As 2019 comes to a close, many travelers are looking to escape the cold or book their family holiday vacation. As a travel agent, now is the perfect time of year to find new potential clients, or even beef up your repeat business. Make the most of what's left of the year with these 5 tips that are sure to help your business thrive in 2020.

'Tis the season for celebrations and festivities. Whether your clients are looking to spend the holidays with family or partake in a seasonal event halfway around the globe, now is a good time to show them how you can help.

Emily Bertsch of Bethlehem, Pa.-based VIP Vacations, Inc. says, "Typically, we find older couples that book last-minute vacations. Oftentimes, families decide they want to spend the holidays in a tropical destination rather than at home in the cold."

Know what you're marketing and who you're marketing to. Older couples may prefer a more laid-back escape at an exclusive resort with other guests few and far between, while multi-generational families wanting to spend the holidays together may prefer a resort that offers something for everyone. As far as recommendations go, Bertsch added, "The Sandals and Beaches resorts in Jamaica have some incredible last-minute travel deals if you can get away before the ball drops."

Hosting an in-house event is the perfect way to find potential clients and even reconnect with previous clients.

Jenny Cagle, president of Elm Grove Travel in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, says, "Our agency typically hosts 4-6 in-house presentations each year. We pick a number of our preferred suppliers each year and work with our BDMs to set up an information night. We then advertise in a variety of places to expand our client base."

As for the success of these events, Cagle added, "We generally have great results. This year we've hosted two Disney events, a River cruise event and an Alaska Cruise event, all of which have resulted in new business from clients we have never worked with before!"

If you're not sure where to advertise your event, adding it to your weekly e-mail newsletter, sending out a flyer in the mail and posting on your business' social media sites are all good places to start.

Oftentimes, your clients won't even realize they want to get away until they've endured the cold long enough. Last-minute vacations can often be pricy, but there are ways to make them more affordable for travelers with smaller budgets.

For Amanda Bisack, founder of Travelista Travels, an affiliate of the Tzell Travel Group in Port Jefferson, New York, it's all about the destination. "The best destinations to book to maximize sales through the end of the year are Antigua, Maui and Costa Rica. The weather is ideal, the local people are welcoming and there are tons of awesome hotel options for all budgets."

Stephen Scott, owner of Travel Hub 365 and an advisor with Protravel International in Chicago, took notice of the many free-night promotions offered by numerous hotels. "It's a book three get the fourth-night free environment and I expect that to carry forward into 2020. One way to show the value to clients is to present pricing to them in a way that shows what they would have paid without the offer, or to show them how they can make the trip longer by paying for six nights and getting eight, instead of simply paying three for four."

As for saving clients money on cruises, Scott went on to say, "Book during the winter months for the best deals to the Caribbean. You will have anything from cheaper deposits to 50 percent off the first guest, and even free airfare." Scott recommends reaching out to your clients "before thanksgiving, so they can use some of that money for Black Friday as a deposit on a great vacation they can finish paying for later."

Holiday travel isn't the only reason your clients are looking to pack up and head out this winter. From couples to friends to family, everyone is in need of a break from the hustle and bustle this time of year is known for.

Tom Brussow, president at Wisconsin-based Romance Travel Designers and Sunsational Beach Vacations, says, "The good news is that winter is starting early and there are many customer types out there looking to book in the next 30-60 days, including families, couples getaways, small friends and multi-generational family group travel."

Brussow also suggests "tapping into your key supplier promotional sales and utilizing these offers to promote the best available deals via social media and your own e-mail campaigns. Identify every client who has booked a winter trip in the last five years and reach out to them with a personalized communication."

Emily Bertsch of Bethlehem, Pa.-based VIP Vacations, Inc. recommends promoting travel to the Dominican Republic this winter. "Right now, there are some amazing winter deals. I haven't seen rates this low in years for many incredible 5-star properties. If you want a last-minute trip to be pampered and spoiled on, this is the place to do it."

Caitlyn Gambino, owner of Aum Journeys in Detroit, Michigan, says that for families, "if they travel when school's in, they'll get a much better value and have more choices of accommodation. For example, the beginning of December is a great time to travel if you have clients with more flexibility."

Word-of-mouth can make or break your business. With the influx of winter travelers, it's important to make sure your clients are leaving with a positive impression of you and your business, making them more likely to recommend you to their friends and family.

Pa.-based VIP Vacations, Inc.'s Emily Bertsch says, "Couples vacations are a great source for referrals. Especially for millennials and Gen-Xers. If you send them on a fantastic vacation, they come back and tell all of their friends and they come back the following year with a group of people that want to travel with them to experience the same sort of vacation together."

Going the extra mile to ensure your client has the easiest vacation possible can really push them to recommend your services. For instance, car services that include airport pick up and drop off may not seem that important, but they eliminate the stress of your client needing to arrange their own transportation and waiting for it to arrive.

If you haven't already, consider starting a company referral program. Entice your clients with gift cards, small gifts and even discounts on their next trip for sending referrals your way.