Travel agents help clients find the right vacation at the right price. They book vacations for clients by referring business to travel wholesalers. Wholesalers do not work with the general public and are in business exclusively with travel agents. This gives travel agents a competitive advantage to modern-day Internet travel sites. Wholesalers split commissions with travel agents after the client books a vacation through them.
Instructions
- 1
Research an area of travel that you would like to specialize in. Ask yourself what destinations you have knowledge about or have traveled to. People will book vacations with you if you are an expert in their destination.
2Contract with a host agency. Host agencies are travel agencies that contract with independent agents. Commissions are split between the host agency and agents after a client books a vacation. The agency retains a percentage of the commission to pay for overhead costs, supplying business leads and giving agents access to their network of established wholesalers.
3Apply for a state business license and tax ID if you do not want to use a host agency. States such as California, Washington and Hawaii have a separate licensing process in ordered to become a registered seller of travel. Wholesalers may require unique travel agency numbers such as a CLIA and IATA numbers before they accept you as a business partner.
4Purchase an Errors & Omissions insurance policy. E&O insurance protects travel agents for costly mistakes.
5Advertise your business. The Internet is a great way to drive traffic to your agency and your virtual storefront is open 24/7. Market your services in the local community and offer to book group or corporate travel for large organizations.
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