Currently, there are plenty of people working from home, and the reason behind this is the improved internet connectivity and access to freelancing tools such as laptops and headsets.
Working from home also gives you the freedom and luxury to control your schedule, and work in a safe environment without dealing with unreasonable demands, and mean bosses who are out to exploit you while paying you very little money.
If you love to travel, talk, and meet people from all walks of life, then the travel business may be for you. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways one can get started to become a travel agent.
How to get started as a Travel Agent
Before you set up your business as a home-based travel agent and start looking for clients, you shall need to first get some training. However, if you had worked in the travel industry in the past, then you are good to go.
In case you need to learn more about getting into the travel business, it’s always good to know that there are also colleges that offer online travel agent courses. You can enroll in these schools, to receive a certification that will help you in your new-found career.
Do you need a license?
In the US, most states do not require you to have a license in order to work as a travel agent, unless you live in the following States.
- Hawaii
- California
- Florida
- Iowa
- Delaware
- Washington State
But before you start working as a travel agent, you need to know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
The backbone of this job is sales. Travel agents are personal advisors and their work is to give recommendations for holiday destinations to their clients. Being a good sales agent will make you extremely successful in this job.
How much does a travel agent make?
Just like in other industries, if you take your job seriously, with hard work, patience and self-discipline, a good travel agent can make as much $100,000 a year. This includes commissions, fees, and consultations.
And what about commissions?
Whenever you get a client, the suppliers for all the bookings you make will generate you a percentage of the sale. This is the first commission you make. The industry standard dictates that the commission should be between 8- 10% of every sale. I know that may not sound lucrative but as I mentioned previously, patience and hard work is the key.
For example, if you book a big holiday trip that costs up to $10,000, you can make more than $1,000 depending on the base commission rates with your travel providers such as airlines, cruise companies, and more.
Some of the benefits of becoming a travel agent are:
- Travel deals
- Free trips
- Deep discounts on travels
- Networking opportunities
Conclusion:
The gig economy has created a lot of opportunities for an average individual to make money and one of them is the travel industry. Becoming a travel agent is a great opportunity and has the possibility of being a career if you are good at it. However, you must always understand that there is some work that needs to be done and it does take time before you see your business take-off. In the travel industry, rewards are usually within your reach once you grow your network and learn the ins and outs of the business.
