Monday, April 20, 2009

Become A Travel Agent



How To Become A Travel Agent

I have been traveling on my own since I graduated high school, and I have watched the travel industry change. Once upon a time if you wanted to take a vacation, or a cruise you would hop in the car and set off for the mall. Tucked away in the corner of the mall near one of the exits was a small store front with large pane glass windows. On the windows were stuck different colored pages selling all different types of vacation packages.

Behind the window there were always two desks, I never saw more than one person, but always two desk. The office was always decorated in some tropical theme with some island music playing in the background. Against one wall, a library of brochures. But it always seemed the one I was looking for was in the back, along with the ticket printer. Well things have changed!

Some time ago Travel Agents took their game and went home! With the advent of the Internet, travel booking has seen competition from the likes of Travelocity , and others. In direct competition with this many companies have closed shop an become Online Travel Agents.

The first airline booking system was designed by American Airlines and gave them quite a share of the market place. However, now that everything has moved to internet you no longer need to have a hard line connected to the American Airline system or any other system. With the Internet you can gain access to all these systems online. You just have to meet the qualifications. Those qualifications say simply that you must be a Travel Agent.

There a a few ways to accomplish that. You either go to school and earn your Travel Agent License, or you join a Host Company. A Host company is the company you contract with to process your business through and to send you commissions. They train you on the workings for their systems and provide you with their certification, and Agency number. Without this number you are not a travel agent. Even online travel agent magazines will request the IATA or CLIA number of your company.

Which should you choose? School or a host company. If you are looking to become a home travel agent, choose a host company. With a Host you have the option of starting your own business while you study. There are many to choose from, some are in the news for all the wrong reasons. Still others have different benefits. I recommend TraVerus Travel. I received my Certified Travel Agent certification there and find the business, technical, and marketing support that I need to support travel agent jobs.

Like most other travel host companies, you receive a website, and a "Back Office" . In your back office you have your training, your client database, marketing, and vendor education. Once you become a certified travel agent you find that the more certifications that you acquire, the more earning possibilities that you have.

Here are links from my website. Your website will show Last Minute Vacation Deals, Honeymoon vacations, Crusies, Flights, car Rental, Vacation Packages. everything you need to become a home based travel agent is there and more. Anything booked through your website you get paid 20%-70% commission. What if something arises that presents a problem? Either its a large booking or maybe something not listed on your website. Let TraVerus Travel do the booking for you!!! You still receive commission. You can also process the booking yourself by just asking TraVerus Support!

Your Certification education takes place in your back office through a series of recorded webinars and exams. Not to worry, it is an open ebook exam. Once you pass, your rank is immediately updated and you are eligible for your photo id card which will bring you discounts in travel and hotels.

Also included in your website are members trips. He is a link to my TraVerus Member trips page. Usually member vacations cost less than half the posted internet price for similar vacations.

I believe TraVerus will give you all the tools you need to become a successful home travel agent. To find out more about TraVerus Travel, click here.







No comments:

Post a Comment