Over the years online travel agents have become a popular stay at home job.There are many internet travel agencies that offer training, certifications and the opportunity to start a travel agency.With so much competition online, a smart tactic is to specialize in certain types of travel so you can market yourself as an expert.It is recommended that you start your career as an independent contractor for an established host agency so you can learn the ins and outs with less startup costs and financial risk.
Step 1: Think about what kind of travel agent you want to be.
It's a good idea to resist the urge to become a travel agent for everyone.Aim to be a sought-after expert, rather than a jack-of-all-trades, because you will face a lot of competition on the internet.As a restaurant owner, you should start thinking about what sort of packages and destinations you would like to offer to which type of people.Corporate and leisure agents are two different types of travel agents.The former makes travel arrangements for employees.Personal vacations for individuals are written by the latter.It is possible for leisure agents to specialize in themes such as adventure or romantic getaways, destinations with a thorough knowledge and plenty of advice for their customers, or clients with unlimited means.
Step 2: You can write down your interests.
It is possible to increase your passion for the job and your chances of success by focusing on areas that interest you.If your interests seem to have nothing to do with travel, first write them down in general terms.You can create a second list of destinations that you would love to visit.The two lists should be compared.To double your enthusiasm, pair your interests with destinations that are related to them.If fine wine is on your list of interests, pair it with areas that include wine countries, such as France, Italy, or California.If you have a passion for English literature, London would be a good place to start.Australia, Baja, and South Africa have great white sharks.
Step 3: Determine your client base.
Imagine being a travel agent again.Take a picture of who you want to go on your dream vacation in your place.The nature of your dream travel package should be considered.Consider how much money you think your ideal customers will spend.If you want to offer dream trips for your own clients, contact other travel agents for quotes to get a rough idea of the price.Determine what kind of income your clients would need to afford these trips by using this price information.Your potential client list may be further narrowed by age restrictions.A wine-tasting tour would most likely eliminate families traveling with children, while cage-diving with sharks would appeal to younger adults.
Step 4: Make a budget.
Money should be set aside for essential equipment for an online business.The items include a phone, fax machine, website, and computer.It is possible that you will have to pay fees for training and certification.
Step 5: You can learn about the industry with the available resources.
If you know someone who works as a travel agent, you should give them a cup of coffee.There are online forums and message boards that are specific to the industry.Join professional networks.You can subscribe to publications dedicated to the business.The YTP Travel Network is one of the prominent professional networks in the industry.Trade publications include Agent@Home, Recommend, Travolution, Travel Agent Central, and Travel Trade.
Step 6: Pick out a name for your business.
Since your business will be online, make it short so people can find it easily.You can see if a specific domain name has already been taken or if the company name is already registered by another entity.Take note of the top hits that come up with each search.If your website is likely to come 50th in a list of other popular searches, consider something different.Let's say you share the same name as Donald Trump.You should come up with a business name that doesn't incorporate your own name since a search for "Don" will bury any mention of you online.The core concept of your speciality can increase its prominence in searches for those terms.California Wine Tours is self-explanatory as well as being the exact phrase someone would search for to find more information about that topic.
Step 7: Register your business.
It's a good idea to consult a lawyer and/or tax accountant about the best classification for your business.As a small business, you will most likely register as a sole proprietor.Ask your lawyer if local or state laws require you to register a DBA name.If you register as a DBA, you are essentially paying a nominal fee and filling out some paperwork in order to work from a residence, as opposed to taking classes and passing exams to earn a travel agent license.
Step 8: Personal and business finances are separate.
If you don't have a Social Security number, apply for an Employer Identification Number to use for tax purposes.It's a good idea to open a bank account for your business.If your business needs a credit card in addition to the debit card that comes with your bank account, you should apply for a new card to be used exclusively for your company.The steps will help keep you organized.
Step 9: Don't forget to use your contacts.
You should review the people in your life.All categories include family, friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers and passing acquaintances.Do you know if they can help promote or assist your business?If you want to specialize in wine-tasting tours to the Napa Valley and your neighbor's son works at a hotel there, ask for his contact information.If you plan to arrange group trips to major sporting events, keep the sports fans in your life in mind as possible links to future customers.Link your business to your contacts on social media.You can increase your visibility.Ask them to like your website and share it with others in their network.Ask people you know to refer people to you.Offer prizes or thank you gifts for referrals who end up booking trips with you.
Step 10: Consider working with a host agency.
If you want to start an online travel agency that is completely independent of any other business entity, consider starting as an independent contractor for a host agency.Transition into your new career with less stress by using their infrastructure.Before starting a business from scratch, learn the trade and gain insight into what is needed.Lower overhead will be provided by host agencies.
Step 11: There are research agencies that do research.
Before applying to join a host agency, take the time to learn about them.If the company's brand is sought after by the public or avoided at all costs, read customer reviews.You can find forums frequented by current and former agents who worked with them.Call each agency to find out what information is not on their website.Ask about the method of payment and the type of commission they offer.Which software programs you will need and whether they offer a discount if you purchase the tech through them instead of the open market.What amount of continuing education is offered after training is required.Community support is offered between you, other independent contractors and the agency.Exactly how much you will be charged to sign up, as well as any fees that may be required later on.
Step 12: Which is best for you?
You should weigh the answers to your questions against your own needs once you've made contact with agencies.Those that already offer travel within the niche market that you have decided to specialize in should be considered first.Would you rather work for a large company with a lot of resources or a smaller one with more intimate connections between workers?Would you rather work for a local business that occasionally gets together or would you prefer to work from home?Does the training that they offer cover everything you need to learn, or do you feel like you will be overwhelmed?
Step 13: Go to the agency's website to sign up.
Expect to pay an application fee for each agency's process.The application fee may be used to cover the training and certification course.The amount of time to receive certification is specified.Courses can be entirely online, by correspondence, or a combination of the two.If the host agency doesn't offer their own certification process, you can still apply and possibly be hired.If you want to work for this company and be certified at the same time, you can seek certification through organizations like the Travel Institute.