Canadian TA's, I'm looking for a host company

[archdandy]

If any TA's on here could help me out I would really appreciate it. I've been researching becoming a home-based TA for a while now and I'm now looking into comparing different host companies. Does anyone have any recommendations? What do you like about them? What are the pro's and con's? Just in case it isn't clear I need a company that accepts Ontario, Canada agents. It doesn't have to be a company that only does Disney trips, I'd actually prefer one's who do trips everywhere. Thanks!

 

[Zife]

I'm not a TA, nor do I have a Host Company (yet), but I've looked into it a lot, and I like the looks of Duggan's. The support they offer doesn't seem as good as a couple of the other companies I looked at, but they offer better start-up costs and better commissions, and seem to be reviewed really well online.
Once things settle down a bit for me, and I'm ready to actually start my business, I'll be going with Duggan's.
Hopefully you can get some people that have actually dealt with some companies though.

 

[archdandy]

I'm not a TA, nor do I have a Host Company (yet), but I've looked into it a lot, and I like the looks of Duggan's. The support they offer doesn't seem as good as a couple of the other companies I looked at, but they offer better start-up costs and better commissions, and seem to be reviewed really well online.
Once things settle down a bit for me, and I'm ready to actually start my business, I'll be going with Duggan's.
Hopefully you can get some people that have actually dealt with some companies though.

Dugan's is on my list of one's that I am looking into. I actually have an apt. set up with them this week to ask more questions and get answers for stuff. The start up costs vary so much from host to host and I don't understand why. Some companies only charge like $500 and then other companies charge thousands of dollars.

 

[minnie56]

I have been with Expedia Cruise Ship Centers for 8 years now and am very happy!!!

 

[Zife]

Does Expedia Cruise Ship Centres do more than just cruises?

 

[minnie56]

Absolutely! We do all kinds of travel..everything!

 

[archdandy]

Absolutely! We do all kinds of travel..everything!

Thanks! I'll check them out.

 

[tone.def]

If any TA's on here could help me out I would really appreciate it. I've been researching becoming a home-based TA for a while now and I'm now looking into comparing different host companies. Does anyone have any recommendations? What do you like about them? What are the pro's and con's? Just in case it isn't clear I need a company that accepts Ontario, Canada agents. It doesn't have to be a company that only does Disney trips, I'd actually prefer one's who do trips everywhere. Thanks!

Since you're in Ontario, you legally have to work for a TICO licensed host company. If you get caught working for a US host company, you can be charged, fined and convicted. See TICO's press releases here:
http://www.tico.ca/news/press-releases.html
like this one:
http://www.tico.ca/news/press-releases/406-apr-2613-julie-bevan-conviction.html
and this one:
http://www.tico.ca/news/press-releases/400-mar-2113-daniel-da-costa-conviction.html

Dugan's is based in NM, USA. Wouldn't work with them if I were you.

 

[Susan2771]

With E CSC, you really have to research the office you are looking to join and I also strongly recommend talking to other consultants that are with that office to see how it is run, not just the owners. Some offices are great, some are not.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I am in no way a travel agent, but I do book my travel through an agent near Toronto while I live in Ottawa.
He's with Travel Only and is home based. He seems to love it, and is constantly grabbing training opportunities and heading to countries and definitely Disney. He specializes in Disney vacations, but that's more his own professional pursuit within Travel Only than what they actually promote.
I know he's extremely happy with what he does (he's a family friend).

http://www.mytravelonly.ca/

 

[irisesareblue]

I work with Pure Magic Vacations out of Ontario - they are TICO certified and I had to get my TICO certification to work with them - I've just finished my Disney College of Knowledge - talk to Carolyn

www.puremagicvacations.ca

 

[archdandy]

I am in no way a travel agent, but I do book my travel through an agent near Toronto while I live in Ottawa.
He's with Travel Only and is home based. He seems to love it, and is constantly grabbing training opportunities and heading to countries and definitely Disney. He specializes in Disney vacations, but that's more his own professional pursuit within Travel Only than what they actually promote.
I know he's extremely happy with what he does (he's a family friend).

http://www.mytravelonly.ca/

I actually just did a very long and informative webinar with that company a couple days ago. Unfortunately it's a little bit out of my price range right now but they seemed like an awesome host company and I am a little sad I won't be able to partner up with them.

 

[archdandy]

I work with Pure Magic Vacations out of Ontario - they are TICO certified and I had to get my TICO certification to work with them - I've just finished my Disney College of Knowledge - talk to Carolyn

www.puremagicvacations.ca

Thanks for the recommendation! I looked at their website and didn't see anything about becoming a TA with them so I emailed them. I hope I hear back from them soon!

 

[My 2 princesses]

Can anyone share the annual cost you have to pay to the host agency and how easy is it to recover that cost? I'm guessing you need to make a lot of sales?

 

[alc571]

I actually just did a very long and informative webinar with that company a couple days ago. Unfortunately it's a little bit out of my price range right now but they seemed like an awesome host company and I am a little sad I won't be able to partner up with them.

What are the fees, I'm interested to know. Also, are you an independent contractor, or an employee and do they send clients to you? I see Dugans is more "you have your own business and use our partners", but everyone at this place has the same website. Just curious...

 

[Mickey1Fan]

I actually ended up working as an outside rep with the company that used to book my travel. The owner asked if I'd like to be his Disney Specialist. I did go to night school and earned a diploma in Travel and Tourism and I have done the College of Disney Knowledge program. He did not care about the extra education. He only wanted me to write the TICO exam and do the Disney College of Disney Knowledge.

I am paid commission on my sales. It does not cost me anything to work for them. I find it really, really hard to sell trips. When I give people my business card they all seem to book their own trips.

Go talk to your local agencies. You never know where you may end up.

Good luck.

 

[archdandy]

Can anyone share the annual cost you have to pay to the host agency and how easy is it to recover that cost? I'm guessing you need to make a lot of sales?

It really depends on the host company but the average I have found is $50 a month which ends up being $600 yearly. Some charge more, some charge less but there were quite a few companies I looked at that had those numbers.

 

[archdandy]

What are the fees, I'm interested to know. Also, are you an independent contractor, or an employee and do they send clients to you? I see Dugans is more "you have your own business and use our partners", but everyone at this place has the same website. Just curious...

There were two different options with TravelOnly. You can pay a $500 one time fee and partner up with one of their travel experts and split your commission with them, which they said the average starting point is you take home 40% of the commission (which is a terrible amount). Or the other option is that you become the travel expert with their training and pay a one time fee of $18,000. I believe the commission with this option was 75%. You get all your own memberships and numbers to all of the associations you would need to be a part of and a laptop is included as well as your own customizable website. I do believe they had client leads available. You are not an employee, you are an independent contractor. Dugan's is very basic. They train you and its up to you to find leads (clients). They do not provide any marketing help at all which is a bummer.

 

[Susan2771]

If you really want to be home based and not work in a actual storefront location, Flight Center also has an independent travel consultant program. They do not send clients your way so it is good to already have an established clientele to get you up and running.

 

[minnie56]

$18,000 one time fee

Can't remember what I paid to join ECSC but it was more than it is now. I think it's around $500 ...I pay $15 a month for their Cruise Desk system. I have no problem with the fees though the commission splits aren't the best even with decent sales.

It gives me what I want though....so works for me.