What is a Home Based Travel Agent?

Those who sell travel from their home office are called Home-Based travel agents.    There are 3 categories of home-based agents.

Hosted

Franchised Home-based

 Independent Home-Based
These travel agents work from home offices but are dependent on a travel agency for use of their credentials.  The travel agency acts as the host but the agent is an independent contractor.  75% of home-based agents work with an agency. An agent who signs on with a home-based franchiser.  The franchiser is the host agency.

 

 

 Freelancer who deals directly with suppliers and doesn't use a host agency or a franchiser.

 

 

Home based travel agents set their own hours and can work part-time or full-time.  As a home-based agent, you still receive travel perks such as discounts on personal vacations and invitations to exciting and informative travel industry trade shows.    

Do I need a Host Agency?
Most of our graduates working as a home based agent prefer to work with a host agency affiliated with ARC/IATA.  These agencies are able to pay commissions that an Independent Home Based agent would not be able to collect on their own.  A host agency will also provide some assistance to beginners. 

What does it take to be a home-based travel agent?
Successful home-based travel agents must be motivated.  They need self-discipline to run a business and have superior sales skills.  In addition, they must work well independently.

What about these $495 instant travel agency benefit deals?
Think about it.  If all anyone had to do was pay $495 and then fly first class, stay in suites for free, and take cruises for $10 per day, who would pay full fare?  The truth is that when these operations first started they were able to fool some of the suppliers with phony ID cards and intercept travel discounts, but the industry is wise to them now and it is going to be difficult (if not impossible) to fool anyone into accepting phony ID cards.

How much can I earn?
Just like any business, you can earn as much or as little as you want.  Certain areas of the travel industry are more productive than others.  Specializing in cruises, international travel, group travel or other niches will be far more rewarding than just trying to be everything to everyone.

What are some Advantages of becoming a home-based travel agent compared to working in a Brick and Mortar office?

bulletThe overhead is much lower with minimal costs and controlled expenses.
bulletThe office design is personal.
bulletHome-based agents concentrate on most profitable clients.
bulletThey can focus on a specialty such as honeymoons, diving vacations, golf, etc.
bulletThey control their time
bulletTax Advantage
 

What are some challenges of home-based agents compared to working in a Brick and Mortar office?

bulletDistractions and family demands are greater at home.  Home-based agents must allow time for their clients.
bulletNot a "real" office.  Suppliers are less likely to call on you at home.  You can arrange to meet with them at a restaurant or communicate with them electronically.
bulletIt may be hard to find the right space for an office in small homes or apartments.
bulletMay not be good for clients to reach you.     

All 1st Class Travel & Tourism Academy graduates qualify for FREE-hosting through our sister company International Tours and Cruises.   No set up fees, no annual fees, no monthly fees.  This free opportunity is only available to graduates of our Travel Agent Training Course and not the general public.