Top Tips For Becoming A Home Based Travel Agent
October 11th, 2008Of all the home-based business possibilities, its hard to imagine one thats more fun or potentially profitable than operating a home-based travel agency.
Not only do you get the enjoyment of sending people off on their dream vacation, but you earn a good commission for selling services that you do not have to actually provide yourself. What could be better than that?
If youd like to become a home-based travel agent, and enjoy discounted or even free trips for yourself as well, then the following Top Tips For Becoming A Home Based Travel Agent will get you started in the right direction.
1. Affiliate with a legitimate host agency that has all of the required certifications.
The most successful home-based travel agents are independent contractors who work with a host agency. You use the host agencys resources and established relationships to tap into their network of travel vendors and suppliers. Its important that your host agency has the proper industry credentials and that they have a program in place that allows you to use those credentials in order to establish yourself as a legitimate travel agency.
As a home based travel agent you need certain credentials like the CLIA card. CLIA stands for the Cruise Line Industry Association. This industry-recognized credential allows you special agent rates on discounted cruises and offers a whole array of benefits to you and your customer.
To be recognized as a travel agency most host agencies are usually bonded and accredited through ARC/IATAN. ARC was established by the travel industry to provide prompt, efficient, and secure distribution and settlement of travel purchased in the U.S. IATAN-International Airlines Travel Agent Network endorses travel agents and provides the IATAN ID card, which identifies you as a U.S.- based travel sales professional.
If you are considering working with a host agency that doesnt provide you with their IATAN/ARC number, and other required credentials, move on and select one that does.
2. Choose a host travel agency that provides comprehensive training
Even though you are an independent home-based travel agent, you still need professional quality training so you know how to operate in the travel industry as well as what you are and are not allowed to do.
Getting up-to-date on the best places to travel, tourism trends, and how to fulfill the needs of your customer is vital to your travel business. You want to choose a host travel agency that offers comprehensive training and courses on various travel services, products, marketing, etc.
For some host agencies, taking a course or training is necessary in order to be eligible for certain travel credentials. And, although it is not required to book travel, your job will go much easier and youll develop more repeat business, if you are well-trained and well-informed.
3. Choose a host travel agency that will help you promote your business.
Dont choose a travel company that does not offer some assistance with marketing your travel business. The best ones will offer a turn-key website or online booking engine for your clients to use when booking their travel.
Even better are the travel companies that also provide you with automated marketing tools such as auto responders to handle email campaigns and promotions.
Youll save money, and gain more customers, if you partner up with a host travel agency that provides ready-made templates to print business cards, postcards, flyers, etc. These are all the tools in your marketing arsenal that will help you get the word out about your home-based travel business.
4. Choose a host travel agency that handles ALL of the travel details for you.
Most host agencies handle all the booking and routine travel details for your clients, but what happens if a name is misspelled on a plane ticket or your customer wants a refund? Find out what type of customer support is available and read their policies carefully before you sign on as a home-based travel agent.
At a minimum, look for: