I'd be an actual TA, if you can call it that in these days of internet bookings - and I have the Disney college of knowledge mouse ears on my desk to prove it.
Our agency makes 10% of most (but not all) bookings. The owner keeps half and the booking agent gets the other half. A whopping 5% for wdw packages.
It's still a fun job to have but not nearly as nice as it used to be. These days, I see many more bargain shoppers who are interested in getting multiple quotes, express enough interest to keep you working on their folder, and then may not call back after I've put hours of work into it (often holding rooms & flights for them to secure rates) because they've discovered an internet site and booked it themselves or ended up booking with an online agency recommended by people who posted on one of the many Disney sites.
Those who'd like to do travel - especially from home - may want to consider their social connections. If you're very active in your community with the opportunity to meet new people regularly, you'll likely do fairly well but I wouldn't count on getting rich either.
I have many very loyal and enthusiastic repeat clients. The majority though were referred by a friend or relative who may have used our services in the past or connected with us thru business travel we may have handled for their company.
20 years ago when I started booking travel, I was the newbie who answered the phones and manned the office walk-ins on Monday mornings each week after Sunday's travel section generated calls. It was more of a service job then and each new destination was a challenge to put together just the right package, today it seems more like a sales job. I'm not sure you could do well selling just Disney destinations alone.
Discounts, Perks and Fams are not what they were even 10 years ago either.
Airlines, Cruiselines & Resorts have tightened their belts and with it the requirements for eligibilty for industry discounts. As many of the TAs who take advantage of WDW discounts can tell you, WDW has greatly changed the benefits for travel industry partners in recent years.
Full-time Inside TAs can get 50% off WDW room only rack rates assuming that certain criteria are met. Sometimes though that 50% is just a few dollars above what the AP rate or code is for the same time period. In the summer of 2004, when wdw did the buy 4 get 3 free promo, I actually booked clients using that package for less than my TA rate with passes. TAs cannot book the
DDP this year even if we pay for it. To keep our ID cards current we need to renew memberships and complete additional educational/travel courses each year.
I've stayed using AP rates even though I qualified for an industry rate in WDW before because they were available when TA discounts were not.
Currently, the rate for early July at the Swan is nearly $100 lower per night for teachers than it is for travel agents. The AP rate is often the same as a TA rate at Swan/Dolphin but, ironically, the AP rate will get you a free room upgrade that the TA rate won't.
I've worked for 4 agencies in the last 12 years - 3 of which have gone under. Two of those went under before my final commission checks were cut and I, along with several other agents did not get paid. For the most part, I think I could make more money selling items on ebay. I've even seen TAs selling wdw vacations on ebay recently in what I suppose might be an attempt to attract new clients.
It's wonderful to be able to make money at something that you love. Many local agencies will accept part time outside agents who would like to start in the field. Some may even offer training sessions to help you learn the different systems/aspects of booking travel for others. They will not charge you to do it but you will likely only make commission on your bookings instead of an hourly wage. To find out more, you could visit the agencies in your area and speak with the owners/managers. Most will welcome you, even if they don't have a position for you. Talking to them though will give you a feel for what is in demand in your specific area and whether it is something you'd want to explore further.
