How does one become a travel agent?

[Wazzo]

Could someone enlighten me on what it takes to become a licensed travel agent in Ontario? I'm assuming school, but where and how long?

Also, how do you become authorized by Disney? (Or whatever that distinction is called...)


Thank you!!

 

[tone.def]

Could someone enlighten me on what it takes to become a licensed travel agent in Ontario? I'm assuming school, but where and how long?

Also, how do you become authorized by Disney? (Or whatever that distinction is called...)


Thank you!!

Many moons ago, I took courses at Humber College in their travel and tourism program. It was a 2 year program that I didn't finish.

What it used to be - to become a Disney "specialist", first you had to get hired by an agency and then through them, you can take the College of Disney Knowledge.

 

[amw]

What it used to be - to become a Disney "specialist", first you had to get hired by an agency and then through them, you can take the College of Disney Knowledge.

My brother worked at airmiles in Customer service -- hardly a travel agency -- and he took a simple internet test to become a "disney specialist" He gets special e-mails on the latest promotions and activities at Disney.

 

[wee-haggis]

My brother worked at airmiles in Customer service -- hardly a travel agency -- and he took a simple internet test to become a "disney specialist" He gets special e-mails on the latest promotions and activities at Disney.

I think the term "disney specialist" is something that is used very loosely

 

[Polynesianfan]

Could someone enlighten me on what it takes to become a licensed travel agent in Ontario? I'm assuming school, but where and how long?

Also, how do you become authorized by Disney? (Or whatever that distinction is called...)


Thank you!!

There are companies that you can buy into that let you run your own agency out of your home (home-based agents). There is an initial fee that covers training and everything needed for start-up. The company then takes a percentage of your commission for every booking, but you basically run the business yourself with their assistance.
From there you can take the College of Disney Knowledge course on-line and even on sight (WDW or DLR).
Hope that helps !

 

[dimoe]

Please post more about the agencies that would allow you to do this at home and take the course... I would love to know more.

 

[madonna31]

Please post more about the agencies that would allow you to do this at home and take the course... I would love to know more.

Believe me, I'd love to. Because I feel that a HUGE part of the DIS community is 'helping people out'. But unfortunately for some unknown reason, it is against the DIS rules for us to do so...sorry.

If you are serious about learning more, please PM me your email addy and I'd be happy to send you a GREAT link with tons of information. I can't PM you the link because it gets blocked out (******) by the powers that be.

 

[ufbuilder]

Also, how do you become authorized by Disney? (Or whatever that distinction is called...)

Disney Authorized Vacation Planner is a status that Disney grants to specific travel agencies. Technically, only these companies can call themselves Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. These are the top Disney planners and are the only ones allowed to have the "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" logo on their materials and sites.

Some agents do use the "Disney Specialist" title after going through the Disney College of Knowledge program, but are not "Authorized Disney Vacation Planners." There is a difference between the two titles.

 

[madonna31]

Disney Authorized Vacation Planner is a status that Disney grants to specific travel agencies. Technically, only these companies can call themselves Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. These are the top Disney planners and are the only ones allowed to have the "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" logo on their materials and sites.

Actually, receiving Authorized Disney Vacation Planner status is only granted to agencies once they have sold *x* amount of Disney business.

That to me doesn't make them 'top Disney Planners' as you call it nor ANY more qualified about Disney Destinations than a Disney Specialist or anyone right here on the DIS for that matter. Just because you sell a lot of something, doesn't necessarily mean you know anything about it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. A text book course doesn't make you a Disney Specialist, but rather years of first hand experience do. Calling yourself a Disney Specialist but having never been there is just like saying you know how to drive a car because you 'read' about it.

 

[pollioni]

True, but receiving Authorized Disney Vacation Planner status only happens to an agency once they have sold *x* amount of Disney business.

Just because you are big does not represent excellent customer service.

That to me doesn't make them ANY more qualified about Disney Destinations than a Disney Specialist or anyone right here on the DIS for that matter. Just because you sell a lot of something, doesn't necessarily mean you know a lot about it.

Some sales people can sell ice to the Inuit. Multi-level marketing companys are famous for this. They just supply the written material on a product, and the sales person has never even touched or worked with the product.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. A text book course doesn't make you a Disney Specialist, but rather years of first hand experience do. Calling yourself a Disney Specialist but having never been there is just like saying you know how to drive a car because you 'read' about it.

I work in the IT industry and I have met quite a few people that I call "Text book cases", these are people that have recived certification in a number of subjects (MCSE, CCNA......) but really can't use it in the real world.

I think that before you can call yourself a specialist you need to live and breath the subject you are a specialist in.

 

[Polynesianfan]

I think that before you can call yourself a specialist you need to live and breath the subject you are a specialist in.

I completely agree... !

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

2 years college diploma program

to work from home to actually make money i suggest working in the field in an office first, establish a client base. which could take a long time to do *you want them to keep coming to you when you are working out of your home* then when you have done that you may want to look into doing it out of your home. maybe.

good luck

 

[misslissa]

Hi there,

I took a 2 year travel program at a college in Ontario and also a 1 year post graduate certificate at the same college. Unfortunately, I'm still not an actual travel agent.

I just got hired by CAA and hope that eventually, I'll get myself enough experience to consider myself one.

There are several courses online that you can take without leaving your home that will supposedly make you a "Certified Travel Agent"... but in Ontario, most agencies only recognize "TICO".

This is their website: http://www.tico.on.ca/index2.html

It gives all of the information about becoming an Ontario Certified Travel Agent.

 

[misslissa]

Ooops... I was wrong, this is the website: http://www.citc.ca/

TICO and CITC work very closely together... both websites should provide valuable information.