OT- How do you become a Travel Agent?

[pumpkinpatchmommy]

Just wondering, does anyone know how to become a travel agent?

TIA!

 

[AustinTink]

Glad you asked, I've been wondering the same thing. My husband says with the amount of time I spend researching Disney, I should start an agency.

 

[iluv2go2disney]

I've been wondering that same thing. I hope someone has the answer.

 

[Cherbear013]

You have two options: be independent or go with a host agency. A host agency will provide most of what you need, yet most charge a few hundred dollars. If you go independent you need to register your business with your state, get a tax ID, join OSSN or CLIA for an agency number, buy E&O insurance and register with all the suppliers. Either way you'll want to attend trade shows, go through online training and do a lot of networking. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I have a degree in Travel and started my own agency last year.

 

[Dancemom03]

You not only have to love travel but you have to love people, communicate effectively, be disciplined & organized, but most importantly, be available 7 days a week for clients in the event of an issue or question.
Many community colleges offer inexpensive courses. I'd advise against anything on the web that offers you a fast track to an id card. When you see an offer online that promises clients and asks for a payment up front that's the signal to click the back button. Often local agencies in your community will offer some sort of training and accept outside agents if approached so please explore every available option locally before deciding to affliate yourself with anyone. It's so much easier to be affliated locally and just pop into the office to pick up materials or documents when you need them.

After 25+ years in the industry, I can say from experience that it's enjoyable but not nearly as easy as it used to be, especially in today's economy.
Also, the web offers huge competition and often you'll find folks just shopping to compare, then after you've devoted a couple hours to helping them decide, giving them opinions and finally holding a room for thir dates, those friendly consumers may end up taking all your suggestions and booking it online themselves anyway.
Over the years I've worked for several agencies. Two of those went under and both owners closed the doors owing their TAs commissions which never were paid.

If you're thinking of it mostly for potential discounts, you'll do better watching for good codes. Lately TA rates are harder to get, and not much better than a good code might be - sometimes it's easier and actually cheaper to book with a code for the general public than to jump thru the required hoops for a TA rate.

Disney is fun but offers a particular challenge for TAs because, while clients are usually already sold by the time they explore the options, you can also discourage some folks very easily as well by offering too many choices and suggestions. You've probably seen this moment - it's that time when you're talking to a friend about an upcoming trip, offering suggestions, and notice their eyes glaze over. Occassionally they'll start to inch away from you too but thankfully that's not as frequent.

 

[patita71]

Hi, I've been wondering the same thing for awhile. I would appreciate any advice... how do I know which classes to take, when I do a search I get a little hesitant with some of the items that come up.
Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Either way you'll want to attend trade shows, go through online training

Eh... I dunno. If you're sure it's an accredited educational institution, okay - but Dancemom's advice seems wiser (no reflection on the poster I quoted, merely the suggestion).

Another option might be to see if you can get any kind of OTJ training from a local bricks & mortar agency - more likely an independent than a chain.

 

[TaraPA]

Any local community college will offer an Associate's Degree in Travel & Tourism.

 

[Dancemom03]

Another option might be to see if you can get any kind of OTJ training from a local bricks & mortar agency - more likely an independent than a chain.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was referring to when I suggested exploring local options. Most of the travel agencies I know will provide some basic training at no cost if approached - either in an evening class with others interested or during the workday with office staff. I've never seen anyone charged for that.

Community colleges offer AA degrees in hospitality & tourism. Ours also offers a vocational-type program in the evenings. It's called "Travel agent carrer development" and consists of 75 clock hours in two sessions. They desrcibe it like this: "Upon successful completion of the course hours and The Travel Agent Proficiency Test, students will receive a certificate from The International Travel Institute." and charge $745 including books and test fees.
Maybe you could try searching your local CCs to see if you can find something similar in your area as a starting point.

Of course, you'd still neeed to affliate with some sort of agency to work - or start your own business - but, once you begin working in the field, there are lots of online training opportunities thru CLIA, cruise lines, travel wholesalers, hotels and more that'll help you to further your knowledge and the majority of those are free.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Any local community college will offer an Associate's Degree in Travel & Tourism.

That and universities like UNC-Greensboro (my cousin got a degree from there).

 

[crazee4mickey]

I graduated with my training in 2007 from an online accredited course and am now working in a local travel agency and will become the manager in 2 months!

I absolutely love it! It can be stressful at times in our agency because there are only 2 of us and we deal with every aspect of travel and to all destinations----clients expect you to know everything!

You really have to know how to deal with people because not everything is "sunshine and roses" because some people will complain about anything and expect you to fix it! We are responsible for all of our own bookwork and advertising--making sure commissions come in, accounts paid, etc.

