Travel Agent - How To?

[firkat]

Hello. I have always wanted to become a travel agent. I LOVE planning my own trips and have found some great deals for family and friends, to the point that they call me all the time to book things for them. It is a really fun hobby for me.

I am curious how I could become a REAL travel agent, without getting a job at a regular agency. I mean start a little home-based agency for my family and friends and who knows it might grow . . .

Is there a training program or test or licensing board or group I would need to join? I would love any insight on this idea!

 

[hydster]

I'm in the process of looking into this as well. I've just started looking but found great information at http://www.astanet.com/

Also I found another website http://www.ptstravel.com/Default.htm which sounds interesting as well.

 

[firkat]

Thanks, Hydster. I checked out those sites. It seems like I would need a "host" agency . . . and that I would need to become "Sabre connected."

If there are any independent travel agents out there, maybe you could share how you got started.

 

[sjams]

I too have researched this TA thing to death and even posted a "help" letter like you did about 2 months ago. What I found out is that you really need a host agency. Dugan's and ICTravel Host both sound good and I have actually "talked" to several agents from both and said that they are good and reliable places, i.e not scams. I haven't taken the plunge as of yet due to the cost of starting up. I am in the process of saving. It doesn't cost a fortune, but I have tuition for 2 kids and the electric bill came today and I am in Texas amidst the 100*+ weather!
Both those I mentioned have websites, I am just not sure as to the exact address and I didn't want to give the wrong one!
Good luck and keep me posted!

 

[camreesmom]

Dugan's is my host agency and has been for over 18 months now. I am very happy with them. You can PM me if you have any questions. I know there is at least one other DISer that works with Dugan's also.

sjams, I feel your pain! I'm here in Texas also and this heat is KILLING me. Our twin boys (9th graders) had football practice from 7:30 am until 1 pm today and I thought that was a bit much!

 

[sweet angel]

I was always interested in this as well, and even spoke to my boss' agent to get her thoughts. What she told me was pretty depressing. She said if she had to get into the business today, she wouldn't bother. She said there are very few perks anymore and many more fees.

She said business has dropped off tremendously with the coming of the internet.

Kind of let the air out of my balloon!

 

[mking624]

I was always interested in this as well, and even spoke to my boss' agent to get her thoughts. What she told me was pretty depressing. She said if she had to get into the business today, she wouldn't bother. She said there are very few perks anymore and many more fees.

She said business has dropped off tremendously with the coming of the internet.

Kind of let the air out of my balloon!

That's what I was kind of thinking. I LOVE doing trip planning for people...infact I planned a WDW trip for one of my coworkers just a few months ago. But the problem is with people like me & DH...we don't use TAs. We do it all ourselves.

 

[J.Cooper]

I've always wanted to become a travel agent also. I got discouraged after speaking to a travel agent because she said business has dropped big time. Basically business travelers or senior citizens still use travel agents. Most people book there trips online. I would love being a travel agent full-time, but it doesn't seem like a booming field anymore?

 

[firkat]

Well, I have a day job. So, making bundles of money is not the main goal . . . though it would always be nice.

I suppose the benefits that appeal to me would be the tax write-offs and the discount travel for myself. Ya know if I booked enough other people, maybe I would get a break . .. kind of thing.

 

[froglady]

I just read a list of "10 Dead End Jobs" and Travel Agent was on it, along with data entry, secretary (other than medical, legal, or executive) some industrial jobs (printing, etc), photo developing, and a few more I can't remember.

PCs and the internet have made it easier and cheaper for people to do it themselves.

 

[binny]

gosh I hate to hear people saying that this is a dead end job.


I cant tell you how many calls I get a week saying " Ive researched this to death and I just don't know what to do!!! HELP!"

People are still using Travel agents. I am an independent agent without a host. It CAN be done. Ive had a lot of experience working within the tourism industry so it was a no brainer for me to continue in this capacity ( not a no brainer work, but a no brainer idea for me to do this. lol)

I love what I do! I love when clients come home and call me and say " You made this so special for us Thank you!" or better yet when I get calls from their friends and they say "we heard how great of a job you did for so and so, will you book us to...?"

That's why I do my job


No there arrant a tonne of perks anymore. Yes you could make more money elsewhere but to me, this is FUN. I enjoy it and there is nothing I would rather be doing.



For those of you who are wanting to look further into home based agency try www.ossn.com for starters. They can give you some great ideas. Also try www.homebasedtravelagent.com buy his books! ( but try half.com for them or ebay.) When I first started they were my bible in this industry!


Being a travel agent can be very stressful but its so rewarding for me to make peoples vacations as happy as I can. I really love it!

