FIT best practices? Costs to join a host? Niche and make money?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions. We’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! 

1. I'm very confused and overwhelmed by the FIT "best practice" for travel advisors.  When advisors put together a/an FIT, do they always use tour suppliers (like Classic Vacations/Project Expeditions, etc), or make it themselves by reaching out directly to tour operators (if price is more favorable to client), or just patch things together with a DMC? How do advisors find DMCs if they don't have connections? Thank you in advance. 
2. With hosts, what start up costs can I expect when joining. Is it better to join one that charges a flat monthly rate, or pay a lot every year or a one-time fee? There's got to be setbacks for each one, I'd imagine. Any other costs with a host I should consider?
3.  How do I determine what my niche is? I feel like I will only make money if I sell luxury. 

RESOURCES:

➡️What is an FIT - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

➡️We have a wonderful article from our friends at TPI they wrote earlier this year on the ‘Real Costs of Starting an Agency’ and they give a complete breakdown, including host fees and other fees to consider - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tpi-q1-2025

➡️Finding a Niche - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche