometimes, the next opportunity comes from finding the right people to support the business you have already built.
Different Journeys. One Supportive TRG Community.
Every advisor brings a different story, perspective, and set of goals to Travel Resources Group.
Bit joined TRG after years in the travel industry, looking for additional opportunities and support.
Emily Rolewicz started her business from scratch and reached a 75% commission split in under two years.
Chris Lucas developed a specialized dive travel business and found value in TRG’s flexible approach to supporting niche travel advisors.
Their experiences demonstrate that there is no single path to building a travel business.
Explore more stories from our TRG community:
Connect with Bit
If you are looking for inspiration, or a travel advisor who is passionate about creating meaningful experiences, you can connect with Bit here:
Could the Right Host Agency Help You Take Your Business Further?
Whether you are an established travel advisor exploring a new host agency or someone considering joining one for the first time, the right partnership can make a meaningful difference.
At Travel Resources Group, we believe your experience matters, your goals are personal, and your travel business should reflect your own vision for success.
Our boutique host agency offers independent travel advisors personalized support, professional resources, and a welcoming community where relationships come first.
Your Travel Business. Your Way.
Discover What Makes Travel Resources Group Different
We would love to learn more about your business and help you explore whether TRG could be the right fit for your next chapter.
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