It is not necessary to join any organization to become a travel agent, nor must you pay a fee to work as an agent. While it is helpful to be affiliated with a host agency which will split commissions, even this is not required.
What is a Travel Agent?
It is easy to become a travel agent, but difficult to remain one. If you want to be an agent simply to receive "perks" such as free travel, you are in the wrong business! A travel agent must be:
- An order-taker
- A counselor
- A research librarian
- A sales clerk
Why do you want to become a travel agent?
Before you get started, it's best decide just why you want to become a travel agent. You will hear a lot of hype about how you will get free or low-cost travel. If that is you're reasoning, it's time to move on to a new career.
If you love to travel, like I do, this can be an excellent opportunity for you. The best way to sell something is to sell something you love.
Are you in it for the money? While you CAN make good money as a travel agent, it will also take some time to bring in the dough. You will need a great deal of motivation to get out there and sell, sell, sell! Don't quit your day job before you get established in the industry, or you'll be living in the streets!
My best advice to you, if you want to become a home-based travel agency, is to pick a niche, do your homework, then get out there and sell! Continue reading this article, and I'll teach you how to start & operate a lucrative travel agency, right in your home.
Things To Consider Before You Begin:
After making the decision to become an independent, home-based travel agent, and before wasting a great deal of time and money on unnecessary items, there are a number of things to consider:
- Do you need a business license to operate in your state? To find out which, if any, licenses are required, contact the Department of Commerce in your state capitol, as well as the county clerk's office. If you have a Small Business Administration Office in your city, they may be able to provide you with this information, or give contact information.
- Does your state have a Sellers of Travel law? Contact the Attorney General's office for more information, especially if you reside in California, Washington, and Florida.
- What are the zoning laws in your city? Check for zoning ordinances at your local city hall.
- What is required to obtain an assumed name certificate? These are normally available through the County Clerk's office for a small fee.
- What kind of training is available? Education is available through licensed travel schools, public colleges and universities, host agencies, organizations and associations, consultants, and tourist boards. The amount of training to take depends on your specialty and how much industry knowledge you already possess.
Step 1: Finding Your Niche
When you walk into a traditional travel agency, you'll find agents who can sell just about anything. Or at least pretend to. They have, at their fingertips, a wealth of knowledge in the form of brochures, the Internet, and first-hand knowledge. Plus, many of them have been agents for a number of years.
You, on the other hand, are just starting out. There is no possible way that you can know everything about every destination, supplier, cruise ship and hotel. Therefore, you need to figure out just what you want to sell in the beginning. You can build on this later.
For more information on choosing your specialty or niche, read this article.
Books To Help You Choose Your Specialty
Step 2: Legal Matters
- Contact an attorney about incorporating. Although it is not necessary to incorporate your business, it does have benefits. An attorney can provide you with details.
- Register your business name with the County Clerk's office. The County Clerk will do a name search in their computer system. If someone else already uses the name you have selected, you will have to choose another. Be prepared to make changes!
Step 3: Finances & Insurance
- Open a business bank account. All funds received from sales or suppliers should be kept in an account separate from personal funds. Rates vary between banks, while credit unions offer some of the best deals.
- Purchase Errors & Omissions Insurance. The most important, yet most overlooked step for independent agents, E&O Insurance covers lawsuits from clients.
Step 4: Office Set Up
- Install an additional phone line or business line. Have one line that is used only for business purposes. A business line will receive a free listing in the yellow pages, while an additional residential line is less expensive each month than a business line.
- Print business cards and stationery. Decide on a logo or tag line for your agency, then have cards printed or print your own.
Step 5: Suppliers & Vendors
Now that you have your home-based agency set up, it's time to contact the travel suppliers. These are cruise lines, tour operators, car rental agencies, Visitor's Bureaus, and travel insurance providers. In other words, any business that offers travel products for resale to your clients.
To get set up, contact each supplier, and ask them what you need to get set up in their computer system. Some will use your phone number as an account number. Others will assign a number, while others will require an IATA or CLIA number from you. These numbers identify your agency when you make bookings. Without these account numbers, the suppliers won't know where to send tickets, much less your commission check!
Let each supplier know that you are just starting up, and that you would also like to receive some of their brochures.
Step 6: Make Money!
Contact friends and relatives, send out press releases, and give out business cards to everyone you meet. Set up a company website, detailing your specialty. Make a business page on FaceBook, get an account on LinkedIn, and set up a Twitter page. Email and tweet specials to your client list, post news on FaceBook, and attend bridal shows. Leave your business cards at other area businesses, or enclose them in the envelope when you pay bills. In other words, let everyone you encounter know that you are a travel agent, and sell, sell sell!
Step 7: Keeping Learning!
  | Home-Based Travel Agent This is one of the first books I purchased when I became a travel agent in 1994, and I still refer to it today. It has everything you need to know to set up your agency. From Sellers of Travel Laws, to insurance, to the office equipment. I highly recommend that you purchase this book if you wish to become a home-based travel agent. |
  | How to Start a Home Based Travel Agency Tom and Joanie Ogg have been in the travel business for decades, and know what it takes to run a home-based agency. Formerly, they held positions of two of the best known home-based organizations - Outside Sales Support Network, and National Association of Certified Travel Agents. With their on-hands knowledge, and their connections within the industry, they offer great advice in this book on the hows, whens and whats to do. |
  | How I Made a Small Fortune As a Home Based Travel Agent Anita Paggliasso has been in the travel industry for a number of years, and is well-known throughout the industry. I haven't read this particular book, but I have read many articles by her in the trade magazines. If you want to learn from someone who has made a great deal of money as a travel agent, you should read this book, and any others by her. |
Links To More Info
Cruise Lines International Association - Organization that offers the tools, benefits and training to help travel agents succeed. Also, the CLIA number is required by some suppliers for booking.VAX Vacation Access - Tour Operator offering vacations for a number of suppliers, including Funjet, Travel Impressions, Globus, Cosmos, Southwest Vacations, cruises lines, and more.
How To Find Your Niche As A Home Based Travel Agent - Everything you need to know about picking your specialty, or "niche" travel products.
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