Joined in February 2024
NYC school teacher, professional travel advisor
Based in Westchester County, New YorkMaking the jump from a traditional agency to Fora
Nancy Vuletic spent eight years building her travel business at traditional host agencies. Starting as what she called a “40-year-old intern” after leaving her teaching career, she worked her way up the ranks of one of the industry's most established agencies.
But after the company was acquired—twice—everything changed. The personal touch disappeared. Offices closed. The business became increasingly corporate. She knew it was time to pursue new opportunities.
“I was sort of deflated,” Nancy said. “I just decided to look at what else was out there.”
At a networking event at Troutbeck, a boutique hotel in upstate New York, Nancy met young travel advisors who were thriving in the business. When she asked whom they worked with, the answer was always the same: Fora.
“It was very difficult to leave,” Nancy said of her former agency, but she’s glad she did. “It was a blessing in disguise.”
Breaking free from antiquated systems
Nancy was initially attracted to Fora’s commission structure, reasonable subscription fee, and suite of technology and training features.
“There were so many layers of what Fora was offering, and I loved the cutting edge. I wanted to be part of it,” she said. “Fora is giving people essentially a PhD in travel for $300 a year. Nowhere in the world will you find that.”
At her former agency, Nancy cobbled together bookings using consumer websites, then cross-referenced everything with Virtuoso, Leading Hotels, Small Luxury Hotels, and other consortia. She describes it as using a “machete to get through the entire hierarchy of travel.”
There were so many layers of what Fora was offering, and I loved the cutting edge. I wanted to be part of it.
Nancy Vuletic
joined February, 2024
But when she joined Fora, that changed. Portal, Fora’s integrated platform, streamlined everything. It displayed every rate, and every perk, in one place. She no longer had to worry whether or not she was quoting the best value for clients. It was all in front of her.
“It's literally on a silver platter in Champagne flutes with a side of caviar,” Nancy said of Portal, adding how, compared to her previous agency experience, “it's like night and day.”
Portal consolidated everything she needed into one dashboard—no more hunting through “a billion emails” for confirmations or maintaining actual folders as her only organization system. Fora’s platform also streamlined her business operations beyond the bookings, invoicing hotels on her behalf and chasing down commission payments.
“Fora is doing my accounting. They're sending this administrative stuff out. It's so organized,” Nancy said of Fora. She compared Portal to a “semi-personal assistant that helped me with all the back-end details.”
Unlocking professional opportunities through Fora’s community
Fora’s partner network and collaborative advisor community opened up numerous opportunities for Nancy. At her previous agency, networking events and other in-person experiences were largely reserved for a select few. In contrast, Fora Chapters, local communities in cities around the world, make such events and get-togethers more accessible (and more fun).
“It's nice to be aware of what's happening out there,” Nancy said. “You feel like you're in it.”
Within months of joining Fora, Nancy was selected as a Fora Ambassador, an expert who helps fellow advisors, especially newer advisors, learn the travel-industry ropes and navigate Forum, Fora’s community app.
Connecting with hotel partners helped Nancy's business
Fora builds community and expands advisor networks through local Fora Chapters, virtual training events, and in-person conferences, like Live Forum.
Nancy’s involvement within Fora’s community has benefited her relationships with partners, which Nancy leverages for her clients.
“The fact that I could say I just had lunch with the director of IHG Hotels, or I was with the Irish tourism board,” she said. “It gives you street cred to the people who are looking. I have people in my back pocket.”
Having come from a traditional agency, Nancy is thrilled to be a part of everything Fora is building, and is excited about what lies ahead. She’s never questioned her decision to join Fora’s community.
“I'm so happy,” she said. “It's the best thing I ever did.”
How Fora made success possible
Portal: Consolidated platform with universal rate visibility and automated invoicing
Ambassador program: Professional credibility boost that opens networking doors and creates client confidence
Chapter events: Access to industry events and relationships previously unavailable
Community resources: Improve existing skills through training, webinars, and peer support
