Question: Do I have to take franchise to become a home based travel agent?
Want to work from home as a travel agent for cruises. Who will help me setup my sight on computer and how will i get the information about cruises.

Answer:

Answer by mababischkin
You don’t have to BUT, it will help you get started.

As part of a franchise or other consortia you would be eligible for “override” commissions based on the overall volume of the franchise network or consortia. It’s significantly harder to do that kind of volume on your own, especially without associates working for you.

The franchise or consortia probably has some kind of record keeping software suite that will make your life MUCH easier.

Many franchises and consortias have lead generation services to help augment your own marketing efforts… Same thing with Co-op dollars to help with advertising.

The often have web programs to assist you with getting a presence on line as well.

Being with a franchise or consortia also makes it much easier to get in touch with and work with the DSMs from the cruise lines. The DSM might not know you from a hole in the wall, but by being an XYZ agent has cache that is a little incentive for them to return your call, especially if your consortia or franchise does a lot of volume with a particular line.

There’s a lot of other reasons why being part of a franchise or consortia makes a lot of sense, you can go it alone if you really want to but it’s a much more difficult path to follow.

Before you take the plunge, check out the series in Travel Weekly from this week and last about home based agents. There’s some sobering numbers about average home based agent income.

You can reach me privately through my profile if you have additional questions or are looking for some recommendations…

Question: How do you become a Home Based Travel Agent?
How do you become a Home Based Travel Agent? I an really interested in a part time career in this can any one please help me?

Answer:

Answer by Super Sassy
Some states require meeting licensing requirements. This is actually good in a sense because by studying up for the exam you’ll learn a lot. Don’t do any of those pay-by-mail courses, they are a rip off.

You could try getting a job in a travel office; any position. You’ll learn a lot from just listening and if you’re lucky, having access to their software. However, don’t tell them you’re looking to use them to learn because you eventually want to open your own business.

BUT, with all these online travel sites, think about your competition. Is it something that will really pay off in the area where you live?

Good luck!

Question: How do I become a Home Based Travel Agent?
Could you give me steps/guide to become a home based travel agent.

Answer:

Answer by Kelly Monaghan
Step 1. Decide if this business is really for you. (It’s not for everyone.)

Step 2. Decide how you want to define your business (what you sell, how you sell it, to whom you sell it, etc.). Then stick to it.

Step 3. Learn how the business really works. Otherwise, you will be at the mercy of people who want to charge you money to work for them. I’m not saying they’re crooks, far from it, but you won’t know if you are cutting the best deal if you don’t know how the business really works.

Step 4. Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The travel business is constantly changing.

Step 5. Understand that this business is not about the “love of travel,” it’s about SELLING travel.

Step 6. Prospect, prospect, prospect. And when you’ve finished doing that, prospect some more.

Step 7. Focus relentlessly on your customer. You will sell most effectively when you help people realize their dreams.

Step 8. Always be alert to ways you can be more efficient, add a few more percentage points to your commissions, upsell, and make add-on sales to every booking.

Step 9. Rinse and repeat.

Question: What jobs are there in travel that are land based?
I’ve always really wanted to travel and work in the travel industry. I’m also really interested in the marine industry. However I have aa small child so i don’t have the flexibility to travel right now. What land based jobs are there in travel?

Answer:

Answer by jobbend
Travel Agent
Work at the airport, train station, bus station
Hotel jobs
Event planning
CVB jobs
Travel Marketing

by javajoba

Question: How can I become a home based travel agent?
I used to work in travel as a “reservations agent”: booking air, hotel, car, etc. I loved it so much. Right now I work in customer service, but it’s not travel related. I’m really interested in starting a home based travel agency. Has anyone does this or can anyone share ideas on how to ideally get this started? I appreciate any advice..thanks so much!

Answer:

Answer by storeonwheels
Join my business group!