Ron Archer’s journey in the travel industry began unconventionally, not in a glamorous office, but cleaning bathrooms at a Greyhound bus station in Glendale, California. At just 11 years old, this early exposure to the bustling travel hub, owned by his parents since 1952, laid the foundation for a lifelong career and a family legacy deeply intertwined with travel. Lola and Cliff Archer, Ron’s parents, were themselves Greyhound Corporation employees who met and married shortly after World War II, setting the stage for Archer Travel Services’ eventual inception and enduring presence in the travel world.
From Bus Station Beginnings to Travel Empire: The Archer Family Story
The Archer family’s foray into travel services started with the Greyhound franchise, a venture that quickly evolved into Archer Travel Services. This transition marked the beginning of a family tradition that Ron and his wife, Jill, passionately uphold today. Ron’s childhood was immersed in the travel business, learning the ropes from the ground up, from selling tickets to understanding the intricacies of customer service. This hands-on experience instilled in him a deep understanding of the industry’s dynamics and the importance of personal touch in travel planning.
Cliff Archer, right, and his wife, Lola, celebrated the opening of a new office with a United sales representative in a photo taken in the 1960s.Navigating Industry Turbulence: Airline Commission Cuts and 9/11
Ron Archer, now a seasoned veteran of 59 years, recalls two pivotal events that profoundly reshaped the travel landscape: the drastic airline commission cuts of the early 2000s and the catastrophic terrorist attacks of 9/11. These events sent shockwaves through the entire industry, and Archer Travel Services was no exception. Despite these significant challenges, the agency demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, navigating the turbulent times with creativity and strategic adjustments to their business model. Archer Travel Services has consistently achieved impressive annual sales figures, ranging between $30 million and $40 million, a testament to their enduring success in a volatile market.
Ron Archer’s Retirement Ride: Embracing the Host Agency Model
After decades of navigating the highs and lows of the travel industry, Ron Archer embarked on a new chapter, framing it as his “retirement plan.” This new venture involves leveraging his extensive experience and industry knowledge to build a host agency. Starting in June, he began hosting agents, quickly growing his network to approximately 50 and setting an ambitious goal of reaching 1,000 agents within five years, aiming for an annual sales volume of at least $20 million. Ron envisions this host agency as a platform to share his expertise, mentor aspiring travel professionals, and continue contributing to the industry he loves.
Archer Travel Services’ Ron and Jill Archer recently began hosting agents, pictured here. They have approximately 50 currently.Training and Support: The Archer Advantage for Home-Based Agents
Archer’s host agency model is built upon a foundation of comprehensive training and unwavering support, particularly catering to individuals new to the travel industry. Drawing from his experiences and inspired by effective strategies he observed in multilevel marketing, Ron prioritizes education and accessibility. He utilizes established educational resources like Signature University, CLIA, and ASTA, and complements them with his own twice-weekly educational conference calls. These calls, recorded and archived for easy access, serve as a valuable resource for agents to continuously learn and refine their skills. Unlike the recruitment-focused nature of multilevel marketing, Archer’s approach is firmly centered on fostering travel sales expertise and empowering agents to succeed in selling travel.
A Legacy of Travel and a Vision for the Future
From humble beginnings at a bus station to leading a thriving host agency, the Archer family’s journey embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and resilience in the travel industry. Archer Travel Services stands as a testament to adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to personal service. Ron Archer’s new venture not only represents a personal retirement strategy but also a continuation of the Archer legacy, poised to empower a new generation of travel agents and further shape the future of Archer Travel for years to come.
