Thinking @ becoming a home based travel agent - anyone else do that or have advice?

[tink's girls]

My husband is being relocated with his job, and so I will be looking for different employment. I have always been interested in being a travel agent and have been reading online about starting my own home based travel agency. Apparently there are several different ways to go about doing this. Does anyone out there do this or know anyone who does? Any help or advice is appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[worm761]

My best advice is to go through another agency. The CLIA cards are not cheap, nor is the insurance if you don't have a group rate. Also, don't think that this will support you. The days of travel agents are going away. People can get online and book just as well as you can do it for them. So they just don't use you. Good luck!

 

[mdsoccermom]

Ok, here's my spiel. I am a home based travel agent. I love it. But it is hard work. Before I became an agent, I took a 6 month travel course online. Once I completed it, I signed up with my host agency, incorporated myself, and took several other supplier courses before I felt comfortable to open for business.

You need to be able to put in a lot of work marketing yourself. Network, network, network. Find a niche and stick with it. Sell yourself, not travel. You provide a service and you must be able to tell people what it is. For example, my niche is family travel. I do not proclaim to get people the lowest prices. I give them service and value for their money and make that very clear. You also need to be able to constantly engage in professional development and continuing education. I am constantly taking supplier courses.

Are you willing to drop everything when a client has a problem? When your client calls on the way to the Caribbean because their flight is being rerouted back to Charlotte because of a tropical storm, are you willing and able to stop what you are doing to fix it all (yes, that happened to me).

Studies and surveys are showing that travel agents are making a comeback. There are many that are very, very successful. But, you have to be willing to work at it. It's far different than planning some Disney trips for your family.

 

[jessrose18]

can i ask where you can take travel courses online? I have looked in to the local schools, but didn't seem right for me.....

 

[mdsoccermom]

can i ask where you can take travel courses online? I have looked in to the local schools, but didn't seem right for me.....

You can find some programs here:

http://www.asta.org/education/travelschool.cfm?navItemNumber=615

I am not going to mention the school I used because while I found the program satisfactory several years ago, I don't like the model they are now using for their independent agent package now.

Oh, and when looking for a host, steer away from anything that appears to be an MLM.

 

[sue_gowin]

hi there,
I am currently completing my online travel agent course, and I would love to either work from home (like you are) or somehow miraculously find an agency job to learn the ropes for a year or two before starting on my own. I was wondering what steps you took to find and connect with a host agency. I'm already working at it since I'm almost graduated, and having a hard time connecting with anyone. Any tips?? Thanks!!!

 

[mdsoccermom]

Once I registered for my travel course, I started getting a lot of emails and phone calls from potential hosts. I chose one that I thought was a good fit and had a good reputation. However, it went bankrupt. My current host was suggested to me by another agent and was having a special for all the agents that were with that agency where we would get 90% of our commissions (many hosts only give 70%). I've been pretty happy there.

The National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) has a list of hosts:

http://www.nacta.com/nacta_hosts.aspx

One thing you want is to make sure whatever host you choose offers a lot of support in training and marketing. Also, find out if they are a member of a consortium.

 

[sue_gowin]

that's great. Thanks so much for the information!!! I can't wait to get this started!

 

[sue_gowin]

Once I registered for my travel course, I started getting a lot of emails and phone calls from potential hosts. I chose one that I thought was a good fit and had a good reputation. However, it went bankrupt. My current host was suggested to me by another agent and was having a special for all the agents that were with that agency where we would get 90% of our commissions (many hosts only give 70%). I've been pretty happy there.

The National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) has a list of hosts:

http://www.nacta.com/nacta_hosts.aspx

One thing you want is to make sure whatever host you choose offers a lot of support in training and marketing. Also, find out if they are a member of a consortium.

Me again. Sorry to bother you!!! I live in canada, and I don't think that link you posted will work for me. Would you happen to have any more resources? TIA!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

DH and I have also thought about doing this. I love planning things, anything really, and have planned seveal trips for family and friends. Not nessecasily right now as I am going to school full time and working full time, but maybe in a year or so, just to supplement and provide extra income. Thanks for posting this topic OP