How to Become a Home Based Travel Agent
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
In response to the dramatic rise in demand for web-based travel bookings, many home-based entrepreneurs have cashed in on the new independent model of travel sales. You can too! Visit us today to get started as an Independent Travel Agent!
If you are:
• Tired of not benefiting from travel referrals that might come from people you’ve booked or recommended travel for?
• Tired of wasting hours searching for travel deals through various sources
• Tired of paying higher prices for travel so other people can earn commission
Then, becoming an Independent Travel Agent through a Host Agency is perfect for you!
When choosing a Host Agency, keep in mind that it should offer a practical solution to starting your own homebased business, with awesome benefits such as:
• Low negotiated rates with preferred vendors
• Comprehensive training and support including start up training
• Exemplary customer service
• Consolidated "one-stop" search and low price guarantee
• Paying you a commission for simply sending business their way, or booking travel for yourself or your colleagues.
You’ll want to make sure that the opportunity being presented is fully supported and that someone will always be there to walk you through the process.
Reputable Host Agencies offer their agents:
• Comprehensive travel products
• Agent accreditation
• Personal website
• Service and support
• Full-service reservation center
• Marketing and Internet Technology enhancements
• Agent-Only deals and exclusive negotiated rates
• Multiple ways to earn income
You should also expect training benefits such as:
• A comprehensive training manual
• On-line courses
• Personal training or coaching over the phone
• Weekly contact through emails or e-newsletters
• Teleconference calls that provide industry and supplier training
• Sales & destination training
• Regional training seminars
• Training seminars at sea
• Ship inspections
• Discounted industry publications & manuals
Full-service Host Agencies also provide support benefits such as:
• Toll-Free travel support
• Internet support
• Free or included website hosting
• Travel brochures
• Online Marketing Toolkit including prewritten marketing aids
• Accounting service and support including the tracking and payment of referral bonuses and commissions, airline reporting, and processing payments to vendors and more.
Commission benefits vary by agency. The Host Agency you choose should offer a commission split of at least 40% of what they receive on all of the following travel bookings:
• Car Rentals
• Cruise/Tours
• Air**
• Hotel
**Few airlines pay commissions to Travel Agents on ARC tickets. Most agencies have adopted a policy of charging $10 to $15 Ticketing Fees just to cover some costs.
Be careful as some will promote high commission splits but then add on other fees such as invoicing or transaction fees which can amount to several hundred dollars per month. Make sure you consider all of the hidden fees before making your choice.
A full-service agency should offer marketing support in the form of:
• Business Cards
• Personalized Letterhead
• Flyers
• Press Releases
• Advertising Templates
[Source]
If you are:
• Tired of not benefiting from travel referrals that might come from people you’ve booked or recommended travel for?
• Tired of wasting hours searching for travel deals through various sources
• Tired of paying higher prices for travel so other people can earn commission
Then, becoming an Independent Travel Agent through a Host Agency is perfect for you!
When choosing a Host Agency, keep in mind that it should offer a practical solution to starting your own homebased business, with awesome benefits such as:
• Low negotiated rates with preferred vendors
• Comprehensive training and support including start up training
• Exemplary customer service
• Consolidated "one-stop" search and low price guarantee
• Paying you a commission for simply sending business their way, or booking travel for yourself or your colleagues.
You’ll want to make sure that the opportunity being presented is fully supported and that someone will always be there to walk you through the process.
Reputable Host Agencies offer their agents:
• Comprehensive travel products
• Agent accreditation
• Personal website
• Service and support
• Full-service reservation center
• Marketing and Internet Technology enhancements
• Agent-Only deals and exclusive negotiated rates
• Multiple ways to earn income
You should also expect training benefits such as:
• A comprehensive training manual
• On-line courses
• Personal training or coaching over the phone
• Weekly contact through emails or e-newsletters
• Teleconference calls that provide industry and supplier training
• Sales & destination training
• Regional training seminars
• Training seminars at sea
• Ship inspections
• Discounted industry publications & manuals
Full-service Host Agencies also provide support benefits such as:
• Toll-Free travel support
• Internet support
• Free or included website hosting
• Travel brochures
• Online Marketing Toolkit including prewritten marketing aids
• Accounting service and support including the tracking and payment of referral bonuses and commissions, airline reporting, and processing payments to vendors and more.
Commission benefits vary by agency. The Host Agency you choose should offer a commission split of at least 40% of what they receive on all of the following travel bookings:
• Car Rentals
• Cruise/Tours
• Air**
• Hotel
**Few airlines pay commissions to Travel Agents on ARC tickets. Most agencies have adopted a policy of charging $10 to $15 Ticketing Fees just to cover some costs.
Be careful as some will promote high commission splits but then add on other fees such as invoicing or transaction fees which can amount to several hundred dollars per month. Make sure you consider all of the hidden fees before making your choice.
A full-service agency should offer marketing support in the form of:
• Business Cards
• Personalized Letterhead
• Flyers
• Press Releases
• Advertising Templates
[Source]
Labels: global travel, global travel international, travel agent
