Monday 16 September 2013

How to Start a Travel Agent Business

Although many people travel for leisure, a vacation trip can easily turn into a nightmare vacation because of regretful hotel choices, lack of planning and many other unforeseen events. The US Travel Association estimates that American travelers spend approximately $246 billion a year for vacations, emergency trips to visit sick relatives and business. Start a travel agent business and connect travelers with destinations.

Instructions

    1

    Get certified as a travel agent. Contact the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents for recommendations on certification courses. The US Bureau of Labor Statistic pointed out in a 2009 search that "Many vocational schools offer full-time travel agent programs. Travel agent courses also are offered in public adult education programs, online, and in community colleges."

    2

    Work as a travel agent for up to two years to gain some experience. To book travel on behalf of an airline, cruise ship or other transportation providers, agents must be approved and go through a vetting process and meet each travel partner's requirements. Much of the approval process is based on previous experience.

    3

    Obtain a business license. Simply complete the state or city required forms and submit them with your licensing fee.

    4

    Choose your monetary strategy and business model. You can work as a referral agency, a booking agency, a combination of both or create a new travel market model. As a referral agency, you get paid a commission for every sold package that you refer. As a booking agent, plan and book travel packages with one or more airline and hotel travel partners.

    5

    Plan and develop your website. Determine if you will solely operate online or operate a brick-and-mortar booking office as well. Hire a web designer to include slideshows, flash or any other web technology that will show your site visitors the latest vacation packages available along with other options.

    6

    Get booking software. In the book, "Web Services and Service-Oriented Architecture" Douglas K. Barry writes, "A characteristic of the travel service agent is that it always needs the latest information from multiple sources."

    7

    Put together complimentary intangibles to support package sales. For example, add travel insurance and baggage claim insurance to every package sold to customers at no additional charge to them.

    8

    Attract web surfers to your website using banner ads and pay-per-click ads through reputable companies like Google. Market your business where your target audience will most likely see it. For example, if you specialize in business travel, print ads in Business Journals.

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