I would saythe thing that drives me crazy the most is that people assume because you are in travel that you travel all of the time....so not true!

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I have been in the business for the past 15 years and I will tell you that it is very difficult especially now. You have to really be able to talk with people and even more so than talking you have to have knowledge of the places you are selling and know how to sell.

People want to be called back in 5 minutes because when they hang up the phone with you they are coming online to check something else.

I love my job and enjoyed it very much. I was laid off in November. I would love to work for another agency again but no one is hiring right now. I am in New Jersey - Bergen County area.

It's really tough and very competitive and you don't become a Travel Agent for the money its just not there. The perks used to be amazing but now... you can find them for regular people such as yourself. Disney used to offer really great deals but not anymore. If that is the only reason you want to become one - don't do it. Its not worth it.

There are many agencies that offer you to become independent with them but keep in mind YOU have to drum up your own leads and what not. They will not supply that for you. If the economy was better I would say give it a try but its not and its going to get worse before it gets better and I am sure if you did a poll on here who books their Disney with an actual agent you would be surprised. Other trips they might book with an agent but Disney not so much.

Good Luck to you though!

 

[Anewman]

Is it really a great time to become a travel agent?

I would assume that the industry is free falling, and not just because of the economy. So much travel is being booked over the internet, I cant imagine using an agent.

 

[crazee4mickey]

I have been in the business for the past 15 years and I will tell you that it is very difficult especially now. You have to really be able to talk with people and even more so than talking you have to have knowledge of the places you are selling and know how to sell.

People want to be called back in 5 minutes because when they hang up the phone with you they are coming online to check something else.

I love my job and enjoyed it very much. I was laid off in November. I would love to work for another agency again but no one is hiring right now. I am in New Jersey - Bergen County area.

It's really tough and very competitive and you don't become a Travel Agent for the money its just not there. The perks used to be amazing but now... you can find them for regular people such as yourself. Disney used to offer really great deals but not anymore. If that is the only reason you want to become one - don't do it. Its not worth it.

There are many agencies that offer you to become independent with them but keep in mind YOU have to drum up your own leads and what not. They will not supply that for you. If the economy was better I would say give it a try but its not and its going to get worse before it gets better and I am sure if you did a poll on here who books their Disney with an actual agent you would be surprised. Other trips they might book with an agent but Disney not so much.

Good Luck to you though!

Your post is dead on!

Isn't that the truth!! I haven't been in the business too long but people definately have the mindset that they are the only ones who need to be looked after.

It really bothers me when you do so much work researching a holiday for someone only to have them say "I panicked and booked online cause I thought it would be all sold out!" Why'd ya phone me then?!

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Your post is dead on!

Isn't that the truth!! I haven't been in the business too long but people definately have the mindset that they are the only ones who need to be looked after.

It really bothers me when you do so much work researching a holiday for someone only to have them say "I panicked and booked online cause I thought it would be all sold out!" Why'd ya phone me then?!

Thank goodness someone understands hahaha.

I TOTALLY know how you feel right now. You go out of your way and do call them back quickly and they say the EXACT thing you just did. Doesn't it drive you crazy. I loved my job and I do miss it but times are really tough right now. But good luck to you too!!

 

[crazee4mickey]

Is it really a great time to become a travel agent?

I would assume that the industry is free falling, and not just because of the economy. So much travel is being booked over the internet, I cant imagine using an agent.

It may not be the best time with the economy the way it is but we did more business this January than last, so I think it depends where you are. We live in a high agricultural area where last year was really good so people are able to travel.

As for those booking online, all the power to them! Myself, I consider using a travel agent as having a security blanket.....when plans go awry or they are booked incorrectly an agent does everything possible to help you out-----do it online, who is there to help you out?

OP---if this is something you really want to do, go for it but as you've heard--you really need to be able to deal with people, the pay isn't the best, you can work hard and get nothing in return--sounds unflattering but I do it for those clients who come back raving and so excited about their "best trip ever!" Making them happy, makes me happy.......

 

[binny]

Here is a great thread about it

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=719632

 

[binny]

It may not be the best time with the economy the way it is but we did more business this January than last, so I think it depends where you are. We live in a high agricultural area where last year was really good so people are able to travel.

As for those booking online, all the power to them! Myself, I consider using a travel agent as having a security blanket.....when plans go awry or they are booked incorrectly an agent does everything possible to help you out-----do it online, who is there to help you out?

OP---if this is something you really want to do, go for it but as you've heard--you really need to be able to deal with people, the pay isn't the best, you can work hard and get nothing in return--sounds unflattering but I do it for those clients who come back raving and so excited about their "best trip ever!" Making them happy, makes me happy.......

I had a banner year last January and have met that again this year. Feb is even better!

Dont listen to all of the doom and gloom. There are people traveling!