 

[minnie56]

I live in Canada so it's a bit different I am sure....

I work for a Cruise agency though we also sell land packages, air only, the whole nine-yards!
I have been doing this for almost 2 years and love it! I don't make tons of money at it...but then mostly I am working from home only going into the office occasionally and it's exactly what I put it into it which affects what I get back! I love to package and plan and like many here thought why not do this for others?? If I make some money at it..all the better!

I disagree that the 'perks' aren't so great....perhaps they are not what they once were, but they're still pretty darn good IMO! I have had some amazing cruises and land packages for very good prices...so no complaints there. My husband says "I thought the idea behind this was that OTHERS would be going away"!!!

It's a lot of fun and most rewarding knowing that you make a difference in somebody's hard-earned vacation!!

 

[Sherri]

When I was 18 I worked for Rosenbluth travel. I started out in the support department, but then they put me through their training program. I passed and became a travel agent. It was fun getting discounts. I worked in corporate travel. It was fun. I left once I had kids.
I did always think it would be fun to go back, but it seems like its becoming obsolete with the internet.
I would go to your local travel agency and ask if they have a training program. Or you may want to consider working for Apple tours if they have a location near you.

 

[ivanova]

gosh I hate to hear people saying that this is a dead end job.


I cant tell you how many calls I get a week saying " Ive researched this to death and I just don't know what to do!!! HELP!"

People are still using Travel agents. I am an independent agent without a host. It CAN be done. Ive had a lot of experience working within the tourism industry so it was a no brainer for me to continue in this capacity ( not a no brainer work, but a no brainer idea for me to do this. lol)

I love what I do! I love when clients come home and call me and say " You made this so special for us Thank you!" or better yet when I get calls from their friends and they say "we heard how great of a job you did for so and so, will you book us to...?"

That's why I do my job


No there arrant a tonne of perks anymore. Yes you could make more money elsewhere but to me, this is FUN. I enjoy it and there is nothing I would rather be doing.



For those of you who are wanting to look further into home based agency try www.ossn.com for starters. They can give you some great ideas. Also try www.homebasedtravelagent.com buy his books! ( but try half.com for them or ebay.) When I first started they were my bible in this industry!


Being a travel agent can be very stressful but its so rewarding for me to make peoples vacations as happy as I can. I really love it!

Hi Binny

To the OP: I might not be the next Bill Gates because I become a TA, but I don't think it's a dead-end position. It does require a lot of work, education, constant training, keeping up on travel trends, reading a LOT of magazines, keeping up on industry websites, etc. It ain't cheap getting into the business (with or without a host agency), but like any small business you can make a go of it and turn in profit in 3-5 years.

Yes, it is more challenging, but challenging means not boring.

Internet bookings aren't necessarily a problem....unless you want to book a lot of airfare. But the majority of hotels, rental cars, cruises, resort packages, all inclusives, etc. are not booked through the internet.

And my personal piece of advice: Don't become a TA thinking you'll reap the rewards (i.e. discounted travel) without a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and money. Sure you might get a 15% discount at WDW or elsewhere, but after investing thousands of dollars into your business, is it really a savings? Become a TA because you enjoy it.

 

[firkat]

I think that is excellent advice. Thank you for your input!

 

[LisaB]

Also do not always expect your family and friends to book with you because most of the time they won't. It is alot of fun but even with WDW the perks have gone done. When we went in 01 We got a package with meals our tickets were 25% off and room was 50% now we can only get room only discount and once a year 50% off on the tickets.

 

[minnie56]

You know...my daughter was a CM as part of the ICP this summer and my TA discounts exceeded her Cm rates?! I got about $90 more than her 50% reduction. Granted, there are only 2 free Parkhoppers a year but with the reduced rates, I thought that was more than fair?

I mostly sell cruises...along with WDW in all variations...but I think the discounts remain pretty generous! Just my thoughts...

 

[ivanova]

Also do always expect your family and friends to book with you because most of the time they won't.

Suppose you mean't don't expect them to book with you ... which is correct ... and when they do, don't be shocked when they expect you to kick back your commission to give them the best deal possible. But don't expect your lawyer cousin to give you free legal advice, or your CPA brother to do your taxes for free.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Suppose you mean't don't expect them to book with you ... which is correct ... and when they do, don't be shocked when they expect you to kick back your commission to give them the best deal possible. But don't expect your lawyer cousin to give you free legal advice, or your CPA brother to do your taxes for free.

Aloha! As a former agent, I agree very much with this post. But do a GOOGLE search for 'disney agents only'.

I found it here last yr...They have a discussion board like this...had lots of newbies also looking for help.


Best wishes!
~rose~